Inside the high-tech laboratory, Jax moved with efficient precision, correcting the problems that had stumped the R&D team for weeks.
Dr. Aris stood by, watching in stunned silence. He had lost count of how many times his worldview had been shattered today. Jax didn't just solve problems; he approached them from an angle that seemed alien to Aris's decades of academic training. It was as if Jax operated on a completely different frequency of logic.
"Done," Jax said, straightening up. "Implement those solutions, and your Penetrator Ballista will be fully operational."
He glanced around the sterile room. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going."
"Wait—let me see you out!"
Dr. Aris had undergone a complete change of heart. Jax might have humiliated him earlier, but he had also saved the project and left Aris with a shred of professional dignity. The Doctor felt compelled to show his gratitude.
Jax waved a hand dismissively. "No need. I can find my own way."
Despite the refusal, Aris insisted on walking Jax to the building's entrance, even pressing a high-quality umbrella into his hands as they faced the pouring rain.
"Ahem! Brother Jax," Aris hesitated, then lowered his voice. "There is something I feel I must say."
Jax paused, one foot already on the wet pavement. He turned back. "Speak."
"Your designs... the core components of these Defense Towers are revolutionary. I strongly advise you to protect your intellectual property. Perhaps establish your own studio? You could interface directly with the Defense Tower General Union."
"The Defense Tower General Union?" Jax asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aris nodded vigorously. "Yes! If you submit your core components to them, a patent is practically guaranteed. You would receive substantial royalties annually. For someone with your talent, it is the golden path."
Jax’s expression remained unreadable. "I see. Thank you for the reminder."
He simply opened the umbrella and stepped into the curtain of rain, leaving the scientist staring at his retreating back.
When Jax returned to the villa, Sawyer was still awake, pacing the living room. Upon seeing Jax enter, Sawyer’s face lit up with relief.
"Brother Jax! You’re back. Thank you for... everything today."
Jax knew exactly what Sawyer was referring to. If Jax had been seduced by the offers to join The Helios Syndicate, Sawyer would have been cut out of the loop completely. By returning, Jax had silently affirmed their alliance—a massive boost to Sawyer's standing within The Helios Syndicate.
"It was nothing," Jax said calmly. "And thank you for your support as well."
Sawyer nodded, then reached into his pocket and produced a heavy, ornate key. He pressed it into Jax’s hand.
"This is for a residence in Redrock Bastion. It’s not a palace, but it’s over a thousand square meters. Please, accept this as a small token of my appreciation."
This time, Jax didn't refuse. He pocketed the key immediately.
On the drive back, his mind had been racing. He was wealthy in resources now, but socially, he was still a ghost. A civilian identity offered zero protection in this world. He needed a legitimate front.
Dr. Aris’s words about patents had sparked a realization. Jax’s capabilities were too advanced for the current era. If he wasn't careful, he wouldn't be hailed as a genius; he would be dissected as a specimen.
A tall tree catches the wind.
He couldn't stand alone yet. He couldn't become a major noble family overnight. He needed a shield—a proxy to take the spotlight while he pulled the strings from the shadows.
Sawyer was the perfect candidate. The Helios Syndicate was a second-tier power in Redrock Bastion—strong enough to be respected, but not so massive that they would swallow Jax whole without a second thought. Sawyer was ambitious but not foolish; he understood the value of cooperation over domination.
"Brother Sawyer," Jax said, his tone shifting to business. "Since we are friends, let me be frank about my plans."
Sawyer blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. "Of course. Let's talk in the study."
Moments later, they were seated on plush leather sofas, the rich aroma of premium cigars filling the air.
"Brother Sawyer," Jax began, exhaling a plume of smoke. "You realize the blueprints I gave you are not simple, correct?"
"Absolutely," Sawyer leaned forward, his expression serious. "The power conversion specs alone could overhaul our entire Defense Tower grid. If this tech spreads, it could upgrade the defensive capabilities of the entire Sprawl, maybe even push us into a new Tier."
Jax nodded, satisfied with Sawyer's acuity. "Do you have a plan for them?"
"I intend to secure the patents for these core components," Sawyer said firmly. Then, catching himself, he added, "In your name, of course. The credit belongs to you."
Jax shook his head. "That is not what I want. I dislike the spotlight. In fact, I don't want the world to know I'm the designer at all."
Sawyer froze. "Brother, you... what are you saying?"
Jax crushed the half-finished cigar into the ashtray. "Let's form a partnership. I will provide the blueprints. You will handle the manufacturing, the politics, the patents, and the sales. You will be the face of this revolution."
He paused for effect.
"In exchange, we split the profits. Seventy-thirty. You take seventy percent. I take thirty."
Sawyer’s jaw dropped. He stared at Jax as if he were speaking a foreign language.
"Thirty percent? Brother, that’s... that’s robbery against yourself! Do you have any idea how much money this technology represents?"
Jax smiled faintly. "I do. But I will have higher-Tier technologies in the future. Eventually, I will establish my own company. When that time comes, you will be my primary partner. Consider this an investment in our relationship."
Sawyer knew Jax was painting a grand picture—promising the moon to get a deal now—but looking at Jax’s calm confidence, Sawyer found himself believing it.
"Make it fifty-fifty," Sawyer countered, his voice earnest. "I can't in good conscience take seventy percent of your genius. We split it down the middle."
"No," Jax insisted. "Thirty is enough. I provide the paper; you provide the labor, the connections, and the risk management. You earn that seventy percent."
Sawyer looked at Jax with newfound respect. This wasn't just generosity; it was a calculated move to ensure Sawyer’s absolute loyalty and effort. If Sawyer was making the lion's share, he would fight to the death to protect Jax's secret.
"Alright," Sawyer agreed solemnly. "It's a deal. But I’m putting this on the record: when you release the higher-Tier gear, we renegotiate."
"Thank you, Brother Sawyer."
Sawyer rummaged through a drawer and slid a sleek black card across the table. "There are one million Credits on this. Consider it a signing bonus."
Jax looked at the card but shook his head. "I already took the house. I can't take your money for nothing." He pushed the card back. "Besides, I'm not exactly hurting for cash."
"Eh?" Sawyer blinked. "Didn't you say you wanted to exchange Cores for cash earlier? How about this: you give me Cores, and I give you this card."
Jax paused. He grabbed a calculator from the desk.
"Even brothers keep clear accounts. Let me check the exchange rates."
His fingers flew over the keys. After a moment, he looked up, a playful glint in his eye.
"For the amount of Cores I have... this card is a little light."
Sawyer laughed awkwardly. "Ah, right. I suppose one million isn't much compared to a bulk supply. Just take the card for now as an advance. Oh, and by the way—you should consider keeping some Cores. Tier 1s are useless for it, but Tier 2 Cores can be used for biological enhancement surgeries."
Jax shook his head. He had heard of such procedures—crude, risky, and invasive. He didn't trust the butchers in this era to cut him open and stuff alien crystals into his veins. He had the System for power; he didn't need to gamble with his biology.
In the end, Jax retrieved a heavy sack containing one thousand Tier 1 Cores from his inventory and placed it on the table.
"One thousand Tier 1 Cores," Jax said. "That should cover the million."
He picked up the black card. The deal was done.