章 2: First Time
When Alex saw his aunt, he furrowed his brow and cast an uneasy gaze, feeling guilty about what he had done.
He only remembered her now, so he could not tell that he had already dropped out before returning here.
He wanted to apologize, but that is not what Alex Hambell does, so he decided to mimic his behavior in order to avoid making her suspicious of himself.
"I have already dropped out of the academy, so you can't— Gah! Ouch! My ear! MY EAR!!!"
Erica pinched his ears, causing him to shout in pain.
Anger suddenly appears inside her, like a lost weed in a plantation, and causes her to erupt as soon as she digests the information he dropped.
"Are you an idiot? Your father already paid for your tuition, and you are going to waste it? Ugh! Please have mercy on him! I hope your father does not come back to life after this."
The urge to pinch his ear grew stronger as she spoke, so she carried on.
"Ouch! IT HURTS!!! PLEASE STOP!"
He begs for mercy, but he can not win against her.
"I apologize, but could we please talk in peace?"
"I will continue to pinch you until you realize what you have done."
"No way! OUCH!…"
She tightened her grip on his ear for the final few minutes before quitting because she felt better for some reason.
Although this could be because she enjoys bullying him, she told herself that seeing how much he realizes his mistake is why she stopped.
"My ears, you demon!"
He lowers his voice and holds the ear she pinched.
"What did you say?"
His eyes widen with regret over that moment, but he refuses to repeat what he said.
"Nothing."
He chose to avoid another minute of pinching.
Erica grabs a chair and sits in front of him.
"So… What is your story? Tell me and I will listen to you."
Alex was taken aback by her sudden behavior change.
Her eyes are focused on him, as if she is genuinely concerned about him.
He felt ashamed for some reason, so he reluctantly revealed his—Alex Hambell's reason.
His dropout is only temporary, and he will resume his studies once his older sister graduates from Academy.
While waiting for his big sister, he plans to make money by continuing his father's business.
In other words, he does not want to be a nuisance in her life.
Erica clenches her fist, wanting to punch him, but she restrains herself as she recalls her brother.
"You really are like him. Am I really a bother?"
Alex can hear her say something, but he can not understand it because her voice is so low.
He was tempted to ask, but he decided not to because she might pinched him again.
For some reason, her hand is reaching for him again.
His hands move by themselves, covering his ears.
She could not help but giggle at his widening eyes and the way he covered his ears before holding his shoulder.
"I will not stop you but remember that I am your aunt, your guardian… a family. You can find me if you need help, okay?"
He could not help but notice the tone of her voice.
She said it in such a sweet way that it touched his heart.
He might be unconscious, but he looks away from her.
"I-I understand."
Now that everything has been resolved, they move on to the next topic while she looks around the shop.
"I recall you selling some stocks a day ago so what are you going to sell now?"
He was about to introduce his new product when he suddenly realized... How the hell did she know that?
He has the urge to ask her, but he recalls that her job is an investigator, or she simply saw or heard it, but he has a question.
'She just arrived in May City, right?'
However, he decided to disregard these minor details and introduce his new product.
However, it appears that he did not need to show his product because she is already holding one of them.
She wanted to know how he got this type of glass container, but then she noticed a rectangular object on the surface.
She grabs one of them and begins to observe with interest in her eyes.
"What do you call this?"
"Oh! This? It is called a smartphone. A communication device that can reach anyone as long as they have a smartphone."
"A communication device?"
She flipped the smartphone and noticed that it did not look like that.
Currently, there exists a communication device known as the communication orb.
A device that enables you to communicate with another person as long as they have a communication orb.
It is very similar to how smartphones work.
However, as Alex continued to introduce his product, she could not help but frown because she was unaware that another communication device existed.
Another issue is that she does not know where to channel her mana.
Everything requires mana, and the creator must include a sign indicating where the mana should be placed in order for a magical tool to function.
However, she does not see anything like that.
She deduces that this is either an early version of the product or a fake product.
Although her conclusion suggests this, she must not narrow her thoughts because her job experience has taught her that she must not always believe her first conjunctures and instead look for another way, and only then will she be able to deduct everything.
"Could you show me how it works?"
"Sure."
She was about to hand over the smartphone she was holding, but Alex revealed that he was holding one.
He has no idea how to open the smartphone, but while she was looking at it earlier, he asked the system.
Although he was unable to communicate with the woman's voice, the robotic voice informs him that he can simply pour his mana, which is how he demonstrated to her.
After he poured his mana, the smartphone opened.
He was eager to explore the smartphone, but he looked at her first.
She follows his instructions and opens the smartphone.
When she opened the smartphone, she felt strange because she knew how everything else would work.
Alex began to explore his smartphone, but disappointment struck him.
The smartphone only has an app for calling and texting.
In other words, it returned to the basics.
He truly missed playing mobile games, but in the meantime, he could not do so.
Fortunately, he remembers that the reward for the task is a recording app, so there is a chance he will get a gaming app or something else to keep him entertained in the future.
He is looking ahead to that future.
Erica examined the smartphone and noticed two logos: a chat box and a phone.
As she opened one of the apps, Erica could not help but be surprised by the information that came to mind.
Call and text?
This communication device is extremely useful, especially if you want to send a silent message or communicate with someone from a distance.
In addition, the amount of mana required is less than that of a communication orb.
She was eager to use it, so she went outside the shop.
"Hey, where are you—"
However, she is already gone.
'My smartphone!'
He could not help but cry as his first customer ran away with his smartphone.
Furthermore, this customer is his own aunt, who has previously stated that they are family.
He wanted to be angry, but he felt nothing.
There are no disappointments or negative feelings for her.
'Is it because she is beautiful?'
He doubts whether he is a simp.
He decided to ignore it for the time being and was about to check his smartphone when it rang.
This is a call, and the I.D information is... Erica Hambell?
How did she do that?
To obtain the I.D. or contact information, the smartphones must tap each other.
So, how does she— Oh!
It suddenly occurred to him, but as she ran out of the shop, she collided with him, and he did not see or feel their smartphones touch.
He could not help but think about how intricate she is with the small details in every move she makes.
Even so, he could not help but be amazed.
Erica: Do you hear me?
When he answered the call, her voice appeared.
Alex: Yes, I hear you.
She is waiting to see if the smartphone is working by asking him to respond, and IT WORKS!
She is currently in the middle of the street, near the guild building.
The distance from the information she received confirms about half because she can not confirm for a far place right now, but it is a good start.
If all of the information she received from the smartphone is correct, then this device is a revolutionary tool.
A tool capable of resolving the communication problems of not only the kingdom, but the entire world.
Alex: You went out to test the function, right?
Erica: Obviously
Hearing this, his concern about the smartphone dissipated.
Alex: Well, I think you should go back.
Erica: Why?
Alex: Just… look around and you will get it.
He knows what will happen if he uses an unknown object in public, so he decided to give her a hint.
Erica looked around and noticed some people walking away.
"She is beautiful, but has a brain problem..." let's go."
Several conversations can be heard, and her face turns red.
She realized they were looking at a crazy woman talking to a rectangular object.
With a pout on her lips, she returns to the Tech Shop, attempting to conceal her embarrassment from Alex.
When she returned, he attempted to remain calm, but he could not help but look away, and her pout reappeared.
It took a few minutes before she returned to her normal state.
This was not Alex Hambell's usual behavior, but he forgot about it.
Fortunately, she paid no attention to his behavior.
"Forget about it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Good. You are now my favorite nephew!"
He wanted to tell her that he is her only nephew, but he chose not to ruin her mood.
Unfortunately, he made the wrong decision, which caused her to notice something.
'If the information I received is correct, then why is this in his hands? Why not offer this opportunity to larger companies? Also, does he have the money to purchase this product? Although he sells most of his stocks, the product is expensive, right?'
After wandering off into her thoughts, she looked straight at his eyes and asked a question.
"Tell me the truth: where did you buy this and where did the money come from?"
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