John returned home and discovered a problem.
He stared at the artificial intelligence Tony had made.
"It seems... I don't have anything that high-tech."
He stared around his home, lost in thought. He didn't even have a laboratory where he could use it.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Get me one of every machine in your laboratory."
Tony: "..." Did you call the wrong number?
Tony was always the one giving orders. He wondered whether he had misheard.
That tone was as casual as asking someone to pick up takeout.
After hanging up, John needed to set up a laboratory.
As an Alchemist, John's abilities were no less impressive than those of scientists.
He put away the artificial intelligence awaiting activation and prepared to build himself a laboratory.
The next day, someone responded to the recruitment ad he had posted.
Sitting in his private office at Taran Industries, he looked over a résumé so impressive it bordered on extravagant. It felt unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar.
John asked the question that cut straight to the heart of the matter. "Are you applying for a management position?"
The woman across from him had wavy blonde hair threaded with brown.
She had fair skin and a high, straight nose.
Her features were exquisite, and she certainly knew how to dress.
White suited her well.
John looked up at her face. The woman wore a pair of brown glasses.
"I hope to become an assistant at your company, not merely for the salary, but because I also hope to have my contributions valued in the future," the woman said with a smile.
John rubbed his ring and considered for a moment, then nodded. "Miss Hattie Shaw, you're very welcome here."
Hattie had never imagined she might fail. Her confidence made