--- First exam: Commercial legislation

They gave me a sheet of paper with questions about taxes, market regulations, sales regulations, and commercial rights. Thanks to the copy of the book on the supercomputer, I didn’t have to think much; I just had to read the file to find the answers.

--- Second exam: Mathematics

The second sheet contained problems in basic calculus, geometry, and simple equations.

The exercises were simple. Multiplication, division, areas of geometric figures, and first-degree equations… there was nothing that wasted my time; I finished in ten minutes.

I stood up to hand in the exam, but before I could even hand it in, the examiner stood up with a superior face.

—The examiner— “Relax, this exam is very difficult, you’re not the first to hand in a blank one,” she said with an air of superiority.

■— I can understand that math is difficult for some, but this test is too easy —

The examiner was speechless; she couldn’t understand how I completed the exam in such a short amount of time. So she told me to wait in the classroom while she went to review it with someone else.

It took about thirty minutes for the examiner to leave the room. She arrived accompanied by another woman, who accused me of cheating. So I was forced to retake both exams, this time with both of them invigilating me at the same time.

The second law exam was the same, so it didn’t take me long to answer the questions again. It took a little over fifteen minutes. As for the math exam, they gave me a more complicated test than the last one. This time it had quadratic equations. But they were simple, with no complex numbers; I just had to use the Bhaskara. It took just as long, because of the excessive number of exercises—there were about forty of them.

(I find it funny that they thought I was going to give up on those exercises)

Using the supercomputer, I could have completed them all in less than a blink of an eye, but I felt like doing it wrong, so it took me twenty-five minutes to complete all the exercises and hand in the exams. The two examiners were amazed; they hadn’t taken their eyes off me at all, and I completed the exams in record time. They checked the answers with a pre-made exam and had no choice but to give me an 8.7 in law and a 10 in math.

After the exams, the guild receptionist gave me my merchant’s license. With that, I can.

--o He could trade freely in the city.

--or Buy a “ship” or production plant.

--o He had the right to rent a stall in the market.

--or He could access exclusive guild services. (Banks and well-stocked warehouses)

Before leaving I had the idea of ​​exchanging a 1kg gold bar for coins.

■— Excuse me, Miss, the guild buys minerals.—

—The receptionist— It’s possible, but the guild doesn’t usually buy minerals. —

I placed the gold ingot on the counter. The metal gleamed in the guild light, reflecting the receptionist’s surprised eyes. The loud thud echoed throughout the room, halting everyone’s activity.

The receptionist stood still, too long for someone accustomed to handling money. A second later, she hurriedly stood up and left the room, entering a private hallway. I crossed my arms and waited.

The Merchants’ Guild had an organized and meticulous structure. It didn’t surprise me that the guild’s deputy director, or Guild Manager, a woman named Selene Valtieri, reflected that same efficiency in her demeanor.

Selene was around thirty years old, (checking the other stats seemed wrong to me) with a firm presence and a sharp gaze, the type of person who is used to leading and making decisions under pressure.

When he entered the room, he maintained a professional air.

—Selene— Sorry for the wait. The guild master isn’t here right now. She had to attend to an urgent matter at the temple. There was… an incident yesterday with the statue of Tolmas. —

■— I see. — ...

—Selene— Please accompany me to a more private room. —

I nodded and followed her. She led me to a well-kept office with a polished wooden desk, shelves full of accounting records, and a bay window overlooking the main street. The kind of place where important deals are made.

When we both sat down, she spoke first.

—Selene— Before continuing, let me pour you a glass of wine. —

■— Thanks for the offer, but I don’t usually drink when I do business, but I wouldn’t deny you a glass of water or a tea. —

—Selene— I see that you are well versed in the new fashions of the nobles, give me a moment.— He left the room to return several minutes later with a teapot and two cups.

—Selene— I suppose I should have introduced myself sooner. I’m Selene Valtieri, Deputy Director or Administrator of the Merchants’ Guild. —

■—Hunt. — I extended my hand (As Theodore taught us) and she shook it confidently.

I didn’t give any further details. Nor were they relevant. I took out the one-kilogram gold ingot and placed it on the table. Selene didn’t show any exaggerated reaction. She simply slid her gaze toward the piece and calmly observed it, analyzing its purity without needing to touch it.

■— I would like to exchange this ingot for coins of this kingdom. —

—Selene— Do you just want to change it or would you rather invest it in something? —

■— Just change it. —

Without wasting any time, he called an assistant. Within a few minutes, several bags of coins were placed on the table. 72 gold coins in total. I picked one up and quickly examined it.

■— Excuse my indiscretion, but this coin is not pure gold.— It wasn’t exactly a scam, but it wasn’t a completely clean deal either.

Selene leaned her elbows on the table and interlaced her fingers with a soft sigh.

—Selene— I know it’s not the same as your ingot, but gold in circulation always has slight impurities.—

■— I understand. — ...

It wasn’t worth arguing about. In the end, it was still a considerable amount of money.

(So ​​far we have or have won 4 M Au, 20 M Ag, 100 M Cu. We spent 1 M Au on the registration, dinner was 3 M Cu, 3 M Fe, and 2 B Fe, and to sleep we spent 4 M Cu. Today when leaving the subdimension I took 3 copper coins. And I spent 2 M Cu and 3 M Fe. Plus the 72 Gold coins give us a total of or we still have left: 75 M Au, 19 M Ag, 87 M Cu, 33 M Fe, and 8 B Fe. And we still have gold bars left.)

After the transaction, the conversation took an interesting turn. Selene was a woman with a solid understanding of trade, economic strategy, and manufacturing. We discussed the benefits of guild membership, buying and selling materials, and managing a company.

She spoke intelligently, measuring her words carefully, revealing nothing more than necessary. She wasn’t just an administrator, she was a strategist. She captivated me with her way of speaking, her elegant movements, and her extensive knowledge of her field.

When I realized it, hours had already passed.

“Selene,” she said, “it was an interesting conversation. It’s not every day I have such a stimulating conversation about business.” She said with a slight smile.

■— In that case, would you like to continue the conversation at dinner? I’m paying. —

Selene held my gaze for a few seconds. Finally, she smiled sideways and nodded.

—Selene— Mmmmm I accept. —

...

The restaurant I chose had a refined atmosphere, with private tables and dim lighting that gave a sense of exclusivity. It wasn’t a place where people came to eat quickly and leave, but rather where business and relationships were concluded calmly. Selene seemed in her element. Her posture was relaxed, but she still projected control.

From the start, the conversation flowed smoothly. At first, the tone remained professional, discussing markets, trade routes, and the region’s economic stability. But gradually, the topic shifted toward something more personal.

I discovered that Selene hadn’t been born in the city, but in a merchant town to the south. Her rise in the guild wasn’t a matter of lineage, but of work, cunning, and well-calculated decisions. I found myself forced to lie about my origins, where I came from, a very secretive village, where we had almost no notions about the world and its surroundings. Nothing remained of the village after a landslide, and Hunt and I were the only survivors, only because we were hunting at the time. After telling her about my origins, we remained silent, until...

—Selene— Trading isn’t just about numbers and merchandise, Hunt. It’s about trust, perception, and knowing when to push or pull back.

■— In other words, knowing how to play your cards well. —

Selene smiled, tilting her head slightly.

-Selene— Exactly. —

I smiled too. For the first time, I saw her truly enjoying the conversation. With each course that arrived at the table, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Selene not only spoke fluently, but also let out the occasional laugh. She ordered a glass of wine. She wasn’t drunk. There was barely a hint of color in her cheeks, and her tone of voice had softened.

I drank too… and waited to feel something. Nothing. I took another drink, and another, and another. Again, and nothing. I frowned slightly and opened my status interface with a simple thought. “Poison resistance.” And suddenly, everything made sense.

(Does this mean I can never get drunk again? Not even feel the effects a bit? … shit.)

Selene, unaware of my discovery, placed her glass on the table and looked at me with a more relaxed expression than at the beginning of the evening.

—Selene— I don’t usually accept invitations so easily, but I must admit that you have surprised me… in several ways. —

She sounded genuine. And for the first time tonight, she didn’t seem to be calculating every word. I, on the other hand, was still processing my immunity to alcohol.

Dinner was almost over when Selene leaned an elbow on the table and looked at me with a half smile.

—Selene— By the way, I checked your test results. — She turned her glass between her fingers, looking at me curiously. —

—Selene— You got an 8.7 in legislation and a 10 in math... in record time. —

She didn’t seem surprised, but she did seem intrigued.

■— It was just basic calculations and simple rules. — I shrugged.

■— Nothing complicated. —

Selene let out a short, nasal laugh.

—Selene— How humble you are. Most applicants take more than two hours and still miss several questions.

■— I guess I have a knack for numbers. —

Selene looked at me with an expression that was a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.

—Selene— Ease? No, Hunt… — Her gaze sharpened slightly. —

He leaned forward a little, resting his elbows on the table.

—Selene— That was precision. You used more decimals than anyone else. How did you do it? —

I shrugged.

■— I guess I got used to working with numbers. —

I didn’t want to delve too deeply into the subject, so I looked down at my plate. Selene frowned, clearly dissatisfied with my answer, but let the subject drop. Dinner continued with lighter conversation and questions that I skillfully dodged.

We talked about economics, legislation, and even trading systems, but whenever the conversation got too close to things I couldn’t explain without giving myself away, I’d divert it with another question.

■— Are there no farms here or what? —

Selene looked at me strangely.

—Selene— Farms? —

His expression was a mixture of confusion and disgust, as if I had inadvertently said something offensive to him.

■— Yeah, you know. Places where you raise animals for food. Cows, pigs, sheep… —

Selene blinked several times, processing the information.

—Selene— …That’s weird. —

■— Weird? Have you never raised animals? —

—Selene— No. Here, the only animals we have are squills or lartos. —