The Genius Evolution Store

"My late grandfather from my father’s side... was the former director of its Foreign Intelligence Service."

Auric tilted his head in confusion.

Katarina was amused by his reaction. "You might not know about it, but that intelligence service was one of the top organizations in the world regarding espionage. My late grandfather built the family using his experience as the foundation. That was why it became our main business."

"This is interesting!" Lindwurm suddenly spoke. "A force that has an intelligence network is quite hard to acquire. There are merchants who use their people to spy on others, but if it’s a family that has a business in espionage, their information network is more terrifying.

"Why? It’s simple. If people want information, they can give it to them for a certain price. People might be able to look into your information on the internet, but that’s only the surface information. If they want in-depth information, they usually seek those who are selling the information.

"Just like that Ran guy at Grand Magica College... However, for someone who had established themselves in the capital city, her family’s information network might extend to the entire country. At this point, Ran looked like a local thug instead.

"More importantly, if people wanted information from them, especially regarding you, you would know about it since they work for you.

"However, you also have to deal with them carefully. They are a kind of double-edged sword. To put it simply, trust but verify. If you don’t verify their loyalty, they can stab you in the back because they will know more about your information since you simply allow them.

"In exchange, their information can become a powerful tool that can bring down enemies."

Auric thought even harder. It was no wonder Katarina was so confident. Her family might not be as wealthy as Ellia’s family, but they were terrifying in another way.

"Can I listen to the last two reasons?"

"Of course." Katarina smiled. "The third reason is pretty simple. Your character. After observing you for two weeks at Kallarnos University and fighting together with you here, I know you are not someone who will abandon others easily. At the same time, you’re wise enough to know when to retreat.

"I believe that even if you can’t reach the top, you are going to be near it. That’s why I’m not worried about you."

Auric couldn’t exactly say she was wrong about her assessment, but he added, "You know my principle, right?"

"Equivalent exchange. I know."

"Then, you should know I can leave this country if this country gives me that reason."

"At that time, our relationship will be severed. In the end, we’ve taken root in this country. However, it doesn’t mean we’re going to be enemies. So, I doubt that my family will be mistreated by you.

"Besides, it’s precisely thanks to this principle that I give you this proposal. If I treat you well, you will treat me well."

Auric scratched the back of his head while looking away. Her sincere expression just made it hard for him to say anything.

"What about the last reason?"

"The last reason is, of course, money. No matter where we are... even if we are in another world, money reigns supreme. You may have a business that I am not aware of. I doubt your teacher or her family gives you that much money because I know you will be the one to refuse.

"In other words, I’m convinced it comes from your own business. I don’t know what kind of business that is, but if you can earn that much at your current level, I know you can earn more in the future.

"If you sponsor us in the future, we may not lose to families like the Astler family or the Relesha family.

"A lot of wealthy families are still using political marriages to get more influence or money. I am planning to do the same, but instead of marriage, I’ll serve you."

Auric was tempted to accept it. If he just knew a lot of things, especially about his enemies, he could make better plans.

He wouldn’t have to be as reckless as before.

Auric scratched the back of his head as though he was having a hard time deciding. Ultimately, he said, "Even if this is tempting, you don’t have the authority to decide all that, don’t you? After all, you might be considered one of the heirs, but you are not the head of your family."

"Certainly. That’s why all I can offer right now is myself. I will serve you. In addition, I will prove myself to be useful and eventually gain control of my family. This way, no one will be able to stop me from leading the family to pledge allegiance to you.

"Besides, now that I’ve evolved my avatar to the mature form, I know it’ll be a matter of time for me to become the leader. My potential is good, and I have my own faction in the family. I have no problem becoming the head of the family in five... no, three years.

"I have to use that conservative number because I have to keep your information a secret.

"And even if I have yet to become the family’s head, I have a certain authority in the family. My position is stable, unlike Ellia’s. Unless you want me to destroy myself, I can continue to be useful to you."

Just like Katarina wanted him when he had low value, Auric also wanted her because she had yet to become the family head. This way, they could get each other while they were both still at the bottom.

Besides, this was a good deal for Auric, considering Katarina chose to serve him instead of simply becoming his ally.

In addition, Katarina’s strength and talent were exceptionally high. It wouldn’t be weird for her to become a rank 6 human in the future.

Still, if Auric ended up hitting a bottleneck, she might replace Auric at the top.

He didn’t have to worry about this. As long as he could continue to prove that he was worthy of her loyalty, he would remain at the top.

He intended to become a strong fighter, so reaching rank 6 was the minimum goal. Besides, he also intended to announce his existence as a unique-element evolution master.

If he factored in the Sun Store and the Moon Store, she would never be able to replace him.

’Trust but verify... In other words, I have to verify her first before trusting her, right?’ Auric asked inwardly.

Lindwurm nodded. "Indeed. If it’s a normal subordinate, you can actually use the Artificial Heart Method to make her raise her affinity to SS grade. This would raise her loyalty.

"However, in her case, if you decide to take her, you shouldn’t give that yet. Instead, you should make her show her loyalty first before giving her such a thing.

"But don’t just stop at her. You may need other subordinates in the future. For example, you will need someone to manage your accounts for the Sun Store and the Moon Store.

"If you give one subordinate enough power to replace the master, I don’t think I have to tell you what will happen."

Auric understood the implication. In other words, he could tell her about the stores once she showed her trust. But he should never give her the accounts for the Sun Store and the Moon Store. If he wanted to trust those accounts to someone, it should be a different person.

This way, each of his subordinates would keep the others in check.

’However, I can’t exactly test her right now.’

"You can ask her to find out Eva’s identity."

’I already know about her and I think my guess is 90% correct. So, I don’t think it’s worth using it to check her ability.’

"Well, that’s just a suggestion."

Auric thought for a moment. It was a harmless test, but if she could figure out Eva, it would show her family’s ability. Besides, this looked like a random job to her family. They would think unfavorably of Katarina, but if what she claimed was true, her position would still remain the same.

Instead, they would trust that Katarina requesting their help was the best path for their family.

Auric said, "I still don’t know about your ability in this field."

"Of course, test me. I’ve seen a lot from you and even benefited from what you’ve revealed. It’s only right for me to show my cards as well."

"In that case, can you investigate Eva?"

"You should have asked for a much more troublesome request." Katarina sighed. "Ever since she joined, I have been suspicious of her. After you opened the barrier to the point where we wouldn’t even get hurt, the thought of serving you was already in my mind.

"So, I have already completed my investigation. The real Evangeline might have joined the military, but the one with us wasn’t the real Evangeline. Instead, there were four suspects, or maybe spies, that could be her."

"!!!" Auric didn’t expect that she would know this much. After all, he got this kind of information from the Supreme Chief, who must be working with the government.

To his surprise, Katarina didn’t stop there. She continued, "Judging from her fighting style, it would be normal to think of two people. However, that spear ability of hers has revealed her identity.

"Among all the suspects, there is only one person who has a spear technique that strong. That person is Major Gloria Schaff—the rumored genius from the military, just not in this country.

"She must have been ordered to approach you, but judging from her behavior, the order might not have included orders to kill you. She might want to poach you or build a good relationship with you.

"As for her motive, it’s probably to rebuild her family. In a way, if you think she is useful, you will form a good relationship with her and then... snatch her from her country. If she wants to rebuild her family, it doesn’t necessarily need to be in that country.

"If you can just show her that following you is better than following her country, she will most likely follow you. After all, her family was ruined in that country. She joined the military to survive.

’If she could not only survive but also thrive, it would be natural for her to become a naturalized citizen of this country and serve you."

Auric certainly didn’t expect this level of analysis. Katarina easily figured out her true identity. He came to the same conclusion.

However, Katarina went one step further by giving a suggestion of potentially turning her into a true ally. In other words, what she gave wasn’t just information, but also the potential of that information.

Normally, if someone asked for information about a certain person, they would give the information according to what could be investigated.

Yet Katarina went one step further. She used that information to think about the potential next move. If that move required even more information, she would search for that information without being told to.

In other words, she could act independently, and Auric could gain more than what they’d agreed upon.

"This woman... is formidable. She can be the greatest ally, but she can also be an annoying enemy." Lindwurm gasped, impressed by Katarina’s ability.

Auric scratched the back of his head before holding out his hand. "It looks like you are able to convince me. I thought I could postpone my decision with that request..."

"I’m glad that you think highly of me." Katarina smiled. "What should I call you from now on? Maybe I should wear my maid uniform again and call you Master?"

"That sounds too cold. Just call me Auric as you usually do."

Katarina chuckled before shaking his hand firmly. "I look forward to working with you."

"Likewise." Auric didn’t let go of her hand because he couldn’t help but think of a way to test her. Auric raised his finger. "Katarina, I have two things I want to investigate? If you can do it, I will show you why following me is not a bad choice."

"Interesting. What do you want me to investigate?" Katarina didn’t back down. If Auric was going to reveal something to her, she would do her best to find out what it was.

Besides, Auric’s principal was equivalent exchange. If he gave her more difficult tasks, it would mean the secret he planned to show would be equal to the hassle.

A sly smile appeared on Auric’s face.