Chapter 15: What Money Can Do

The next morning, the heartache from last night confronts me. It’s sad, truly sad, but rejection is just one of those many events we would need to experience in our life to grow up. Maybe she’s just embarrassed? No, I don’t think that’s the case. Her eyes carried this conviction that convinced me. I guess Rosalia just didn't like me.

I’m not sure either if it’s because I just want to secure a woman in case I find out that I can’t go home. Did those feelings leaked out? It’s hard to tell. Perhaps I jump into that line a little too early? Whatever, what’s done is done indeed. It is over.

A long yawn slips out of my mouth. Fia enters the room and places the tray of food she’s carrying on my side table.

“Morning Fia. What’s for breakfast?”

“Morning Master. The inn owner is kind enough to prepare you some herbal soup.”

Herbal soup, eh? Doesn’t sound too appetizing, but it’s better than nothing.

“What about you? You don’t expect me to eat this by myself now, do you?”

She quickly apologizes to that and says she didn’t think that far. Thinking about it, I still have those leftover Pitas in my inventory, so I give those to Fia. Because they were stored in the abyss, they didn’t rot. Then I poke her cheek with the wooden spoon when Fia tries to peel the skin off using her scimitar. What an airhead.

“I’m glad nothing severe happened,” Fia suddenly says.

It’s more like your master is just an abnormal man. “Were you worried?”

There goes my curiosity getting ahead of me. Fia solemnly nods to my question. There’s no way she won’t fret about me; our lives are tied after all. Tied to this silly string of fate.

“Fia, if there’s a way for us to remove the curse properly, would you like to be free?”

Now she shakes her head. “Even if there is, I’ll just go back to being a slave again. There’s not much discrimination present in this city, but that’s still how we Demi-humans are treated outside of our country. We can’t enter a town or city without a collar or slave contract. I know I’m imposing on Master for asking this, but please don’t let me go.”

“I won’t, I promise.” My voice is soft as a feather. I place my hand between her soft and fluffy ears and stroke her head. “Also, Fia, it’s good that you’re opening up when we’re alone, but you need to speak more in front of others, alright?”

“Understood, Master—” I interrupt her by tapping my spoon on her brow. “Mas~ter!”

After that slight abuse, I proceed to eat the breakfast the inn owner has prepared for me.

* * *

As promised, I take Cherche and Sasha out for some cake. Now we find ourselves standing in front of this same shop that Rosalia introduced me to on my first day here. It’s quite nostalgic; I think I’m tearing up a little. Though a huge part of me wishes she’s here to join us as well. But when I went to her room earlier before, she was already gone. It seems like she leaves the inn before sunrise most of the time; I wonder what she does?

Because I want to smoke, I choose a table for us outside. The waitress comes in to hand us four our menu after taking notes on our drinks, then she scurries to the other guests that wave for her assistance.

“Can we really get what we want, Dood?” Cherche whispers, covering her face with the menu.

“I can afford it. Sky’s the limit. It’s the least I can do for all the help you two gave us. Consider this outing thanks for the wonderful bath.” Sitting on this ivory chair like a mafia boss, I cross my legs and look at the menu myself. Cakes, what kind of cake should I get? But this Pitas pie catches my interest, so I decide on that instead of a cake.

“You really need to change your cover,” Sasha says on my left. “No merchant in their right mind would spend this much money just for thanks.”

Then Cherche adds, “I wonder about the same thing; how come you’re so rich, Dood?”

I shrug. “Just my accept my goodwill, alright?”

The same waitress returns to serve us our drinks. Since coffee isn’t really my thing, I ordered some milk tea.

“Are you ready to order, Sir, Ma’ams?” the waitress asks.

“I’ll have a slice of this Pitas pie,” I reply.

“The same as Master,” Fia says when the waitress looks at her direction.

“This cheesecake for me, please,” Sasha says.

“Umm, I’ll try this parfait…” Cherche turns meek all of a sudden. That makes me curious, of course, I check what she ordered. The price is a whooping sixteen silver coins; my eyes almost pop out upon seeing it. This much for a parfait is a wack. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: overpriced is overpriced.

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The waitress stops to jot down our orders before taking the menus back. As soon as the waitress turns on her heels, Cherche starts to chat with Fia, asking her about various things. Her favorite color, what she likes to wear — she’s researching for our next stop. The main reason we went out is because I need to get Fia some new clothes to begin with. That and my apology to Cherche for walking around the inn bare-chested.

While Cherche interrogates Fia, Sasha asks, “How long are you planning to stay in this city?”

“Perhaps another week or so. I’ll need to investigate where I need to go next first,” I say.

Sasha raises a curious eyebrow. “You didn’t find what you’re looking for here?”

I chuckle before taking a sip of my milk tea. “More like I can’t achieve it at the moment. What about you? You don’t plan to stay in the inn your whole life, do you? You have such a great voice I’m sure you’d do well as a singer somewhere.”

“A singer? No, not at all.” Sasha dismisses the idea with a shake of her head. “There was a time in my childhood where I aspired to be a great spell-caster myself.”

So she trained her voice at a young age… Franz from the magic store did mention that spell-casting requires proper tone and timing — just like singing a song.

“What happened exactly?” I ask curiously.

Sasha plays with her cup, swaying it left and right. “It’s simple really. My parents just didn’t have the funds to send me to school. The fees are so high only the rich merchants and noblemen could afford schooling. I tried saving money the last few years, but it’s just not enough. Besides, my parents needed my help in our inn anyways, so I accepted reality in the end.”

The waitress returns with our foods, but I keep my eyes on Sasha. Noticing my lingering gaze, Sasha scolds me, “What? You don’t need to look at me with those pitying eyes. I don’t exactly hate my life here.”

She’s right. I don’t have the right to show her some meaningless pity. I’ll do this for myself.

“What if I pay for your schooling?”

Sasha chokes after hearing my honest statement. “Oh yeah? What’s in it for you?”

Smart girl. Her smirk knows I’m not doing this free, and she’s so right. I’ll help you so I can save some time. “If you enter the magic academy, there’s something I want you to look up for me.”

Now I have her full attention. “Something you want me to look up? What is it?”

I fold my arms and lean back on my chair. “Yes, I want you to study anything that involves transportation or summoning spells. If you could do that for me, then you’re free to fulfill your dream at the same time.”

Sasha narrows her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re researching forbidden magic?”

I raise a hand. “No, nothing like that.”

But whoever brought me here could’ve used something akin to a forbidden spell. What I want to know are the principles. Maybe then, I could use that to find a way back home. So while she’s in the academy, I’ll research the dungeons myself. Yeah, great idea.

“Why not go to the academy with me then?” She tries to keep her voice cool and even, but I can hear her excitement.

Rubbing the slave glyph on my left hand, I say, “I have more pressing matters to attend, Sasha. But if I reach a bottleneck, then perhaps I’ll meet you there. Where is this academy you speak of?”

“Sharona, the magic city, is days and days off a carriage going north. I’m surprised to hear you haven’t heard of this place; it’s one of the most prosperous city in this continent.” Her face lights up as she explains.

“So you’ve been there?”

“Once, yes.”

“Good. That makes it easy for us both. Let’s further discuss this over a cup of ale.” Taking another sip of my tea, my gaze lands on the stacks of saucers piling from Cherche and Fia’s side. These girls…

“Good idea.” Sasha flashes me a smile free of judgement and artifice.

Looks like it’s the start of a busy year for us both.

* * *

Spoiler :

Do you feel a time-skip approaching? :)