May 2, 2150.
Two months had passed since then.
Brandon had completely cented himself in the business scene.
The artifacts he had presented back then were currently being unveiled in Holy Britannia.
CEOs, military officials, and other prominent figures filled the rows, eagerly awaiting the reveal of Locke Enterprise's new artifact.
The Elental Amulet.
It was an artifact capable of giving mages a secondary affinity, although slightly weaker than a primary one.
Everyone in the room present knew that this advancent alone held potential to change the very foundation of combat and magic practices in Holy Britannia.
Brandon sat near the front, looking around as each congratulatory greeting and handshake found him.
To his left was his business partner, Zedd, nodding approvingly as CEOs leaned over, congratulating Brandon on the upcoming reveal.
To Brandon's right sat Matthew, who rely offered a silent nod in his direction.
It was a day that attracted the attention of everyone, even the upper echelons of the Imperial Army, the Field Marshals.
Amidst the distinguished guests was Bellion, the newly appointed Grand Marshal, who had recently accepted the role and was seated at the center of the front row.
The display was broadcast across Holy Britannia, and the atmosphere clearly buzzed with anticipation.
The leaders of industries and high-ranking Imperial Army officers were present.
They were all ready to witness the unveiling of an artifact that promised to beco a cornerstone of military strategy and magical advancent in Holy Britannia, completely restructuring their culture.
At the appointed ti, Bellion rose and approached the podium.
He adorned a black suit, exuding an air of authority and elegance. All chatters and whispers fell into a hushed silence.
"Today, we gather to introduce a creation that is more than an artifact."
Bellion began, his eyes sweeping across the crowd.
"This artifact represents the efforts of our finest minds, brought together by an individual whose vision has helped shape our path forward."
He gestured toward Brandon, and the crowd responded with applause.
Clap. Clap—!
Brandon kept his expression steady, nodding his head slightly in each agreent.
Jain Victoria, CEO of Victoria Corporation, and the financier behind the project's completion, sat right behind Brandon.
He had been instruntal in supplying Brandon with the resources and labor required to see the artifact to completion.
The Elental Amulet sat upon a pedestal at the center of the stage.
Bellion reached forward, gesturing as the curtain fell away, revealing the amulet's design to the crowd.
—Woah!
—Wow!
Gasps and murmurs filled the room as everyone marveled at the sleek talwork, the embedded gemstones, and the polished aesthetic.
Compared to similar artifacts from Milis, Brandon's design was refined, potent, and optimized for efficiency in both combat and everyday applications.
Among the crowd, Brandon caught Lianna's crimson gaze.
Seated across from him, she gave a subtle smile.
The crowd around Brandon, who was eyeing Lianna, suddenly turned red at that mont, thinking Lianna was looking at them.
In any case, over the course of two months, they had developed a close business relationship.
"...."
She lifted her glass slightly, and he responded with a nod.
After the official reveal, the event transitioned into a grand celebration.
In a lavish ballroom nearby, champagne flowed freely as guests mingled and conversed.
Waiters circled the room, offering champagne and hors d'oeuvres as people congratulated him on the launch of the Elental Amulet.
"Congratulations, Mister Locke."
"Thank you."
The crowd around him grew as others ca forward with their proposals.
"We've been watching your work for so ti now, Mister Locke," a woman from a high-end tech company started. "Mixiao Incorporated would be thrilled to discuss a potential partnership."
He t her gaze, maintaining a polite tone.
"I'd be open to discussing it."
"Mister Locke—"
"Mister Locke!"
As the evening wore on, the line of people waiting to speak with him seed endless.
Brandon did his best to focus, nodding and engaging with each individual, but the sheer volu of attention was overwhelming.
It was a shift from his usual routine, and he was grateful when the official portion of the evening finally transitioned into a more relaxed celebration.
In a large adjacent hall, tables were set up with food and drinks, decorated with crystal chandeliers and elegant lighting.
A blend of business and military figures were gathered, many discussing the amulet's launch and its future impact.
Among the crowd, he spotted familiar faces, including Alia and Belle, both in uniform and speaking to a few officials.
They noticed him. However, as his eyes t with Alia's, she instantly turned away at the mont.
On the other hand, Belle flashed him a smile and nodded her head, clearly proud of her brother's achievents.
Brandon took a mont to breathe, grabbing a glass of champagne as he wandered over to a quieter corner.
Zedd joined him, smirking as he raised his glass.
"Quite the night, huh?"
Brandon sneered.
"That's an understatent."
He noticed Rachel and Rafael Asami among the crowd, mingling with other business elites.
They, too, caught his eye, each giving him a supportive nod.
Despite the formal setting, Brandon could see traces of amusent on their faces.
Nearby, Bellion, the new Grand Marshal, raised a glass in toast.
His deep voice echoed, all of the attention fixed on him.
"Tonight, we celebrate the achievents of Brandon Locke and the incredible possibilities the Elental Amulet brings. To new beginnings and a stronger future."
"To new beginnings and a stronger future!"
"Cheers!"
The crowd erupted.
The crowd cheered, and Brandon raised his glass in response.
The party continued in full swing, with music playing softly as people drifted into smaller groups, engaging in conversation and enjoying the night.
Brandon's guard lowered as he sipped his champagne, finally allowing himself to relax.
It was then when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.
Turning his head slightly, he saw Lianna, adorning a seductive one–piece dress that completely highlighted her curves.
Brandon, trying not to notice it, but couldn't help but notice how deep her cleavage was.
Her soft and alluring voice reached his ears shortly after.
"Quite the evening, isn't it?"
"I guess so."
He shrugged.
Lianna tilted her head, leaning a bit closer.
"Oh? You don't seem so excited."
Brandon shrugged, his words slightly slurred from the drinks he'd had throughout the night.
"I guess it's just… a lot to take in."
After Evelyn's death, he felt his ntal health take a toll.
Despite four months passing by in a blink of an eye, he was still recovering from it slowly.
He had to keep up his act.
To pretend like he was fine.
"Then maybe you need to unwind a bit~"
Lianna said, her voice warm. Her crimson gaze never averted from his.
"Perhaps sowhere quieter~?"
"Sowhere quieter?"
She nodded.
"Yes. Just us. I know the perfect place~"
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