Chapter 46: The Reason

Carl found them a place, a coffee shop near the school. The environment was quiet, with plenty of sunlight, and crucially, it offered good privacy, allowing them to speak freely.

Li Mochen mostly listened, only asking questions when he didn't understand something.

It was clear that the representatives of Nathan Sports Group were quite sincere. Just from the fact that they addressed him as Li Mochen instead of Andre, one could tell they had done detailed research on his background beforehand.

"That covers the promotional resources and sponsorship for various competitions and training equipment. Our sports lab will provide you with the best support. As for other aspects, as far as I know, Mr. Li, your current residence is in the Avati Apartment building in the Vagrant District, correct?"

Carl Holton asked with a smile: "Forgive my frankness, but such a place is very unfavorable for your future growth, and there are serious safety concerns. However, if you sign a sponsorship agreement with our Nathan Sports Group, our company can lease a house for you in a quality neighborhood near Lyndon School. It may not compare to your previous residence, but we can still equip it with functional rooms like a training room and a gym."

Li Mochen was surprised: "But as far as I know, NHSAA participating students are not allowed to have any financial ties with commercial companies like yours?"

"That's the regulation, but we can still bend the rules a bit."

Carl explained leisurely: "The lease won't be in Mr. Li's name, but in Nathan Sports Group's or someone else's. You understand, right? So beyond that, we might also provide some additional services, such as top-quality training potions or special meat from the dark world. These are industry-accepted practices—"

Li Mochen was tempted; the conditions seemed good and could save him a lot of trouble. But he also noticed the word 'might' in the other's speech.

"Mr. Carl, if I want to obtain these training potions and ingredients, I'll need to do something for your company, right?"

"It's not that serious." Carl Holton shook his head: "We just need Mr. Li to come to our company for a detailed assessment. Then, in comprehensive cold weapon combat, try to achieve the best possible results—the higher the ranking, the better. Due to NHSAA regulations, we can't include this incentive in the formal contract. But please trust our Nathan Sports Group; we never hesitate to invest in promising talents like you. We believe your future is limitless!"

"I see!"

Li Mochen thought these guys had good judgment. As he pondered, he tossed a piece of snack from the table into the hood behind him, where 'Dragon Pulse,' which had slept for fifteen or sixteen hours, had woken up hungry.

"But I'd also like to know what prompted your company to make this decision? I guess there must be a reason why you're willing to spend heavily to sponsor me?"

"Of course!"

Carl didn't hide anything: "Mr. Li, do you remember Ichabod Wood, whom you defeated a week ago? The armor he wore was provided by our Nathan Sports Group. That armor was severely damaged afterward, leading to suspicions of malfunction or product defects. Unfortunately, no high-level magic professionals were present at the time, and the video footage didn't capture your movements. So our company conducted some investigations to protect our product's reputation. Also, the day before yesterday in the West District, when Mr. Li punished the thugs, one of our people happened to witness it. That gave us a deep understanding of your abilities."

Li Mochen thought, 'So that's it. This is indeed my fault.'

If he had swapped places with the Taoran from a week ago—newly arrived and plagued by inner demons—he would never have done something so conspicuous.

Especially knowing that this world had many demigods and even divine beings, he would have been more cautious and step-by-step.

Opportunities to attract attention from big sports manufacturers like Nathan would come countless times later, but exposing his 'outsider' identity could lead to disaster.

But since things had already happened, regretting it now was useless. He could only make the best of a bad situation.

And the conflict the day before yesterday—was it really seen by someone? He needed to be more careful in that regard too.

"I've felt your company's sincerity. But sorry, before that, I need to check things through other channels. Can we talk about signing on Monday? I might also need to bring a lawyer."

——In America, nothing can be done without a lawyer.

From what Li Mochen knew, this country, which relied on case law, had an incredibly complex legal system. Then the seventy states each had different legal systems, and the cities, counties, and districts within each state had different legal customs. The various precedents were diverse and vast—ordinary people simply couldn't understand them.

Even Li Mochen, a former Immortal King, would need considerable time to master it all. The problem was that he had only arrived in this world less than a week ago.

So hiring a professional lawyer was the wisest move, allowing him to avoid potential traps in the contract.

Carl wasn't surprised; he knew the person before him was an elite student with sufficient wisdom and excellent grades, not someone easily swayed.

But he was confident in his company's terms and benefits, and he knew Li Mochen had no matches this week. Unless something unexpected like yesterday happened, he wouldn't be noticed by competitors. So after hearing Li Mochen's refusal, Carl just smiled magnanimously: "Monday, is it? That's your right. Shall we set a precise time now? I and the company look forward to your reply."

"Let's make it afternoon."

Li Mochen quickly decided: "I'll come to your company after class. Is that too late?"

Carl Holton exchanged glances with his two colleagues, a hint of a smile in their eyes: "A bit late, but it's our honor to work overtime for someone as outstanding as you. So it's settled? I'll arrange a car to pick you up at the west gate, okay?"

...

At Lyndon School's comprehensive cold weapon gymnasium, William Jacobs was waiting anxiously when he finally saw Li Mochen walking back at a snail's pace. He hurried over, grabbed Li Mochen, and headed for the bus.

"Where have you been? Louise has asked several times. You'd better not offend her; otherwise, even if old man Georgia says something, our princess can still make sure you don't get the scholarship."

"It was people from Nathan Sports Group looking for me. They want to sponsor me, and we had lunch outside."

Li Mochen told the truth; he felt there was nothing to hide, especially from his friend.

"Nathan Sports Group looking for you? Sponsorship?"

William thought the joke wasn't funny at all: "Then I think they must have the wrong person."

"I'm not joking. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll sign with them next week."

Li Mochen shook his head and asked seriously: "William, do you know anything about sports equipment sponsorship?"