Elise stirred her coffee, resting her chin in her hand, tilting her head as she observed Vid furrowing his brow unconsciously while reading the newspaper.
Her eyes were bright, with slightly upturned corners, giving the impression of tenderness when she looked at someone.
But the young man in front seemed like a signal insulator, not showing the dazed look that her previous male classmates did, as his gaze remained fixed on the black and white print.
"Tom Hake... that guy is like a vulture fixated on carrion, always using sensational tones to catch the eye."
Elise said slowly, "However, although his reports are unpleasant, they're not baseless fabrications and he has even predicted several major events correctly. Thus, many people in the American Magic World trust his reports."
Vid lifted his gaze from the newspaper, "I've met a few journalists like that before. They seem to never care about what the truth is, only about what readers want to see—"
"Depicting noble people as base, showing brave people as cowardly, then digging into the necessary evils of scoundrels, as if this makes them appear clearer and smarter."
Hearing this, Elise couldn't help but laugh, "Haha, indeed... there's no lack of such people anywhere... it's like no matter where, people are always driven by interests."
She watched Vid's expression, leaning forward slightly and tentatively asked, "Speaking of which, Vid... have you considered finding a partner in the United States? Like Mr. Machioni, but a family or institution with more strength."
"—For example, the American Magic Congress Security Department?" Vid shook the newspaper, "Graves has certainly chosen a thick thigh to cling to."
"Well..." Elise neither confirmed nor denied, only vaguely said, "Something like that."
Vid lowered his eyes, looking at the ambitious eyes of Deputy Minister Kobit on the newspaper.
It must be said, Tom Hake is good at capturing shots.
In his photos, such subtle and fleeting emotions in people seemed magnified dozens or hundreds of times, even the most careless person could sense the message he intended to convey.
Vid looked up and smiled, "As far as I know, the products of the Aslan Magic Workshop are sold worldwide? Therefore, it seems unnecessary to choose another partner... My cooperation with Mr. Machioni has been very pleasant."
Professor Morry's face is secondary, the most important part is that Machioni prioritizes Vid in the cooperation, never thinking of shortchanging him of his deserved benefits, and certainly not planning to turn Vid into his money-making machine.
Someone else, seeing a young man bringing in so much profit, might try every way to persuade him to drop other studies and various boring social activities, fully dedicating himself to the study of Alchemy, and continuously come up with money-making projects.
Even more despicable ones might use family, love, debts, certain special drugs, emotional control, and other means to control this person and then milk him for profits like a cash cow.
But not only does Machioni support Vid's need for research in other disciplines, but while negotiating partnerships with countries, he would buy anything he saw useful for Vid and send them in big bags. He would often persuade Vid to put down his books and studies to go out and relax for a while, even attempting to teach him how to love.
It is precisely because of their relationship being like friends or brothers that Vid and Machioni's cooperation can last for so many years. Otherwise, they would have parted ways due to numerous disputes.
Elise, hearing the words, studied Vid's face with a probing look, as though trying to discern whether he was directly rejecting her or perhaps hadn't understood her implication.
She subsequently arrived at her conclusion and couldn't help but laugh:
"Who would've thought that the guy called the 'Hyena' was actually quite good at garnering people's goodwill... Though it's not unexpected, you being so direct does leave me a bit disappointed..."
"I'm sorry," Vid said, "If you have a collaboration intention, why not just directly approach Machioni? He's not the type to hog all the benefits."
For instance, with the broadcasting rights of the Flow Mirror program, Machioni ceded a lot of benefits to partners from various countries.
"Yes, I know..." Elise, resting her chin on her hand, smiled, "But my family is."
Vid was rendered speechless.
Elise chuckled lightly once more and said, "Alright, let's not joke... But allow me to be blunt with just one more thing..."
She paused, her gaze shifting with implied meaning, "If you don't plan to collaborate with any force in the United States, then... returning to the United Kingdom as soon as possible to focus on your familiar fields might be a safer choice."
Vid raised an eyebrow and looked at Elise.
The girl smiled helplessly, "Recent developments in New York are a bit murky, for some... overly bright new stars, not everyone will have goodwill."
"Thank you for the reminder, Elise," Vid expressed gratitude, nodding, "I indeed don't intend to stay long. But I still have some personal research and interactions to conclude in New York, so I expect to stay for a few more days."
"A few days?" Elise sighed inwardly and smiled, "Then I wish you all the best."
...
"Slam!"
The same copy of the New York Ghost that Elise gave to Vid was forcefully slammed onto the mahogany table, the sneering expression of Colt on the newspaper unusually glaring.
And at the table's edge, the same face was almost dripping with ominous shadows.
"Look, Kobit!"
The elderly man in the wheelchair trembled slightly with anger, striving to maintain an even tone, yet fury was almost erupting.
"Why hasn't that hyena gone to rip into Vid Gray, instead directing its aim at you? What did you do while releasing him, that caused that guy to make you the first target?"
Kobit spoke in a low voice, "I did nothing... I never saw him, I simply had my men let him go under the pretext that his behavior caused no harm."
After a pause, he added:
"I even specifically had someone leak the news of Vid Gray acquiring Nicolas Flamel's inheritance to him. If our guesses are correct, Vid Gray might now possess the complete method of crafting the Philosopher's Stone. Such big news... logically speaking, that reporter shouldn't have missed it!"
His face was exceedingly gloomy, the vertical line between his brows deep enough to pinch a fly.
Kobit hadn't expected that reporter named Hake to act so unpredictably, completely disrupting his plan... Just a handshake, yet who knew that guy would infer such a plethora of conspiracy theories?
A sinister gleam flickered in Kobit's eyes.