The last time Julius had set foot on a university campus, it had been anything but peaceful. A professor had been murdered in broad daylight, and the entire Revenant Knight Corps had been mobilized to hunt down the culprit.
’Good times.’
"You said she’d be around here, Mister Schneider?" Isolde asked as she looked around the gazebo.
"Yeah. A blonde woman sitting with a laptop, according to my informant."
"Ah, there. I think that’s her."
Julius followed her gaze and spotted the woman sitting alone under the shade, typing away. He raised his wrist terminal, took an unsolicited photo, and sent it to Michael. A moment later, Michael sent his confirmation.
"It’s her," Julius said, lowering his arm.
"Are we just going to approach her like this?" Isolde asked.
"Pretty much," he replied. "She’s already been informed beforehand."
They walked toward the woman. The woman didn’t notice them at first. But when Julius stopped in front of her table, she finally looked up.
"Yes? Can I help you?" she asked.
"We’re looking for Mila Neumann," Julius said. "Do you happen to know where she is?"
"Ah, that would be me," the woman replied, closing her laptop halfway. "Are you the people Michael told me about?"
"That’s right."
Mila eyed them both for a moment. Then, she leaned back in her seat and gestured to the empty chairs across from her.
"I heard you’re looking for graduating students to employ," she said. "Specifically in data-mapping and magi-tech related fields. I know a few, but most of the competent ones have already received offers from larger firms. I heard you’re a start-up, right? I might know some who’d still work with you for the experience."
"That’s fine," Julius said. "You can give us the names of those competent ones too."
"Uh, okay," Mila replied, raising an eyebrow. "But you’d be wasting your time. Some of them wouldn’t even look twice at a start-up, and a few are already being trained by those companies."
"It’s fine."
Mila tilted her head, puzzled by his confidence. For a small start-up, they didn’t sound uncertain at all. If anything, they spoke as if they already had the resources and reputation of an established firm.
"Alright then," she said finally, turning her laptop back on. "I’ll compile a list."
As Mila began typing, Isolde glanced around the courtyard, making sure no one was paying attention. Julius leaned slightly forward and smiled.
"And while you’re at it, Miss Neumann," he added, "include yourself on that list."
Mila froze mid-keystroke. "Me?"
Julius nodded. "From what I’ve heard, your grades are quite impressive in computer science. I also heard you’re planning to get into cybersecurity?"
"Uh, yes," Mila said with a smile. "But it’s alright. I’m actually aiming to join Dream Industries."
"Oh?" Julius asked. "Did you already get an offer?"
"Not yet," she replied confidently. "But I’ll make sure they do. I’m certain they will. I’ll do anything to get into Dream."
"...."
For a brief moment, Julius almost lost his composure. He pressed his hand against his chin to hide the faint curve of a smile, trying his best not to laugh outright.
Dream Industries, the company she spoke of with such admiration, was under the Schneider Group’s corporate umbrella. Technically, Julius was part owner. Hearing her talk about it with such starry-eyed conviction made the whole thing oddly amusing.
"I see," Julius said, keeping his tone neutral. "That’s quite an ambitious goal."
"It’s my dream job," Mila replied, completely unaware of the irony in her words. "They’re at the forefront of artificial intelligence and magi-tech engineering. Every tech major I know dreams of getting into Dream."
Julius managed a polite nod, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He could almost hear the pride in her voice. The same kind of naïve admiration that came from looking up at something without seeing how it truly worked from the inside.
"Is that so?"
After a few moments, Mila stopped typing and turned her laptop toward them. Mila was quite meticulous. The screen displayed a neatly organized list of names, majors, and contact details, formatted perfectly.
"I’ll have it sent by email," she said. "Or you can take a picture now."
Julius turned to Isolde, who took out her device and snapped a quick photo.
"This is very helpful, Miss Neumann. Thank you so much," Isolde said with a warm smile.
"It’s no problem," Mila replied. "I owe Michael quite a bit, so this is the least I could do."
Julius glanced at Isolde and gestured with his chin. She caught the signal and, after fumbling through her bag, slid a business card across the table toward Mila.
"If you’re ever interested, Miss Neumann," Isolde said, "do give us a call."
Mila nodded and accepted the card, though she didn’t bother looking at it just yet.
Julius and Isolde stood from their seats.
"If you’ll excuse us, Miss Mila," Julius said.
"Yes. Have a good day," Mila replied, closing her laptop and tucking it into her bag.
They parted ways a moment later. Mila stayed behind, eventually pulling out the business card out of courtesy. She let out a small sigh. The man had been smug, but the woman with him at least seemed kind.
Her eyes scanned the business card.
"...Huh?"
[SIBYL
SCHNEIDER GROUP]
Her pupils dilated as the realization dawned on her.
"No way..."
They weren’t just from some small start-up, but were under the Schneider Group.
The Schneider Group, the same conglomerate that owned Dream Industries.
"...."
Her heart dropped.
Mila spun around, scanning the area, but Julius and Isolde were already gone.
"Aaaah, what did I just do?!" she groaned, crouching down and covering her head. "I called them a start-up! And I practically implied to them they couldn’t compete!"
She banged her forehead against the ground repeatedly, eliciting terrified looks from nearby students.
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
She was familiar with the story of Dream Industries, which began with the Schneider Group. Every company they touched flourished. Which meant that whatever start-up Julius and Isolde represented was guaranteed to succeed.
And she had just embarrassed herself in front of them.