Elgot Belatras, the elven mage, handed Kano a small pouch filled with crystals they'd collected after the slime battle.
"Your loot—your problem," he muttered dryly, not even glancing at the boy. Inside, however, his thoughts were racing: If I go, that hag Naira will snatch every last coin as repayment for my so-called debts. Better let the kid handle it. He's still young, naіve… and, most importantly, loyal on the cheap.
Kano, unaware of the mage's scheming, accepted the pouch with a hesitant sigh.
"Alright… though I have no clue how much these are worth."
"Then get on with it, don't stand there like a stump," Elgot waved him off, gesturing toward the towering doors of the guild.
Inside, the guild bustled with energy. Adventurers of every race gathered at long tables, sharing their spoils, raising mugs of ale, laughing loudly. The hall was grand—vaulted ceilings, marble floors, massive stained-glass windows depicting ancient wars bathed the room in colored light.
Kano made his way to the front counter, where Naira was working. As usual, she looked… breathtaking. Her corset clung tightly to her figure, showcasing her generous curves, and in her hand she held a quill that looked more like a magical artifact than a writing tool.
"Hey, Naira…" Kano began, his voice a little shaky, cheeks flushed. "I… I'd like to get these crystals appraised."
Naira raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"What, you gathered these yourself?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm, yet danced with a teasing lilt.
"Well… not exactly. It was, uh, kind of a team effort," he replied, scratching the back of his head.
She took the pouch, opened it, and peered inside. Her eyes widened just slightly.
"Not bad. Actually… really not bad. Give me a moment."
She began sorting the crystals, counting and jotting notes in a massive ledger. Kano stood there like a schoolboy summoned to the principal's office, shifting nervously from foot to foot. Finally, she looked up, calculations complete.
"Well, looks like these are worth… double the usual. Here's your pay," she said, handing him a neat stack of copper coins.
Kano's eyes lit up. He grabbed the money eagerly—but then paused. He slowly unfolded the coins, counted them, and looked up with a conflicted expression.
"But… this is more than I earned. I can't accept that. It doesn't feel right."
Naira blinked.
"What?"
"I mean… I didn't earn that much. Taking extra from a woman… that wouldn't be gentlemanly." His voice was quiet but firm. Blushing, he pushed half the coins back across the counter.
Naira stared at him. Whatever sarcasm had lingered before was gone, replaced by something between confusion and a flicker of genuine admiration.
"…Right. Thanks. I… guess," she managed, still processing what just happened.
"I'll be going now," Kano said quickly, turning toward the exit and leaving her in stunned silence.
Outside, Elgot was already pacing like a cat in front of a locked door. When he spotted Kano, he immediately stretched out a hand.
"Well? You got the coin?"
Kano handed him the stack. Elgot counted it with lightning speed, nodded in satisfaction, and grinned.
"Not a coin short. Good work."
But Kano hesitated, glancing away.
"Well… Naira gave me more than expected. I returned half. It wasn't mine."
Elgot froze. For a second, he looked as though he'd been struck by lightning. Then, slowly, he turned toward Kano, fury blazing in his eyes.
"You what?! You gave it back?!" His voice cracked like thunder.
"I… I couldn't just take it! That would've been wrong— "
The mage stomped in place, fuming like a horse ready to charge.
"You incorrigible idiot! Do you have any idea what you've done? That could've been a bottle of wine! Two bottles!" He grabbed his head like he was trying to keep it from exploding.
"They were my coins!" Kano protested.
Elgot stopped. Slowly, his face morphed into a grin full of mischief.
"If they were yours… then you can start paying me for your training. Seems fair, no?"
Kano groaned.
"Fine. But we're settling the price first."
Elgot laughed, clearly thrilled by how things were unfolding.
"Gladly!" he shouted.
"How much do you want from our earnings?" Kano asked, wary.
"Ninety percent," the mage said, without blinking.
"That's robbery!" Kano cried.
Elgot puffed his chest and began listing off his grand promises.
"I'll teach you storm magic, frost, flame, transfiguration, enchantment… and maybe even how to seduce women."
Hearing those last words, Kano drifted off for a second. In his mind, he saw himself walking beneath a starry sky, Naira on his arm, her smile warm, the night quiet and perfect.
Elgot noticed the dreamy glaze in the boy's eyes and smirked slyly. Got him, the fool.
"So?" the mage prodded. "We have a deal?"
Barely aware of his own voice, Kano murmured, "Agreed…"
Elgot nearly leapt with joy. He snatched the pouch of coins and cried out, "Deal sealed!"
Only then did Kano blink back to reality, realizing what had just happened. His stomach sank. Idiot! He played you like a harp! But the words were spoken, the bargain struck.
With a sigh of resignation, he followed Elgot down the cobbled path toward the tavern. Dinner awaited them—and for Kano, so did a whole new set of life lessons.