He looked about 25 years old and wore a fine suit in shades of white. Even his eyes and long hair were atypical silver. Despite his young appearance, he held the bearing of a sage and a serene smile remained carved on his face.
Casually standing between her and the moon, the first impression that etched into Quin’s mind was that of an ethereal, almost angelic being.
A mister angel?
Oblivious to such a dreamy perception, he began to slowly rub his chin in deep analysis, while his eyes remained fixed on the little girl’s chest. There Quin’s hands had pressed the medallion trying to hide it.
The silent interaction continued for a few seconds until he finally reached out his hand for her.
– Let me …
Without pause but without haste, he approached, reaching out with a grip. However, what he saw was a little girl covering her chest with her hands to one side, while in profile she looked at him with an indignant face.
– Pervert …
– ……… – For an instant he almost lost his sage demeanor and stumbled backwards – You mean me?
There was no one else, but he couldn’t help but point a finger at him, unable to accept what he had just heard.
– Mhm … – she agreed even defensively.
Her brother had already warned her about such people, who carelessly touched others. She was also concerned about taking care of her “super treasure”. At least for her, she had worked hard to find it.
– Good good. – recovering the serene and indifferent bearing – Great imagination you have there. You can call me Lehm and consider me a wandering erudite, not a pervert.
– I don’t know … – with a suspicious expression.
– In any case, I’m just going to take that for a moment. You can be calm.
– What are you talking about, Mr. perverted angel?
She tried to pretend, convinced that this mystery man was here to rob her.
He shake his head at the strange appointment.
– You know, little one. You can’t hide that medallion from my eyes.
With that said, he reached out and slowly took the object from her chest. Although Quin’s face saddened in outrage, she was unable to fight in the least to retain her treasure.
– No! Return it! Mister thief … that’s for brother! …
– ………
Ignoring Quin’s claims, Lehm placed the medallion in front of his eyes and calmly looked at it curiously. Then he raised his finger and pressed it to the center. Thus, another brief period was silent.
– Mmm … I thought so … – he murmured.
– Buuaaaaa! … It was true. Perverts are bad people! …
– Silence, little one. If a moment was said, a moment will be. Also, although it has little use in your hands, it is evident that you have been recognized by this artifact. Taking it would be a useless act while you live.
– Huh? Won’t you steal it from me? Really truly for real? – with a puzzled and hopeful look.
– What I said, I don’t like to repeat it.
– Yey! … Mr. Angel. I always knew you were the best!
– ………
– Give it to me, quickly, I must go look for a brother.
Apparently a little more confident, she couldn’t waste any more time with this strange mister. The sooner she returned the better it would be.
– Brother? … – suddenly seemed to remember that question.
– Yes! Some bad guys came out of the forest and took him away… – shaking her little fist.
– Mmm … By bad guys do you mean something like that? … – Pointing in the distance over the ravine.
In the distance, the figure of a man could be seen surveying the area and would soon reach them.
– Yes! That’s the bad guys’ clothes …
– Perfect time. He can take us to get your brother back.
– Huh? Mister Angel … Are you strong? Brother is very strong, but could not beat them.
– Strength? – He shake his head in rejection – Using force is a barbaric act, and above all exhausting. People possess a much more refined weapon, capable of affecting armies with a swing.
– Wooh … Me too? What weapon is that? It sounds like something super cool …
– Words …
– Hmm? … – She tilted her head.
As she tried to understand the concept of having such a powerful weapon, he returned the medallion to her and began to walk calmly towards the stranger with his hands behind him.
– Come on little one. Since fate has brought us together, I will take care of everything.
– Waa … wait for me …
The little girl emerged from the alienation and reached with her scamper to the self-proclaimed erudite.
– Hey! Stop there … identify yourself … – demanded the man as soon as he felt the activity.
– Sir … my name is Lehm and this little …
– Wait! … – suddenly pointing to Quin – I have seen you. You were in the carriage with that brat …
Unfortunately or fortunately, that person was coincidentally the same person who had found the emblem long ago.
– Well … that will speed things up. Her brother seems to have been held … Would you be so kind as to take me to your boss to discuss this unfortunate incident? – with a cordial expression.
– Argue? – He frowned without taking it seriously – There is nothing to discuss. You will be smart if you turn around and walk away from where you have not been called.
– Mmm … that could be problematic for you …
– As you say? – more hostile, feeling a threat in his words.
– Your boss doesn’t seem tolerant. Scare someone away with a generous offer is likely to upset him …
– Generous offer?
The subordinate stopped for the first time to analyze him properly. Lehm’s appearance was that of a young man of great lineage, with fine clothing and an elegant bearing. With no signs of cultivation, anyone would qualify him as a “spoiled child” of some very wealthy background.
It wasn’t entirely unlikely that he was willing to negotiate for someone. No… in fact… it might even be a juicy opportunity.
– What do you have to offer? – He inquired, moderating his tone and hiding a cunning smile.
– The important details should be discussed with whoever can decide about it … – he argued calmly.
– Tsk … whatever. – without intention to continue arguing – I would not want to be you if you are boasting.
Then he gestured towards them and started walking in a certain direction.
Lehm nodded and walked forward satisfied, feeling sharp and bright stars hitting his face. These figurative entities came directly from the eyes of little Quin, who was looking at him intently as if she had discovered his great appearance for the first time.
– Mister angel … Do you have a lot of money?
– You can say it like that. – making a strange grimace – And call me Lehm, or teacher if you prefer …
– Teacher? Isn’t that like being a disciple? …
– Indeed…
– Ohh … – thoughtfully – Does that mean I can ask you for things? …
– ……… – smiled amused. There was no doubt that Quin had her priorities clear – Little one, what you get from me will respond to your efforts. Teaching is not consenting …
– Buuuu … you sound like a stingy teacher. – she complained, pouting – I’m just a cute little … I can’t do much …
– Time is irrelevant. A teacher must discover and cultivate the talents of his disciple in any situation.
– Emm … And how do you see this little girl? – lifting her chest and doing a “great pose” – Do you think I can be super talented?
– No…
– Weeeeee …? – deflating suddenly.
– I think you already are …
– Yey! I knew it! – recovering the spirit instantly. Then she stopped with a curious expression – Emm … if I’m super talented … Why does the energy thing never come out? Can you teach me how to do that?
– Eventually … – He nodded calmly.
– Do you promise?… – with great emotion – real really seriously?
– The words are a promise, and mine are worth more than the sun … remember it.
– Mhm … – agreed happily – Teacher … hee …
She walked beside him smiling, with a totally renewed attitude.
That man had already kept his word once, and besides, he had a lot of money. She would not have to use her great treasure. And he promised her that she would learn to cultivate. And besides … he had a lot of money. For some reason, she now felt an instinctive and disinterested affinity for that person.
– Emm … teacher …
– Mmm? …
– How much money do you have?
– ………
Okay. Maybe not so disinterested.
