Chapter 8: The Debt Collector Arrives
DINNGG—
I heard the system’s voice and, with a groan, slowly opened my eyes while rubbing them.
As I looked around, I found myself inside an unfamiliar room roughly the size of ten by ten.
The room was simple, with a wooden bed, a small table beside it, and faint candlelight flickering against the wall.
My clothes had also been changed, and I was now wearing a simple linen shirt and loose pants.
"Ughh..."
I clutched my head as pain surged through it and tried to remember what happened, but everything after the fight felt blurry.
"I used the third form of Titan Knight..." "...after that, my memory is blank," I muttered while slowly massaging my forehead, trying to reduce the pain.
[Luke, you finally woke up.]
The system’s voice suddenly echoed inside my mind, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"What happened?" I asked immediately.
[You lost control. Then you defeated Lucien.]
[After that, your dragon wife suppressed you and everyone left the temple.]
"...I see," I let out a small sigh before reaching for the glass of water beside the bed.
GULP.
GULP.
Cold water slid down my throat, calming my dry mouth slightly.
DINGG!
[Luke, you have shocked all 5 of your wives.]
[10x Return Activated.]
[Reward Granted.]
The moment I heard that, my tired expression instantly brightened.
I quickly opened the system inventory.
---
F-Rank Item —
[Mana Wheat Seeds ×10]
[Description:
Crops capable of growing in low mana environments. Slightly improves stamina and recovery when consumed.]
System:
[Do not underestimate agriculture.]
---
Inside the inventory were ten large bags filled with glowing pale-golden seeds.
"This is great," I nodded in satisfaction after reading the description. With this, even a poor territory could slowly become self-sufficient.
Though I completely ignored the system’s strange advice, I then checked the next reward.
---
F-Rank Utility Item —
[Aqua Spring Crystal ×10]
[Description:
A low-grade mana crystal capable of continuously generating clean fresh water.]
System:
[Even kings starve without resources.]
---
A small blue crystal appeared in my hand, and the moment I touched it, a cold, refreshing feeling spread through my fingers.
"With this, growing Mana Wheat will become much easier," a smile slowly appeared on my face. Then I moved toward the next reward.
---
F-Rank Item —
[Body Tempering Potion ×10]
[Description:
A beginner alchemical potion capable of accelerating progress through the Body Tempering Realm.]
[Warning.]
[Ordinary Body Tempering Potions contain toxin residue.]
[System rewards are perfectly refined and free from impurities.]
---
My eyes widened slightly after reading that. "Doesn’t this mean..." "...I can finally start cultivating the Knight Path properly and become stronger?"
{Knight Paths:
🔹 1. Body Tempering Realm
🔹 2. Iron Knight Realm
🔹 3. Bronze Knight Realm
🔹 4. Silver Knight Realm
Etc.}
I muttered with a shocked expression, as in novels and comics, normal alchemical potions always left toxin buildup inside the body after repeated use.
But this one had no side effects at all. "...So this is what counts as premium quality?" I asked, genuinely curious.
System:
[Correction.]
[This is perfection.]
"...You really sound like a salesman sometimes," I muttered under my breath.
But honestly, I couldn’t even argue back. Finally, I checked the next reward.
---
[Gold Coin Pouch ×10]
[Total:
1,000 Gold Coins]
---
The moment I saw that amount, my eyes nearly popped out.
"...I’m rich."
System:
[Incorrect.]
[You are no longer poor.]
"...Fair enough," I clicked my tongue and ignored its mockery, even though it was completely true.
Then finally, I rubbed my hands together and began praying dramatically.
"Oh Goddess of Luck..." I muttered, "...please give your poor Hero something useful."
[If goddess of light heard that you are praying to another goddess, she will spank you for sure.]
System voice filled with mockery come the moment my prayer finished, on which my face become ugly.
DINGG!
[Reward Granted.]
---
F-Rank Item —
[Apprentice Mage Recruitment Scroll ×10]
[Description:
Allows the recruitment of ten random second-stage mages.]
{Mage Paths:
🔹 1. Mana Awakening Realm
🔹 2. Apprentice Mage Realm
🔹 3. Circle Mage Realm
Etc.}
---
Seeing the reward made me freeze, and then my eyes lit up at once. Because in this world, even low-level mages were treated like treasures—kingdoms fought over them while nobles spent fortunes trying to recruit them. And now I had ten.
"System... you are the best," I said excitedly.
[I know.]
[So hurry up and make all of them fall in love with you.]
The system replied with a shameless tone.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
"I am loyal only to my wife" I said with righteous expression then looked toward the scrolls inside my hands.
"Huff..." I took a deep breath and activated them.
FLASH—
One magic circle appeared after another across the room floor, and blue light illuminated the entire room.
WHOOSH—
Mana swirled gently in the air as ten young women emerged from the glowing circles, nervously holding staffs.
Some looked confused, others curious, and a few frightened, and each of them wore simple mage robes with different colored patterns depending on their affinity.
Then I checked their appearance one by one, along with their abilities.
{Author’s Note: All ten mages are introduced here. Feel free to skip, but they will appear often later in the story.}
---
## Nature Mage
### Name:
Luna
Green hair ribbon, gentle personality.
### Appearance:
Short green hair, bright green eyes, and a soft smile.
She wears light brown and green robes with a wooden staff wrapped in vines.
Abilities:
* crop growth
* herb care
* mana plant nurturing
---
## Water Mage
### Name:
Mira
Quiet blue-haired girl.
### Appearance:
Long blue hair tied behind her back, pale blue eyes, and smooth fair skin.
She wears simple blue robes and carries a thin crystal staff.
Abilities:
* water generation
* purification
* irrigation support
---
## Earth Mage
### Name:
Tara
Short brown-haired girl.
Abilities:
* wall reinforcement
* soil shaping
* construction support
### Appearance:
Brown shoulder-length hair, amber eyes, and a calm expression.
She wears dark beige robes with sturdy leather boots.
---
## Fire Mage
### Name:
Rin
Red-haired energetic girl.
Abilities:
* furnace control
* combat sparks
* ore smelting
### Appearance:
Short red hair, orange eyes, and an energetic smile.
She wears black-and-red robes slightly burned near the sleeves.
---
## Wind Mage
### Name:
Sylvi
Silver-haired cheerful girl.
Abilities:
* message delivery
* wind blades
* scouting support
### Appearance:
Silver short hair, light gray eyes, and a cheerful face.
She wears light white robes that flutter constantly from her own wind mana.
---
## Barrier Mage
### Name:
Nora
Black-haired calm girl.
Abilities:
* weak magic shields
* alarm barriers
* defensive wards
### Appearance:
Long black hair, dark blue eyes, and a quiet expression.
She wears dark navy robes and carries a square-tipped staff.
---
## 🌿 Herb Mage
### Name:
Fina
Freckled green-eyed girl.
Abilities:
* potion ingredient knowledge
* medicinal herb cultivation
* toxin detection
### Appearance:
Light brown hair braided to one side, green eyes, and freckles near her cheeks.
She wears pale green robes with herb pouches hanging from her waist.
---
## Lightning Mage
### Name:
Veya
Sharp-eyed purple-haired girl.
Abilities:
* stun magic
* electrical sparks
* fast casting support
### Appearance:
Dark purple hair, sharp violet eyes, and a confident look.
She wears black-and-purple robes with silver thread patterns.
---
## Shadow Mage
### Name:
Lyra
Dark blue-haired quiet girl.
Abilities:
* concealment
* night scouting
* shadow movement support
### Appearance:
Dark blue hair, pale skin, and deep gray eyes.
She wears loose dark robes that almost blend into shadows.
---
I smiled when I thought about these numbers, but sadly I had to teach them magic by myself or use some scrolls.
"Because they only know small tricks right now and have no combat abilities," I said, shaking my head with regret.
But among them, one girl immediately stood out.
The Light Mage.
She had soft golden-blonde hair, gentle amber eyes, and an almost holy atmosphere around her despite being only an apprentice mage.
Even the faint light gathering around her staff looked warmer than the others, and unlike the others, she quietly held her gaze on me a little longer.
I got curious and check her description.
---
# Light Apprentice Mage (Special)
## Name:
### Elena Whitmore
### Appearance:
A beautiful young woman with long blonde hair, soft golden eyes, and fair skin.
She wears simple white apprentice robes with light golden patterns near the sleeves and carries a silver staff with a small glowing crystal attached at the top.
Her gentle aura naturally makes people feel calm around her.
### Specialty:
* healing wounds
* fatigue recovery
* light purification
* stabilizing mana
---
"Wow," I was surprised, because even the system tagged her as special.
"Well, at least now I have a healer," I smiled, then looked at all of them. But then suddenly, all ten of them knelt together.
"Greetings, Master," their soft voices echoed throughout the room.
"Uh... hello."
I awkwardly greeted them back before quickly telling them to stand up, since I already knew they were loyal because of the system.
But before I could continue speaking-
KNOCK.
KNOCK.
A knock came from the door, and a young male voice echoed from outside.
"Young Master... if you are awake, then the Lord is summoning you."
I paused for a moment and looked toward the mages behind me before answering.
"Alright."
Then I walked toward the door and opened it, revealing a young man with short black hair dressed in a worker’s uniform standing outside.
But the moment he looked past me and saw ten beautiful female mages standing inside the room—
He froze. "...Eh?" Then his eyes widened slightly before he immediately lowered his head nervously.
I pretended not to notice his reaction.
"Lead the way."
"...Y-Yes!"
As we walked through the corridors, both me and the mages curiously observed the surroundings.
The hallways of the mansion were surprisingly luxurious, with lamps glowing softly along the walls.
Servants and maids walking nearby secretly glanced toward us repeatedly, especially at the ten mages following behind me.
After all, each of them possessed different hair colors, distinct magical auras, and above-average beauty, naturally attracting attention instantly.
But no one dared to approach.
"...Seems like they already know about me," I muttered quietly as I noticed the cautious gazes directed toward me.
After walking for around two minutes, we finally stopped in front of a large office room.
The young worker bowed slightly and said, "The Lord is inside."
I nodded once before turning toward the mages.
"All of you stay here for now." They obediently nodded together.
Then—
CREEEAK—
I opened the door and entered the room.
Inside, I saw a beautiful young woman with raven-black hair and deep purple eyes sitting behind a desk while writing something with an irritated expression.
Aurielle Valmont.
She was dressed in simple linen robes today instead of royal clothes, yet she still carried an elegant noble aura naturally.
Beside her stood an elderly woman wearing a maid outfit.
The old maid smiled warmly the moment she saw me enter.
I awkwardly returned the smile.
Soon Aurielle’s gaze also shifted toward me.
Though unlike the maid—
She didn’t smile.
Instead, she calmly asked,
"...Are you feeling better now?"
Her voice sounded tired.
But there was still concern hidden beneath it.
"Yeah."
I scratched my cheek lightly before smiling.
"Much better now."
"...And thanks for taking care of me."
Aurielle paused briefly after hearing that.
Then she quietly nodded and returned to her paperwork again.
"...Good."
The room became silent for a brief moment.
Only the sound of papers turning could be heard.
But suddenly—
BANG!
The office door abruptly opened.
A middle-aged man with messy brown hair rushed inside while breathing heavily.
Sweat covered his forehead.
His expression looked panicked.
Everyone inside the room immediately turned toward him.
The man swallowed hard before hurriedly speaking.
"L-Lord..."
He took a short breath.
"...the noble is here."
Aurielle’s writing hand stopped instantly.
The atmosphere inside the room changed slightly.
Then the man continued nervously.
"...He came to collect the loan."
[Chapter End]
