Vicente didn't want to tell Lukas the whole truth right away. That would be compromising and unnecessary. However, he did want Lukas and some other professionals on his side.
The cost would be high, as Lukas imagined. But the benefit would be much greater.
For example, by having an alchemist on his side, Vicente's family could raise someone who would be committed to serving the family and who could produce exactly the pills and potions they needed.
Though the cost of maintaining such a single professional would be high, the return and potential they could provide were immense.
Vicente would have to spend a lot of money to have each of these professionals on his side. But each of them would accelerate the rate of progress of his group relative to its numbers and capabilities.
In short, with individuals capable of producing things for the group, they could speed up its expansion rate and thus achieve more abundant and valuable business, which would naturally increase the number of coins and profits for the group.
Millfall currently had plenty of room for the Mazzanti family to grow. However, Vice lacked the people and resources to nurture them.
That would allow him to increase their numbers and quickly fill the void left by Defiant Tyranny.
But there was only a short time for him to do this, or he would lose the opportunity. At the moment, not only was the Scarlet Syndicate gradually occupying the space left by the Defiant Tyranny, but other groups similar to Vicente's were also moving into the city's shadows.
Depending on his family's current growth, Vicente wasn't sure if he would be able to become the biggest force in Millfall's underworld in the short term.
To accelerate his group's growth, he was willing to make the investment that Lukas doubted he could afford.
For now, the Scarlet Syndicate is preoccupied with their own profits and their new weapons. They won't look at my family for a few more weeks. But after that...' Vicente narrowed his eyes, aware that his personal growth would cause problems for his people.
The truth was that he was growing very fast by local standards. Vicente expected to reach level 3 in no more than 8 days. However, with this level of power, he was sure that the leader of the Scarlet Syndicate, Brody Wright, would feel threatened.
Even though he already had weapons in the hands of his men and was on the allied side with the most power between him and Vicente, that man could very soon change his mind about the young Fuller.
Aware of the problem he might have with Brody, Vicente wanted to grow as much as possible over the next month. So he wanted to bring Lukas and such a young man's allies into his family!
Rory had already approached the two people he thought he had a good chance of bringing into the family. Still, Vicente was moving on his own to try this with Lukas.
He said, answering the question of the blond man next to him. "More or less. You could say I found a treasure, haha. But if you come with me, I'll tell you in detail what happens, but also my plans.
Lukas, come with me. Let's reach the 3rd stage and surpass Millfall's level together." He showed one of his hands to the young man with a doubtful look.
"The 3rd stage? Is that your goal and leaving Millfall?" Lukas looked at him cautiously.
"My goal is to grow as much as possible, my friend. Millfall can't be the end of my journey, and I think you feel the same way. Since you have ambitions to reach better places in the future, why don't we do it side by side? As blacksmiths, we can help each other." He said confidently, not caring about the rivalry between his and Lukas' masters.
Lukas didn't care either, but he was unsure about Vicente's ability to fulfill his words.
"Are you willing to make a Magic Agreement with me? I don't want to distrust you, Vice, but I find it hard to believe you can keep this promise... No offense." Lukas said, looking at Vicente and seeing the conviction in the black-haired young man's eyes. "I don't want to relinquish my exclusivity as a magician without guarantees."
Vicente smiled. "But of course. That's the minimum. But first, I'd like your help in getting some of your allies to join me as well. I think I can afford up to five professionals like you simultaneously."
"I can talk to some of my contacts. But you'll have to convince them on your own." Lukas commented. "I can arrange a meeting between you and them to sort it out."
"Perfect. How about we do it in five days? I plan on going to Martell Village today to deal with a problem in one of my warehouses, and I won't be back in town until then." He made up this excuse to justify his disappearance for the next few days.
"Five days? Okay, I'll see what I can do." Lukas saw no problem with that. "You can come to my house in the evening in five days. I'll ensure that as many of my contacts as possible await you there."
With that, the two parted ways, Lukas running off to find his allies in Millfall while Vicente made his way to disguise himself and then return to his identity as Cesar Mazzanti.
Vicente Fuller was already in the city. Now, it was time for Cesar Mazzanti to return from his pentagram hunt!
...
Late at night on Vicente's first day back in Millfall after weeks away from the city, he finally arrived at the Mazzanti family estate to meet his men!
As their chief entered the front door, a group of nearly 20 of the family's soldiers celebrated his return, clapping their hands in excitement at Vicente's triumphant return.
Vicente was now a level 2 Acolyte, but not only that but someone with a yellow pentagram!
Almost everyone there had idolized him before, but now their fanaticism towards him had increased by several levels!
"Boss, congratulations on your progress!"
They said similar things as Vicente took off his mask and smiled, happy to be back with his people.
"Thank you, everyone. But let's not celebrate too loudly. Our enemies are on the prowl, and they shouldn't know how well we're doing." He said, easily silencing his men.
"But I bring you good news." He showed one of his hands where the spatial ring was with all the resources he had brought for some of his staff.
"Here, I have important resources that will help some of you to increase your magical powers!"
