Alexander and Roland walked out of Merriweather Commercial Printing & Design together.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the busy street while the sounds of traffic and distant construction blended into the constant rhythm of the city.
Behind them, the heavy glass door closed with a muted click, and for a few moments, neither of them spoke. Then Alexander glanced briefly toward the building behind them and commented, "That went better than expected. I thought my age would cause more issues."
Roland calmly adjusted his gloves before replying, "Mr Merriweather appears to be a practical man."
Alexander nodded slightly, "Which is exactly why it worked."
The negotiation had succeeded because Thomas Merriweather valued competence above appearances.
Once he understood that Alexander knew what he was talking about, the entire dynamic shifted.
That kind of person was far easier to work with than those obsessed with status alone.
The two entered the luxurious sedan.
A moment later, the engine started smoothly before the vehicle pulled away from the curb and merged back into traffic.
Silence settled naturally inside the cabin.
Alexander leaned slightly against the seat as the city moved outside the window while thinking, 'Three days. That is the current timeline. Three days before the first official Duel Monsters decks will physically exist.'
It was a strange thought, even now, part of him still found the entire situation surreal.
Not because Duel Monsters was impossible, but because he was rebuilding something that had once been nothing more than a memory from another life.
And now it was slowly becoming real again, and he was loving every moment of it.
Moreover, he was eagerly anticipating the future where he could play his own version of the game with other players, experiencing the game in ways he had never thought possible thanks to the YGO System.
Alexander exhaled quietly before shifting his attention back toward practical matters, 'The work is far from over. If anything, it is only beginning. Naturally, I will continue creating prototype cards during the waiting period. The current card pool is still far too limited. Starter decks alone aren't enough. Eventually, Duel Monsters would require: Proper starter boxes, expansion sets, booster packs, rarity structures and evolving archetypes. An actual ecosystem. And to sustain that ecosystem... I will need scale.'
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly as another issue surfaced in his thoughts.
Industrial manufacturing.
The small production run from Merriweather Commercial Printing was sufficient for initial testing but nothing more.
If Duel Monsters actually succeeded, and Alexander fully intended for it to succeed, then he would eventually require manufacturing capability large enough to support distribution across the city, then the state, then the country, and eventually the world.
A much larger challenge entirely.
Which meant he would need to start scouting potential industrial manufacturers soon.
Reliable ones. Flexible ones.
Preferably companies capable of handling: Large-volume printing, packaging, distribution logistics, and future expansion capacity.
And that was only one part of the problem.
Marketing was another.
Alexander lightly tapped a finger against the armrest as his thoughts continued organizing themselves, 'Magazines. Hobby publications. Comic stores. Toy stores. Board-game shops. Places where the right type of audience naturally gathered. Places where curiosity spread quickly. Places where demonstrations could attract attention organically. Duel Monsters doesn't need massive exposure yet. It needs focused and targeted exposure. The right people mattered more than sheer numbers at this stage.'
Then suddenly another realisation surfaced making Alexander's eyes sharpen slightly and mutter, "Right... I also need legal protection."
The thought settled heavily into place almost immediately, 'Duel Monsters will no longer be just a private project. The moment the first decks enter circulation, the game will become vulnerable. The name. The logo. The artwork. The rules. The flavour text and lore. Everything could potentially be copied.'
Alexander frowned slightly as he realised, 'Trademark and Copyright are necessary. The Duel Monsters' name itself needs protection. Unfortunately, the mechanics themselves won't be protected by them, but that was enough, more than enough at this stage.'
Then another possibility surfaced.
Patents.
However, Alexander immediately dismissed the idea almost as quickly as it appeared.
His father had explained the process to him years ago.
It was slow, expensive, exhausting and worst of all, often obsolete by the time approval finally arrived.
Certain markets evolved too quickly for patents to provide meaningful protection unless backed by enormous legal resources.
And Duel Monsters, especially at this stage, could not afford that kind of expenditure.
In the end, he concluded that trademark and copyright were the correct approach as they were efficient, affordable, fast and realistic.
Coming to that conclusion, Alexander lightly tapped on the partition.
A moment later, it lowered smoothly before Roland glanced briefly toward the mirror and asked, "Do you have another request, Master Alexander?"
Alexander didn't waste any time and replied, "Yes."
Then he briefly summarised his conclusions regarding legal protection before asking directly, "Do you happen to know a trustworthy trademark attorney firm?"
After a short pause, he added, "Naturally, one not connected to Roxxon or father."
Roland's expression softened almost imperceptibly into something closer to approval as he commented, "You are thinking ahead."
Alexander shrugged slightly and said, "I'm trying not to lose ownership of my own creation."
"That alone places you ahead of many businessmen much older than you," Roland replied calmly.
Then after a brief pause, he added, "As a matter of fact… I do know a suitable firm."
Alexander raised an eyebrow slightly, "Oh?"
Roland then said, "A small but trustworthy attorney's office."
Roland's tone remained calm and professional as always as he explained, "They specialise primarily in trademark registration, copyright protection, and business filings."
Alexander considered that for only a moment before asking, "Can they see us without an appointment?"
Roland nodded once, "I believe so."
That answer was more than enough for Alexander, who said, "Then let's go."
Roland smoothly shifted lanes at the next intersection.
Nearly an hour later, the car slowed in front of a modest three-story building located within a quieter district of Burbank.
Compared to the corporate atmosphere of Roxxon or the industrial energy of Merriweather Commercial Printing, this place felt considerably more grounded.
Smaller and much more personal.
Alexander stepped out of the car and glanced toward the polished glass sign beside the entrance.
Cooper Attorney Firm
He paused briefly, then slowly looked toward Roland and muttered, "Cooper... huh...?"
Roland simply smiled, but that alone answered the question.
Alexander stared at him for a second before sighing softly, "Of course..."
The two entered the building together.
The interior was clean and professional without appearing overly luxurious.
Soft lighting. Organised desks. Filing cabinets. Muted conversations in nearby offices.
The atmosphere felt efficient rather than intimidating.
A receptionist sitting behind the front desk looked up almost immediately.
"Good afternoon," she greeted politely. "Welcome to Cooper Attorney Firm. How may we assist you today?"
Alexander had barely opened his mouth when suddenly a woman's voice echoed from deeper inside the office, "Uncle?!"
Moments later, a woman in her early thirties appeared around the corner carrying several folders.
The instant she noticed Roland, her eyes widened before she hurried forward, "Uncle Roland!"
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him.
Roland actually smiled, a genuine one, small but unmistakably real, as he said, "It is good to see you as well, Elizabeth."
Alexander quietly observed the interaction, 'Interesting...'
He had known Roland for years and could count on one hand the number of times he had seen him openly display familial warmth.
Elizabeth eventually stepped back before noticing Alexander standing nearby.
Her eyes immediately sharpened with curiosity as she asked, "And this is...?"
Roland calmly gestured toward him, "This is Master Alexander. I have been responsible for his care since he was a child."
Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Elizabeth Cooper. My younger brother's daughter."
Elizabeth Cooper was a woman who gave the impression of sharp edges carefully wrapped in professionalism.
She stood slightly above average height for a woman, with a lean build that suggested long hours sustained more by stubborn discipline than proper rest. Nothing about her appearance felt excessive or ornamental. Everything had a purpose.
Her blonde hair was the kind that might have looked soft and elegant if she ever allowed it to. Instead, it was usually pinned back or tied neatly to keep it out of the way while she worked, though several loose strands inevitably escaped by the end of the day no matter how often she fixed them.
She wore thin-framed glasses with rectangular lenses that gave her an even sharper appearance whenever she focused on documents or contracts. Combined with her naturally narrow eyes and composed expression, they often made people underestimate how young she actually was at first glance.
Her face was attractive in a restrained, mature way rather than a flashy one.
High cheekbones. Clear skin. A straight nose. Lips that rarely displayed more than controlled amusement unless she was around family.
But what stood out most were her eyes.
A cool grey-blue that carried the constant alertness of someone accustomed to catching mistakes before they became disasters. Even while listening, she looked as though she were analysing three separate problems at once.
Her clothing reflected the same mentality.
Tailored business suits in muted colours of charcoal, navy, and beige, practical rather than fashionable. Crisp blouses. Minimal jewellery beyond a watch and occasionally small earrings.
Nothing was chosen to draw attention, and everything was chosen to project competence, and somehow, that restraint made her presence more noticeable rather than less.
After observing her for a few moments, Alexander offered a polite nod and said, "A pleasure to meet you."
Elizabeth blinked once before quickly recovering, "…Likewise."
Still, Alexander could clearly see the curiosity in her expression, but that was understandable.
Roland rarely brought personal matters here, and certainly not while accompanying the son of Hugh Jones.
Roland wasted little time before calmly explaining, "Master Alexander requires legal consultation regarding trademark and copyright protection."
That immediately shifted Elizabeth's demeanour from familial warmth to professional focus as her gaze sharpened and she said, "I see."
Without hesitation, she gestured toward the hallway, "Come with me."
Her office was surprisingly organised but lived-in.
Legal documents were neatly stacked across portions of the desk while several shelves overflowed with binders and law books.
The walls displayed framed certifications, legal licenses, and a few old family photographs.
Alexander immediately noticed one containing a significantly younger Roland standing beside a smiling man who likely shared Elizabeth's surname.
Elizabeth placed the folders down before sitting behind her desk, then she motioned for both of them to sit as well.
Once everyone was settled, she folded her hands together professionally.
"So," she began calmly, "tell me exactly what you need protected."
Alexander met her gaze evenly and said, "A card game."
That answer clearly wasn't what she expected, but unlike many people, Elizabeth didn't immediately dismiss it.
Instead, she simply leaned back slightly and asked the correct question, "What kind of card game?"
Elizabeth studied him quietly for a moment before further asking, "Tabletop? Collectable? Gambling-based?"
"Collectable," Alexander answered calmly. "Two players use customised decks against each other. The cards are divided into categories with distinct functions."
"Cards with original artwork?"
"Yes."
"Original rules?"
"Yes."
That earned a slight nod from her as she commented, "Good. That makes things simpler."
Alexander noticed the wording immediately and repeated, "Simpler..."
"Not easy," Elizabeth corrected calmly.
She reached for a notepad before continuing in a professional tone, "Game mechanics themselves are difficult to fully protect under United States law. Especially if they're considered abstract systems."
Alexander nodded once. "I anticipated that."
That made her pause briefly and think, 'Interesting... Most people entering my office with "an idea" usually assumed they could own concepts outright.'
Elizabeth leaned back slightly in her chair before asking, "Then what exactly are you trying to protect?"
"The branding. The artwork. The card designs. The written rules. The product identity."
A small glint of approval flickered behind her glasses.
Reasonable. Specific. Commercially aware.
"You've already done research."
"Enough to know patents would be inefficient."
That actually caused the corner of her mouth to twitch faintly as she added, "Expensive too."
"I noticed."
Roland remained silent nearby, though Alexander could practically feel the old butler's amusement.
Elizabeth opened one of the folders she had carried earlier before speaking again, "Then trademark and copyright registration are your primary concerns."
She began listing them almost methodically, "The game's name. Logo. Product line identity. Card back design if it's unique enough. Potential slogans if you intend to market aggressively."
Alexander mentally noted each point before he asked, "And copyright?"
"That protects expression, not ideas," Elizabeth replied immediately. "Artwork. Written text. Rulebook wording. Card descriptions. Flavour text. Packaging design."
Her pen tapped lightly against the desk.
"If someone creates another card game, we likely can't stop them."
Alexander nodded.
"But if they copy your specific materials," she continued, "then we can make their lives extremely unpleasant."
That sounded far more sincere than dramatic coming from her.
Elizabeth adjusted her glasses slightly before asking the next question, "Do you already have a name?"
Alexander hesitated for only a fraction of a second before he replied, "Duel Monsters."
Elizabeth repeated it quietly to herself once, testing it, then she nodded, "Distinct enough to work."
She wrote it down and asked, "Have you shown the game publicly yet?"
"Not publicly," Alexander answered. "But I did contact a local printer earlier today regarding a limited production run."
Elizabeth's expression sharpened immediately, "Did they sign anything?"
Alexander already knew the answer she wanted, and it was mildly irritating that she had identified the weakness so quickly, "No. Only a worded promise."
"How much did they see?"
"Card layouts. Names. Rules text."
Elizabeth exhaled softly through her nose before leaning back slightly, "That's manageable."
She removed her glasses briefly, rubbing the bridge of her nose for a moment before continuing, "Listen carefully, Alexander. Most small print shops aren't interested in stealing ideas."
The glasses slid back into place, "But success changes behaviour."
Her tone remained calm and matter-of-fact, "If this product fails, nobody cares. If it succeeds, everyone suddenly remembers they saw it first."
That sounded less like theory and more like experience.
"You moved before securing protection," she continued, "which means from this point onward, we establish documentation immediately."
Alexander nodded once before he asked, "Can that become a problem?"
"Not fatal," Elizabeth replied. "You came early enough."
Then, after a brief pause, she added, "But from now on, every contractor signs confidentiality agreements before touching your material."
Roland finally spoke from nearby, "A sensible precaution."
Elizabeth glanced toward her uncle briefly before dryly replying, "One usually learns after expensive mistakes."
Something about the way Roland remained completely silent afterwards suggested she might have inherited that particular lesson from him.
She simply continued, "You also need a proper corporate structure before distribution begins."
Alexander already expected that and said, "A separate company."
"Preferably limited liability," Elizabeth nodded once, "If customers sue, retailers complain, or competitors challenge ownership, you do not want personal assets directly exposed."
That sounded less theoretical than comforting.
Alexander leaned slightly forward, "How long?"
"For trademark filing?" Elizabeth asked. "Months."
His expression remained calm as she clarified immediately, "That doesn't mean you wait months to operate. Filing establishes a position. Registration takes longer."
Elizabeth flipped to a clean page before asking the next question, "Now then."
Her sharp blue-grey eyes settled on him once more, "How serious is this project actually?"
Alexander answered without hesitation, "I intend to build a market around it."
For the first time since the meeting began, Elizabeth became completely still.
Not because of the ambition but because he sounded like someone who might actually succeed.