Benson's eyes widened in shock, though he managed to maintain a semblance of calm. He quickly said, "The doorstep's no place for this conversation. Come inside!"
After ushering them in and seating them on the sofa, Benson mechanically but swiftly prepared tea. Handing a cup to Alaric, he asked, his face tense with anticipation, "Mr. Lucifer, what did you mean by what you said earlier?"
"Exactly what I said." Alaric replied, taking a sip of the tea before setting the cup down. He smiled at Benson. "I have a unique ability to summon people from the past. Though Klein Moretti is dead now, the Klein from a past timeline still lives."
"…That sounds almost too incredible." Benson said, his eyes widening further. He'd initially thought it might involve summoning spirits, a concept not unfamiliar in urban legends. While he wasn't sure how true those tales were, they were within the realm of imagination. But summoning someone from a past timeline? That left him utterly bewildered.
Still, Benson didn't stay stunned for long. His knowledge of the extraordinary was limited, mostly from Mingrui's recent explanations, so while the idea seemed outlandish, he hadn't grasped just how extraordinary it was.
Regaining his composure with a sip of tea, Benson looked at Alaric and asked solemnly, "Will this affect Klein in any way?"
"No." Alaric shook his head, his tone calm. "The summoning won't impact Klein Moretti himself. The only effect is that he'll briefly live in the present, even if just for a short time."
Benson visibly relaxed, but another thought struck him. He glanced at Mingrui and asked, equally serious, "What price did Mingrui pay for this? Can we share that burden?"
Alaric gave him a deep, appraising look before smiling. "The price he paid is simple. Mingrui's own family is also gone, and through a deal with me, he can see them once a month. Now, he's shared that opportunity with you. For every meeting you have with Klein, he loses one with his own family."
Both Benson and Melissa froze, turning to Mingrui with complex, softened gazes.
Mingrui, who hadn't managed to stop Alaric in time, shifted uncomfortably under their stares.
"Mingrui, you…" Benson sighed, a mix of exasperation and warmth, shaking his head. His gaze softened further as he turned to Alaric. "Mr. Lucifer, is there a way we can pay the price ourselves for seeing Klein?"
"Why would you need to? He chose to pay this price for you. Why not accept it?" Alaric asked, smiling without confirming or denying the request.
"Because it's not a price Mingrui should bear." Benson said firmly, shaking his head. "I know the pain of losing family. That's exactly why I can't let him sacrifice his chance to see his own family for ours."
He hesitated, then added, "I know I'm just an ordinary person with little wealth… but I'll do everything I can to cover this cost."
Alaric studied him, then smiled and turned to Melissa. "And you, Melissa? What do you think?"
Caught off guard, Melissa blinked before responding, her voice tense but earnest. "I feel the same as Benson. I want to see Klein, but not at Mingrui's expense."
"You all…" Mingrui let out a wry chuckle, his emotions tangled as he instinctively looked to Alaric.
"You really are cut from the same cloth." Alaric said, laughing softly. His expression grew serious as he addressed Benson and Melissa. "I can make a deal with you. For Mingrui's sake, and because you've taught me a fine lesson about family, I'll give you a chance."
"Please, tell us." Benson and Melissa said, their voices tight with anticipation.
Mingrui was no less nervous, though he trusted Alaric's character not to impose unreasonable terms.
Alaric unhurriedly produced two documents and handed them to the siblings.
"Work contracts?" Benson said, surprised by the title, unsure of this unexpected turn.
"As my employees, you can reunite with your family every three months with my help. You're far from meeting my usual hiring standards, but since you're connected to Mingrui, consider this a special exception." Alaric said candidly. "The job details are clearly outlined in the contract. Take a look."
Alaric didn't help just anyone. Countless people wished to reunite with lost loved ones, and he had no interest in aiding them all. His nature was inherently detached.
But the Morettis were tied to Mingrui, and to resolve this familial entanglement, Alaric didn't mind offering this small favor.
Benson and Melissa exchanged a glance before reading the contracts. They were stunned to find them formal and legitimate, specifying an eight-hour workday and weekends off.
The contracts also detailed compensation: a weekly wage of five pounds during the probation period, doubling upon formal employment, with potential raises upon promotion. A contribution point system was included, allowing them to exchange points for additional rewards, such as becoming Beyonders.
The terms far exceeded the siblings' expectations, feeling almost too good to be true.
Benson recovered first, setting down the contract. "Mr. Lucifer, the contract doesn't specify the exact nature of the work?"
"It's there." Alaric said, shaking his head. He pointed to a line. "Your sole job is to follow my orders and complete the tasks I assign. The specifics aren't listed because I haven't yet determined what you're capable of."
"Don't worry about me harming you." He added, glancing at them with a smile. "With my power, if I wanted to do anything to you, a contract wouldn't make a difference."
Benson pressed his lips together, unable to argue. Someone with such extraordinary abilities could indeed do as they pleased with him and Melissa.
***
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