It wasn’t the wisest move—trying to pickpocket the royal Prince Xander. Especially given that his stats were leagues above what any common thief could handle. With the speed of an arrow, Xander darted after the fleeing boy, catching him in mere moments. Hoisting the child up effortlessly with one arm, Xander turned him around to face him. The boy, no older than nine, had ragged clothes, unkempt hair, and a defiant glare.

“Would you mind giving me back the crystal?” Xander asked, his tone polite but undeniably firm.

“No,” the boy replied instantly, turning his face away with casual defiance.

It was the wrong answer—painfully wrong—and it was clear Xander had no experience dealing with children, let alone negotiating with one.

The other kids who had scattered moments earlier were now hiding, undoubtedly peeking out from their spots to watch how this would unfold. Xander’s brows furrowed, his patience thinning. “Do you know the punishment for stealing from the royal family?” he asked, his voice sharpening.

“No,” the boy said again, still refusing to meet his gaze, completely unfazed.

Xander sighed, his frustration mounting. “Is no all you’re capable of saying?”

“No,” the boy answered yet again, this time with a tiny smirk.

It was a battle of wills, and the boy was clearly winning. Niles, observing the exchange, stepped around Xander and crouched to lock eyes with the kid. “Why’d you steal from us?” he asked, his tone less intimidating and more curious.

The boy’s response was immediate. “My family is poor, and you look like you can afford a new one anyway.”

Xander’s jaw nearly dropped. “A new one?” he sputtered, aghast at the suggestion that a priceless artifact like the crystal could be replaced as easily as a loaf of bread.

Niles, on the other hand, grinned, sensing an opportunity. “All right, kid,” he said, straightening up. “I’ll make you a deal. If you say ‘status open’ and let us see your skill, I’ll give you all the money I’ve got in my pockets and I’ll ask Xander to put you down. How about that?”

The boy’s eyes narrowed, clearly calculating the risk. “Deal,” he said. Without hesitation, he called out, “Status open.”

A glowing screen appeared, revealing the boy’s skill: “Math Head – Really good at numbers.”

Niles tilted his head, examining the skill with mild amusement. “Huh. I’m actually impressed. But, uh,” he glanced back at the boy, “for someone with a math-related skill, your risk calculations are way off. This wasn’t exactly a smart move.”

The boy didn’t seem fazed. “now tell him to let me go and give me all your money,” he demanded, glaring at Niles.

Niles smirked, turning out his empty pockets with a theatrical flourish. “About the money... I’m actually two gold coins in debt,” he announced with a devilish grin.

He glanced at Xander, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Xander, how about you answer the same way the boy did earlier? Would you be willing to drop him?”

Xander’s lips curled into a wide, gleeful smile, his expression glinting with playful revenge. Locking eyes with the boy, he said firmly, “No.”

The boy’s face contorted into a sour scowl as Niles leaned in and deftly snatched the crystal from his grip. “Like stealing candy from a baby... or crystals from a kid,” Niles quipped, tossing the crystal back to Xander with a grin.

Xander caught it effortlessly, slipping it back into his pocket while still holding the boy aloft with one hand.

“Anyway,” Niles added, his grin widening, “congrats! You’ve learned a valuable life lesson—for free!”

The two men erupted into hearty laughter, their shared amusement filling the air. It was rare for something so trivial to feel so satisfying.

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“Alright,” Niles said after catching his breath, his tone shifting to something more serious. “So, what should we do with him?”

Xander tilted his head, considering. “Perhaps we should just turn him over to the city guards for his crime?” he suggested, his expression carefully neutral.

The boy’s defiance crumbled instantly. His wide eyes brimmed with panic, and his voice wavered as he blurted out, “N-nooo, please!”

Xander raised a single brow in mock surprise, his tone as dry as parchment. “Interesting. Looks like you do know another word after all.”

Soft, hurried footsteps approached, light and desperate. “Please, excuse my brother—please, let him go!”

The voice belonged to a young woman who looked to be around Niles and Xander’s age, perhaps a year or two younger. She was out of breath, her exhaustion evident. Her sunburnt, dirt-streaked skin and short, unwashed dark blonde hair told of a life spent under harsh conditions. Her dress was a patchwork of different fabrics, likely salvaged and stitched together over the years. In her arms, she carried a basket filled with apples.

Her voice cracked with desperation, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I beg you,” she pleaded, every syllable trembling with urgency.

Xander gently lowered the boy to the ground. As soon as his feet touched the dirt, the child bolted to his sister, wrapping his small arms tightly around her waist. She crouched and returned the embrace fiercely, holding him like she might never let go.

Straightening, Xander spoke with an authoritative calm. “I am Prince Xander of Xandria,” he declared. “Your brother has stolen from us.”

The woman froze, her eyes widening in shock—not only at the revelation of their prince standing before her but also at the gravity of her brother’s actions.

“I told you, ”she said sharply, turning to scold the boy. “I told you not to stoop to theft!”

The boy’s small frame shook, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His voice came as a shaky whisper. “But we need your medicine...”

Her sternness softened instantly, replaced by tender reassurance. “We’ll find another way,” she said, pulling him closer. She forced a smile, brushing the dirt from his worn clothes as if the gesture alone could lighten his burden. “I’m fine,” she added, her voice firm with conviction, as much for herself as for him.

She kissed the top of his head and straightened his tattered shirt. “Now, go home. I’ll handle this.”

The boy hesitated but obeyed, his tear-streaked face resolute as he darted off. She watched him go before turning back to face Xander and Niles, determination flickering in her tired eyes.

"I am prepared to accept the punishment in my brother's place," the young woman said, bowing deeply, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. She braced herself, awaiting whatever destiny awaited her.

"Rise," Xander said gently. "We’ve already retrieved the stolen item." His tone softened, easing the tension. "However, we would appreciate your cooperation in a different matter."

The young woman raised her head, her surprise evident, mingled with relief. "And what might that be?" she asked, her voice open and eager, a subtle note of gratitude woven into her words.

Xander held up the crystal, its faint glow catching the light. "Would you kindly touch this and say, ‘Status open’?"

Without hesitation, she did as asked. A shimmering screen appeared before them, revealing her skill:

Gift of Joy – Anything you give—be it food, an item, or even a kind word—instills a subtle, warm sense of happiness in the recipient.

Niles tilted his head, his expression twisting into one of deep thought. His mind whirred at full capacity, considering how they could use this skill.

Before he could speak, the muscular man from the adventure guild came jogging toward them, his hand clutching a carefully arranged bouquet. Though the flowers were likely plucked nearby, the arrangement was surprisingly elegant, giving it the look of something from a high-end florist.

The adventurer guild woman was cheering him on from behind, her exuberance unmistakable. Gasping for breath, the man thrust the bouquet toward Niles. "Here. Take this," he said gruffly, clearly not one for words.

From a distance, curious onlookers began murmuring. "Was that a love confession?" someone whispered loudly enough for others to hear.

Niles, blushing at the sudden attention, accepted the bouquet and thanked the man awkwardly. Then he glanced at the young woman beside him. "It's... a long story," he muttered.

The bald woman from the adventurer guild waved from the distance, signaling the quest’s completion.

The young woman beside Niles admired the bouquet. "What a beautiful arrangement!" she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Her reaction sparked an idea in Niles’s mind and warmth in his soul. His eyes narrowed as he considered a possibility. Perhaps her skill could be combined with another. Perhaps—just perhaps—it might help Felix.

Before he could elaborate, a deafening sound shattered the moment. Squeaky, like a streak of lightning, burst onto the scene, his wings crackling with energy as vibrations from his electrical presence filled the air.

“XANDER!” Niles shouted urgently, his voice sharp with alarm.

Xander didn’t need an explanation. Instantly, he turned on his heel and bolted in the direction of the castle.

"What’s happening?" the young woman cried, her voice trembling with fear.

"Our friend is in danger!" Niles replied, already moving.

Squeaky took to the skies again, his distressed chirps guiding them from above.

"Let’s go!" Niles shouted, sprinting after Xander. Without hesitation, the young woman followed, her sense of debt propelling her forward.