Following behind the small group of cute mermaid servants, Nereus was led to a luxurious looking residence within the manor.
"Woah" Nereus couldn't help but exclaim as his eyes took in all the finery around him.
In his previous life as a member of nobility this wouldn't be considered much but as of late he had been accustomed to his new identity as Argent who had been living in absolute squalor.
This place where he would be living far outclassed the old, dirty, wooden hut Argent had been living in outside.
"Haha I'm glad you like it Fatty Jonny said as he followed behind his awestruck friend, "It's technically a guest room within the manor but it really is like it own residence. You have your own bathroom, a small living room area, and of course your own bedroom."
Nereus was quite pleased.
His new residence was quite safe, spacious, and clean which would definitely make cultivating a more leisurely experience for him.
With the addition of the ability to call upon these cute mermaid servants Nereus truly felt gratitude toward Fatty Jonny and Richard.
He already a rather good impression of Jonny but this act of kindness made Nereus truly consider the blonde chubby merman his ally.
Although he knew that Richard's intentions weren't 100% selfless, and he himself wasn't exactly fond of the Mer race due to previously getting betrayed by Alistair, he could tell that Jonny wasn't that type of crafty and strategic person.
He truly just wanted to help a friend.
Feeling a unfamiliar bubble up within him Nereus couldn't help but think to himself, 'Even though he is a Mer, in the vast expanse of the sea, even the smallest act of kindness sends ripples across the waters. I shall repay this kindness with the strength of a tidal wave, unstoppable and unwavering'
Later that evening, the dinner bell chimed gently through the halls of the Vanderbilt villa.
Shortly after a maid servant appeared at the guest residence door with a polite smile. "Young master, the Lord and Lady request your presence in the main dining hall."
Again following closely behind the eloquent moving maid servants, Nereus was led to the formal Vanderbilt Dining Hall - a sprawling hall filled with the scent of seared tuna steak, sea plum glaze, and steamed kelp dumplings as well as the golden glow of hanging coral lanterns and polished pearl sconces.
The floor was made of iridescent shell tile, and a long dining table carved from obsidian driftwood stretched across the room. Fresh flowers from exotic undersea biomes floated in translucent and pearlescent bubbles at the table's center.
Nereus took his seat beside Jonny who already had a napkin tucked into his collar, while across from them sat Richard Vanderbilt, still in his tailored silk robes of deep aquamarine trimmed in silver. And beside him sat Sylphia, his elegant wife, who radiated grace and refinement—her hair woven with golden threads and tiny star coral ornaments.
"My dear boy," Sylphia smiled at Nereus as he entered. "Jonny's told us so much about you. Please, consider our home your own."
"I'm honored, Lady Sylphia. Lord Vanderbilt. Thank you for the hospitality," Nereus said respectfully, bowing slightly.
"You've earned it," Richard said with a toast of sapphire wine. "From what I hear, your progress in Sealocke cultivation has made quite a few waves—pardon the pun."
Jonny rolled his eyes as Sylphia chuckled politely. "Indeed. Our Jonny could learn a thing or two about discipline from you."
"Mother," Jonny groaned dramatically. "I'm trying! I've been lifting sea stones and everything lately!"
"You ate two of them," Richard replied dryly, causing Nereus to laugh for the first time at a dinner table in a long while.
"On a serious note though," Richard added, leaning forward, "Your progress really is noteworthy, Argent. Dual affinities and becoming an Inner Core prospect so quickly... those are no small feats."
Nereus chuckled softly. "I appreciate the kind words Mr. Vanderbilt, but you are too kind. I've simply been lucky enough to have finally discovered my rhythm to cultivating."
"Well said," Sylphia noted approvingly. "However, do no understate the importance of the strength of your willpower in what you have accomplished and your current endeavors. It's the driving force you know!"
"Indeed," Richard said, pouring himself another glass of reef wine. "Will drives most all things—be it power, business, or politics."
The conversation gradually turned toward trade routes and export tariffs, at which point Jonny looked ready to fall asleep. To his surprise, however, Nereus began asking questions—thoughtful, strategic ones.
Jonny blinked once then twice, clearly taken aback at the depth of his friend's knowledge. "Since when do you know about economic stuff?"
Even Sylphia looked intrigued now. "Do you follow commerce as a hobby?"
"In a past life, let's say I was well-versed," Nereus replied smoothly, sipping his wine. "I noticed the supply lines into Vorteesi territory are bottlenecked by sectoral toll stations. That must drive up the cost of distribution for smaller merchant companies. But if someone had a wide enough fleet and exclusive routes—"
"—They could undercut the market leaders," Richard finished, eyes now gleaming with interest. "Not many your age would notice that. You're not wrong. The Vanderbilt family's logistics division controls four of the seven routes into the sect. We're the bridge between the merchant lords and the nobles. Even the Silver Siren Company rents from us."
Sylphia added, "We aren't just in the hospitality business. We also sell access."
Nereus leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully chewing.
'So the Vanderbilt family is even more formidable than he realized—masters of economy and deep-sea logistics...no wonder they held such sway in the sect's affairs.'
This knowledge, he realized, might prove one day to be critical.
Jonny coughed before rolling his eyes. "I swear half this dinner has felt like one of father's business meetings"
"Haha just consider it inspiration and training for our little heir," Sylphia said, reaching over to pinch his cheek fondly much to his chagrin.
Shortly after dessert arrived—glazed seafruit over iced kelp cream—the mood remained light and full of laughter, though the undercurrent of ambition flowed steadily beneath the surface.
After dinner, as the dishes were cleared and Sylphia led Richard away to discuss estate matters further, Jonny motioned for Nereus to follow him out to the guest residence as a bevy of maidservants followed closely behind.
At that moment, Nereus again thanked then quickly dismissed the group of maidservants before turning his attention to Fatty Jonny.
With a serious expression he then asked, "Jonny, do you seriously want to become a powerful Sealocke?"
"Oh I uh-" Fatty Johnny started caught off guard by the seemingly random question.
In truth no one had ever asked him such a question before.
Even before he was born it was already understood that as long as he possessed some talent he would definitely be either a Sealocke or an accomplished business man like his father.
It was the only way his father would ever consider him a worthy heir of any kind.
So to be asked was being a Sealocke what he wanted, for the first time in his life Fatty Jonny was speechless.
He knew he definitely did not want nor did he have the aptitude to run a company but did he want to become a powerful Sealocke...
After a long stretch of silence Fatty Jonny finally said, "Ya know, people think I don't know much or even hear much but I do. I hear the snickers some of the other students in the Forum make when they see me, I know what some of the other officials in the clan and even in our own business say about my lack of martial and business talent behind my father's back."
An ugly expression crossed Fatty Jonny's face as he clenched his hands tightly, " And Argent I know more than anything I want to prove all those fuckers wrong by punching them right in the mouth, and showing my dad that I am a worthy heir! If becoming a powerful sealocke will allow me to do that then yeah I guess I do want to become a powerful Sealocke! More than anything in the entire seven seas actually!"
As he listened to Fatty Jonny's answer a look of satisfaction crossed Nereus's face. He then said, "Excellent, now tell me, if you could choose any affinity or lineage, what would it be?"
Pausing to consider his options, Fatty Jonny's eyes then lit up in a childlike state before he replied, "Well, if I were to dream, I suppose I would wish for a shark lineage so I could have a ferocious and powerful physique like the Char mer sect. As far as affinities, I feel even just water would be fine as long as I had that lineage haha"
Nereus nodded thoughtfully, considering his friend's choice. "I'd say that's a wise choice, Jonny. With such power, you could indeed become a formidable Sealocke"
At that moment Nereus quickly grabbed Jonny's wrist in a gentle yet frim grip before injecting a small bit of his own sea essence into his meridians.
He then let him go almost instantly as a knowing look appeared on his face.
"You currently don't practice any Sealocke cultivation techniques." Fatty Jonny nodded his head without saying another word, he had never seen such a serious side of Argent before.
He felt as if all his secrets were laid bare before this friend of his without him having to say a word
"I see, though this is somewhat surprising it is also advantageous to us as the technique I have in mind for you would not be a possibility if you had ever practiced another before.
"W-wait in mind for me? So are you saying you have a cultivation technique right now?..." Jonny looked shocked and incredulously at his friend, "Maybe you think you do, but even the lowest grade cultivation technique is really expensive and would be closely guarded Argent, my father himself can't even-"
Without any delay and paying Jonny's words no mind, Nereus the closed his eyes before sinking himself deep within his consciousness's sea of memories.