“Cal, this is Miren,” Tavia looked between them. “I saw some of the things she drew up for you, and I have to say I’m jealous.”

Looks like Miren is the talented sort. Good.

“I’m excited to see the designs, Miren,” Cal smiled at the nervous-looking girl.

She gave him a jerky nod but kept her mouth slammed shut. Her mousy appearance was further exaggerated by the way her clothes seemed to drown her when she moved her head.

Cal didn’t react to her muteness but to give her another smile. “Go ahead and get your people set up. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Miren gave him another jerky move of her head before turning to the stocky man sitting next to her. She whispered into his ear as the man nodded frequently at her words. A minute later, the man jumped off the cart.

“Move all the carts close to the outpost and start unloading!” The man’s yells were a sharp contrast to Miren’s muteness. “Remember that Madam Miren will give us all a bonus if we finish everything today! You, at the back—”

Madam? That’s a formal address to members of well-off mortal families in Lumina.

Tavia nudged Cal and motioned with her head to move to the edge of the field—where the little beast was previously resting. He nodded and led her to the spot.

The convoy of workers made a racket behind them as they began unloading the carts.

“So, looks like a few days as a farmer is enough to change you,” Tavia commented as she studied the area he had dug up.

“What do you mean?”

“Doing physical work? And not immediately dismissing Miren when she couldn’t speak to you? That’s unlike you, Cal.”

She’s not wrong. But I’m a better man now… I’m sure it’ll be true eventually if I keep saying it.

“Maybe I saw the light,” Cal said with a shrug.

Tavia scoffed, though with a small smile. “Hm, I'm sure you did—”

He blinked at her abrupt stop and saw her staring down. He followed her line of sight.

I forgot I was holding the shovel.

“How did you get this?” Tavia sounded out of breath. Her hand was reaching for the shovel subconsciously.

“Oh, the shovel?” Cal moved it slightly out of reach. “This is an effect of the interface.”

I still haven’t come up with an adequate lie. I can’t say one thing to Tavia and then say another to the Overseer if I come up with a better lie.

Tavia’s eyes grew wider than they already were. “It gives you an Advanced-ranked shovel?”

“Something like that,” Cal said vaguely. It wasn’t polite to ask about another’s interface, but he could understand why she was pushing at this instance.

“… I was wondering how you were assigned as a farmer. Looks like you might be better off staying like this,” Tavia said with a disbelieving laugh.

Cal agreed with her, but who knew if someone else was watching him. “Let’s not exaggerate. One tool can’t replace an excellent assignment like a mage.”

Tavia looked like she wanted to argue but eventually nodded as she let out a small sigh. “That’s sound logic, but it doesn’t feel like it right now. Only you can luck into an Advanced-rank tool right after we become Initiates, Cal.”

“Really? I wasn’t aware that I was seen as lucky.” He really didn’t think he was. Even though he had gotten special treatment, that was due to the talent the guild valued. It had nothing to do with luck.

Tavia didn’t look surprised by his response. She gave him a pitying smile. “Think of how it looks for others. You got special treatment—free necessities that allowed you to save your allowance, extra attention from the superiors, and practically all your needs were taken care of. All because you were born with your talent. You can see how others would view it as luck.”

Why does it feel like I’m being berated for being born with my mediocre talent? She’s technically correct, but that’s how life is. It’s not fair. I know that better than most.

“So, you think this too?” Cal asked calmly, or at least tried to.

“I’ve upset you,” Tavia winced. “That wasn’t my intention.”

"I wouldn't say I am upset, but I am disappointed to see you following the same path as others." Cal's words struck a deeper chord. "Such thoughts are the mark of the insecure and discontent, those who find no joy in their own lives. Is that truly the life you wish to lead?”

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I sound like a preacher, but I feel happier the past several days than I ever have. Maybe it’s a consequence of dying.

Tavia fell silent. He was happy to observe the people working to unload the building material around his shed. It really did look like the Overseer expected him to build a luxurious villa.

Is that starlit marble? Why is such a precious material being used in this construction? The inclusion of that material makes the cost go from gold to multiple guildmarks.

“Wait!” Cal rushed toward Miren, startling her at his approach. “I don’t have the budget to use starlit marble!”

Miren gave him a frightful glance before whispering furiously to the man he now considered her amplifier. “Madam Miren says the Celestial Order has given you the starlit marble as a gift. You will not be required to foot the bill.” The man paused before adding, “Initiate Cal.”

“I see,” Cal’s anxiety fell when he realized that the five guildmarks the Overseer had given him wouldn’t leave his pocket today. “Let’s talk price before we continue, so I’m not surprised. Miren, can you show me your designs?”

After another round of whispering, the man said, “Madam Miren is happy to show you the plans she has drawn up. Please approach.” The man paused again before adding, “Initiate Cal.”

I can almost feel his disdain. I would feel the same if I thought I was building a villa in the middle of a wasteland for a pampered guild member.

“I know Miren’s name, but what’s yours?” Cal asked when he was next to the man.

“Torin,” he grunted. “Be careful with Madam Miren’s plans. There are no copies.”

“Hm,” Cal took the small booklet and flipped through it. Each page had detailed drawings and dimensions of individual rooms. He still thought the whole thing was for his personal use until he saw animal pens.

Miren intended to build two structures. One was a regular house that couldn’t be called a villa but rather a cozy yet luxurious space. A separate building, connected to the house by a single hallway, contained a workshop and storage room.

Cal flipped to the end and saw what Miren intended to build in its entirety. The house was furthest to the right, the connecting building to its left, and the animal pen at the end.

“This is impressive, Miren,” Cal praised as he flipped through the booklet again. “How long will this take to build? Surely it can’t be in a single day, as Torin claimed.”

He looked up and gave her all his attention, even when Torin spoke.

Maybe when he shows less of an attitude, I’ll acknowledge his existence. It doesn’t seem likely, though.

“Madam Miren assures that completing this in a single day is very possible. There are no complex runes to incorporate, so our master crafters can work quickly.”

I was under the impression there are no rune crafters in the Celestial Order’s territory.

“Impressive, Miren,” Cal repeated. “What’s all of this going to cost me?”

After more whispering, Torin spoke. “Madam Miren is willing to do this for one guildmark and nine gold.”

Cal felt the cost would be far higher with the materials he glimpsed. Still, he couldn’t stop the wince that escaped him. He hoped that the guild instructed them to be relaxed in the negotiations.

If this was a place I was planning on staying in for the long term, I wouldn’t hesitate. What I find most concerning is that the guild almost seems to expect me to stay here longer than the month the Overseer initially expected. I need to find out what the crystal breaking means as soon as possible.

“That’s beyond what I can pay,” Cal said apologetically. “How can we get this under a guildmark?”

Miren looked confused, and Torin didn’t hide the laugh that escaped him. The man only stopped when Miren glared in warning as she whispered words in his ear.

“Madam Miren says to give what you are comfortable with,” Torin glanced at his boss and hesitated. “This will be the bonus pay for the workers, so be mindful.”

Miren was instantly inflamed with anger. She hissed her words in Torin’s ear before heading toward the workers. Torin looked regretful that he angered her, but not about his words. He stayed to wait for Cal's response.

Great. Now I have to decide if I want to shortchange the workers.

The Overseer had the guild cover the actual costs despite his request, which meant that [Master Negotiator] was unlikely to be helped. Without that, Cal was even more reluctant to pay more than the least he could get away with.

The original ask would have given every worker one gold. It was a significant amount, but for master crafters, it was well worth it. He could afford it, but he would be back on a shoestring budget with the upcoming farming costs.

“I apologize in advance, but one guildmark is all I can offer.” Cal justified it by thinking this was just bonus pay, and the workers would be paid in full for what they were owed for their work. It still didn’t feel good.

However, he wouldn’t take himself to the brink for such a reason.

The Overseer might have thought he was doing me a favor by calling Miren, but I don’t need all of this, at least not all at once.

“Understood,” Torin said gruffly. “I will tell the others they should expect a fifty percent bonus cut.” He left to join Miren abruptly.

Cal gritted his teeth before closing his eyes and took deep breaths.

This was the first time I was about to lose my temper. I can’t even blame Torin, even if he is a generally frustrating person.

He glanced at the workers before returning to Tavia’s side to watch them from afar.

“That’s more proof.”

Cal blinked, turning to Tavia with confusion. “What?”

“I really thought that you would give them nothing after Miren revealed that you are only giving them bonus pay,” Tavia expanded. “I’ve seen you do that before.”

Cal frowned in thought, slowly recalling a vague memory.

… It was an embroiderer. I dangled the idea that I would give extra if he finished my order first but laughed in his face in the end. I had no idea Tavia was there. Not a great look.

“I wouldn’t count that as similar to this,” Cal shook his head. “I was in the wrong, but he willingly pushed down others who were ahead of me for extra money. He had no integrity.”

Tavia giggled. “You have a strange sense of fairness, Cal. And you know what, you’re right. I agree there’s no point in having such thoughts.”

Cal stared at her with even more confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“… Thinking of what others have?” Tavia narrowed her eyes. “Did you forget about that?”

Ah. Yes, I completely forgot about that. In all fairness, I just spent one guildmark.

“Of course, I didn’t,” Cal said unconvincingly.

“Right,” Tavia drawled. “Well, don’t let me keep you from whatever you do here daily. My job is to stand here and watch them... unless you want to keep me company.”

“Oh, good!” Cal straightened in excitement. “I’m glad you said that because I have a lot of work to do.”

He didn’t see Tavia’s annoyed glare as he ran to the shed to get his tools.