Farmer Mage

The guard at the entrance of the Grand Market was the same one as before, and he had a good enough memory to remember Seris and let her in without checking. It made the girl stand even straighter as she led them up the stairs.

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“I’ll show you the best cakes they have, Tavia. I have eaten most of them.”

Tavia hummed in reply, still distracted by whatever she was thinking of. It was that Elder Corvin that had her absentminded, and the length the matter persisted forced Cal to rack his brain. However, no matter how much he searched his memories, Elder Corvin never came up.

Cal stepped forward when they reached the ninth floor of the tower to prevent Seris from being run over by the guildmembers filling the floor. Of course, the girl didn’t notice since she was still raving about cakes until they reached Starlit Joy.

He had to hide his wince at being forced to see the garish decorations, but that was enough to bright Tavia out of her thoughts.

“I have to meet the owner of the restaurant,” Tavia declared. “They have impeccable taste!”

A familiar voice replied. “He would be ecstatic to hear that you approve.”

“Karl!” Seris beamed. “We’re back for another round of cakes.”

“Cakes? Young lady, that’s just dessert. Why don’t you try our restaurant’s specialty—”

“No, just cakes are fine,” Seris interrupted. Cal had a feeling she didn’t want to spend her limited money on anything else. He found it amusing that she wanted to take away the option from them, too.

“I’m not much of a fan of cakes, Seris,” Cal said as they followed Karl inside.

“Oh, that’s okay. I can eat whatever you can’t finish.”

Tavia’s shoulder shook with laughter. “Don’t worry, Seris. I’ll take Cal’s share. I wouldn’t want to make you eat too much sweets.”

The look of betrayal Seris shot at Tavia would have been more fitting if something truly tragic transpired.

“Here we are. Let me know when you want to order,” Karl motioned to a table in a far better area than the first time they dined here. Servers constantly attended the spot.

Seris immediately opened the menu and licked her lips as she read through the desserts, commenting about her favorites to Tavia.

Cal stepped aside and moved close to a nervous Karl. “I haven’t thanked you yet for getting Seris out of the crowd safely.”

“Oh, it wasn’t a hardship, Apprentice Cal!” Karl shook his head rapidly. “It was only what I should do.”

“I see.” Cal patted his shoulder. “I was going to give you something for your trouble, but that would be an insult to you. How about this? I’ll treat it as a small favor towards me, so I’ll owe you one in return.”

He had to hide his amusement at Karl’s rapid changes of expression. From fear, to endless regret, to euphoria. He had always intended to offer something for the help given, wanting to keep his conscience, and relationship clear with anyone he considered his acquaintance.

“Thank you, Apprentice Cal!”

Cal nodded as he turned to return to the table before he stopped. He took in Seris happily picking out everything she wanted, and it wasn’t hard to figure out that the cost would be astronomical, at least for her.

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He sighed and covered for her again. Seris still needed to be looked after carefully after her incident of pulling on her essential mana reserves. The shock of seeing the bill might be counterproductive.

“When Seris asks for the bill, making the total less than ten silver. I’ll pay the rest.”

“Please, that won’t be necessary. The owner would like to extend a complimentary meal this time, in appreciation for the business you have given him,” Karl said.

Cal gave him a questioning look.

“Starlit Joy has become an attraction for people who hope to get a glimpse of your actions.”

He looked around the restaurant and couldn’t see any patrons giving him any more attention than they would to anyone else.

“I didn’t mean you, as in your physical presence. They don’t know who did it. However, nothing stopped us from capturing a faint signature of your attack. The guildmembers come here hoping to learn something.”

Cal wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Now that Karl mentioned it, he did noticed several people closing their eyes for several seconds with their palms flat on the table.

“I see… I’ll let you get back to your work.” Cal took a seat. He curiously probed the table with his mana tendrils and felt an echo of [Lightning Aura].

It was weak, and nearly useless. But he understood why the Starlit Joy went through the trouble. Guildmembers were ravenous for any hint of advancing their power, no matter how unlikely it was.

“What are you getting, Cal?” Tavia asked.

“Despite what Seris thinks, she will not eat cakes the entire time. Let get this to share.” Cal flipped to the middle of the menu and pointed to a meal that was packed with mana-dense ingredients. Seris looked ready to fight, but he stopped that in its tracks. “You can still have your desserts, but at the end.”

Cal sat back as they talked about nothing particularly important and once again wondered if this was what having a family felt like.

He didn’t mind it at all.

***

“Really? Everything’s free?” Seris asked in shock.

“Indeed,” Karl nodded.

“Forever? Can I come again tomorrow and still get free food?” Seris had no shame in pushing her luck.

Karl’s smile became strained and pretended he heard nothing. He turned to Tavia and Cal. “Please, come back anytime. We at the Starlit Joy always welcome our customers.”

Cal chuckled as stood and patted Karl’s shoulder again. “Seris didn’t mean it.”

The time he spent in Lumina was relaxing, but it was time to get back to work. Plus, he had let himself get pulled into guild matters.

This will be the only time I get involved… other than dealing with Orrin’s blacksmith qualification.

They were about to exit the restaurant when someone called out to him. “Apprentice Cal!”

Cal frowned when he saw someone unfamiliar rushing to him. The trip had been coming to a perfect close, too. “Can I help you?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to come back,” the man flinched when Cal glared, quickly correcting himself. “I mean nothing bad by that! My grandfather wants to meet you.” He flinched again when the glare didn’t subside. “To thank you! I think.”

Cal recalled Overseer Marek telling him there was a grandson of an Elder that was involved in his scuffle with Tarn. He couldn’t see anything good coming from this. This issue was that he couldn’t reject an Elder’s invitation, no matter how dubious. “Right now? Who is your grandfather?”

“He’s Elder Marsh. I’m not sure of the timing, but sooner is probably better, no?”

Cal pressed his lips into a thin line. He had heard of Elder Marsh before.

No wonder Overseer Marek was a little worried. How in the world did a cocky ass like Tarn connect with the grandson of an Elder Council member?

He leaned close and whispered into Tavia’s ear. “Head back to the farm with Seris. If I’m not back by tonight, go to the port in Mariner’s Rest and ask for the Apprentice in charge. Tell the Overseer about this.”

Tavia gave him a tight nod before pecking him on the lips. “Let’s go, Seris. Cal will catch up with us later.”

Cal watched them leave, but noticed this famed grandson doing the same. Specifically, he noticed this guy staring after Tavia. He took a deep breath to push away his rising frustration and clamped his hand on the famed grandson’s shoulder. Tightly.

“I didn’t get your name.” As much as he didn’t like the guy, calling him the famed grandson would get old quickly.

“R—Redd.”

“Redd,” Cal released his vice-like grip. “If you’re done staring, I’m ready to meet your grandfather.”

Redd shook his arm to get the blood flowing as he nodded. “We’ll have to go to the Central Sanctum. Follow me.”

Cal sighed and kept pace with Redd. He had been successful in avoiding that place for over a month. He knew he would eventually visit, but he never thought it would relate to Tarn’s matter.