– Why the surprise? I am the boyfriend you must teach education. Mmm… – he murmured thoughtfully – I wonder what the content of the lessons will be…
– Mister Lehm! That was … that … You understand! Please, don’t play with me … – crossing her arms and looking away with a pout.
He smiled and then changed the expression to his usual ambiguous serenity, as if he’d already been playing enough with her.
– Feeling in danger, you have protected me bravely. It is a great gift that you have made yourself. – with sudden sincerity.
– W-Well … – somewhat shy – I don’t think you owe me anything, I just did what felt right.
– The purest and most interest-free act turns clay into invaluable gold. One worthy of the best reward …
– Thank you … – she accepted modestly, unable to understand the weight of her actions.
– But, this destiny you get is something temporary. You should use it wisely. So … – looking at her meaningfully – … let’s listen to the rest of the sentence …
–
–
– Wooooah … people, many people … And more people! – exclaimed a cheerful childish voice – But, Cake … Why are they locked up?
– Haha. Not so Quin. These walls are not to enclose them, but to protect them. For example, from the attack of the beasts.
The group was already moving down the main street of the huge capital city. Quin had remained completely uneasy in the face of the crowd and the endless food and product stalls. Airy had already gotten used to her name changing from time to time to “cake”. It seemed that she had inadvertently made an irreversible contract by offering her that sweet delight.
The most striking thing about the city at first glance was undoubtedly the imposing 30m wall that surrounded it, getting lost in the distance.
– Beasts? Like the ones that brought us?
– Well … actually those are third degree spirit beasts. But there are much stronger, and less friendly.
– Bad beasts?
– This…
Airy slowed for a moment, not quite sure what to answer.
– Perhaps…
– I like beasts. Bad guys are more scary …
– That’s true. – She smiled at the thoughtful reflection of the little girl – People can be more dangerous than beasts.
As the two young women chatted and Quin looked at the food stalls with great interest, Bran followed close behind.
Many things had happened in a single day and he had answers for very few of the resulting mysteries. For example … What happened to him in the forest? In addition, there was that so-called “treasure”, which turned out to be only a medallion of strange design, but hardly recognizable as something extraordinary or useful. After much examination, he decided to let her keep it.
And the rest of the doubts about what happened that night converged on the figure of a certain annoying individual. Crossing his arms, Bran put on a weary expression.
– If you lose so much time … Are you not afraid that your cultivation will stagnate?
– There is nothing more important to do at this time …
Since they had known him, “he” had not separated himself from them, and he followed them with ease as if it were the most natural thing, without taking anything from the world into consideration.
– Is it really that important to follow some children? I am grateful for the help, but … What is your intention now? – He inquired, in a cautious tone.
– My intentions could not be clearer …
– ………
He put on a frustrated expression. Did he expect him to believe that he only wanted to take them as disciples and help them without any conditions? If so, then that person was underestimating him too much. Such a mysterious and serene character was the most dangerous, and the one he could least trust until the last moment.
Although he didn’t understand what he could want from them either, he wouldn’t let his guard down.
– That man came looking for the others. What happened…? – Changing the subject, while narrowing his gaze a little – Did you kill them?
– Killed? What do you intend to do with my precious workforce? … – he replied in an incredulous tone.
Workforce?
Again an ambiguous answer.
If such a figure was investigating around there, the only possible result was that they all disappeared from one day to the next. What the hell had happened in there when he went out with Quin?
His eyes suddenly narrowed, and whoever saw them would see deep into the icy resolve of a cold-blooded man. If someone put Quin’s life at risk … he was clear on what he would have done.
– So … Do you always go for a walk looking for random disciples?
– I have a certain liking for talents, but none is enough for my effort. Training someone is very exhausting … – he sighed, rejecting such an effort.
Bran frowned at that confused statement.
– Should I suppose that you see an innate talent in me worthy of that effort? …
– Talent? – He smiled, as if listening to a great joke – Your display of mediocrity is such a deep pity for my eyes. It’s quite annoying to see …
– ………!
What is this person’s damn problem?
He did his best not to reply. How could he say one thing and then another completely different without changing his expression? Also, he had an instinctive feeling that he particularly enjoyed doing this with him.
Not that he was really easy to get mad, but Lehm seemed to have a gift for it. Then he looked ahead, and saw Quin’s happy smile, as she asked Airy to buy her something at a stall.
– You shouldn’t get my sister excited. She has no talent for cultivation, and it is something that several experts have determined …
– ………
Although Lehm did not answer explicitly, the corner of his lips rose in an expression that anyone could translate. I was looking at him like someone looking at a poor fool.
– Look brother! A smithy … and it has a sooo big house …
His sister’s voice interrupted a new moment of irritation.
She came running to him and happily pointing to a large, somewhat old house, in the lower half of which a blacksmith shop was installed. Both the home and its extension were far from its best condition, but it could be clearly seen that it had times of great splendor, and its foundations still remained as firm as the first day.
– Mmm … my little disciple … Do you like blacksmiths?
– Yes! Teacher You know?… Brother is the best blacksmith… – she proudly raising her nose with her hands on her waist – He easily easily got a job in the capital…
– Oh … well … – he rubbing his chin with a serene and indecipherable expression.
Then he turned to Bran with an innocent smile, similar to the one he put in front of the bandits when making his “big deal.”
– You want it?…
– Yey!
– No! – Instantly rejected.
– Buuu … brother … Why? Teacher is …
– Trust your brother … it’s not no …
– Puu …
The little girl pursed her lips, dissatisfied, but obediently gave in to her beloved brother.
– It is a bit cruel, when your good intentions are rejected …
Lehm wailed looking to the side, his expression sad. Of course, Bran didn’t buy that ticket for an instant.
– I cannot accept such a gift. We can fend for ourselves. If you buy that house, we will not live or work in it …
– Is that your word? – He inquired in a more serious tone.
– Definitely…
– Maybe you want to change it later …
– “Mister” Lehm. I may still be young … but I will hold my own decisions … – he replied with immovable determination.
– Mmm … someone who reveres his word. – He nodded approvingly – I can respect that …
Then he turned calmly, without giving any signs of insisting on the subject.
– ………
Bran raised an eyebrow somewhat surprised at this reasonable attitude, considering his image of someone troubled who would achieve his goals one way or another. However, there was still a long way for him to trust that person.
–
–
– This is not what we had agreed …
– Sorry young. You must understand that this is business. Although I see it difficult, I can call the other interested person to talk about it. Or … you can match their offer.
– Damn … – he mumbled.
Then he turned to the side, looking at the culprit of his misfortune.
After saying goodbye to Airy, they went to close the rental agreement that a family friend had reserved for them. 20 low-level cosmic stones were a significant expense for his savings, but also a year in which he was sure he could settle.
However, upon arrival he found a different situation than expected. The manager insisted that this house had been seen and desired by a third party, willing to pay not 20, but up to 25 stones to obtain it.
This was obviously an abuse, but Bran understood this kind of trick perfectly. The problem was that in this case he was almost certain of one thing: The Owner devised this by seeing the elegant appearance of Lehm, who did not leave his side and kept silent watching.
– Twenty-five stones … – he murmured, looking at Quin who was watching everything with lively and innocent eyes
– Brother … Is it a lot of money? – She asked curiously.
– Kuhum … perhaps the gentleman could help you … – the manager insinuated looking towards Lehm.
– Mmm? … – feeling alluded to – Oh, no. I am just accompanying … no such action corresponds to me …
– ………
An ambiguous expression planted itself on Bran’s face. It was quite irritating to see him disengage when he himself was causing trouble, but on the other hand he was grateful that he had finally accepted his position.
– That is a shame … – he lamented immediately, not expecting this.
– Well … – rubbing his chin slowly – This puts me in a somewhat awkward situation. In order to obtain a home, I would like to at least collaborate with a stone. – turning to Bran – Could you accept that gesture?
– ………
He seemed to be debating for a while, but all things considered, perhaps he was already being too irrational in his rejection of a single stone. Finally he made a somewhat resigned gesture, and extended a palm in acceptance.
– All right. I can accept that. – He agreed, as he returned to the manager – Twenty-five stones. Not one more …
– Hehe, excellent decision … It is still an excellent price! – He applauded slightly – Twenty-five stones for a year, or I can also offer you a five-year contract, for a medium-level stone …
– ………
Bran avoided answering, but grimaced at that offer.
As if I had so much money …
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small greenish-colored object, similar to a polished stone. It was hemispherical with a hexagonal outline, and emitted a very dim light, giving it a somewhat mystical appearance.
These simple rocks were made of a mysterious mineral, capable of naturally absorbing and concentrating cosmic energy. It was the most fundamental resource of cultivation and an object of high commercial value.
– Well … they look good … – the owner smiled, rubbing his hands.
However, the next moment his complexion turned pale as paper, and his next words stuck in his throat.
As Bran ordered the resources, he finally felt the weight on his other hand. He retracted it to add the stone to the set, but when he looked at its contents, he stopped suddenly.
– ………!
A second later he turned to Lehm, stepping forward to grab that item and stamp it on his chest.
He lowered his face looking at that reddish rock, and then looked at Bran with an inclined head in an innocent questioning gesture.
– Mmm? …
– No hmm …! What the hell are you giving me?
– A stone? – He informed, like who fulfills what was promised.
– A stone and a devil! This is a high grade cosmic stone! Take it, I don’t want it… – pressing it more firmly in his chest.
Without agreeing to his demands, he put on a pained expression and looked to the side, starting to circle his finger on the wall, like a sad child.
– Mmm … although you accepted it voluntarily, now you want to change your mind. Ufffffff … – he sighed, shaking his head in disappointment – So this is what a word is worth …
~ Crack
Bran’s free fist crackled with irritation, and he struggled inside not to stamp it on that pretty face. He was completely sure that he had done all of this on purpose. In the end, he was right all along … Lehm hadn’t accepted a single thing of what he said!
This man … this man is … really … really annoying!
