After shaking hands, both proceed to finish cleaning and picking up the place.

  "So here's how things are gonna go. I will show your dad a few of the potions I made. They are basic mana and health potions nothing to write home about.

  I will try to make a deal to him to produce more, and in that conversation, I will make so that you work with me. I need you to try refuse this. we can't have him suspect something is going on, ok?" Kei clarifies to Leroy.

  "Yeah, I understand. I guess it is, so he doesn't question our relationship too much, no? But is it really necessary?"

  "Remember our deal? Try not to question too much, would you. And yes. It is necessary."

  "Whatever you say, man... as long as you keep your side of the deal up, I will keep mine. I assume I can't mention the elixir or the Pact, right?"

  "You assume correct. You are starting to pick up things that's good. After the deal with your dad is over, I will leave, but you need to start learning how to use magic. Go to the library and then to my house, I can teach you some basic stuff."

  "...understood." Leroy reluctantly agrees with the request.

  "Now... let's go see your dad."

  Kei prepares the potions on a little box, and they both leave the room.

  ________

  Both arrive at the front of the store again, where it is currently empty except for Reiyo at the counter. He immediately notices them.

  "Well well well I thought you would take a bit more time. You only spent there just after midday." Reiyo looks genuinely impressed by their speed.

  "What can I say? I noticed I started getting hungry and decided to finish things quickly. Here, check this." Kei puts the box on the counter.

  Reiyo eyes the box and proceeds to open it with a bit of caution.

  "Wow...this are mana and health potions... I am no expert, but they look like beginner level..." Reiyo inspects the potions with a hint of fascination.

  "I can assure you they are, but if you wanna make so another alchemist inspects it, it would be my pleasure." Kei responds with a confident smile.

  "For a first time, this is really good... say... you only help with your mother's bakery, right?"

  "Yes sirrrr, business has been a bit busy lately, so I lend I hand more often than not." Kei says in a juvenile way.

  "I will be honest with you, kid. You are talented. I have not heard of anyone who, on their first try they created successfully multiple potions for multiple things. They may be beginner tier but the quantity and speed they were made in is incredible.

  It would be a complete waste to not use that talent, so here's the deal. You come here and work on some potions. I will pay you well I can assure you."

  "Mhhh, an interesting proposition, but... as I said, i am busy working with my mom. I would need someone who would cover for me." Kei quickly eyes Leroy but averts them not even a second later.

  Reiyo notices this and proposes.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "Why doesn't my son take care of it? A bit of work experience wouldn't be bad for this rascal."

  Leroy immediately reacts. "What?! Why me! I am sure some of the other guys you work with would be pleased with it! So why me?!"(Good acting)

  "Consider that, payment. After all, didn't you wanna see how Kei worked? Well, he showed you, so now you gotta pay him back. And as I said, you need to start doing something son, you cannot continue living here without doing anything." Reiyo is stern in his response.

  Leroy steps back a little from the response but continues arguing(he is nervous)

  "That's bullshit dad! You know I try to work here at the store. I think I am doing my best here already!"

  "Leroy," Reiyo says with a cold voice."You will work at Kei's mother's bakery, like it or not. You don't want me to say how "good" you have been managing the store... Do you think I didn't notice a few items missing?"

  Leroy immediately shuts up and drops the talk.

  "Sorry, father. I will do it..." Leroy's face is palid with fear written all over it.

  "Good. Let's not repeat this again, shall we?" Reiyo was firm in his decision.

  "No, father." Leroy completely relents.

  'Now that's an interaction... don't worry, Leroy, we will eventually deal with him too.' Kei thinks after watching the interaction.

  "Well... I guess we now need to discuss the revenue, right?" Kei changes the subject.

  "Yes, you are right." Reiyo follows his attempt. "Currently, I would be supplying you with the materials, the workplace, and I will manage the distribution. So I say a 70/30 split for me is acceptable."

  "Haha... yeah no. It is true that you will manage the business side of things, but let's not forget that without a chef, a kitchen is useless. I may be winning right now because I am a beginner but as you say I am talented and in little time I may be able to craft higher tier potions and even an elixir, so that exchange will lose me quite a bit.

  You can consider me an investment. Due to that future possibility of growth, I can not accept such an unfair ratio. So I say a safe 50/50 is better. Think about it... the moment I start making medium tier potions, you will be bathing yourself in gold. Because thanks to our vicinity to the Great Forest Of The South, you can sell these potions easily after all, Adventures are always in need of resources."

  "That may be truth, but... as you said, I would be investing in a possibility, not a certainty. Who is to say that you aren't a one trick wonder who will only be able to craft beginner level potions. So, considering the risk, I think a 70/30 is adequate. Remember, you are not the only alchemist in the city." Reiyo maintains his offer.

  "Then contract them. Why bother with me? I know what I am worth so maybe I will go to another section of the city to seek employment..." Kei says nonchalantly.

  'I know that you don't want me to affiliate myself with another one of the crime bosses, so make your offer, you old man...'

  Reiyo immediately opens his eyes and tsks his mouth.

  "I am considering you because you are a good member of the community. Tell me, will the others even consider you? I am your best shot if you want to start things." Reiyo starts pressing.

  "How do I know you are my best shot? You know I never visited the other districts of the city. Maybe in one of them, my talent would be appreciated more. After all you said I was talented am I not?"

  Reiyo's calm facade started to crack.

  "So you will not appreciate all the help you received from here? All the effort that people did to help you and your mom!"

  "Don't you talk about mom." Kei punches the desk and stares down at the sitted Reiyo. "I always thank the help you all gave us, but even you said that talent like mine should be used. And I plan to benefit from it in a fair way. Not by accepting a shitty deal with you." Kei says with a bitter voice.

  Reiyo stands up, and now he stares down at Kei, but he doesn't relent.

  "..."

  "..."

  The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Until suddenly...

  "...Good...you know when to stand on business...that is an important skill in transactions. Being able to tell your worth and don't summit to something you consider a loss.... I respect that."

  Reiyo proceeds to sit back on his chair and relaxes.

  "Then it will be a 50/50 split like you said. Sounds good, right?" Reiyo relents.

  "That sounds much better." Kei also relaxes and accepts the new offer.

  "Then you start tomorrow. For now, I will request that you make a certain quantity every day. Is that good?"

  "For now, it will suffice, so yes. I will make sure you get a list of the things I need." Kei gives a triumphant grin.

  "Ahhh... what an expensive investment you are." Reiyo exhales.

  "What can I say? I am quite the special individual, after all."

  Kei prepares himself to leave but is stopped last seconds by Reiyo's voice.

  "Hey kid!... Keep up like that. You are starting to grow a spine. That's necessary in this world."

  "I know, old man. Just keep watching, and you will see." Kei waves a goodbye and leaves the store.