8.5. Extra: Market Store

1

The Manager and Quin were seated at the dining table inside the market store. It was Sunday: the store was closed, and Eliza was off to train. Despite the day being a weekend, Quin had sought the Manager to learn more about words. Thus, there they were.

As peaceful silence reigned, the Manager couldn’t help but think about something that he was curious about.

‘Quin, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you burn your house?’

‘?’ She tilted her head. ‘… I heard dead people go to the skies.’

‘Some believes that, yes.’

‘… I also heard that burnt things go up to the skies too. So, I burnt down the house. That way, my brother will have a home there.’

‘…’ The Manager covered his face with his palm and shook his head. She does have good intentions though, he thought, relieved. ‘If you ever want to burn something for you brother again, ask me first, okay?’

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‘… Okay.’ Quin nodded.

2

Tavar seated himself opposite Eliza at the cashier’s counter. Placed his elbows on the metal and intertwined his fingers. Cold sweat dripped down the side of his head.

‘Let’s discuss the payment,’ he initiated. Being prepared to let go of his materialistic possessions was one thing, actually letting go was another. A deal is a deal, but I’m negotiating if possible. 'How much do you want?'

‘Everything.’ No holds barred.

Tavar gulped. Goodbye wealth.

‘… Is what I want to say,’ she sighed, ‘but I’ll settle with you paying for Quin’s wages. 4 months is enough.’

Tavar’s brow twitched, surprised. ‘Really? That’s it?’

‘You’ll need to use the money for another matter, after all.’

‘… Which is?’

‘You’ll find out from your wife.’ Eliza smiled.

3

‘… Can I read the letter now?’ Quin asked Eliza at the cashier’s counter.

‘No.’

‘But I can read…!’

‘Only half the time. Besides, other than good reading skills, you're also required to have a dream.’

‘… A dream?’

‘Your brother worries that you might be lost after reading the letter. He wants you to have a dream so that doesn’t happen.’

‘Locke…’ Her eyes welled with tears. ‘Your older sister here will do her best... Alright…! A dream… Eli, what’s your dream?’

‘I don’t have a dream, but I have something that I want.’

‘… What is it?’

On the day that Eliza became a specialist, she was defeated by someone in a fight. A girl her age, who had achieved perfect victory against her without sustaining any damage. A rematch was something that Eliza was raring to have. Her lips curved a smile, that of a challenger. ‘There’s someone I want to defeat... Until then, I’ll do what always do:

‘Fill my time with something interesting.’