Chapter 109: Chapter 108 : Silver Screen

After leaving the Duke’s compound, Ralf headed for Enviso. While doing so, he established the Mental Link and filled Rei in on what happened during the meeting.

Five minutes later, the duo arrived.

‘This place sure is packed,’ Rei thought as he eyed the swarms of people crowding the cinema’s front. Taking in the chatter, the reason why most people had made the trip over became clear to him.

[[You created quite the stir.]]

On this matter, Rei was spot on.

Since the cinema opened for the day, both those who were present last night and those who had caught wind of the happening earlier today, flooded in to watch and rewatch the unprecedented and dazzling debut match.

[[Looks like it.]] Ralf’s tone was seasoned with a hint of pride and delight as he said.

[[I wonder if anime can achieve a similar effect. What do you think?]]

[[It should, even more than this. Should it not…we’ll have to destroy this world…on principal. A world that can’t appreciate truth and justice is a hopeless one, one not worth saving.]]

[[Strong words…but I can’t disagree.]] Rei nodded as a devious smile formed on his face. [[Whether the world takes to it or not doesn’t matter…as long as mom likes it, I’ll be happy.]]

[[Well said.]]

Saying with an involuntary nod, Ralf dismissed the Psi Bike and moved to the entrance.

‘Oh, they’re parting. How nice’

With the almost shoulder to shoulder level crowd gathered, Ralf had expected to do a bit of human bumper cars but that didn’t happen. Instead, the crowd made a tunnel, allowing him uninterrupted passage.

Striding forward, his figure was beset by hundreds of eyeballs, all beaming with bright lights.

This light was all too familiar to Ralf; he basked in it, comfortably. The crowd’s gazes were fixed on him, as though he was the sun and they were sunflowers.

Many wanted to approach but chose not to. Ralf was still a dubious existence in the hearts of the masses. Yesterday’s performance had strengthened the idea that the Silver Path was a real thing, while at the same time giving more credence to the idea that he was a vessel of Dimitri. For now, people chose to apply the ‘wait and see’ approach.

Thanks to this, Ralf’s path was unobstructed.

*Step*

Passing through the entranceway, a telepathic link reached out to his mind. Not resisting in the slightest, he allowed it to connect. By the next second, the world became colourful and lively. Ralf didn’t let himself get distracted by it and instead moved to complete his objective.

[Excuse me,] he started.

[Oh, you’re here again,] an upbeat voice echoed back.

‘The one from yesterday,’ Ralf thought as he recognized the voice.

[So, what strange request will it be today? I could do with another gold,] Samantha said cheekily.

Ralf smiled. [Sure, help me and I’ll toss a gold your way.]

[Then, please fire away.]

[Okay, I’m looking to make a movie but have a gap in my knowledge concerning the legal side of things. I came here to fill this, and also to gain access to a few resources. Who do I need to speak to about this?]

[Manager Meredith,] Samantha’s answer came at lightning speed. [She’s the person you need to speak to. I’ll check to see if she’s available. Just give me a second.]

[Sure.]

A few seconds later, Samantha’s voice sounded again.

[Good news, she’s available. Head up to the sixth floor. She’s expecting you.]

[I see, thank you. I’ll make good on my word.]

Following these words, Ralf made his way up. A few flights and a short walk later, he arrived at his destination.

*Knock**Knock*

“Come on in.”

Getting the go-ahead, he opened the door. Entering the office, his eyes fell on Meredith, seated behind her desk.

‘Oh, what a colourful person,’ he thought in amusement.

The middle-aged woman was a visual spectacle, to say the least. Her long hair was dyed with enough colours to leave a rainbow envious, and the business suit she wore, followed suit.

As Ralf observed her, Meredith observed him as well.

‘So, this is him.’ Her eyes sparkled in a dazzling glimmer as she took in his swaying form.

Most Popleighions had only come to know the name ‘Ralf’ in the last few days, however, Meredith was different; his name had been on her radar since the Morris incident.

She didn’t have any great interest in fighting or bloodshed so to speak, but she loved consuming interesting stories, both fiction and non-fictional, and Ralf’s was the most interesting around.

She had been following it closely, anticipating every new release, and luckily for her and many others like her, each addition to Ralf’s stories only got better and better.

Only a minute earlier, she was watching Ralf’s debut match footage, entrapped by it no different than the Duke had been. She had always desired to meet him someday, so when the offer came, she sprang at it. Sitting in her chair, she bubbled with excitement; being in his presence worked her up to no small degree.

*Inhale* *Exhale*

Taking a breath, she calmed her racing heart and addressed her guest. “Welcome welcome, please take a seat.”

Ralf shut the door and followed her suggestion, seating himself on one of the two large couches present.

Meredith smiled. “Before we start, introductions. I’m Meredith Sawyer, head of Enviso’s Popleigh branch. It’s nice to meet you, Ralf Fawkes. I’m quite the fan.”

“Glad to hear. Nice to meet you too, Meredith,” Ralf returned with his usual friendliness. “I’d give you a candy to commemorate the meeting, but I’m currently out,” he said as he patted his coat. “When I swing by here again, I’ll come more prepared.”

“Please do, I could use a level up,” she smiled, exuding her Rank 2 Telekinetic Psi.

Ralf simply nodded.

Done with the pleasantries, Meredith shifted into work mode and got the ball rolling.

“Now, about your request. You said you’re ignorant about the matter of legality, right. What exactly?”

Ralf explained. “You see, I want to adapt an old work into a movie, and am unsure if I can.”

“The work?”

“The Dragon Prince trilogy.”

“Oh that, that won’t be a problem.”

“It won’t?”

Meredith nodded. “Yes, it won’t. In fact, you can make movies out of all Mars Red’s works, they’re all in the public domain.”

[[And with that, main objective cleared.]]

[[Yeah.]]

The duo was ecstatic at the answer.

Though, not everyone was.

“Hmm, Meredith, what’s with that face?” he asked as saw the manager’s eyes dim.

“Ah no, it’s nothing-.”

“Disappointed?”

Meredith’s eyes widened as her thoughts were so easily read. She smiled bitterly before admitting, “Honestly, yes. I expected something more…out of the box from you, something original at the very least. The Dragon Prince series is hundreds of years old and has had hundreds of adaptions. I’ve seen no less than fifty, and pretty much all the good ones. So, no matter what you make, I’m sure I’ll be disappointed.”

“Oh, disappointed you say…”

“Yes - huh Ralf?”

Meredith’s eyes widened as she refocused on Ralf. Instead of the discouraged look, she expected to see, the other sat on the couch, wearing a mischievous grin on his face. The expression left her baffled.

“Ah no, it’s nothing.”

Meredith squinted at the response. “Is it my turn to read your mind?”

“Can you?”

After a few seconds of trying, Meredith relaxed her furrowed brows and sighed. “It seems, I can’t.”

“Good, it seems my mental defence is working then. As for my smile, I’ll just state this,” his eyes flashed with a sharp light, “you won’t be disappointed.”

Meredith’s eyes flickered at the claim. It was unbelievable and yet knowing the young man’s history, she couldn’t easily dismiss it. In fact, the expectations she had tossed only a moment ago off a cliff, grew wings at his words and began soaring to the heavens.

“I see. I can’t see how it can be done, but since you’re the one saying it, I’ll trust you on that.”

Ralf simply nodded.

Meredith smiled then shifted her gaze to the bookshelf on her left. Her telekinesis plucked out a thin yellow book and then floated it to Ralf’s front. “For all legal questions, that book has your answers.”

You are reading story The Silver Path at novel35.com

Ralf’s eyes lit up at the words.

“Take it,” she prompted.

He didn’t hesitate and grabbed hold of the book.

“I know its contents back to front, so you can have that copy.”

“Thanks, but there’s no need. For something this thin, a minute is all I need to record everything.”

“Record?”

Not bothering to answer, Ralf delved into the task of wide-eyed furious page flipping.

Swoosh! Swoosh!…

Meredith’s eyes bulged at the sight.

She had heard about his supposed Natural-like ability but didn’t place too much credibility in the rumour. However, seeing his current actions, she found herself questioning the veracity of the rumour again. First internally, then externally.

“Are you really memorising that book?”

Ralf didn’t answer immediately, instead choosing to first finish the last five pages. Shutting the book, he turned to the disbelieving face of Meredith and affirmed. “Recording is more apt, but yes.”

The answer caused the manager’s face to twist up. “You really have Natural-like abilities?”

“Not all of them. I have perfect storage and memory abilities but not high-speed processing.”

“But…how is that possible?” she asked with a knotted forehead.

“A good question,” Ralf nodded. He then tapped his head and explained, “ You see, the Silver Path implanted several unique tools in this noggin of mine. One of them just so happens to allow me to mimic the abilities of a Natural.”

Seeing bafflement still plague Meredith’s expression, Ralf nodded. “Sounds absurd, I get you, but that’s just what the Silver Path is. What you see, is only the tip of the tip of the iceberg. Want a demonstration?”

“With that book?”

“No, I’ll do one better.” Saying this, Ralf floated the book back to its original place on the shelf. He reclined back and shut his eyes. “I was here yesterday and watched some movies. I record everything, so as part of everything, those movies have also been recorded. Connect us, I’ll act as a Natural would.”

Meredith was quick to give the necessary orders. A few seconds later, the two’s minds were telepathically bridged.

“Okay, here goes.”

As he said this, he sent the signal to Rei, who then directed the video through the Mental Link from the Mental Space. Travelling from him to Ralf and then to Meredith, all in one smooth and effortless process.

“Ah!?”

Meredith’s face turned marvellous as the video began streaming through her head. ‘He wasn’t lying, this is The Tale of Andre...this is absurd.’

“See?”

“Y-Yes, this is quite amazing,” Meredith said, her voice turning shaky as a notion passed through her head.

Ralf once again read her thoughts perfectly. He shook his head at it. Stopping the stream, he said, “Relax, I’m not Dimitri.”

“No, I wasn’t…uh, sorry.”

“It’s fine, the comparison can’t be helped. The shoe fits pretty well, but in my case, it’s just a coincidence. I’m not one of his vessels, relax.”

Meredith calmed down. “I see, then I’ll trust that you’re not.” Taking a breath, she readjusted her emotions. “Let’s get back to the matter at hand. You said you need access to resources, what exactly?”

“Music mostly,” Ralf answered. “While browsing the media section yesterday, I found quite a few songs I’d like to use in my works. What process should I go through to acquire the rights to use it? Should I contact the companies or original artists?”

“You won’t have to do all that,” Meredith stuck down the notion. “There’s no need to crunch numbers yourself or contact the artists or company, Enviso has already set up a system to make this process seamless. There’s a producer display you can access.” Going quiet for a few seconds, she then said, “This is it.”

Following her words, said interface was projected into Ralf’s mind. “Oh, neat.”

“As you can see, all you need to do is choose the song and the duration of use. The cost calculation is done automatically, so as long as your Enviso account has enough funds, you can pick as many songs as you like.”

“Excellent. As expected of an international brand, so convenient,” Ralf praised as he perused the list.

The duo could make songs, but unless it was a replication from Rei’s world, it was an arduous, challenging and time-consuming process. So, having the option of just purchasing songs was heaven-sent. It dramatically cut the production time.

“You can request this window anytime from now on, so you don’t have to decide now. Have a listen, and choose what you want.”

“Then I’ll look into this later.”

Meredith nodded, and then under her instructions, the display vanished from Ralf’s mind.

“What next?” she asked.

“A question.”

“Ask away.”

“As you’ve witnessed, I’m basically a Natural. So the question I want to ask is: is there a service where I can buy media from the catalogue, and have them transferred to me?”

“There is, but it’s not cheap, and there are limits to what you can do with it.”

The duo was overjoyed at the answer.

Meredith continued. “There’s plenty of well-off people who have Naturals who act as their private and mobile cinemas. This service also has a window you can make requests from. Here.”

Like before, a display was projected into Ralf’s mind. The only difference between it and the usual catalogue was the addition of price tags. Ralf’s eyes brightened as he viewed it.

With their current funds, they could buy thousands of items. The fact excited him to no end. Rei was similarly excited but quickly reined himself in.

[[Wait, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It might not work. Buy one and do a test run.]]

Ralf did as instructed and bought a random movie. The in-house Natural got the request, and complied, sending the data across the telepathic road.

The only difference between projecting it normally, for viewing purposes and transferring between fellow Naturals was playback speed. Instead of ‘1’, the Natural that sent the media would speed up the media by thousands of times, to form a super compressed file.

This allowed something like a ninety-minute movie to be transferred in a matter of seconds. To make it viewable, the receiving Natural would then slow down the playback speed back to ‘1’. Usually, the playback speed between Naturals would be stated beforehand, with the standard rate being 1024x.

[[And?]] Ralf asked.

He had to wait a few seconds before an answer came.

[[Thumbs up,]] Rei said joyously.

The movie had arrived successfully in the Mental Space, as a highly compressed rectangular cube. After fiddling with it a bit, Rei had managed to make it viewable.

Ralf’s face bloomed with delight at the finding.

“A success?” Meredith asked, half smiling.

“A resounding one.”

Before diving into movie making, Rei wanted to watch a lot of movies to sharpen his movie-making prowess as well as gather reference materials. If he went by the cinema’s operating hours, he’d be restricted to around 7 movies a day. This was far too limiting for his liking, so Enviso’s media ‘downloading’ service was a great help and a great time saver.

“Glad to hear, so what’s next?”

“Hmm…nothing, that’s it.”

“It is? Are you sure? Actually, Ralf, I didn’t ask, but are you doing this independently, or as part of a studio?”

“You could say both.”

The middle-aged manager’s brows raised at the vague statement.

Ralf moved to explain. “The way I’ve been speaking makes it seem like I’m going to be making the movie, but in reality, I’ll have nothing to do with its production. The first movie and the rest of the Dragon Prince series will be made by my black personality, Rei.”

“Ray,” Meredith muttered, awestruck at the revelation, “that’s his name?"

Of the many mysteries that surrounded Ralf, the matter of his other personalities was among the most interesting.

“Yes, that’s his name. Most of the stuff that will be produced, will come from him. Together, we form the studio….Silver Screen.”

Meredith went silent. Only ten seconds later did she manage to sufficiently gather her bearings to speak again. “Just you two, nobody else?”

“Yes, just us two. Oh, my silver personality might also join us in the future. His name is Silver, just Silver.”

‘Ralf, Ray and Silver,’ Meredith recited internally, saving the names into her mental library.

“I see, I’ll register the name then, Silver Screen.”

“Great,” Ralf got to his feet. “Okay, thanks for everything. Meredith, I’ll be off now. Going to binge-watch movies.”

Meredith smiled a tired smile, the meeting left her mentally drained. Her mental cogs were screeching from trying to process the incarnation of ridiculousness that was her guest.

“Glad to be of help, Ralf. Enjoy the binge. Also, don’t forget to deliver my candy, I’ll be waiting.”

“Of course of course.”

Flashing one last cheeky smile, Ralf made his exit.

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