Midnight didn't stumble at all. He followed Anna's instructions and soon found the house of the mage.

The mentioned viridescent rooftop was just as she had praised. It was slanted and covered in multiple mushrooms and vegetation. There were ivies, colorful blossoms, tufts of yellowish grass, and succulent emerald leaves. It was brimming with life, making one breathless; a spectacular view, a vision further enhanced by a sweet honey-like fragrance.

This is the power of nature. A true supernatural miracle...Midnight sucked in his breath as he stood rooted in place for a couple of seconds. Then he took a step in, approached the wooden door, and knocked on it with the back of his left hand.

Knock Knock

The dull sound finally jolted him fully awake. And he shook his head sideways, mumbling in irony, One needs to enter a virtual world to get to know the true beauty of nature. Humanity has fallen quite low. Of course, even if there were many more parks on the outside, I'd still be unable to visit.

Knock Knock

He knocked once again and finally heard lazy steps aproaching the entrance.

Creak

A man in his early thirties opened the door. He had pale blond hair tied in a bun and wore a neat but simple linen attire. His features were feminine, like those male-group idols on Earth, and he had a frivolous aura around him.

A casanova?...No, I can't judge a book by its cover. Although he looks young, elves are a long-living race with impeccable looks. He may be a grandpa, mature, steadfast, and wise... Midnight habitually analyzed, warning himself. Then he saw the man scan him up and down, grimace his face, and ask in displeasure, "A half-ling? What do you want?"

Straightforward, confident in himself, a bit rude, and the gaze felt lecherous. But I may be imagining...

Cough

Midnight cleared his throat, placed a hand on his left chest over the heart, and courteously bowed to the elf. He had come to ask this stranger for help, thus he ignored the other party's casual attitude and decided to play the role of a knowledgeable and polite student. No one hates boot-lickers. However, I can't show great humility either. This will only make him believe he can manipulate and cast me away. I am not a servant of his. The key should be balance.

His thoughts churned and he recalled the traditional salutations described in the books. Then he spoke calmly, "Greetings to you, follower of the root. May Mother Nature bless our encounter. My name is Midnight. I came to seek guidance. I hope to be enlightened into the magical arts."

Allendriel picked at his nose and casually observed his new findings. Then, with a flick of his finger, he threw away whatever he had just dug out in the nearby weeds. He clearly lacked interest in the half-ling in front.

This is quite different from my expectations...I thought, heh I thought the native elves were more...more gentlemanly and well-mannered. Indeed, a race can't overpower the individual character.

Midnight didn't say anything else, straightened his back, and stood calmly, silently observing the elf. According to etiquette, urging your interlocutor was a harsh faux pass. The right thing to do was to give them some time to think and consider their reply. Especially, when you faced someone of higher standing than yourself.

After ten to twenty seconds, Allendriel finally couldn't bear the protracted silence. He clicked his tongue and replied, "Twenty small coppers. Not even one less."

Twenty small coppers?! Are you insane? That's twice the amount we were given in the beginning!

Midnight couldn't be bothered by the lack of return greetings. He was too shocked by the price!

If this is a fairly good fellow then Anna needs a pair of glasses. Poor girl, in Lesotte there may not be any capable optometrist left!

No, I still need to keep on this act. He is the easiest choice to teach me the basics...It is too early to give up just yet.

He used every ounce of willpower he had to suppress the spasms in his muscles. He didn't argue, nor did he beg, but he kept on his peaceful appearance saying, "Unfortunately, I do not have that many coins left. Perhaps, I can do you a favor instead?"

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"You? Do me a favor?" Allendriel sized the half-ling again; his eyes shifted up and down, left and right, but no matter how much he tried to observe, the half-ling was still male. A dude with some scars on his face!

"I accept favors only from voluptuous young ladies. The type that will make both of us pleased. As for you, heh, I wouldn't want to bang you even if you were the last person alive! Teaching a dude is fifteen coppers at least. And the ugly bastards like you need to pay twenty upfront."

"..." For a second or two Midnight was lost for reply. The words he had prepared, changed into curses and were caught in his throat. However, he was still considered slightly experienced, for he had interacted with a few ridiculous natives.

He lampooned in his mind, Thank you, Helene. If it wasn't for your teachings, now I may have lost my bearings. And if I cussed this mage in his face, perhaps, I would have had my first intimate rendezvous with the Nill penalty. Right here and now.

Casual, frivolous, casanova? No, my observations were too mild and naive. This guy is just a dick with a body attached. He is a predator.

Phew

Exhaling a breath, Midnight's lips trembled and he spoke slowly, "Mr. Allendriel, maybe, there was a misunderstanding. By favor, I meant working for you. Of course, I can hunt monsters or harvest materials and repay my debt later as well."

"Short, ugly, and deaf." Allendriel nodded in pity. Then he explained, "As I said twenty scops upfront. If you don't have them, just go. A minute ago I dreamed of a sexy lassie dancing for me, and now I have to keep looking at you. I am sorry, but my eyes are already hurting. Can you please clear my doorway?"

Can you please choke on an apple? Then I can lend your corpse to a few feminist organizations. I believe their members will happily pay a few coins just to have the chance to spit on it twice. Midnight had the impulsive urge to propose such a great deal!

"Then I suppose I can only do as you say," he said, rejecting the notion to continue fooling around. Expecting anything from this elf, was a waste of his time.

"At least you are a bit smart." Allendriel chuckled and waved him away. "Please don't return unless you have coppers. Remember, twenty upfront." He left a few words, stepped back inside, and shut the door close. His footsteps made it obvious that he was returning to sleep.

Phew

Midnight exhaled once again and left the beautiful hut that was the home of a sexual monster. He felt somehow enlightened. Now, I know why Anna called him peculiar and why she looked at me with such pity. This mage will only teach ladies. As for the male players striving to grasp magic, we can only choose to earn coins, or take a risk and enter the Southern forest to seek the old lady.

On second thought, this is still fair. The experience a girl will have while spending time with Allendriel is indeed equivalent to the risk of wrestling a monster without the physical strength to do so. Both are after your body, but one is not picky, while the other aims only for your nether parts and the chest...Suddenly, the regular monsters look like very benevolent creatures.

Mumbling inwardly to himself, Midnight's feet didn't stop moving. He had already decided on his next course of action. It was a contingency plan!

Ever since Anna's words he had this bad feeling. The feeling that nothing would go the right way. Therefore, he had never truly expected too much from Allendriel. He had always considered the possibility of braving the forests, even tho there were risks.

If I can't fight, then I will hide. I will use the benefits of this body. With my sensitivity, mobility, and small stature, I will wait for the night to fall and sneak into the forest. I am a Nightwatcher, the darkness is my real domain.

Previously, nighttime felt like a prison. But now, after joining Euclex and receiving a benefit related to darkness, Midnight had a tiny shift in his thought.

Here he wasn't restricted by anything. Be it hunting, mining, or crafting, he could do it no matter the time. He was free. And this alone had greatly reduced his psychological burden.

Heh, this is the underlying logic of punishment by restrictions. Even if the criminal is locked in their house, he or she will feel great mental anguish and torture. There is no need for physical harm to be done. Actually, a death sentence is much better than life-long imprisonment. At least it is swift.

He put his hand in the bag. His fingers touched the fresh catnip and he fully relaxed. Before the contingency plan was put into action, he had a couple of hours of daytime. It was enough to play with the cat. Teasing a cat had a very unwinding effect. It is even said that purrs have a certain therapeutic influence. Although, I suspect those must be the words of a certified cat-slave...

...

Ponta glanced to the west, her whiskers were trembling. She had caught the scent of that kid. The one who often fed her slices of apple.

In her eyes, the half-ling looked like a kind but tense person. He was often mumbling, or deep in his thoughts while brushing her fur. He seemed a bit lonely and unwilling to open his heart to other intelligent creatures. He was a peculiar fellow.

He brushed my fur trice, fed me 2 and a half apples, and teased me. The last thing was annoying, but it wasn't done with malice. Yes, let's see if he remembered his promise. If he did bring me a gift, then I will need to return this small favor. She licked her paw clean, closed her eyes, and remained perched under the sun. Just this once. While waiting, she added.

Even after living for long, she found herself weak against goodwill. Perhaps, she too was a peculiar being.