The holographic ID pulsed softly in my hand, displaying the address: "East Area House 3." This ranking in the top three had its perks. A spacious apartnt awaited – a kitchen, a bedroom, an entertainnt room for leisure, and even a dedicated training basent.
The man handing the ID offered, "Would you like to have servants assigned to you?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you. I prefer to handle things myself."
He nodded, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Very well then. You are free tomorrow. Your class schedule will be emailed to you shortly. Be sure to check it."
"Got it," I replied, dismissing him.
Exploring the apartnt, I found a hidden room with a teleportation circle etched into the floor. A plaque beside it read: "Not suitable for long distance. Teleports to city below the academy only."
This was definitely a benefit. Third place granted freedom of movent. With a smirk, I stepped onto the circle, anticipating the familiar swirl of light. A mont later, I landed in a deserted alleyway, blinking away the aftereffects.
I pulled out my phone and sent a quick ssage. "Co to Stonegate, we have a lot to discuss."
"Alright," a voice responded through the phone's built-in comm system.
The world was a fascinating blend of old and new. The alliance between races had ushered in an era of progress. Gone were the days of clunky carriages; do cars zipped through the streets, sleek and efficient. Golems, once fearso creatures, were now automated cleaners, tirelessly scouring the city's corners.
The skyline boasted towering high-rises, a testant to the dwarves' engineering prowess combined with human ingenuity.
As I navigated the bustling streets, a ssage popped up on my phone. It was a location pin. "I'm here," it read.
*************
The air in the secluded mansion hung heavy with the musky scent of old books and polished wood. Across from sat Harvey, a dwarf with a face creased by a lifeti of labor. His thick beard, usually a source of pride. I cleared my throat, the sound echoing in the cavernous room.
"Where's your son?" I asked, cutting through the silence.
"He's seeking out the workforce we need," Harvey rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly.
Dwarf proportions were different. They weren't that short, but they weren't giants either. Stocky and broad-shouldered, Harvey stood a head shorter than , yet his presence filled the room. Though dwarves were known for their fiery tempers, Harvey's gaze held a quiet sadness that tugged at my heart.
"Hmmm," I mused, leaning back in the plush armchair. "Tell him to look for the forgotten ones. The people cast aside by their families, the poor, the beggars, the ones who wouldn't be missed nor would people care for their disappearance. I don't want anyone asking questions."
A flicker of surprise crossed Harvey's weathered face. "He understands, young master," he said, using a title reserved for those of noble birth. It was a formality I didn't care much for, but I let it slide.
Amber, a dark elf, defied the ethereal elegance often associated with her kind. Her raven hair, a cascade of midnight curls, frad a face that held more fire than grace. Small, sharp glasses perched on her nose, not to mask any physical imperfection but to amplify the brilliance of her erald green eyes.
Those eyes, sharp as a viper's, seed to pierce through facades, their gaze a constant challenge. Her figure, clad in practical attire that belied her magical prowess, moved with a predatory grace. A hint of a smirk often played on her lips, hinting at a sharp wit and a ruthless streak that lay just beneath the surface.
Every inch of her, spoke of a woman who wouldn't hesitate to take charge, a woman who thrived in the shadows and reveled in the chaos she could orchestrate.
"Sorry I'm late master, please continue." She said.
"It's fine," I nodded. "Now, the building."
Ink-stained parchnts littered the heavy mahogany desk, evidence of countless hours of ticulous planning. Opposite sat Harvey, his bushy brown beard bristling with suppressed excitent. Beside him, Amber, a whirlwind of red hair and fiery spirit, tapped her foot impatiently.
"So," I began, relishing the thrill of unveiling my vision, "I envision a structure unlike anything the city has ever seen."
A collective gasp escaped the room. Even the stoic Harvey couldn't hide a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
"This building," I continued, my voice taking on a theatrical flourish, "will be a colossal monunt.Ninety-nine stories it shall pierce the sky, a soaring giant known as Babel."
Harvey's thick fingers drumd a rapid tattoo on the desk. "Ninety-nine stories? That's... ambitious, young master. Ambitious indeed."
"Ambitious, yes," I agreed, a sly grin spreading across my face. "But within its walls, a vibrant world will co alive. Imagine, Harvey, a city within a building!"
I sketched the layout on a fresh parchnt, my words painting a vivid picture. "Retail shops of all kinds, from humble barbers to opulent jewelry stores. Markets overflowing with exotic clothing, gleaming weaponry, and potent potions. Restaurants serving delicacies fit for a king, delivering steaming plates to any corner of the building. Delivery services of food and items."
Amber's eyes glead. "Fast food delivery, you say? A good concept, young master. People are lazy creatures, they'll love it."
A chuckle escaped . "Indeed, Amber. But Babel will offer more than just fleeting pleasures. We will establish a bank, a secure haven for their hard-earned coin. No more hiding it in vulnerable storage rings!"
Harvey leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "A bank? An interesting proposition. But how do you plan to convince them to trust Null with their savings?"
"By placing 'reliable' people incharge of the bank, their nobles who wil be working for Null voluntarily or by force, also offering interest, loans, and unparalleled security. People love easy money and should their money disappear they bla them," I replied.
Harvey's thick eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A bank? Aye, that's certainly sothing the upper crust will find appealing."
"And the commoners?" Amber interjected, her voice laced with skepticism. "They don't have fancy rings or bags of gold to store."
"They have gossip," I replied, my eyes glinting. "Babel, as we shall call it, will be a lting pot of people, a constant hum of conversation. We'll have restaurants serving up everything from quick bites to lavish als, a place for the weary traveler and the boisterous socialite alike.And let's not forget the allure of nightlife."
A dark smile stretched across Amber's face. "Nightclubs you say? Places of music… and depravity?"
"Exactly," I said, relishing her understanding. "Alcohol and Lust loosens lips, and loose lips offer invaluable information."
I sketched a section of the building dedicated to entertainnt. "Music halls echoing with laughter, taverns brimming with revelry, luxurious hotels for those seeking a night of comfort – or sothing more… depraved."
A smirk danced on Amber's lips. "Now that's what I call catering to all tastes."
"Precisely," I said. "Babel will be a magnet, attracting both the commoners with their pockets full of coin and the nobility with their insatiable desires. And as they co and go, they'll unwittingly leave behind a goldmine of information."
Harvey stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Information, you say? This Babel sounds not only ambitious but also cunning, young master."
"Indeed, Harvey. Information will flow like water through this building. Whispers of rebellion, political intrigue, juicy scandals – we'll be privy to it all. Null will beco the ultimate information broker, selling the secrets of the powerful and the plight of the peasants.
We shall gather whispers, rumors, and secrets, sift through them with the precision of Null's finest analysts and investigators, and sell the most valuable to the highest bidder."
Amber clapped her hands in delight. "A beautiful sche, young master. A place where money flows freely and secrets spill like spilled wine. I can already sll the money in the air."
"Harvey," I began, turning towards the dwarf, his eyes sparkling with a challenge. "The official design and construction fall to you. Gather whatever materials and labor you need through the others. Efficiency is key. This building needs to be strong, resistant to attacks up to seven stars – an architectural marvel built with breakneck speed.
Since it took two months for the Floating Academy, Babel will rise in two weeks."
Harvey's beard twitched with excitent. "Two weeks, ? A tall order, even for one with my experience. But a challenge I relish!"
"I know you won't disappoint," I replied, then shifted my gaze to Amber, whose fiery red hair seed to crackle with sparks as she considered the financial aspects.
"Amber," I stated, "you're our financial alchemist. Make sure the funds used for Babel and Null are untraceable, 'clean'. No loose ends, no questions,no room for error. "
A ghost of a smile played on her lips. "Don't worry, young master. Money laundering is an art form, and I'm a master artist."
With a dramatic flourish, I raised my hand, summoning a figure from the shadows. A hulking knight, clad in dark armor, materialized with a silent genuflection. It was Kael, my mother's gift, my loyal enforcer, and an eight-star knight.
"Kael," I said, my voice carrying a hint of command, "security falls under your purview. Recruit capable individuals from our network and establish two security forces. The Star Order will guard the upper floors of Babel, catering to the high-rollers. Below them, protecting Null's operations, will stand the Obsidian Order. Choose from the slaves within our ranks who possess the best talents.
For the rest…"
I paused, a thought striking . "Send them to Harvey's son, Eric. He can assign them tasks within Babel's operations."
Kael inclined his head. "An effective use of resources, Master. It shall be done, Master."
A mischievous smile spread across my face. "And there's more," I continued. "In two weeks, I expect you both, Harvey and Amber, to reach the level of a seven-star mage. I will personally assist you in achieving this breakthrough. You are my lieutenants you can't be weak. By then, the others will have completed their tasks and join our ranks."
A glint of surprise flickered in their eyes before hardening into determination. "Yes, Master/Young Master," they replied in unison, bowing low.
"Now, get to work," I commanded, a smile curling on my lips. "I have a school to attend to. I'll be back after Babel's completion, then we'll have a comprehensive plan to move forward."
"Yes, Master," they chorused, bowing their heads in respect.
With that, I left the room, leaving behind a flurry of activity. Babel, the first piece of Null, was in motion.
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