"So, your plan has succeeded. That’s the power of the artificial heart?" Maya asked.

"Yeah." Auric nodded calmly. "According to her, it can boost that much because it’s her, but other people will surely receive a boost as well."

"I see. As I expected, it’s going to blow up the internet." She shook her head helplessly.

"In a way, it can also help with your control, which allows you to use a technique that you’re not supposed to be able to handle yet."

"I know." Maya had seen Ellia using the World Cataclysm, which was a technique beyond her level.

"In any case, everyone can use it, but the problem will be that I have to create one technique for each rating. There are eight elements ranging from 1.0 to 5.0, so I’ll have to create 41 books for each element, not to mention their upgraded versions."

Maya thought for a moment before asking, "So, you’re also using this Artificial Heart Method?"

"No."

"No?" Maya was surprised. She thought that since he was the creator, he would be the first to use it.

Auric explained, "My body doesn’t have any affinity, so you can say that I already have everything. The Artificial Heart Method is just something I created for other people to get closer to my body’s condition."

"!!!" Maya’s eyes widened in shock.

Auric had already confirmed this after seeing the success of the Artificial Heart Method. When Lindwurm taught him advanced techniques, he could do them right away.

His learning talent might be exceptionally good, but the fact that he didn’t have an avatar also played a role.

He could control his element without restriction, unlike the others. In other words, in terms of how easy it was to control one’s energy, Auric had it the easiest.

In addition, there was no affinity, so Auric could absorb 100% of the energy from beast essence, artifacts, or any other source.

Hence, Auric never needed the Artificial Heart Method. This was just a method that tried to make other people get closer to his current body’s condition.

Maya finally understood the extent of Auric’s talent. It was no wonder that his progress was so rapid.

She closed her eyes for a moment, considering everything. After a while, she said, "Well, what do you want to do next?"

"I’m still thinking about setting up the Moon Store to sell the Artificial Heart Method."

Maya nodded. "I have actually put some thought into this, but what do you think about setting up the store in another country instead?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Auric tilted his head in confusion. He thought it would be easier to set up the shop in this country.

Maya continued, "There are three reasons. First, by setting up in another country, this country won’t find you even more ridiculous, which won’t force them to track you down at all costs.

"You can say it’s a distraction. Meanwhile, your Moon Store will become the focus of the other country."

Auric shook his head. "I still don’t understand. While it’s true that it won’t force this country, the other country will try to get me as well, right?"

Maya nodded. "Yeah, which is good. The other country will try to find you, but they can’t. Even if they try to trace you, they will trace you back to this country. They have no easy way to reach you.

"In addition, will the other country protect your privacy, especially if they find a trace of you being in this country? Most likely. They will hide your information because it will be embarrassing to find out that the amazing evolution master who created this technique is in another country. They simply can’t afford to admit it.

"At the same time, the Sun Store and the Moon Store. They are like opposites, so it will create a rivalry. This country can boast about the Sun Store, and the other country can boast about the Moon Store.

"They will end up fighting each other because of this minor matter. It’s basically directing their attention to that small fight rather than working together to find information about you."

Auric looked down, contemplating. She was right to a certain extent. Auric only had one more question. "What if they choose to steal this technique?"

"That’s a good question. Now, another question. Can they copy this technique using another technique as a reference?"

Auric thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No. The gathering techniques can be copied that way, but the Artificial Heart Method can’t."

"That’s easy then. Just sell the books starting from elements with lower ratings. The biggest power-up will be on the unique-element users or the elements with higher ratings, especially extreme elements.

"If they try to steal it, just say that you’re disappointed in this country and stop publishing there. Their citizens will be the ones raising pitchforks and torches on your behalf.

"In case nothing happens and you reveal yourself, then it won’t matter anymore.

"However, if this country disappoints you, you can simply use that store as a base to be accepted in that country and bring the Sun Store with you."

Auric looked down. He couldn’t deny this convenience. This option allowed him to have even more options in the future. "Still, it’s surprising how easy it is for you to say that I can leave this country. Isn’t your family related to the government?"

"My family is related to the government, but you are not. What? I’m merely thinking what’s best for you without considering my interests. Well, it’ll be good if you stay, but it doesn’t matter if you aren’t." Maya shrugged.

Her impartial advice convinced Auric even more.

"I see. I will consider this option, but what about the other two reasons?"

"The second reason is actually much simpler. Money. It’s true that you can get a lot of money by setting the store here, but if you set the store in another country, you can earn more money. After all, only those who are rich enough in this country will buy books from other countries, and vice versa."

"But won’t that mean I have to set up another paper company?"

Maya chuckled. "If you ask Ellia, she probably has prepared several shell companies for you already."

"..." Auric certainly needed money if he wanted to continue feeding Lindwurm, so it wasn’t a bad idea to get more money.

Maya continued, "As for the third reason..."

Maya looked a bit hesitant before saying, "It’s to protect you. I’ve checked your information. It’s protected to a certain extent, but if I have to use everything I have at my disposal, I could probably figure out your identity.

"Of course, finding a kid with a unique element would probably make them think you are just a fake identity that is used by whoever is behind the store. It might fool them for now, but not for long.

"If you set up the store in this country, it will make it even easier to find you. You can say they’re different or rivals, but the process to create the store is the same, so it’s basically telling them they have the same owner."

"Is it that easy to figure that out?" Auric asked. He thought his plan was already quite solid.

"Yes. In the end, two stores appear out of nowhere with the payment hidden in shell companies. They will notice the similarity. Unless you can entrust this store to a huge family like mine, which makes them think that one store came out of nowhere while the other is my family’s business that is trying to fight this store. It’ll be easy to figure out that the two stores have the same owner."

Auric contemplated. He certainly wanted to retain the full right to his store. While it was true that Ellia or Maya had helped him a lot, giving his stores to them would simply be a foolish decision.

After all, he was practically giving his future. These two stores would have a value exceeding one trillion credits in the future.

That was why the first option seemed much more enticing to him.

"I see. In that case, I will set up the Moon Store in another country. It will start from elements with lower ratings. I don’t plan to advertise it for the time being, so it will take time to gain traction."

"Even better." Maya nodded. "It will take time for you to get famous, so it will give you time to grow."

Auric agreed. "I’ll do it that way then."

"Good." Maya raised two fingers. "In that case, I have two other matters. First, we need to confirm whether they’re usable by people with higher-form avatars."

"You sound like you want me to test it on you." Auric narrowed his eyes.

"Precisely. This way, we will know whether it’s as good as you claim. It’s just to prove whether this ability works as intended."

"Well..." Auric thought for a moment. After he had finished with Ellia, he knew how to write it in a book. So, it didn’t really matter whether Maya wanted to try or not.

Besides, he had understood her power’s signature, so he should have no problem creating a book for her.

"Fine. I will write down the technique for you." Auric nodded.

"That’s my student." Maya nodded with a smile. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Maya had helped him a lot, especially with the Moon Store. In the end, he would have to use this energy to create a technique later, so it didn’t matter when he had to do it.

"It will take a day or two, so I will give you the book on Friday?"

"You can take your time." Maya waved her hand. "And one last thing. Do you remember the teacher’s conference?"

"Yes?" Auric tilted his head in confusion. "Is there something wrong?"

"Do you know about Kallarnos University?"

"The country’s number one university?"

"Yes. It was also my alma mater." Maya nodded. "Anyway, because of your previous performance, it seems that they’re taking an interest in you."

"So, they want to recruit me?"

"Yeah, but that depends on your choice."

Auric thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I don’t really care. Since this place is close to home, I think it’s better for me to remain here."

Auric believed he should remain in this city, considering his father was on a business trip. If he also left her side, his mother would probably become lonely.

Besides, it didn’t really matter where he studied. Even at Grand Magica College, he didn’t really need benefits like beast essence.

At best, the thing he would get from Kallarnos University was the opportunity to find other powerful elements.

It would benefit him greatly, but he didn’t think it would be a good opportunity for him.

He heard that Ellia lost her qualification the moment her avatar was revealed to have a unique element.

Since the lies he had spread were about him having the same element, Kallarnos University wouldn’t treat him kindly.

It would be better to focus on expanding here, including his stores. If he wanted those elements, he could always use another channel such as Ellia and Maya.

Besides, Maya couldn’t return to the capital, so that meant he had to take another teacher to protect him. Revealing this information to another teacher made him slightly worried, not to mention he didn’t know if there were any better teachers than Maya.

Certainly, there were other teachers stronger than Maya, but Maya’s personality suited him very well.

After considering the pros and cons, Auric thought Grand Magica College was better.

Hence, Auric said, "I’m going to remain here."

"Is that so?" Maya smiled inwardly, but she didn’t show it as she had to reveal another matter. "Since you reject the idea, this is what’s going to happen next."

Maya took out a document.

"What is this?" Auric frowned.

"A joint operation between our college and Kallarnos University. Tommi has joined Kallarnos University, so he must be asking to work together with us. So, both of us will send a team to handle a mission together. The purposes are to fulfill Tommi’s request as well as to strengthen the new generation."