“What.. are you sorry about?”
The momentary hesitation in Anne’s voice prevented me from raising my eyes.
“I…”
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to speak.
“I brought.. I caused you nothing but problems.”
“What problems have you caused me, exactly?”
Her tone was inquisitive, yet without a hint of surprise.
“I.. the.. the way it.. people see..”
I never imagined saying those words would be so hard. In fact, I’d rather fight another Zod – facing him would be easier than forcing myself to speak.
“Is this about that young noble? The one who confronted you outside my estate?”
My heart dropped.
‘She saw it?.. Wait, did she also?..’
Slowly, reluctantly, I raised my eyes.
The look I saw on Anne’s face wasn’t disgust, nor was it coldness – however, it was equally painful. Mild disappointment.
“So this is what’s bothering you. The things he said about you.”
“I don’t give a damn what that arrogant brat says about me.”
For a moment, cold wrath overpowered my hesitation. Anne’s eyes opened, ever-so-slightly.
“B-but.. what they…”
“What do they say about me?”
“...”
I was about to avert my gaze again, yet, to my surprise, when Anne’s expression sifted once more, there was no condemnation or disapproval in her gaze.
“Haa…”
Instead, she let out a short sigh, shaking her head, before showing me a compassionate smile.
“Sebastian… I appreciate your concern. Truly.”
For a moment, I froze, unable to come up with a reply, as she continued.
“If that’s what has been bothering you, allow me to tell you a secret.”
I stared at her in confused anticipation.
“My ‘lovely’ neighbors… the words and opinions of those snakes and parasites mean less to me than the screeches of a random goblin.”
I opened my eyes, looking at her calm expression. A second later, I closed my mouth, which was agape, for some reason.
Anne let out a soft chuckle.
“Sebastian. Since you’ve unwillingly stepped into the world of nobility, minor as its circle may be, let me give you some advice.”
Her expression grew serious, like a lecturer having a one-on-one with a student.
“In our world, most battles are fought not with swords or with spells. Not even with poison. Most battles are fought with words, on the battlefield of perception. And, those who make that battlefield their home, often forget a simple thing – that, for those outside their tiny bubble, such words carry no heavier weight than the wind.”
For a few moments, we both stood in silence.
“I apologize."
This time, my voice was steady, if a little quiet.
“I worried you with something meaningless.”
“That’s alright. Most people worry about meaningless things. What matters is to learn to recognize them as such, if only in retrospect.”
My lips curved in a weak smile.
“Still, sorry for keeping you from your work. Speaking of, I didn’t just come here for a visit.”
“Oh? So you weren’t that troubled, after all?”
For a moment, I froze, before seeing Anne’s amused smile, which made me shake my head, albeit with a smile of my own.
“I need to-”
“Engrave a medal. I know. The 4th stage prototype medal came in today, so you’re just in time.”
She opened a drawer at her desk, taking out a palm-sized leather case. Inside was a small golden badge – the engraving within depicted some sort of triangular brazier, with a large flame rising above it, surrounded by a silver circle, protruding slightly above the engraving, which closed just above the bottom tip of the triangle, merging into its base and filling its bottom end.
“This is the Flamebearer medal. Back in the old empire, this was often given to field officers who achieved exceptional feats during large battles, or otherwise embodied the excellence of the imperial spirit… Actually, the latter often involved some less-than-valiant acts, or simple bribes, or so I’ve read... However, these days, the medal is strictly reserved for those who achieve tangible results.”
After the short history lesson, the old Wizard took out a familiar scroll, albeit with minor differences.
“Ha. I remember you had the same look, last time you were here. Come to think of it, I should have suspected your Path back then.”
Unsurprisingly, the intricate designs were of great interest to me, even if their complexity was far beyond what I could replicate.
“How do those scrolls even work?”
Honestly, the more I understood about the basics of arcane energy in this world, the more I saw how little I understood magic, especially that which was actually complex.
“There are special regents in this ink – one that make it highly conductive to arcane energy, specifically that of certain types. In fact, there are multiple inks used in this one scroll, which also have to be renewed from time to time. The scroll itself is made from a very particular tree – a special kind, designed and grown in the capital. That’s what allows it to endure dozens of uses before it must be replaced. Usually, they disintegrate upon one use.”
I nodded. This wasn’t exactly what I meant to ask, but this was interesting, nonetheless. I could study those spell formulas one day, if it’d ever become relevant.
Without waiting for Anne to ask, I handed my token.
This time, there was no reason to ‘donate’ any blood. After observing the incomprehensible spell out of pure habit, watching as the ‘information’ of the medal - presumably, its image - was inscribed into the token, I simply returned it back to my pocket.
“This spell appears to mainly use transmutation magic, yet, incorporates a large amount of information magic, as well as a few.. honestly, even now, I don’t get the last part.”
Hearing my remark, Anne’s eyes lit up.
“What would you assume that ‘last part’ is?”
“I can’t think of words to describe it. It’s like regular transmutation magic, but somehow different.”
I saw it as ‘purple’ - the color my Arcane Sense associated with the typical energy signature of transmutation spells - with a ‘crimson hue’, which I had no idea about.
“You’re correct to associate it with transmutation. The reason you can’t quite put your finger on it is simple – the magic you know as ‘transmutation magic’ is an umbrella term.”
“Oh?”
“I presume the energy you usually perceive as ‘transmutation’ is ‘physical transmutation’. The ‘other one’ is either the ‘energy transmutation’, or ‘physical information transmutation’.”
I understood the individual words, and even their combinations, more or less, yet the slew of new terms still threatened to invite a new migraine. However, unaware of my inner thoughts, Anne continued.
“Ironically, the most ‘common’ type of transmutation in this spell is actually the one doing the least work. The only things getting ‘physically transmuted’ here are the reagents in the ink itself. In fact, about three alchemical gold coins’ worth of reagents are being spent just to ‘prepare’ the sub-sigils that actually comprise this spell.”
Desperately trying to follow her words, I noticed something that caught my attention.
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“Alchemical gold coins?”
For a moment, Anne returned my confused look, before realization dawned on her.
“Ah, right. I forgot you haven’t received a proper Wizard education.”
“Wasn’t it your job?”
At my reply, she grew silent for a moment, as the well-hidden smile on my face grew marginally more perceivable.
“Cheeky, aren’t you? Alright, I’ll give you the same demonstration our transmutation master gave us back in the academy.”
Her tone grew ominous, yet I could hear the amused notes underneath.
“Do you happen to have a gold coin?”
“Ah?.. Yeah, sure, I’ve got one.”
Reaching for my pouch, I tossed my teacher a gold coin. Anne didn’t bother moving her arms to catch it, instead using her Mage Hand.
“Now, look closely… Actually, with Arcane Sense, you’ll have no excuse if you miss it, so there won’t be a second demonstration.”
A focused every fiber on my being, ‘looking’ at the complex spell formula rapidly forming in front of Anne’s hand. It’s ‘color’ was indeed purple. ‘Sticky’ and ‘excluding’, at the same time. Or, rather, in different parts of the formula. In the center of that formula was the coin, held by her Mage Hand.
Suddenly, I saw close to a dozen different colors shoot out of the coin, in different proportions. A moment later, a few of the smaller streams dissipated into the surroundings, while most were absorbed by a few of the sigils. A moment later, a miniature figurine appeared in the coin’s place.
Opening my eyes, I saw a tiny tree, made of some sort of brass-like metal.
“What most people call ‘gold coins’, at least in Valoria and the other post-imperial nations, are usually ‘alchemical coins’. To be precise, there are seven main compounds, and about a dozen secondary compounds, which, when combined, produce an alchemical alloy that can be deconstructed with relative ease. Most of the compounds have a wide variety of uses within the transmutation school, so those ‘gold coins’ are often utilized at 75 to 95 percent efficiency. Ah, by the way, natural gold is one of the secondary compounds, amounting to around 3%.”
This time, I took in every word she said, all while my eyes were still locked onto the tree figurine.
“You can keep it. It was your coin, after all.”
“...wait. But, my gold coin!”
My cry of protest was followed by Anne’s laugh.
“You wanted a demonstration. Such is the price of knowledge.”
Seeing my sunken expression, she chuckled with amusement.
“Oh, don’t even try to garner sympathy. With your reward, you’ll be fine. Unless it was your lucky coin.”
“Do people actually have lucky coins?”
Mentally accepting the loss of what my mind still perceived as a large sum of money, I couldn’t help but comment on her last remark.
“Why, of course. People have all sorts of lucky talismans. Why wouldn’t they have coins.”
I just silently shook my head, shoving the figurine into one of my cases.
“Do you find it foolish?”
Surprisingly, the old lady didn’t simply accept my silent gesture of disappointment.
“I.. wouldn’t call it foolish, I suppose. If it makes them feel better, they’re free to believe in whatever lucky trinkets they wish to believe in.”
Anne’s gaze suddenly grew curious.
“Sebastian. You do realize the Smiling Lady actually exists?”
“Of course.”
I’ve heard about the goddess of luck from Amelia, all the way back.
“And you still believe those gestures are meaningless? That is, apart from personal satisfaction.”
“Largely, yes. There’s no such thing as luck.”
Confusion mixed with the curiosity within Anne’s gaze.
“If there is a goddess of luck, how can there be no luck?”
I took a few seconds to formulate my answer. To be fair, this felt like a random forum conversation taking a sudden philosophical turn, yet, maybe because I’ve taken part in more than one such conversation, I had enough experience to argue my point.
“The god of war also exists, does he not?”
“Of course.”
“Yet, without humans.. well, without sentient species to wage war, it does not exist either, does it not?”
For a few seconds, my teacher contemplated in silence.
“So, you claim that luck only exists because of sentience?”
“I claim that the concept itself is artificial. Luck is something humans tend to use as an excuse for ignorance. Well, no, that’s not fair to say. Sometimes, ‘luck’ is the consequence of countless tiny coincidences – a cascading effect that even the smartest being wouldn’t be able to predict. Yet, regardless, the very concept only exists due to lack of knowledge. Thus, there is no value to ‘lucky’ trinkets.”
I felt like a forum atheist, trying to argue against the existence of God (the one from Earth), yet, regardless, I didn’t feel like backing down.
“Hmm… but, there have been ‘trinkets’ blessed by the goddess, which objectively brought good luck. Even more, the few recordings of the Smiling Lady’s chosen, throughout the ages, showed that they have demonstrated tangible luck. Are you disputing that?”
“Of course not. Yet, if you call that luck, you might as well say that a bandit robbing a merchant came upon his gold ‘by luck’.”
“Ho?..”
“What you describe doesn’t sound like what people call ‘luck’. It’s interference. Another name for ‘power’.”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
At my reply, Anne suddenly burst into genuine laughter. I felt a bit silly, but managed to maintain a poker face until she was done. Surprisingly, though, when she spoke, there was no mockery in her voice.
“My master would’ve liked you. If I told you how many times we’ve had similar debates, you probably wouldn’t believe me.”
“Was he the one who taught you about divine Path-bearers using the same arcane energy as us?”
“Oh, you remembered that.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
There was a good chance I just committed blasphemy against a certain goddess, myself.
“By the way.. who won most of those debates?”
Anne gave me a funny look.
“Debates aren’t battles to be fought and won.”
“...”
I didn’t reply.
“What petulant student you are! Don’t underestimate your teacher.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t need to.”
I chuckled, as a faint smile appeared on the old lady’s face as well.
I felt it was time to leave. However, just as I was about to say my goodbyes, something came back to my mind.
“I almost forgot… there was something else I had to say.”
As Anne’s eyes narrowed in attention, I relayed a part of my conversation with Theodor.
“To be frank, this isn’t much of a surprise.”
It would seem Anne did not underestimate her big boss, suspecting it to be the case from the very start.
“Even though, it might be better if we found you a better alibi.”
“Does your estate require any errands done? Like, buying fresh food, or some kind of supplies?”
For a few seconds, Anne’s expression reflected deep thought.
“Ellena does all the small errands… However…”
For a moment, it seemed like she reached some conclusion, yet, at the next moment, her expression dropped again.
“No, never mind. Since you’ve been seen with the estate token, there’s no point in pretending you’re running errands.”
For a few moments, we both stood in silence.
“Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”
Just as I was about to say my farewell, Anne spoke again. This time, her tone suddenly shifted, becoming as solemn as the look in her eyes.
“That token – it has another function, unlike a regular identification token.”
My expression shifted as well, matching hers, as I took in her following words.
“There is a hidden button, at the top, just above one of the number engravings. A typical needle-button, common to many arcane contraptions. If you press it, it will send a signal to nearby guards. It works in Central, but I’ve heard it should work in other districts, too.”
“Why.. are you telling me this?”
This was useful information, no doubt, and I've already suspected as much ever since that brat managed to call the guards somehow... And yet, the very fact she decided to tell me this now left me unsettled.
“I don’t believe anything will happen to you in Central. Still… If your true Path does come out, you might garner attention. For a Path in such high demand, that attention will also come with danger.”
“I.. alright. Thank you. I’ll be careful.”
I really didn’t like it, but there was no reason to put up a show of reluctance. If anything, right now, I needed all the added security I could get.
“Alright. Time to get back to work.”
I nodded.
“I’ll come see you tomorrow, if that’s alright.”
“Of course. You’re always welcome.”
“Goodbye, teacher.”
“Goodbye, Sebastian.”
***
The rest of the day went about as expected.
The first thing I did, after leaving the Ministry and fetching Stormcloud (only to leave him at the other stables, 3km farther in) was to return to the guild, and deposit most of my reward, withdrawing another 50 gold to fill my dwindling pouch.
Carrying 1,000 gold worth of currency cards felt nice, but having them ‘secured’ alleviated the subtle tension I didn’t even notice before.
I also spent 5 gold on a special weapon maintenance kit. The Guild blacksmith (or, rather, one of them) graciously explained the relevant procedures, even though I didn’t miss the subtle look of surprise in his eyes upon laying them on my new weapon.
The rest of the day was split between training Elemental Ward and Mage Hand in my room, and going back to the Guild later in the evening, to finally do a bit of sword training.
I didn’t use any Skills yet, but regular sword movements were manageable. In fact, the limitation of my not-quite-healed injury helped me focus on swifter, lighter movements, which were important, too.
I also spent 3 gold to buy a small vial of ‘Liquid Ice’, even though the light burns on my fingers seemed to have healed by now.
Another thing I did was get a cheap haircut in one of the barber shops on my way to the guild – my hair was already getting too messy, even though I washed it every day after that journey to the city.
Finally, I picked up my equipment, which got its repairs done during the day.
Returning to my room after a light dinner, I took a shower, and after practicing Mage Hand in bed for a bit, I felt my consciousness slipping into slumber.
‘I’ll have to visit John tomorrow. Maybe I can actually gain a level soon…’
With those thoughts, the darkness took me.
***
“Are those…”
Xin’s hushed voice trailed off, as he and Eva witnessed the scene in the cavern below them.
Near the cavern’s wall, opposite of them, rested a few sealed wooden boxes and sacks, which appeared relatively pristine, no doubt transported here recently.
On both sides of the pile sat two groups of men.
To be precise, one group consisted of both men and bests – around a dozen humans, with imperial hounds beside them.
The other appeared to be a ragtag collection of ruffians, yet…
“That bear of a man, with the scars…”
“That’s ‘Sweet Face’. From the Gray Syndicate.”
Turning their heads at the same time, the pair shared a wordless nod. The mission was complete – they had their confirmation.
Slowly retreating from the edge, they turned left, where the dark passage through which they came awaited their retreat.
However, what they saw wasn’t pure darkness.
Instead, about one meter above the stony ground, a pair of canine eyes, radiating a cold green glimmer, met theirs.
“Arwoooo!”