A Path To Omniscience

"Be careful with those crates; they're worth more than you think." Asher's voice carried up from the bottom of the staircase, calm but commanding. He stood there in a tailored grey three-piece suit—the same one he'd worn when visiting the warehouse with Liv. The only new addition was a pair of leather gloves.

His instructions were directed at a group of five helpers carefully bringing crates down the spiral staircase. The crates were heavy, requiring two people to carry each, with a third acting as a safety spotter. At the bottom of the stairs, platform trucks waited in the hallway to haul them off.

Asher's attention remained on the process until the sound of footsteps from the corridor pulled his gaze. He turned to see Lavi and Lionel approaching.

"Young Master, is everything proceeding smoothly?" Lionel asked, bowing respectfully as he addressed him.

"So far, no issues," Asher replied, offering a brief but satisfied smile.

"Excellent. I've come to inform you that your vehicle is prepared and waiting out front. It has been confirmed to be able to handle the full load with ease," Lionel reported.

Asher nodded in acknowledgment.

"Perfect. In that case, could I leave the rest of this to you?" He gestured toward the helpers, who were working to bring down the last few crates.

"Of course, Young Master. Consider it done," Lionel assured him without hesitation.

"Thank you." Asher shifted his focus as Liv approached. Without a preamble, she explained her presence.

"Miss Liv has arrived and is waiting for you at the manor entrance, Young Master," she informed him.

"Oh, I see. In that case, I'll go meet her. Lavi, you remember everything I asked you to handle while I'm away, correct?" Asher asked. Lavi nodded, her expression resolute.

"Yes, Young Master. I've also scheduled the cleaning as you requested. However, I can't help but feel uneasy about letting so many people into your workshop. What if they..." Her voice faltered, leaving the unspoken concern hanging in the air. Asher caught her meaning and dismissed her worries with a wave of his hand.

"Everything in the workshop has been powered down, and anything still running is securely locked. There's nothing to be concerned about." Even if the equipment was active, the firewall and security systems protecting his computer and connected devices were his creations.

Virtually no one on the planet could breach them—except perhaps a rare outlier, a genius so far ahead of the curve that they might as well belong to another era.

"I see. In that case, I'll escort you," Lavi said, her voice steady as she gestured for Asher to follow. She led the way down the hall, leaving Lionel to oversee the workers with the crates.

It didn't take long for them to reach the foyer of Frostvale Manor. Just as Lavi had mentioned, Liv was waiting there. It had been a while since Asher had seen her in person, and she looked noticeably different.

Her sleek, denim-blue hair, usually left loose, was tied into a neat ponytail. The suits she typically wore, while professional, had never carried the same air as Asher's attire. Now, however, the black suit she wore seemed tailored to perfection, crafted from far finer materials.

Even her accessories had received an upgrade; her new suitcase was a sleek, modern model, secured with a scanner instead of a traditional combination lock.

"Well, it looks like someone's tastes have evolved," Asher remarked as Liv approached. She turned to see him and Lavi standing nearby, flashing a smile that revealed her sharp, shark-like teeth—so brilliantly white they almost seemed to reflect the light.

"Your parents have been rather generous with my salary," she replied, her tone casual but laced with humor.

"Well, you are my attorney. If I couldn't rely on you because you were off working elsewhere to make ends meet, it wouldn't be very practical, now would it?" Asher quipped. Liv chuckled and gave a nod of agreement.

"Fair point. Oh, and thank you for letting him know I was here, Lavi," Liv added.

"Of course," Lavi replied, offering a polite smile.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now, Young Master." Asher nodded, and with that, Lavi excused herself, leaving him and Liv alone in the grand foyer. Together, they walked to the main doors, which opened automatically as they approached and stepped out onto the elevated staircase platform.

It was still a couple of hours before noon. Below, in the driveway, a truck waited—a far cry from the limousine Asher's family typically used.

This vehicle was large, with six wheels and a grounded chassis, different from the hovering design common in high-end transports. Sleek and minimalist, its smooth, metallic surface had no sharp edges, almost as if it had been poured into a single mold.

The truck appeared windowless from the outside and gave off an armored, utilitarian vibe, though not to the same extreme as the trucks used by Glacier Guard Security. Its design featured a closed-top bed, slightly smaller than the cabin, making up the rear half of the vehicle.

"Partial thanks to my parents," Asher explained, leaning against the stone railing of the platform with one hand.

"When they heard I'd be meeting with General Ironwood today and needed a truck for transport, they offered this. Though it's pretty clear their concerns went beyond whether it could carry everything."

"I can't exactly blame them," Liv said.

"The last time you went somewhere far, well... you know. Let's just say, if I were a parent and something like that happened to my child, I probably wouldn't let them out of my sight for a while." Her words were intended as a joke, but Asher could sense the somber undertone lurking beneath.

Asher was silent for a moment, then asked, "So, you're thinking about becoming a mother in the future?"

The question caught Liv completely off guard. Her eyes widened in shock before she let out a weak chuckle.

"M-Me? A mother? Oh, no, no. I've been so focused on my career that I've hardly had time for... well, dating. Not that I would, even if I could. I have too many responsibilities. You can't exactly change the world if you're caught up worrying about your love life, right?" Asher gave her a half-nod, as though he only partially agreed.

"I wouldn't say that. It's about finding balance. My parents got to where they are today together, and they've made quite a ripple. If not globally, then at least on the stage of Atlas." Liv glanced down, considering his words before letting out a soft sigh.

"Maybe... but still. I doubt anyone would be interested in me."

"Oh? I didn't expect you to be someone so unsure of their appeal," Asher remarked, prompting a subdued laugh from her.

"You know that's not what I meant," she replied.

"Just look around Atlas. Even after the Faunus Rights Revolution, discrimination is everywhere. It's not illegal to refuse service to Faunus simply because of what they are. And while hiring discrimination is technically against the law, there's little enforcement to stop it."

Her tone was calm, almost detached. This wasn't the fiery rhetoric of someone newly outraged; it was the quiet resignation of someone who had flared up too many times to muster fresh anger. It wasn't complacency—her track record as a lawyer made that clear. But there was a weariness to her words.

"Hmm. I suppose you have a point," Asher said thoughtfully.

"Though... the opportunity for change still burns, doesn't it?" Liv looked at him, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Your father was from Atlas, wasn't he?" Asher asked.

"And you told me yourself he loved your mother enough to bring her to Atlas, and now here you are. Plus, I know several people in my family's circle who are Faunus or have married Faunus spouses. It's not ideal, but doesn't that hint at a spark of hope?" Liv's lips curved into a faint, disheartened smile.

"Maybe. But I can't help wondering how many of those Faunus who married into your circle truly love their partners—or if they simply saw it as their only way out. And then there are those who view Faunus as..." She trailed off, hesitating, seemingly aware of who she was speaking to.

"Exotics," Asher finished for her.

"I know. If trophy wives are common in Atlas, it's no surprise that some parade their Faunus lovers like jewelry—status symbols to flaunt until they lose their shine and are replaced by something newer, more fashionable." However, the unspoken truth was this: for many Faunus, being treated as 'jewelry' by Atlas elites was still a better fate than they could otherwise hope for.

The conversation fell into a quiet lull. Liv quickly realized she'd completely ruined the atmosphere with her earlier words. But when she glanced at Asher, he didn't seem upset. Instead, he appeared deep in thought.

After a moment, he spoke again.

"Well, I suppose that just means Mantle isn't the only jewel we'll need to spend time polishing, right?" Liv didn't know why, but something about those words—the way he said 'our'—brought a genuine smile to her face, far warmer than before.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice carrying more emotion now.

"Oh, and for the record, Liv," Asher continued, his tone casual but sincere, "you shouldn't put yourself down like that. Whether it's here in Atlas or anywhere else, I think anyone would find you gorgeous."

Liv blinked, her eyes scanning Asher as if she hadn't heard him correctly. A mix of embarrassment and disbelief flickered across her face, and she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

"You know, Asher, sometimes I really do forget you're only fourteen. When I talk to you, I always feel like I'm the younger one."

"I can't tell if that's a compliment or an insult," Asher replied, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"Oh, definitely a compliment," Liv assured him. Her voice softened as she added, "I know you're going to do great things, even before you're older. But part of me wishes I could meet the future you, just to see everything you'll accomplish."

Asher straightened up from leaning against the railing, his attention shifting to the faint sound of rolling wheels coming from inside the manor.

"Well, I don't think I'll crack time travel anytime soon. So, for now, all I can promise is that I'll let you see everything from my side instead," he said with a faint smirk.

"But for now… we should probably get going." He started down one of the staircases flanking the platform, heading toward the waiting truck. Liv stayed behind for a moment, her eyes following Asher as he descended the stairs.

Hmm... Maybe, just maybe… it's not too much to hope that, if I do get married someday, it's to someone like… No. Who am I kidding? Like that'll ever happen. Get your head out of fantasy land, Liv.

Shaking her head at the thought, she quickly descended the staircase, catching up with Asher just as the truck's door folded upward. The motion was almost seamless, the metal moving as though it were paper.

The truck's interior was a stark contrast to its armored, windowless exterior. Plush carpeting lined the floor, hidden lighting softly illuminated the cabin, and the seats were dual-facing. Asher took one side, and Liv sat opposite him as the doors closed automatically behind them.

For a moment, the cabin felt isolating, the silence stretching between them as they settled in. A low, built-in table separated them, and the darkened windows offered no view. But then, slowly, the darkness faded, and light filtered in, revealing the outside world. From inside, they could see out clearly, but from the outside, the truck remained an impenetrable fortress of steel.

"Your parents really know how to balance security and comfort, don't they?" Liv remarked as she sank into her seat, which automatically reclined in response to her movement.

"Of course," Asher replied, his tone casual as his gaze shifted to the window behind him. Outside, Lionel directed the helpers as they loaded the truck bed with the crates from his workshop. The process took about twenty minutes, and once everything was secured, Asher tapped a button to signal the driver it was time to leave.

The truck began to move, its destination clear to both Asher and Liv.

Atlas Academy—the kingdom's military headquarters and Huntsman Academy—loomed in their minds. It was the largest institution in Atlas by far, towering over the city both in size and stature. Perched atop the tallest mountain of the floating island, the Academy even dwarfed the Schnee Manor.

Its location meant it couldn't be accessed by driving; the only way to reach it was by airship.

For that reason, the truck wasn't headed directly to the Academy but instead to a military hangar lower down the mountain. The drive was smooth, filled with light conversation between Asher and Liv as they passed through the cityscape. Eventually, the vehicle rolled over a small bump—a one-way speed bump marking the entrance to the hangar.

As they slowed to a stop, Asher glanced out the window and saw they had arrived at a security checkpoint. A uniformed soldier approached the driver, and moments later, the intercom crackled to life, the driver's voice coming through.

[Young Master, they're requesting identification.]

Asher leaned forward, pressing a button on the table between him and Liv before responding.

"Inform them that Asher Frostvale is here to meet Special Operative Winter Schnee. We should be listed for a noon boarding flight." Liv sat opposite Asher, her posture slightly tense. It was her first time visiting a military base, and the weight of the occasion wasn't lost on her.

This visit wasn't just routine; it was tied to the drones Asher had created, which were set to operate under the guidelines she had helped design. The responsibility felt immense, and her nerves were evident.

Noticing her unease, Asher offered her a reassuring smile.

"Relax, Liv. We'll be fine." She looked at him, his calm demeanor grounding her, and nodded slowly. Just as she did, the deep mechanical rumble of the hangar gate opening echoed through the truck, and they began to move again.

The military hangar was carved into the side of the mountain Atlas Academy rested on. Most of the surrounding structures and facilities were built on massive platforms, artificially constructed extensions of the mountainside. Through the windows, Liv could see Atlas soldiers bustling about—some on patrol, others absorbed in their duties.

Their destination lay ahead: the hangar itself.

Dug deep into the mountain, it was an impressive structure. Rows of white stone support beams lined the cavernous ceiling, illuminated by bright, evenly spaced lights that bathed the area in a clean, sterile glow. The space stretched nearly a hundred meters high and extended even further in length, deeper into the mountain.

Inside, dozens of Atlas military aircraft stood in neat rows, each in pristine condition.

Eventually truck rolled to a stop at last.

"Looks like we're here," Asher said, rising from his seat just as the truck's door folded upward with mechanical precision. The moment it opened, the bustling activity of the hangar spilled in—machines humming, electric tools whining as repairs were made, and vehicles rumbling across the concrete floors.

As Asher stepped out, his gaze swept across the hangar before landing on the figure waiting for him.

Unlike the last time he'd seen her, Winter was dressed in more formal military attire. Her long double-breasted coat bore red epaulets that stood out sharply against the crisp white fabric, extending to her waist. Black accents lined the cuffs, straps, and buttons, complementing the pants she wore.

The only unchanged elements of her uniform were the pristine black gloves on her hands and the sword hanging elegantly at her side.

"Winter, it's good to see you again," Asher greeted, his gaze briefly flicking to the four soldiers flanking her before returning to her.

Winter approached him with her hands clasped neatly behind her back and gave a curt nod.

"Likewise. The general has been anticipating this meeting—and so have I." Asher turned to his right, gesturing toward Liv, who now seemed more composed.

"This is Liv Melone, my attorney. You remember me mentioning her, don't you?" Winter's eyes shifted to Liv, scanning her with a sharp, assessing gaze before extending her hand.

"Winter Schnee, Specialist in the Atlesian Military." Liv glanced at Winter's outstretched hand before using her free one—the one not occupied with her briefcase—to shake it.

"As Asher mentioned, I'm Liv. It's nice to meet you." With introductions out of the way, Winter directed her attention to the back of the truck.

"Do you have the drone stored?"

"That's right," Asher confirmed.

"The driver's already unlocked the truck bed. They just need to be loaded." Winter nodded and gestured to the soldiers behind her.

"Load everything onto the airship."

"Yes, Ma'am," they replied in unison, moving swiftly to begin unloading the crates. As they worked, Winter turned her attention back to Asher.

"The general was surprised when you only requested a month to weaponize the drones. There's a lot riding on this, and it would be unfortunate if they failed to meet expectations because you weren't given enough time." Though her words carried the weight of formality, the faint smile on Winter's face softened them, revealing a glimmer of curiosity.

She'd only met Asher a handful of times, yet she'd come to recognize that he wasn't the type to overstate his capabilities. That quiet confidence was what made her eyes glint and her smile curve just a fraction more when he responded.

"There's no need to worry," Asher said, his tone calm and assured.

"I'm confident that what I've prepared for General Ironwood will exceed his expectations."