A Path To Omniscience

The car Asher and Liv were riding in came to a stop as it parked in a fairly empty parking lot.

They were still in the upper levels of Mantle, though they were now closer to the wall that separated the sprawling, gritty city from the edge of the crater it was built around. They were too far from the heating grid that kept the people who lived down here from freezing, and the muted orange neon glow that accompanied it had faded from view. 

Still, although this area of the city seemed desolate, it was also one of Mantle's warehouse districts. 

"This is the place," Liv announced, stepping out of the car first. As Asher followed, she leaned toward the driver, assuring them they'd be back within an hour. The driver nodded without any complaints; it wasn't surprising, given who Asher was. The car they had been riding it looked sleek and well-maintained, standing out from most of the other vehicles they'd passed on the way here.

That was because it was a company vehicle, one belonging to Frostvale Enterprises' subsidiaries down in Mantle. When Asher had told his parents about where he was going, they'd been hesitant. Mantle's main streets were safe enough, but they didn't want to take chances, arranging transport for him just to be sure.

As Liv wrapped up with the driver, she joined Asher, who stood by the car, studying the area. Just ahead of them, where tall fences with "Electrified" signs as well as a mechanical gate with a security checkpoint, where two armed guards waited at attention.

Beyond the gate stretched rows of massive warehouses, their paths branching out into a network of cold, silent facilities. He spotted forklifts here and there, snow-covered and idle, and even in the lot they were in, there wasn't a single regular car.

Instead, in their reserved spots, the parking lot held semi-trucks, stake beds, and transport vehicles—all similarly snow-dusted with clear signs they hadn't be used in a while.

"This place... looked a lot nicer in the images the real estate broker sent to me," Liv muttered, her breath fogging in the cold.

"Hmm, well, as long as it meets my requirements, it's looks aren't an issue." Asher didn't have any plans on making this warehouse public or anything, so appearance didn't matter to him as long as it was functional.

"Huh..." Liv's quiet exhale drew his attention her way.

"What is it?" Asher asked, noticing Liv's look.

"Oh, nothing," she replied, shaking her head with an exasperated smirk.

"It's just that most of my clients—from Atlas, especially—tend to care quite a bit about aesthetics. You wouldn't believe how many of the... older ones tried to get me to wear some kind of uniform." She shook her head, recalling the memory with a wry smile.

Asher chuckled.

"Well, you won't have to worry about me proposing any 'uniforms' like that. But I wouldn't go so far as to say that I don't care about aesthetics. If that were the case, I wouldn't dress the way I do, now would I?" Liv's gaze shifted to his attire, taking in the dark gray, three-piece tailored suit. It was clearly high-end, with fine stitching and a cut that looked custom.

The matching vest and pants over his crisp white shirt and black tie made him stand out—a striking contrast to the people of Mantle's usual attire, especially outside the city's commercial center.

"One of the more important lessons my mother taught me was to act and dress according to how I want to be treated," he explained.

"I wear formal clothes because it's the easiest way to get attention and respect. I need that since most people see me as a child."

Liv's eyes lingered on him a moment before she found herself blurting, "But... you are a child, aren't you?"

She felt the question hang awkwardly as if she hadn't quite meant to say it out loud. It was an obvious question with an obvious answer, atleast to her. Yet, she saw Asher pause briefly, then give a small nod.

"I suppose so," he conceded.

"But the point is, I carry myself this way to be taken seriously. If you act like a joke, people will treat you like one. Talk like a fool, and they'll only find you amusing, no matter what you say. It's the same reason you wore a suit to your interview with me or why you're wearing it now."

Liv glanced down at her outfit, then looked back up at him.

"You really put a lot of thought into these things dont you?"

As they approached the security checkpoint, Asher turned his attention forward.

"I don't have a choice," he said quietly.

Overhearing those words, Liv couldn't help but frown slightly. 

He doesn't have a choice? What does that mean?

She was about to ask when one of the guards at the checkpoint stepped forward, holding out his hand in a halting gesture.

"Stop. This area is restricted to authorized personnel only. Entry requires identification or a record in the system." At the guard's command, Asher paused, letting Liv handle it as she stepped forward. She retrieved a document from her briefcase, handing it to the guard who'd blocked them.

The guard's gaze sharpened as he took in Liv's appearance—her grayish-blue skin and the tail swaying lightly behind her. Though he tried to conceal it, a flicker of disdain crossed his face as he took the paper.

"We're here to meet someone," Liv stated, watching as he scanned the document. She had noticed the way he looked at her but didn't react.

She was used to it. 

After a moment, the guard looked up, glanced at Asher, then gave a subtle nod to his partner who entered the security booth and tapped a number on the desk phone, starting a call.

"Sorry about that; we were told to be expecting you two by someone. We'll call them over, and you'll be able to head through shortly," he said while handing the document back to Liv.

They didn't have to wait long. About five minutes later, a black, four-seater cart approached from the far side of the gate. When it arrived, one of the guards opened the gate, and an older man stepped off the cart. His slightly greasy black hair and well-worn rental suit gave him a hurried look as he approached, clipboard in hand.

He offered a handshake, smiling as Liv and Asher walked over to him.

"You must be Liv Melone; it's a pleasure to meet in person rather than just over the phone," he greeted her.

Liv shook his hand with a polite smile.

"Likewise, Russet. Nice to officially meet you."

With introductions out of the way, Russet shifted to business.

"So, from our last conversation, I understand you're looking to purchase one of the warehouses here for your employer, correct?"

Liv nodded.

"That's right. One of your listings seemed to meet his requirements, but we wanted to see it in person first."

"Of course, no problem," Russet replied, smiling as his gaze shifted to Asher. He leaned slightly toward Liv, lowering his voice.

"And who's this? Your nephew?"

Liv's face tightened briefly, and she shook her head, quickly clarifying, "No, no, this is my employer, the one who'll have their name on the warehouse."

Russet blinked. He looked like he was at a loss, glancing between Liv and Asher as if trying to figure out if she was serious or joking.

Taking the opportunity, Asher stepped forward and offered his hand.

"My name is Asher Frostvale. A pleasure to meet you." Subconsciously, Russet held out his hand as well, shaking Asher's as something seemed to suddenly click in his head after repeating Asher's name to himself a few times. 

Wait a second... Frostvale... Frostvale... that sounds familiar, but where do I-

His eyes widened on the realization as he let go of Asher's hand, staring at him.

"Wh- When you say Frostvale... Ar- Are you referring to-" Asher nodded, cutting him off with a slight smile.

"Yes, the Frostvale Family." Russet straightened, swallowing hard upon confirmation. 

Frostvale Enterprises, holy—what's someone like that doing in Mantle, buying a warehouse here of all places? Is this some kind of quiet expansion plan?

Still processing the implications, Russet gestured to the cart he'd arrived in

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Frostvale. Shall we head straight to the warehouse to begin the tour?" His tone had shifted from merely professional to distinctly formal, and Liv noticed, shaking her head with a small, helpless smile. If he'd been polite before, now he was almost deferential.

Not that I can blame him. Someone with Asher's status buying a warehouse here is like a noble coming down and heading to a random thrift store.

"Sure," Asher agreed, and the three of them climbed into the cart. With that, Russet started up the engine, guiding them deeper into the warehouse district.

As they drove, Russet filled them in on the finer details of the area. Unlike before, he was now clearly addressing both Asher and Liv. 

"Although this district is a bit out of the way of Mantle's main shipping lanes, it was developed in the later days of Mantle's industrial boom. Back then, dust mining operations were still active in and under the crater. Since dust was challenging to store safely, these warehouses were built with reinforced steel frames and heavy concrete foundations. They're designed to keep internal temperatures stable and to withstand seismic activity with no issues."

As he listened, Asher of course knew that many of the old challenges Russet was talking about had more effective solutions now. Dust could be stored and transported safely with the help of advancements like the dust crystal vaults, the same ones he'd installed in his workshop.

"So the warehouses are primarily made of reinforced steel?" He asked.

Russet nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, both inside and out. Other materials were used for the walls and roof, but the main frame is reinforced steel."

"Good to know," Asher replied.

"That should make renovations easy."

"Oh, absolutely," Russet confirmed.

"You'll just need to sign a few forms, but beyond that, you're free to renovate as long as it doesn't impact neighboring units." After going over a few more details, they arrived at their destination.

The warehouse—a light gray structure blanketed in snow—stretched around four thousand square meters. A large sliding loading bay door served as the main entrance, with a smaller personnel door beside it.

Russet pulled a key from his pocket, unlocking the door, and stepping inside, with Asher and Liv following.

Liv took a look around and couldn't help but remark, "Oh wow, it's much warmer in here than outside."

Her voice echoed in the vast, nearly empty space, which felt grand and a bit imposing.

"Ah, that's due to each facility being outfitted with a fairly up-to-date internal heating system. You can fully control the temperature inside the warehouse with it," Russet explained, sounding as if he'd memorized a brochure. Despite his early impressions, he clearly knew his stuff.

Asher paced slowly around the warehouse, his gaze moving deliberately over the walls, roof, and support beams. He appeared to be mapping out the entire structure in his mind, taking in every detail.

Everything seems pretty well-maintained. A quick clean-up and a few renovations, and this place will do just fine.

As Asher had that thought, he heard Liv walk up next to him.

"So, what do you think?" She asked, glancing at him.

"It's exactly what I had in mind. You did a great job finding this place," he replied.

"Though, I'd like to review the property overview, the floor plan, and the specifications sheet, if you can get those." Liv nodded and turned to Russet, who had been waiting behind them.

"Could you send those documents over to us?" She asked.

"Absolutely. I'll have them to you by tomorrow morning." Russet answered as he noted it down on his clipboard, ensuring he wouldn't forget.

"By the way, Asher, I didn't ask before, but what exactly do you plan to use this warehouse for?" Liv's tone made it clear she was asking more out of curiosity than professionalism, but Asher answered regardless.

"I'm planning to renovate it and install equipment to turn it into an automated manufacturing facility," he replied.

"That way, once I make prototypes in my workshop if I want to produce larger quantities, I can do it here on a scalable level." Liv looked genuinely surprised after hearing what he was planning to do.

"I see. But wait—if you're setting up a factory, wouldn't it make more sense to buy one in Atlas? You'd need to constantly move between Atlas and Mantle to manufacture or transport anything you make here."

Asher smirked slightly, clarifying.

"That's exactly why I said it will be an automated manufacturing facility. I intend to make this a smart factory linked directly to the network in my workshop. The idea is that I'll be able to monitor and send instructions here remotely, so I don't have to be on-site." He then gestured up to the steel beams he'd been studying.

"That's also why I wanted to check the structure. If these beams can bear the weight, I plan to install Automated Assembly Arms and tracks along them, like the setup in my workshop. That way, not only will I control everything remotely, but I can also interact with the facility as if I were here." In his mind, he visualized this place becoming a secondary workshop, fully accessible from his primary one.

As for building it in Mantle rather than Atlas—this decision helped keep his identity and work away from any unnecessary attention.

"Can… Can you actually do that?" Liv asked a hint of awe in her voice. Even with her limited technical knowledge, she could picture what he was trying to do, and it sounded almost surreal.

Asher gave a slight shrug.

"I can map it all out in my head easily enough. I'm not sure how challenging it'll be to bring it to life, though."

He paused, considering something, and then added, "Still, I'm confident I can pull it off."