Not long after talking with his parents in their office, Asher was back in his room, sitting at his desk. His scroll lay in front of him, powered on and already connected to a call with Liv.
"A company? You want to start a company?" Liv's voice carried a hint of surprise after hearing why Asher had called.
"That's right. It's been my goal from the start, but I never had a good chance until now. I could keep making and selling things myself, but if I want my inventions to reach beyond the military and business deals, I'll need a front to get them out to the public. Preferably one that keeps my identity hidden."
Liv hummed in agreement.
"Right… Well, that's not too surprising. I figured you'd eventually start your own company. Just didn't expect it to be this soon. And honestly, I wasn't looking forward to all the paperwork coming my way…" A soft sigh slipped through her words.
Asher's face softened a little.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Looks like your workload is going to jump quite a bit."
She chuckled.
"Well, you warned me to be ready, so I can't complain. Honestly, though, I doubt it'll be any tougher than managing all the contracts Atlas Military keeps sending me. I'm pretty sure I could fill a whole filing cabinet with them."
At that, Asher shifted the conversation.
"Oh, speaking of which, Liv, you have a solid reputation with the people in Mantle, right? You know most of the local communities?"
"Hmm, I'd say so. I still try to find time to handle disputes down in Mantle."
"That's what I thought. So, how about we use that to our advantage?" Asher suggested, causing Liv on the other end to pause.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I can't run a company by myself. I'll need to hire a lot of people," Asher explained.
"The problem is, some of my goals won't sit well with a big part of the population. If this is going to work, I need people who think less like Atlesians and more like… well, like you and me."
"So, you want me to help with recruiting?" Liv asked, making it simple. Asher nodded—though she couldn't see it.
"Exactly. Activists who want to ease Mantle's problems can only do so much with the limited resources they have. Faunus struggling to find stable work, humans who, despite having the education, can't put it to use because of how fast businesses are getting monopolized in Mantle."
Asher listed all kinds of people and situations, and Liv could picture a face for each one. She had helped many of those folks and knew the local communities well, just as Asher said.
Soup kitchens where volunteers wanted to help but couldn't balance a job and serving the community were common.
Even groups like hers weren't small. The number of mixed Faunus and human organizations she belonged to was more than you could count on your fingers. Of course, few were as dedicated as Liv—she was the exception—but plenty had good intentions and just needed a way to contribute while supporting themselves.
"Well… I can think of a few groups and communities that might be interested," Liv said quietly, partly to Asher and partly to herself as she considered it.
"But even with me pushing for it, there's no guarantee. People don't trust companies like the one you want to start, especially if it sounds too good to be true. And even if half the people I reach out to apply, it still won't be enough to run a whole company," she added.
There were too many jobs, departments, and qualifications needed. It'd be great if only like-minded people, or at least those who agreed with the cause, could be hired, but reality was far more complicated than that.
Asher didn't need Liv to say it—he already understood.
"Don't worry. I'm not looking to build a whole workforce right away. Just anyone you can bring in. I'll take care of the rest."
"Alright, if you say so." Liv didn't press for more. She trusted Asher. If he said he had a plan, she'd focus on her part and leave the details to him.
"So, do you have a name picked out?" Liv asked. Asher could hear paper rustling and shuffling on her end. Clearly, she wanted as many details as possible if she was going to set up a company for him, at least on paper.
"I was thinking… Karatheon," Asher answered.
"Karatheon?" Liv repeated, unfamiliar with the word.
"It's not a real word. It's a mix of 'Charon'—the ferryman who guides souls—and 'Architecton,' the art of building," he explained.
"So, a company named after guiding people and then building for them? You know, I've thought about this for a while, but you really do have a huge savior complex for a fourteen-year-old, Asher," Liv teased.
Despite the joke, Asher couldn't help but smile quietly.
"Yeah, I guess I do."
They soon moved on to the other details.
Since Asher didn't want to answer to a board or shareholders, Karatheon would be a privately held Limited Corporation. This setup would give him flexibility and protect his personal assets, while making it easier to partner with the military and other corporations down the line.
At first, Karatheon's focus would be welfare technology, but it would also branch into defense and security systems. Civil infrastructure and construction would come later, probably as a separate division.
"Since you're the sole proprietor, I'm guessing you want me to include a provision for possible mergers and future expansion?" Liv asked.
"That's right. Also, could you add a clause for a potential strategic partner?" Asher inquired.
Liv paused for a moment.
"That won't be a problem. Do you already have someone in mind?"
"Yeah, I think so," Asher replied.
On top of all that, all designs, software, and systems would remain proprietary, with licensing models tailored for both military and commercial clients. Liv wasn't surprised when Asher mentioned the company would handle manufacturing in-house. He already had one factory, although it was technically under Atlas Military control.
"So, you want me to start transferring your assets under the company's name once I finish drafting the EULA, licensing agreements, and NDA templates?" Liv asked, the sound of her writing with one hand while typing on the computer with the other coming through clearly as she spoke.
"Yes. I'm still the legal owner of my automated factory, even if it's regulated by Atlas Military. We'll convert it into an operational branch of the company. Also, check how much of my security clearance can be extended to the corporation. We might be able to get some R&D tax write-offs," Asher explained.
"Got it."
Working smoothly together, they wrapped up all the necessary details within the hour.
"All right, that should cover it. It'll take some time to legally set everything up, but as far as the concept goes, Karatheon is on its way to becoming real. Give me about six days. Most of the paperwork related to you gets fast-tracked, so it shouldn't take long."
"Perfect, thanks, Liv," Asher said, his voice clearly sincere.
"Of course," Liv replied, and somehow the smile in her voice came through even over the call.
After a moment, she asked, "What about the actual building? Any plans for that?"
"Yeah, that's the tricky part right now. I only have about Ⱡ9.4 million in my personal account."
Hearing that, Liv couldn't help but scoff playfully.
"Oh, yeah, 'only' nine million."
Asher laughed on his end.
"Okay, yeah, it's a lot, but not nearly enough to buy the kind of property I want. My parents offered me a big contract. Projected revenue is around Ⱡ3.25 billion, but until the company is officially set up and the contract gets rewritten in a week or so, I don't have any extra cash to spend."
Liv went quiet for a moment, her mind catching up with the number.
Ⱡ3.25 billion... holy shit...
She thought she had gotten used to hearing big numbers since she started working with Asher, but now she realized she had seriously underestimated how much money was really behind the Frostvale name.
Ignoring Liv's brief silence, Asher continued, "I'm probably going to have to do an escrow-based purchase so I don't end up totally broke."
Pulling herself back from the shock of that much money, Liv focused on what he was saying.
An escrow was when a neutral third party holds funds until certain conditions are met.
"Hmmm, sounds like you're going to need a conditional sale contract. You'll need a sizable down payment for the kind of property you want, but it should be manageable. The clauses can be straightforward—the funds stay locked until Karatheon is officially incorporated, the Frostvale contract goes through, and the first installment from the contract is made…"
She muttered something quietly under her breath, too low for Asher to catch.
After a moment, she added, "You'll probably need a signed letter of intent from Frostvale Enterprises, but your parents can get that to you easily enough. I can reach out to a title company to handle the escrow account and draft the contract by tomorrow. The only piece missing is actually buying the property."
"Actually, I had an idea about that. Do you remember Russet?" Asher asked, making Liv pause and furrow her brows as she thought.
"Russet… Russet… Oh, you mean the real estate broker who sold us that warehouse? Yeah, I remember him. Why?"
Asher smirked.
"So, you still have his contact info, right? Would you mind setting up a meeting for me?"
=====================================•=====================================
December 18th, 2033
It had been two days since the operation against the Atlas branch of the White Fang. The news was still buzzing about the incident and probably would be for weeks.
Asher took a brief break before getting back to work.
His mind didn't need rest—not with the Nezus Space and his ability to sort through it himself—but his body did. He spent the day catching up with his parents, who were starting to miss having free time with him, finishing some of the lessons he'd fallen behind on, and talking with Whitley and Weiss on their group chat.
Both Whitley and Weiss were, of course, curious about the White Fang operation, given how much trouble the group had caused for Schnee Dust Company. Asher kept most details confidential but dropped just enough hints to satisfy their curiosity.
That same day, he received a message from Pietro letting him know the celebration Penny wanted was scheduled for the twenty-fifth—if he was free.
Asher accepted, of course, and even offered to bring some friends along if Penny wanted more people, which she immediately jumped at. He could tell she had taken over the messaging by how Pietro's typing style suddenly changed.
So, the next day after his break, around noon, a taxi pulled up to the curb on the streets of Atlas.
A man stepped out, thanked the driver, and closed the door behind him. The taxi drove off as the man looked around, slightly anxious but not lost. Compared to the last time Asher and Liv had met him, this older man's hair was well-styled, no longer greasy, and his worn-out suit had been replaced by a fresh, clean one.
It was Russet, the same real estate broker who had sold Asher the warehouse that became his automated factory.
Wow, it's been a while since I last came to Atlas... and the price for just a one-way ticket is way beyond what I can afford these days. Still, I never imagined I'd actually get called up here by a client.
After selling that warehouse to Asher and learning he was a Frostvale, that sale definitely gave Russet's career a boost. Back then, he made sure that if Liv ever contacted his company again, the call would come straight to him. But after more than four months, he didn't really expect anything.
So imagine his surprise when, two days ago, he got that unexpected call asking him to a meeting in Atlas. They even offered to cover his travel costs.
Needless to say, the last two days had been full of worry and preparation. All he'd been told was that Asher Frostvale—the same boy he'd met before—was interested in buying more property. Though this time, the deal was more complicated than a simple purchase.
Now, suitcase in hand, Russet looked around. He wasn't near the city center but close to one edge of Atlas, which gave him a stunning view only a city built in the sky could offer. Clouds floated below and above, while the sun cast its usual glow, bathing the city in the perfect lighting.
There weren't many towering buildings where he'd been dropped off. This was a local commercial area, full of shops, malls, and people going about their day. A complete contrast to the usual hustle of Mantle and its dreary atmosphere.
It almost seemed perfect.
Taking it all in for a moment longer, Russet shook his head slightly, thinking to himself.
All right, I was told to meet him somewhere around here… Come on, I don't want to be late for our first official meeting.
Russet wandered for a bit until he found what he thought was the place. It was a small shop on the corner called Scoops & Swirls.
To his surprise, it was a milkshake and ice cream spot.
How did he know it was the right one? Well, the bodyguards standing outside and the envoy parked nearby kind of gave it away.
The shop was bright and colorful, with soft neon lights and all kinds of pastel shades that reminded him of cotton candy and your favorite casual flavors of ice cream. The guards didn't stop anyone from coming or going; they mostly just kept watch, though they did draw some curious looks.
Russet approached the stairs leading to the entrance and nervously spoke to one of the guards.
"I'm here to meet Asher Frostvale?"
The guard studied him briefly, like comparing his face to a mental picture, then nodded.
"He's waiting for you at the booth against the far wall."
"Ah, got it, thank you," Russet said, stepping inside.
The interior matched the outside's vibe—colorful tiles in shades of pink covered the floor, glass tables reflected the light, and seating options ranged from stools at the counter to regular chairs and cozy booths lining the walls. There were no waiters, with a mix of people enjoying their milkshakes and ice cream in the store, or taking them to go.
He scanned the room of it's until a voice called out, "Russet, over here."
Turning, he spotted Asher waving from the third booth. Asher was sipping a strawberry milkshake with layers of syrup drizzled along the whipped cream and a fresh strawberry on top.
His straw doubled as a spoon.
"Ah, Mr. Frostvale," Russet greeted him with a respectful bow.
Asher raised a hand.
"No need for that. Remember, I told you last time to just call me Asher. Anyway, have a seat. I found this place while prepping for a date a while back. Never ended up going, but the milkshakes here are amazing. They also have ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, and cakes if you're interested in anything. My treat."
"Oh, um, I-" Russet started to decline as he took the seat across from Asher at the booth. A table separated them, but the menu did look tempting, and he'd already accepted the free trip up here.
"Well, in that case, I suppose an ice cream sandwich sounds good," Russet admitted with a nervous laugh. He never thought he'd feel so awkward ordering ice cream with a kid, but this wasn't an ordinary child, and this wasn't a normal meeting.
Asher smiled at his response.
"Good. It would've been awkward if I were the only one eating. Besides, ice cream and business go well together."