Jaune Mercer: Volume 1

It's been a month since Jaune and Eve defeated Belze and Sephiria, respectively. A lot has happened since then.

In a few months, Gentek had gained a noble reputation for its goodwill throughout Remnant. Many have inquired about their methods, but that is still shrouded in mystery...At least for now.

Blackwatch rose in prestige and power. Their work garnered them a lot of support and praise. Those who were against them quickly found themselves rooting for the militaristic organization. Many huntsmen and huntresses applied to join but were met with rejection.

These two companies are considered two of the most powerful factions in all of Remnant. Those in charge of the organizations received invitations from various clans, including the Arcs, willing to pay a king's ransom for their services. As swift as the invitations came, the rejections arrived even faster.

The refusal and secrecy of the two organizations' methods sowed seeds of anger, hatred, and paranoia among the other factions and clans.

There were many huntsmen and huntresses who loathed Blackwatch for taking away their financial opportunities.

Many tried to uncover how Blackwatch and Gentek operated but were met with dead ends.  Only with time would the world see just what this era of Gentek and Blackwatch entailed...And by then, it would be too late.

In the meantime, others were handling their own affairs.

[Caroline Cordovin's Office]

Mercury sat at the table. His grandaunt, Caroline, was sitting beside him. Across from him was his twin sister, Artemis. All three were happily eating a meal.

After the introductions, the three spent more time together and became more open to sharing parts of their life.

"So, when do you want to meet mother?" Artemis asked with no ill will.

Mercury dropped his fork.

"Uh, what?" He asked, taken aback.

Artemis was confused, while Caroline narrowed her gaze, analyzing the boy.

"I mean it's been a month since you met us. It's about time you meet our mother."

Mercury looked down at his plate, having a melancholic expression.

"I-I don't think that would be good."

"What do you mean?" Artemis asked still addled.

"Yes. I thought you wanted to connect with your other side of the family," Caroline said, scanning Mercury.

"That was before I met the two of you."

Now, grandaunt and grandniece were on the same page of bewilderment.

Mercury looked up from his plate, staring directly at his grandaunt and sister.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to have met you two, and learned more about both of you and my mom."

Caroline lowered her guard, seeing sincerity in Mercury's eyes.

"However...I don't know how Mom would react to seeing me," Mercury said.

"She never even met you," Caroline said.

"She's right. I'm sure she'd be happy to see you," Artemis said, trying to comfort him.

Mercury was silent.

"Did she ever know Marcus Black?" He asked.

"He wasn't around much, only a one-night stand. She didn't even know his real name was Marcus. He only called himself Mark," Artemis said.