Chapter 77 – The R&D People

The quiet scratching of a fountain pen filled Alexander's office.

Stacks of documents occupied nearly every available surface. Contracts awaiting signatures. Budget proposals. Factory expansion reports. Hiring requests. Correspondence from distributors across the country. Even several thick folders prepared by Elizabeth Cooper's law firm rested neatly beside Roland's immaculate handwriting.

Alexander finished signing yet another contract before placing it onto the completed pile, before he sighed out loud and commented, "Haa... I'd rather fight another vampire coven than deal with paperwork."

Across the desk, Roland didn't even look up from the papers he was reviewing as he said, "I'm afraid vampires are considerably less persistent than accountants, Master Alexander."

Alexander let out a weary laugh, "I think you're right."

He reached for the next document.

Insurance renewals.

The next.

Construction permits.

Then another.

Factory equipment acquisitions.

Another.

Requests for additional warehouse space.

In the end, Alexander couldn't help but ask, "How does Father deal with this every day?"

Roland adjusted his cuffs and replied, "Practice."

Alexander stared at him in disbelief, "That's it...?"

"It also helps that your father has the whole of Roxxon's infrastructure behind him and he genuinely enjoys this sort of work."

"I've suddenly discovered one of the ways in which we're very different people."

The butler merely smiled before sliding another small stack toward him, making Alexander sigh dramatically, "Haa... You're cruel."

Several minutes later, the final signature found its place, and Alexander leaned back in his chair with visible relief on his face as he exclaimed, "I'm finally done!"

Roland quietly collected the completed documents with the same composed efficiency he brought to everything else and said, "I shall forward these to the appropriate departments shortly."

Alexander stretched his shoulders and started a new topic that had been on his mind for quite some time, "You know..."

He glanced toward the large office windows overlooking Los Angeles before he continued, "It's almost unsettling."

Roland looked up and asked, "What is, sir?"

Alexander frowned thoughtfully, "There is not even a single newspaper article that talked about that."

"..."

"After everything that happened at Drake Manor, I expected at least some rumours. Missing guests. An unexplained flash of light. The animal-like roars or screams. Something. But there wasn't even a paragraph."

Roland nodded as though he had expected the observation before he said, "The explanation is actually rather straightforward."

Alexander gestured for him to continue, and he did, "The guests were hypnotised."

"Indeed."

"But not in the manner one might initially imagine." Roland folded his hands neatly and explained, "From what I remember of the hypnosis, I can guarantee that their memories were not erased. They were, for lack of a better word... adjusted."

Alexander listened carefully.

"To every human present, the gala proceeded exactly as expected. Dinner was served. The orchestra continued performing. Business conversations resumed. Guests departed throughout the evening. The hosts eventually excused themselves to conduct private matters."

He offered a faint smile and added, "Which, among the wealthy, is hardly unusual."

Alexander slowly nodded, remembering something similar happening during other events he took part in with his father. Meanwhile, Roland kept talking, "So for them everything... makes sense. Perfectly. No contradictions. No missing time. No inexplicable gaps."

Roland inclined his head and added, "The human mind naturally seeks consistency. If provided with a plausible explanation, it seldom searches for another."

Alexander remained silent for a long moment, then he quietly murmured, "So people aren't blind... They're simply never allowed to see the truth."

Roland offered no objection and commented, "I suspect that is precisely how the supernatural has remained hidden for so many centuries."

Alexander found himself agreeing.

He had lived in this world for all his life, but only once he received the memories of his other self did he realise just how "marvellous" this world truly was.

And shortly after that, he had encountered Duel Spirits, Demons, Shadow Games and now vampires, yet ordinary society continued functioning as though none of those things existed, and not because they didn't, but because the world itself seemed strangely adept at concealing them.

In the end, Alexander muttered under his breath in a scowling tone, "Damn Marvel..."

Roland politely pretended not to hear.

Then the conversation gradually shifted, with Roland saying, "I received a report from Mr King yesterday."

Alexander looked up, "Oh?"

"They have officially opened their office."

Roland produced another folder, and across its cover appeared freshly printed lettering.

BorderLine Investigative Services

Licensed Private Investigation Services

Los Angeles, California

Alexander smiled and commented, "So they went through with it."

"They did." Roland placed the folder upon the desk and added, "The office itself is rather modest. However, thanks to your investment, it possesses all the equipment necessary to begin accepting clients immediately."

Alexander nodded approvingly.

Blade had never struck him as someone interested in remaining attached to organisations, and neither had Hannibal, but running a detective agency suited them surprisingly well.

It allowed them to earn an honest living while quietly continuing their hunt for supernatural threats.

Roland glanced toward him and said, "If I may ask once more..."

Alexander already knew what he was about to ask, but he still listened anyway, "...You still believe financing vampire hunters is a worthwhile investment?"

"To be more precise." Alexander smiled and replied, "I'm not investing in vampire hunters."

He lightly tapped the folder and added, "I'm investing in information."

Roland waited for Alexander to explain his thought process, something he did, "Think about it. They've spent decades moving through the supernatural community. They know people. They hear rumours. They recognise patterns. If another rogue Duel Spirit starts causing trouble... They're far more likely to hear about it than any ordinary investigator we may hire."

Roland considered the explanation before slowly nodding, "I must admit... That is a compelling argument."

Alexander leaned back comfortably and added, "And if I occasionally hire them for perfectly legal investigative work... their agency becomes financially sustainable. So everyone wins."

Roland allowed himself a small smile and commented, "I believe Master Hugh would approve of that philosophy."

Unfortunately, the pleasant topic couldn't last forever as Roland quietly reached beneath the desk, then placed an exceptionally thick folder before Alexander; its weight alone spoke of months of work.

Alexander raised an eyebrow and asked, "Should I be worried...?"

"No, sir. You should merely prepare yourself."

Roland then opened the cover and explained, "For the past several months, my staff and I have discreetly investigated hundreds of scientists, engineers, researchers, and industrial specialists throughout the United States. We examined professional achievements. Financial stability. Employment history. Personal ethics. Family circumstances. Psychological evaluations where available."

Alexander looked genuinely impressed before he asked in a worried tone, "Hundreds?"

Roland nodded but reassured him, "Most were eliminated. Some lacked the necessary expertise. Others possessed questionable integrity. A surprising number simply enjoyed discussing confidential projects far too freely."

Alexander chuckled and commented, "Yup. Definitely not the sort of people we want."

"Precisely."

Roland turned the first page and said, "The individuals remaining represent those whom I believe possess not only exceptional ability but also the character necessary to work on technologies decades ahead of contemporary science."

Alexander's expression gradually became more serious.

Now this was something that required his full attention, as they could be the ones helping him advance Duel Monsters and Industrial Illusion to the next step.

He picked up the first profile, Dr Amelia Hart and read through it slowly.

Dr. Amelia Hart. Age: 38.

Field: Advanced Materials Science.

Background: Former aerospace researcher. Worked on lightweight composite materials. Left her previous employer after refusing to falsify safety reports.

Traits: perfectionist, ethical, calm, mother of one daughter.

Alexander gave an approving nod and commented, "Integrity over career advancement. Quite a rare quality."

Roland simply noted, "She also has a young daughter."

Alexander understood immediately that someone with a stable family was generally far less likely to gamble everything through corporate espionage.

The next file.

Victor Alvarez. Age: 42.

Field: Electrical Engineering.

Background: Designed military communication systems. Became disillusioned with defence contractors. Wants civilian innovation.

Expertise: circuit design, power efficiency, signal processing.

Personality: Dry humour. Practical. Always carrying a notebook.

Alexander smiled slightly upon reaching the note about the perpetual notebook and said, "I already like him."

"The notebook?"

"No."

"The fact that he left the defence industry because he wanted to build something that actually helps people."

Roland quietly turned another page.

Dr Naomi Ishikawa. Age: 31.

Field: Computer Engineering.

Background: One of the youngest software architects in Silicon Valley. Specialises in embedded operating systems. Has become frustrated because companies only use her for accounting software.

Alexander's eyebrows slowly rose, and he muttered, "Accounting software, hmm...?"

He reread the paragraph, then sighed and observed, "What an unbelievable waste of talent. A remarkable software architect reduced to optimising bookkeeping programs."

Roland inclined his head and said, "I reached a similar conclusion."

The following files continued.

Elias Kovacs. Age: 45.

Field: Mechanical Engineering.

Background: Worked in robotics and automated manufacturing. Immigrated from Hungary. Can build almost anything with limited resources.

Personality: Gruff. Blunt. Actually enjoys mentoring younger engineers.

Alexander immediately pictured an old-world craftsman who solved problems with tools rather than theory.

Then came Priya Ramanathan.

Priya Ramanathan. Age: 34.

Field: Miniaturised Electronics.

Background: Former medical equipment engineer. Expert in compact sensors. Excellent at solving engineering problems creatively.

Another excellent candidate.

The next one, Jonathan Mercer, initially seemed less impressive.

Jonathan Mercer. Age: 40.

Field: Industrial Production.

Background: Factory optimisation specialist. Not the smartest engineer. Possibly the best organiser. Can turn prototypes into mass production.

Alexander nearly turned the page before pausing as his mind started to connect the dots, 'Factory optimisation. Supply chains. Production management.'

He leaned back thoughtfully as realises that he was most likely the hidden gem of the group, "Wait... An inventor builds one prototype..."

Roland looked toward him.

Alexander smiled faintly and concluded, "...But a production specialist builds a million."

Roland's own smile became just a touch more pronounced, "It would appear Master Hugh's lessons remain with you."

"They do."

Thomas O'Connell followed.

Thomas O'Connell. Age: 36.

Field: Energy Systems.

Background: Battery technologies. Power storage. Efficient portable power supplies. His research never received funding because investors preferred larger industrial projects.

Alexander found himself shaking his head, "So many brilliant people held back simply because no one wanted to invest in them."

After that, only one file remained, and Roland carefully slid it across the desk.

Alexander glanced at the name.

Phineas Mason.

He frowned slightly.

The name didn't immediately ring any bells, yet something about it felt strangely familiar.

He began reading.

Phineas Mason. Age: 35. Current Status: Married.

Background: A remarkably gifted inventor who has spent years designing specialised machinery, precision tools, and custom electronics for various manufacturing firms. Despite his talent, he's become increasingly frustrated by corporate management, who repeatedly shelve his more ambitious designs in favour of safer, more profitable products. Financially stable thanks to steady work and his wife's support, he remains driven less by money than by the desire to create devices that push the boundaries of engineering.

Field and known skills: Mechanical engineering, Electronics, Reverse engineering, Rapid prototyping, Precision fabrication, Able to repair or improve almost any machine after studying it.

Personality: Phineas is patient, curious, and genuinely enjoys helping other engineers solve difficult problems. He has a habit of absentmindedly sketching mechanical improvements on napkins or scraps of paper during conversations, and he treats engineering puzzles like games waiting to be solved.

Every line described another field in which Mason excelled.

Alexander slowed, then slowed again before muttering, "Curious..."

He reread the summary.

No scandals. No criminal record. Excellent recommendations. Married. Financially stable. Patient. Helpful.

Almost suspiciously ordinary, yet the list of technical accomplishments painted an entirely different picture.

This wasn't simply an excellent engineer; this was someone who seemed capable of understanding almost any machine placed before him.

Alexander closed the folder for a moment.

His instincts whispered a single word.

Marvel-like genius.

He couldn't explain why, as nothing in Roland's report justified the feeling.

Objectively, Phineas Mason was simply another gifted inventor, yet Alexander had seen enough of this world to recognise a familiar pattern.

People like this rarely remained ordinary forever; some became legendary heroes, some were the minds behind great inventions, others became infamous villains, and many had once begun exactly like this.

Brilliant. Ambitious. Waiting for the opportunity that would define the rest of their lives.

He opened the file once more and muttered, "This could either become one of the greatest opportunities Industrial Illusion will ever receive..."

His eyes lingered on Mason's photograph, "...Or the beginning of an exceptionally complicated future."

Roland studied him quietly before he observed, "You seem particularly interested in Mr Mason. I have to say that among all the candidates, Mr Mason received some of the most consistently positive recommendations. Several former colleagues even expressed disappointment at losing him."

Alexander smiled wryly and replied, "I have a feeling."

"A good one?"

"I honestly don't know." He gently closed the folder and said, "But I think... I should meet him and the others. This is a team of candidates with the potential of building the future I envision..."

Roland corrects him with a faint smile, "I think it's better to say that these are the candidates who may build it, Master Alexander. We still have to convince them to join Industrial Illusion first."

Alexander grins and quotes the iconic movie he saw with his friends a few months ago, "Then let's make them an offer they can't refuse."

Roland nodded and said, "As you wish, Master Alexander."

Then, without wasting any time, he began to draft personalised invitations for each candidate.