Elydes

Chapter 188 - For a Few Silvers More

“How did your date go?” Flynn greeted him with an irritating cheery mood. He was practicing his evolved Throwing skill across the living room. The blades embedded with a thud into the wooden board he used as a target.

Kai answered with a scowl. He had succeeded in his goal, yet it didn’t feel like a win.

“That bad, uh?” He hit the bullseye and went to retrieve his knives. “She must have chewed you up thoroughly.”

“Something like that.” Kai headed to his bedroom, not in the mood for more conversation.

There had been no haggling with Valela. After a pitiful attempt at negotiation, he had managed to snatch a few assurances. The favor he owed her couldn't get him arrested or killed and had to be collected before the year was over. That had been the most contentious point. He wouldn’t let an open favor eternally hang over his head like a sword of Damocles.

To his surprise, she hadn’t demanded a contract but settled for his word that he’d respect their deal. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could still see her infuriating half-smile, curiously observing him like a mouse in a maze.

Is it some kind of test? Is she having fun with me?

Breaking his promise was out of the question. Even if Kai was willing to disregard his integrity, she had the power and connections to complicate his life. He didn’t expect she would demand something outrageous, but not knowing vexed him.

Just what I needed. Now I can’t stop thinking about it.

It had been the only way to get what he wanted, and at quite a modest price. While it was by no means cheap, the Republic demanded a fraction of the money he would have paid on the black market. He also didn’t need to worry about being saddled with faulty products or to hide the results when the baby was born.

It was maddening how easy it was. After the officers confirmed his mother was pregnant, the Republic would deliver the goods to their house in Sylspring.

Kai just needed to meet with Valela to complete the transaction and they’d be done. A six-month supply of red elixirs for three golds and forty silvers—the most his mom could use.

He could have bought a house in Higharbor for that amount, but such was the price to influence natural grades. Unless the gods of Luck decided to fuck with him, the baby would be born at least Red ★★.

In the morning, Kai used the communication cubes to contact his parents and pitch the deal. With an official source and a price he could afford, Moui and Alana gave their go-ahead with some reluctance. They were bothered by the cost, but they couldn’t forbid him to spend it on his sibling.

“This is extremely kind of you, sweetie.” Alana’s voice echoed from the metallic cube, heavy with emotion. “Your little brother is lucky to have you.”

“I know that’s not a small amount.” Moui rumbled. “You didn’t have to do this, but thank you.”

Kai fiddled with the hem of his shirt, uncomfortable and embarrassed. “Stop being dramatic, I just spent a few mesars. That’s what they are for. I didn’t lose an arm or a finger.”

"I don’t know many people who would do the same for their families,” the hunter mused. “We really appreciate it.”

“Moui’s right. Don’t sell yourself short. Oh! The light is blinking, I think your magic box is about to turn off. It was nice talking to you. We love you, sweetie.”

“Love you too.”

Kai watched the magic animating the cube petering off. Their words made him guilty like he was buying off his unborn brother. He would have spent the same amount if he didn’t plan to sail away to the mainland, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling he was a fraud.

I wouldn’t have minded if Ele or Kea buried me in gold before I was born. Maybe I’m overthinking this…

That evening, Kai met Valela in Blue Birch Park near the top of the lower hill. The wiry trees weren’t any different from ordinary birches but for the bluish tinge of their leaves. They contained faint traces of mana, on the cusp of a low-red plant.

Valela sat poised on a wooden bench. She donned a red dress brocaded with raging flames that didn’t have anything discreet. Tonight, she wasn’t hiding. While he couldn’t see anyone else, he was sure Ferla stood nearby, hiding in the Shadows.

“You’ve come.” She greeted him, standing up. “No second thoughts? It must be a considerable expense for you.”

“I’m good,” Kai hauled a fat purse of gold and silver on the bench. He couldn’t brush off the impression he was about to sign a deal with the devil.

I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?

The contract was a single page of straightforward text, made for his convenience rather than hers. An assurance she wouldn’t run away with his money. Her name was already signed in precise letters at the bottom. Kai checked the paper with Mana Sense for any catch. It was as simple as it looked.

“Have you decided what you want from me?” he asked, adding his signature and pocketing the contract.

“Hmm… Not yet.” Valela gave him another infuriating smile and made the money disappear into her squid-shaped spatial purse. “I’ll contact you when I make up my mind. I’d like to stay and chat, but I need to go before they notice I left the party.”

“Have fun.”

“I probably won’t, but thank you for the sentiment. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.” She waved him goodbye and slipped away into the night.

I probably won’t, but thank you…

* * *

The Water Sphere swirled mysteriously on the table. Kai could now appreciate the masterful craftsmanship Virya had put into the enchantment. A delicate web of runes covered the surface to enhance the reading precision, the lines so thin they were barely visible to his senses.

She didn’t use ink to do the engraving, that’s for sure.

He had been brewing different variations of Kai’s Unforgettable Signature to test Edgar’s skill. The results were promising, though he had only drawn simple designs on low-grade materials.

“So, I just need to touch this thing?” Flynn peered at the orb, perhaps hoping to glean an anticipation of his test. “It’s not gonna smite me or something?”

“It’s totally safe,” Kai smirked to peeve him. He had almost forgotten about the sphere. After he had managed to convince Flynn to aim for Orange ★★★, they had decided it would be worth it to check his affinities. Even if he didn’t learn spellcraft, professions could bridge the gap with a little work.

“Let’s do this.” With a firm nod, Flynn grabbed the sphere with both hands. “I don’t feel anything. Oh… it’s shining.”

The waters inside the blue orb stirred like a gathering storm, a very modest storm. Twenty-four marks glowed around its surface and dimmed when he pulled back. “Huh, is it good?” He couldn’t avoid an insidious sliver of hope in his tone.

“It’s decent.” Kai signed the value on his notebook. It was one point better than Kea, and less than half of Ele’s. Most islanders tended to have an affinity for Water, lending credibility to the theory of environmental factors.

“I see.” He didn’t betray any emotion. Despite his uncaring act, no one could avoid a little disappointment.

“It’s not bad.” Kai attempted to cheer him up. “You won’t become a Water mage, but it’s better than average. There are close to a hundred affinities, and most are lucky to get one major affinity over thirty. Having a middling one is a good start.”

Flynn looked at him with suspicion. “How many do you have? Because I remember seeing you move the sea, make mounds of dirt and plants grow.” He drummed his fingers on the couch. “I’m forgetting something… Right! There was also that weird teleportation trick, and the time when—”

“That's not the point.” Kai hushed him. “This isn’t about me. We’ll know more about your affinities after a proper testing.”

Flynn slumped onto the couch. “Are you sure it’s even worth doing that? I’m not going to cast spells anyway.”

“You don’t need to become a mage to make use of affinities. I’ve already found a specialist to perform the ritual and made a down payment.” It was his duty as a mentor, and Kai couldn’t deny a little curiosity. A few silvers were hardly worth mentioning after the elixirs. “Better knowing than not. At most nothing will change, but it could help in your next profession selection. When your Mana Sense reaches the first milestone, you’ll also be able to perceive elemental particles.”

“Fine.” Flynn surrendered, trying to slink away. “I better go train my Mana Headache then.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Mhmm… Nope. Unless you mean your congratulations for being such an amazing student. They’re completely deserved, but there is no need.” Flynn grinned, his eyes covertly darting around the room for an escape route. “I'm gonna go practice the exercises you showed me.”

“Flynn, you agreed to learn Mana Manipulation.”

“I— I must have been drunk. I remember doing no such thing.”

“C’mon, stop whining and trust me on this. You know how useful Mana Sense is, shaping essence is just as fundamental. Everyone should take them. Unattuned mana is the easiest way to upgrade all kinds of skills.”

“I’ve got Enhanced Dash without it. I’m good.”

“An intentional upgrade is better than relying on a bout of luck. You have many other skills closing on a milestone, and more that you could learn with Mana Manipulation.” Kai held his eyes with honesty. “You know I’m right.”

Flynn huffed in exasperation. “Fine. I’ll do it.” He stomped back like a child needing to take a sour medicine, grumbling to himself. “At this rate, I’m gonna become a training-obsessed hermit like you. I also need to discard a skill. Great. Can’t wait to deal with the headache.”

"Still going for Subterfuge?”

“Yeah, I don’t need it anymore.” His eyes unfocused as he looked at his status. “Okay, here it is.”

“Wait—"

Flynn slumped to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. Kai barely reacted in time to make him fall towards the couch.

Mhmm… I forgot this could happen with orange skills. Perhaps I should have warned him earlier… How long is he going to stay out?

Subterfuge was one of his lowest skills, but Flynn was at Orange ★★. Which meant Kai didn’t have the faintest idea. There wasn’t much to do in these situations except wait.

Fainting is better than vomiting and retching over the carpet. We could have thought this through better… Do I need to carry him upstairs? No, he’ll be fine.

* * *

The answer turned out to be longer than he hoped, and less than he feared. The Guide took its toll for every second chance it offered. Flynn remained unconscious for a day, and bedridden with a migraine for another.

If a single orange skill was this harsh to discard, it wasn’t a point in favor of dropping a profession. The somber stories of excruciating pain and people ending up crippled flashed in his mind.

Well… I can use Flynn as a test run and see.

“What are you smiling about?” The teen narrowed his eyes on him and interrupted his fun Mana Manipulation exercises.

“Nothing. Just stray happy thoughts. Are you ready to find out your affinities?” Kai jiggled the house keys, their appointment was in less than an hour.

“Hmm…” He ambled towards the door, brows scrunched in thought. “What happens if Water is the highest?”

“In that unlikely case, I’ll craft you a better blade to stab things. It’s a win-win.”

Flynn grinned. “Okay, I’m ready. Will you let me choose the enchantments on the blade if I fail?”

“Sure. Remember there is no failure or success, just chance. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“I know, but if it’s really bad could you make me two daggers?”

“I’ll think about it.”

Why am I getting the impression he’s wishing for it?

To no one’s surprise, the ritual specialist they were going to meet lived in the upper city. Showing their IDs, the enforcers let them through the hills. Though Kai had never met him personally, Reishi recommended him as the best unless they wanted to spend a fortune.

Since when did ten silvers feel like copper chips?

He had received a letter from his mom confirming they had got the first stock of elixirs. They tasted like strawberries and cinnamon according to her. Spirits knew which alchemist came up with that. Dora would have never approved of modifying a recipe for taste’s sake, but Kai was grateful someone did.

What he was less pleased with was the lack of words from Valela. It was to be expected since it had only been a week, though he had hoped for a fast resolution.

Ehm… Spirits, how much do you want to make her forget? No, it’s not a bribe, see it as a friendly exchange. I scratch your back and you scratch mine, deal?

They reached their destination before the spirits got the chance to answer his query. Kai wouldn’t hold the grudge. Evidently, they must be really busy doing important spirit-stuff.

Just get back to me at your earliest convenience. No hurry.

They stood before a black onyx mansion. While it wasn’t the flashiest building in the street, Kai could recognize the signs of wealth in the quality of the materials and the layered arrays that covered the property.

“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Flynn fiddled with a pen he used in place of a knife, betraying his nervousness. “It’s not ominous at all.”

“You should have seen Edgar’s home. This is homely.” Kai knocked on the lionhead doorbell. It looked like it was made from gold. “We’re in the right place.”

A pretty woman in her twenties opened the door, quickly hiding her confusion behind a smile. She gave Kai a once-over and checked the paper folder in her hands. “Are you Flynn Soveili?”

“That’s him. I’m here as moral support.”

“Oh, my apologies,” she smoothly switched her focus. “Please, follow me. Master Falter will receive you as soon as he can.”

They were led to a large hall. Ten plush black chairs lined both sides of the room with a white door at the opposite end. Seven adults and three young kids were already waiting there, all from the mainland judging by the tone of their skin and features. They gave them a cursory glance, then ignored them to quietly chat among themselves.

Is this where dreams come to die? Every rich parent in Higharbor wants to know if their child has a talent for spellcraft. I should ask Reishi if I can learn to perform the testing myself.

With a few more polite words, the woman left them. They sat in the first free chairs, awaiting their turn in silence. The queue moved rapidly. There was some drama when a little girl with golden curls came out crying and ran into the arms of her mother. After a brief argument where the parents insisted there must have been a mistake, they were politely but firmly led out by the assistant.

I don’t envy her job. It must be why they ask for payment first…

“Flynn Soveili, Master Falter will receive you now.”

“Can I spectate?” Kai asked.

“Of course,” the secretary smiled. “There is a small fee of five silvers. You must understand that Master Falter is an esteemed professional, and you could glean many things from observing his work.”

“I think I’ll wait here.” Kai was pretty sure this Master Falter just didn’t like people watching him work. “Good luck.”

Flynn gave him a weak smile, disappearing behind the white door. Minutes stretched interminably while Kai waited. The teen walked out with a somber look, not meeting his gaze.

“What happened? Did you get a major affinity?”

“No,” he broke into a grin. “I got two.”