Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 349: Securing the Astrium Veinstone

The thunderous chants of "Lassim! Lassim!" still echoed as Lassim turned away from the arena. His lightning-filled eyes reflected the roaring crowd one last time before he headed down the stone corridors leading out of the floating arena. Their gently swirling nature that had started back in the Tempest’s Cradle seemed to have slowly sped up a bit more after the duel’s conclusion.

It wasn’t a full on typhoon or anything of the sort, but the twisting was beginning to show itself even more prominently if anyone looked carefully. His halberd, which had delivered Joryk’s humiliating defeat, disappeared into his inner heart world.

Dorian rushed and caught up to him just as Lassim exited into the open hallway leading to the fighter’s room. The hallway had an open window that overlooked the Sapphire River far below.

"Lassim!" he called out, his voice showing signs of growing hoarse from the celebration. "Wait up!"

Lassim paused as Dorian jogged to his side.

"You really pulled it off," he said, his voice steady but with a note of genuine appreciation. "The contracts are secure, the companies can move forward, and no one has to deal with that Steel Snake Sect’s stranglehold anymore. It’s a massive relief—for everyone involved. Honestly, I didn’t doubt you’d win, but seeing it play out... The contracts are back without the added stipulations, taxation, or just outright stolen from us, Lassim. The companies are safe. I... I don’t even know how to thank you."

Lassim gave a slight shake of his head. "No thanks are necessary. I came here for the Astrium Veinstone contract, and ensuring the other contracts were upheld is just my own sense of responsibility making things more complicated. It’s not right what they were doing and I’m just doing what I felt was the best thing to do."

"Maybe to you it’s just a simple act of following what you believe," Dorian said, "but to us? To the eighty-two companies that put everything on the line betting on you? You’ve done more than you realize. You’ve given a lot of folks a chance to survive."

Lassim only offered a smile in reply before asking, "What’s next then for moving forward with what we agreed on?"

Dorian exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes, the Astrium Veinstone contract. We need to meet with one of the nobles to make sure it’s secured and ratified again. I’ll be able to handle that as soon as I make a trip to the Office of Mineral Affairs. However, the other companies are eager to meet you and pressed for me to come get you. Let’s head back to my office first. I’ll make sure the Lightning Sect’s interests are at the top of the list after that."

They then left the floating arena’s back hallways and section for fighters, meeting gentle and polite staff that only offered nods or handshakes in congratulations to Lassim as he left.

This completely changed once outside as Dorian led Lassim through the winding streets of Starpoint City. A wave of shock followed them along the elevated pathways that were bustling with activity from everyone exiting the arena. Everyone, including even the stall running merchants, paused mid-step or mid-transaction to stare with whispers and cheers following Lassim wherever he went.

"It’s him!!" one man shouted, nudging his companion.

"What a fight boy! Wish I had bet on yah!" the other replied, awe clear in his voice.

Another scene occurred nearby, "Did you see those swarms of lightning fish?" a young boy exclaimed to his mother. "They were so cool!"

Lassim did his best to pay the whispers no mind and eventually, they arrived at the Duskvale Mining Company headquarters. The building’s dark wooden facade stood out proudly on its elevated platform, the mana-lit carvings of miners and craftsmen glowing faintly in the midday light.

Now, the atmosphere was completely transformed from his last visit just a week prior. The open doorway was flanked by workers carrying cleaning supplies, quickly sweeping away dust and tidying up the entrance hall.

Inside, the once-muted clerks’ room bustled with activity. The empty desks were now occupied, as workers shuffled through papers and exchanged updates with hurried efficiency to try and reestablish the working order of things. While, near the back, the larger conference area had been hastily reorganized to accommodate an influx of visitors.

Representatives from the 82 companies that had staked everything on Lassim’s victory filled the space, their faces glowing with relief and gratitude. From behind the closed conference room door, the sounds of jubilant conversations could be heard.

Dorian pushed open the door to the private office at the back, now cleared of the clutter from earlier. The polished wooden table at the center gleamed faintly, surrounded by neatly arranged chairs. The aroma of freshly brewed tea and hints of lavender incense wafted through the air, a calming touch amid the bustling energy of the rest of the building.

"Wait here," Dorian said, his voice more relaxed than it had been in weeks. "They’re eager to meet you, but several will likely have gifts and it’s best that they come individually or in small groups so it doesn’t turn into a measuring contest. You know, politics and all that between competing companies. I hope you understand my position. Let me go let them know you’re ready."

Lassim nodded saying, "No worries. I understand," as he leaned casually against a wall.

Within moments, the representatives began filing into the room. The first to approach Lassim was an older man with a deep bow. "Master Vanthar, you’ve saved more than just contracts today. You’ve saved our livelihoods—our families. There aren’t enough words to thank you."

One by one, more representatives stepped forward, echoing similar sentiments. Some bowed deeply, others placed their hands over their hearts in gestures of respect, recounting the strain the Steel Snake Sect had placed on all of them.

Lassim listened, offering the occasional hug, handshake or bow in thanks but staying humble throughout.

Eventually, there were just a small number remaining of the full 82 companies—10 in total—but they decided to visit Lassim in one group, filling Dorian’s office to the maximum with everyone present.

"Lassim Rohese Vanthar," a short man leading them began, his voice trembling slightly as he stepped forward. "On behalf of all of us here, we owe you a debt we can never fully repay. You saved not just our contracts but our families, our workers, and our livelihoods. Thank you."

A wave of agreement rippled through the room.

Lassim raised a hand, and the room quieted. "I only upheld the agreements that should never have been broken in the first place. I did what was right and my own personal interest was invested as I had a contract with the Duskvale Mining Company as well that was put in jeopardy."

Another representative, a youthful, mother-next-door type with brown hair, and the only woman present, spoke up. "That may be true, but we owe you everything. And while we cannot repay you fully, we can at least offer you something to aid you in your future endeavors."

At her gesture, an assistant of hers stepped forward, holding a small, ornate magic pouch. The woman continued, "We’ve heard from Dorian that you’d be interested in this. This contains some of the Astrium Veinstone we had in reserve and had not committed to a contract sale yet. It’s not much, but we hope it will serve you well."

Lassim accepted the pouch, inspecting it briefly before tucking it away. "This is perfect! I won’t have to wait for Dorian to finish the first delivery before I can begin the next steps of my project. Thank you!"

The representatives exchanged glances before another man spoke up. "If there’s anything else you need, anything at all, just say the word. After everything you’ve done for us, we’d be honored to help."

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Lassim hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well, I don’t mean to impose, but I’m working on a project that requires materials capable of withstanding and channeling intense mana surges repeatedly without degrading. I’m talking, insanely powerful surges that probably will need to handle Spirit Mystic stage mana bursts. That’s why we chose the Astrium Veinstone. I’m working with Eno and Rlyis from our sect, but only Eno would be able to say if something could work for what I need. However, if you have any resources like that, they possibly could be useful?"

The room fell silent as the representatives exchanged uncertain glances.

Finally, one of them, a muscular and jacked, but bald man, spoke up. "That’s a very specific request. But I believe we might have some materials that fit those criteria. Wait here."

Over the next hour, several representatives left and returned with additional magic pouches, each containing rare ores, gems, and minerals. They exchanged and combined everything into one pouch to make it easier for Lassim to take with him.

There were nearly 15 different types of mana infused gems, minerals and ores by the end of the way. Each member of the group of ten briefly took the time to explain what they added and their properties, some mentioning their resistance to heat, others to mana corrosion. Nothing quite fit the requirements like Astrium Veinstone, but he appreciated the additional materials to test on his first prototypes.

"We hope these will be of use to you," one of them said as Lassim accepted the final pouch.

Lassim nodded. "I’m sure they will. Thank you all so much!"

The burly figure with a bald head and muscular arms, stepped forward once more. "That’s not all, Lassim." His voice slightly booming in the small room. "I think I speak for all of us when I say this—if the Lightning Sect ever needs any further mined resources, you can count on us."

The group murmured in agreement, their heads nodding one after another.

The original short man from the beginning added, "That goes for personal orders too. If there’s ever anything you need—be it for yourself or your sect—you’ll have our support."

Lassim inclined his head, his storm-filled eyes softening slightly at the sentiment. "Thank you so much. If I have any need, I’ll reach out."

The bald man spoke up again, this time with a broad grin. "Speaking of personal orders, my girlfriend’s been nagging me about moving into a new house. She wants something unique. Maybe a hanging garden, one that floats in the air above a balcony overlooking the Sapphire River. That kind of thing would make her happy. I was thinking—if I contacted the Rohese family after the financing from my next rounds of deals come in, could they make that happen?"

Lassim’s eyebrows lifted slightly, "Ah, yeah I forgot Lord Arvent told everyone my full name. Well, I’m sure my family’s architectural branches and companies would be more than capable of fulfilling such a request."

Another representative chimed in, "Once our contracts are stable again, I plan to contact them too. A new headquarters for my company is long overdue, and a Rohese design would be perfect for making a statement."

More voices joined in, several representatives expressing similar intentions to work with Lassim’s family in the future and curry favor with him.

Dorian watched the exchange, his grin growing as he leaned closer to Lassim. "Who would’ve guessed, now you’ve got half the city ready to call your family for a new line of buildings. It’ll surely make those nobles quite jealous."

Lassim shook his head lightly with a slight smile, "If they have the patience for the waiting list, I’m sure my family will be happy to take their orders."

The room erupted in laughter at the comment, as though the tension of the Steel Snake Sect’s interference was practically gone, this moment marked a turning point.

Lassim took the time to thank everyone one last time before Dorian ushered everyone out the door, ready to go and finalize Lassim’s and the Lightning Sect’s contract as soon as possible.