Razae, leader of Shadow Wolf guild, sat at his desk.

A large window behind threw shadow on his face for all who opposed him.

There he was, pen in his hand, crossing papers: proposals from guild members which he rejected. This was an aspect of his work, one which he could delegate to others, but had chosen not to because he had deemed their result unsatisfactory. No one, save for himself, understood the importance of proper fund allocation for proposals.

No need for emotions, he thought. Only solid rationality.

The door to his workspace was opened with a slam.

Undisturbed, his hand still moved to cross another proposal. He glanced upward; saw not Trisha, but a man: he wore a brown half-robe atop his shirt, a headband with horn on his head, and carried a wooden staff that was refined through modern means. None other than the head of the traditional mage gathering.

Selected by his peers, this man had been chosen to represent the traditional mages.

‘Why did you reject the proposal?’ he asked, fuming, showing him a crossed paper. One which Razae recognized as his handiwork.

‘Vigo,’ Razae said, calm, his hand still crossing other proposals, ‘it’s not in my capacity to remember all the proposals that I reject.’

Vigo approached, slammed the paper on his desk. ‘The hunt for the unlisted monster.’

‘Ah… That proposal.’

‘Why did you reject it?’

‘The worst-case scenario is too ruinous.’

‘What worst-case scenario? The whole traditional mage gets annihilated? That won’t happen.’

‘No. The worst-case scenario is that the rumors are true.’

‘What rumors?’

‘Words have been going around that the manaless had hunted the unlisted monster.’

‘That fly? You’re that concerned about her? So much that you trusted rumors?’

‘It’s not about trusting the rumors. It’s about managing risk and reward. Weigh them on a scale. The reward for hunting the unlisted monster would just be an accomplishment and achievement, a petty reward considering how far Shadow Wolf guild has gotten.’

‘Petty reward? The achievement would restore the good name of traditional mages!’

‘Yes. But there are other ways to achieve that. Preferably, one that does not involve ruinous risks. Suppose that the rumors are true, that the manaless had indeed hunted the unlisted monster. The damage to your people; consequently, to my Shadow Wolf guild, will be disastrous.

‘Had I approved your proposal, had the rumors been true, had you been bested in your hunt, that would mean that you’d have been defeated twice.

‘By a manaless.’

He crossed another proposal.

‘Can you now imagine how ruinous it’ll be to my guild’s reputation?’

‘The chance of that,’ Vigo protested, ‘is unlikely!’

‘Yet, should it happen, it’s disastrous.’

‘You’re a coward.’

‘If your definition for bravery is recklessness that leads to ruin, then I do not mind being a coward.’

Vigo, believing that there was nothing more to talk about, left. Shut the door with a slam.

Members can always be replaced. His belief remained firm. The traditional mages could all be thrown away if necessary.

What’s important, Razae thought, is that Shadow Wolf guild as a whole prospers.

On his desk was a stack of papers. Proposals which he needed to accept or reject. Yet, despite the work that remained, he finally put down his pen. Talking with Vigo reminded him of the manaless. He had ordered Trisha to extend an invite, but there had been no report about the progress thus far.

… It’s time I pay the manaless a visit.

***

Latla. Present – Khiva’s Annual Bazaar.

‘Auction, auction!’ a man promoted. ‘You’ll be sorry if you miss this one!’

At times, in Khiva’s annual bazaar, sellers would cooperate and set up an auction ground to get better prices for their goods. They would combine their neighboring spots into one, creating a large space for buyers to gather. Space which they filled with many chairs and a makeshift wooden stage at the front.

Latla was seated in one of the chairs, waiting for the auction to start.

That monster just has to ruin my plans…

Because of the unlisted monster, she had been unconscious for three days. Meaning: she had skipped day four to six of Khiva’s annual bazaar. Today was day seven. The last day.

To turn the café into a guild, she needed funds. She had intended to collect funds from this event, but she couldn’t make the most of it. Had she not been unconscious… who knew how much money she would have made from day four to six?

‘You’ve recovered way faster than the doctor expected,’ Scarlet had said. Latla thought. It’s not as fast as I wanted.

‘Auction begins in five minutes!’ shouted the promoter.

Latla leaned back on the chair.

Regret it as much as she would, but she couldn’t change the past. Couldn’t travel back in time to train her body so that she would be unconscious for shorter. Best to use the present for something useful, such as organizing her thoughts.

Latla recollected what happened this morning.

‘Sherry,’ Scarlet said, ‘you should introduce yourself.’

***

Past.

‘I’m Sherry.’ She smiled.

‘You see my problem?’ Latla told Scarlet.

Having woken her up, the three of them had gathered at the café’s pantry. The hour was past midnight; thereby, morning, but not quite morning enough that people were already up and about.

‘Properly, Sherry. Please?’ Scarlet requested.

‘… I was abandoned by my parents when I was young. For a reason that I do not deserve—which I won’t say. I was thrown into a shady street with nothing in my possession save for my clothes, left to die. Can’t say for sure whether I’m dead though.

‘Well, one thing leads to another, and I’ve decided: I’m going to become the greatest barista in all of existence!’

‘Can I punch her?’

‘No.’

‘She’s clearly mocking me.’

‘Violence is wrong. On that topic, Latla,’ she gave her a cold murderous stare, ‘don’t even think that I don’t know you pinched my brother’s cheeks till they were red.’ Latla’s rage toward Sherry was replaced by concerns for her own safety. ‘… We’ll talk about that later. Sherry, I’m sorry to hear about your situation. If you feel like talking about it, don’t hesitate to reach out, alright?’

‘I don’t think I ever will.’ Sherry smiled.

Understanding her refusal, she moved on. ‘Could you please tell Latla what you told me? About your recent situation.’

‘About my recent situation? Well, I was on a travel with my beloved older brother, my one and only family. We were kicked out permanently from where we stayed before. For a reason that I do not deserve—which I won’t say. It was fun and enjoyable, until a monster attacked and separated us. Now, I’m waiting for him to find me.’

A story about being abandoned for me, Latla thought, and a story about a brother for Scarlet. Latla rolled her eyes. A specific story crafted for the person she was speaking to. A common ploy to gain empathy and trust.

‘I had done an interview with Sherry,’ Scarlet said. ‘She’s a good person, Latla.’

I wonder if that’s true, Latla thought.

‘… I had offered her the money you had given me for her wage,’ Scarlet added. ‘She then told me how she would have a hard time searching for a place to stay—and said that she would work for free if I could offer her a place to stay. And… there are many empty rooms upstairs…

‘I’m sorry, Latla. I know I should have asked you first, but you were unconscious.’

Latla—sighed.

It was concerning. How Scarlet had allowed Sherry, essentially a stranger whom she had just gotten to know, to stay at the café. After all, what if she was an enemy?

Though, Latla too was to blame.

Scarlet had only hired Sherry in response to what she had asked her: to make income for the guild. Her idea, Latla understood, was to sell coffee for income. She needed an employee, and a barista who was willing to be paid with free rent was too valuable to miss. This way, the unused rooms could be utilized, and the money could be used for other things.

She was just following what I had asked her, Latla thought.

‘No need to apologize Scarlet. You were doing what you thought was best. As I’ve told you before: as long as you don’t somehow get into debt, you’re good.’

‘About that…’

Inhale. Exhale. ‘Go on.’

‘I had… asked Sherry to make coffee as a test. She… accidentally… broke all the siphons…’

‘All the siphons? Even the backup?’

‘She was taking one of them from the shelf, but she toppled one and… it fell onto one another and… everything from the whole shelf broke…’

‘You expect me to believe that?’

‘It’s hard to believe, but it happened. I’m sorry. I share part of the blame. I should’ve taken the siphon out for her.’

‘No, that’s not what I meant.’

Latla stared at Sherry.

Her adoptive father, Artour Altaveli, was—questionable. When Latla had arrived here, she knew that all that backup equipment in the storage was not necessary. Only a waste of space and cash. However, though he was questionable, he wasn’t foolish. She had seen the shelf firsthand during her inspection—and the equipment in the shelf was each separated by partitions to prevent them from being broken all at once like this.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Sherry gave Latla a smile.

‘I’ll pay for replacements when my brother finds me. I promise.’

You broke the equipment on purpose, Latla knew. Now, I can’t kick you out even if I want to. Not until you pay for the replacements.

This woman sitting on the table…

Unhinged.

… she was trouble.

Neither enemy nor ally. Just chaos.

Should Latla… allow Sherry to stay? Knowing that she could potentially cause more harm? And, all things considered, wouldn’t cutting her losses be the right move?

Latla had to decide.

***

Present – Khiva’s Annual Bazaar.

‘Is this seat empty?’ asked a man.

He had waxed black hair, wore a dark grey coat over his white shirt and black trousers. Had a crimson cravat wrapped under his collar; carried a black sheathed katana with a leather strap, slung on his shoulder.

… Latla nodded. ‘It is.’

The man sat beside her.

‘Auction, auction!’ shouted a promoter. ‘Don’t miss this one!’

Latla looked around, saw the chairs getting filled. Perhaps the number of participants meant that the sellers were reputable and had good products.

‘All alone by yourself?’ the man asked her. Judging by appearance, he was perhaps a few years older than her.

‘Unfortunately,’ Latla nodded. She would have brought Cirrus along, but the boy had taken his sister’s side. Scarlet, understanding that Latla had only regained consciousness this morning and still wasn’t in good condition, had forbidden her from going to the bazaar.

Latla recalled, ‘You’ll be pushing yourself too much,’ she had said.

She was thankful for her concern. However, she couldn’t miss this last day of Khiva’s annual bazaar. Not when she had missed four days already. Thus, Latla had snuck out of the café. Shame that she had to leave Cirrus; there was more that she could teach him from this bazaar. His fault for not taking her side.

‘You seem pale and unfit,’ the man said.

‘I got poisoned the other day.’

***

Scarlet. Past – Café, the other day.

Scarlet was walking in circles, worrying for Cirrus and Latla. Hours had passed since they had gone into the forest, and they hadn’t returned. Grabbing herbs from the forest shouldn’t take this long.

Unless… something had happened to them…

Scarlet shook her head.

No, it’ll be fine, she thought. Latla said they’ll return.

But… was her words to be trusted? After all, they were just… words… Why in the world had she accepted those words?

Because… she believed… that Latla understood what it was like, being an older sister.

Slam!

Cirrus burst into the café through the door. Cat on his head, herbs in his hands. He was perfectly fine; a surge of relief almost caused Scarlet to fall on her knees.

Following behind him was a gatekeeper—whose name she later found out was Horuk—carrying in his arms the unconscious Latla.

***

Latla. Present – Khiva’s Annual Bazaar.

‘Poisoned?’ the man asked.

‘I had fought against a plant-type monster that has poisonous pollens,’ Latla answered.

She could hear a promoter shouting that the auction was about to begin.

‘What monster is it?’

‘I don’t know. It’s an unlisted monster.’

‘… Did you defeat that unlisted monster?’

‘Yes.’

‘So, the rumors are true.’ The man said. ‘I hate to be right, but at the same time it feels good to be right. It’s an irrational conflict of emotions that still occurs to me sometimes.’

‘It occurs to everyone,’ she reassured. ‘… You said “rumors”? What—’

‘Do you have proof of having defeated that monster?’

His cutting her short annoyed Latla. However, he had raised a good question. Without any proof, no matter the truth, she wouldn’t be able to claim that she had defeated the monster.

***

Scarlet. Past – Café, the other day.

Scarlet sat on the cushy sofa; head rested on the fine wooden table.

She was feeling tired from today. Tired from having walked in circles and worrying for so long; then from having to get a doctor, help create medicine from the herb, and rest Latla in her room upstairs.

‘Sis, are you alright?’ Cirrus asked as he joined the table. The black cat was on his head.

‘I’m alright.’ Her brother was worried about her health, because she had weak body. Scarlet smiled. ‘Thanks for asking.’ She finally got a good look of his face and… was it just her or was his cheeks red? ‘Are you alright, Syr?’

‘Oh.’ He touched his cheeks. ‘It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m alright!’

‘… You’re not poisoned by the monster, are you?’

‘Nope!’

‘Why are your cheeks red then?’

‘That’s because Latla pinched me.’

‘She what?’ How dare Latla hurt him! Sure, sometimes it felt like Cirrus deserved it, but that was never enough reason to ever hurt him!

‘She pinched me.’

… What made me believe that she understood about being an older sister? ‘I’ll confront her when she wakes up. Why did she pinch you?’

‘She got mad at me.’

‘I’m currently mad at her. But you won’t see me stab her with a knife while she’s unconscious. It’s called restraint. Being mad is not a reason to hurt you.’

‘She… Sis…’ Tears were welling in Cirrus’s eyes. Not only had Latla hurt him, but he had also made him cry! Scarlet would never forgive her. Then, the words that came out of her brother’s mouth surprised her. ‘Sis, I’m sorry.’

‘You’re sorry? What for, Syr?’

‘For… for calling you stubborn and… and overprotective… and selfish… Latla told me that… that I’ve hurt you…’ He cried.

‘Oh, Syr…’ Scarlet went beside Cirrus and gave him a hug.

‘I’m sorry… for hurting you…’

‘Syr, it’s alright.’

‘I’m sorry…’

‘It’s alright.’ She patted his head.

‘… Will you… forgive me…?’

‘Of course I forgive you.’

‘… Really?’ He wasn’t convinced.

Today, she could say it. ‘Syr, I’m your older sister; I’ll always forgive you.’

‘… Thank you, Sis.’

Scarlet kept Cirrus in her embrace and patted him. After a while, he—fell asleep. Must have been a tiring day for him.

Scarlet was still mad at Latla for having hurt Cirrus. However, at the same time, she felt a sense of… gratitude toward her. Latla’s anger, she had to admit, had restored and improved Scarlet and Cirrus’s relationship.

I’ll talk to her about this when she’s awake.

‘Meow.’

Noir was staring at her. The cat had leapt to the table.

‘… Are you hungry?’ Scarlet asked. Not that she had ever seen her hungry before, but without Cirrus to translate, that was her best guess.

Noir scratched her neck.

The cat then began throwing a coughing fit.

‘Are you sick?’ Scarlet was concerned. Perhaps she should wake Cirrus—

Noir spat out an object on the table: small and oval.

A seed.

‘Is this… from the unlisted monster?’

***

Latla. Present – Khiva’s Annual Bazaar.

‘My receptionist told me that she had obtained a piece of the monster,’ Latla told the man. ‘She had then given it to the right hands for inspection. Whether that’ll be enough as proof, time will tell.’

‘Safe to say that you’ll gain your achievement,’ the man said. ‘That will aid you in gaining Approval.’

‘… How much did you hear from the rumors?’

‘Not much.’

Up there on the stage, the auctioneer declared that this auction had begun.

Latla was curious about the rumors going around, but her current priority was to collect funds for the guild. Thus, she shifted her attention toward the stage.

The auctioneer had already brought out an item for sale: a painting of elves gathering to play the violins. Just from the quality of the art alone, judging objectively from the skill of the craft, Latla figured that it could be sold for 150 krestling elsewhere.

‘Do I see 30 krestling?’ asked the auctioneer. ‘Yes, I see 30! Now, do I see 40?’

The participants shied away from competing for the painting. Who could blame them? Art was difficult to appraise.

Latla raised her hand.

‘Yes! 40! Now, do I see—Yes, 50 from the gentleman there!’

Latla glanced to the side. Saw the man sitting beside her having raised his hand right after she did.

‘… Are you interested in the painting perhaps?’ Latla asked. There was no point in raising the bid and competing against him if she could instead negotiate.

‘No.’

Then why did you bid? Latla thought, irritated. She raised her hand, raising her bid to 60.

The man raised his to 70.

They kept going back and forth. Latla finally raised her bid to 140. At this point, if she were to then sell the painting at 150 krestling, she would get a mere 10 krestling profit. Hardly worth the effort at that point. However, Latla just hated losing.

He raised his bid to 150.

‘No interest at all? Are you serious?’ Latla complained.

‘None at all.’ He nodded.

Latla raised her bid to 160. If she sold the painting, she would be at a loss of 10 krestling now.

Not missing a beat, the man raised it to 170. He wasn’t looking at the painting.

‘170! Do I see 180? Anyone?’

He was looking at her.

‘Going once…’

‘You,’ Latla said, ‘aren’t interested in the painting at all. You’re only interested in besting me.’

‘Going twice…’

‘Does it not look like it?’ the man said.

‘Sold! To the man in grey coat!’

‘I haven’t introduced myself to you, manaless, Latla Altaveli.

‘I’m Razae, leader of the Shadow Wolf guild. Here to personally invite you to join my guild.’

‘To invite me? You picked a fight against me!’

‘A simple misunderstanding,’ he said. ‘I saw your interest in the painting; I figured I could purchase it for you as a gift.’

Latla rolled her eyes. ‘As if I’m going to accept a gift coming from you.’

‘You’re collecting funds to turn your café into a guild, are you not? This gift you can receive for free can be sold for that purpose. Should you refuse the gift, does that mean that you’ve no need for that purpose any longer? No need to create a guild, because you’re willing to join Shadow Wolf?’

Latla laughed. ‘You’re insane.’

‘What’s your answer?’ He paid her mockery no mind.

‘In the first place, your guild rejected me.’

‘Ah, you have to understand. Suppose that a manaless were to step into and asking to join your guild… Surely, you too will reject that prospect? What’s the point of accepting someone who could do more harm than good, after all?’

‘… That’s funny,’ Latla said. She had faced that question this morning.

***

Past.

In the café’s pantry, Latla had to decide whether to let Sherry stay.

The woman sitting on the table had done harm; perhaps, she would continue doing so. The wisest and most rational choice to pick was to cut losses. To kick her out and be done with her.

But Latla couldn’t.

Not because she couldn’t find the heart to do so (if anything, she would be delighted to), but because… she believed that… her journey would end here if she did that. If she refused to accept someone just because of their quirk, wouldn’t that make her the same as those who had rejected her just because she was different?

I can give her a chance, Latla thought, and—

She saw Sherry’s bandaged wrist. Self-inflicted wound, from the looks of it.

—perhaps I can help her.

‘Sherry.’

‘Yes, Boss?’ she gave her a casual salute.

‘I accept you as a live in barista. Only,’ she continued, ‘if you can promise not to cause harm to anyone else.’

‘Well, what if I don’t wanna—’

‘That includes yourself.’

Sherry was surprised. ‘… Why do you care?’

‘It’s what I’ve decided.’

Sherry observed Latla, analysing her. ‘Not to cause harm to anyone else…’ Sherry smiled, understood what that implied. ‘Can you take me on at my worst, Latla Altaveli?’

‘Try me.’

‘Don’t disappoint me,’ she said. ‘Alright, that’s a deal. I promise.’

***

Present.

‘Hours ago,’ Latla said, ‘I had just accepted such a person.

‘The point, Razae, leader of Shadow Wolf guild, is that a guild should accept such a person and lead them.’

‘… I had expected from you a rational answer,’ he said. ‘You expose yourself to great risks from accepting them.’

‘No. I expose myself to great rewards. Imagine the heights they might reach if you give them a chance.’

‘The chance of that is unlikely.’

‘But if it happens, it’s extraordinary.’

‘… This is all just ideals. Unrealistic!’

‘And who decided that? “Unrealistic”, you say? Was it not clear that I was already planning to overcome that from the very beginning?’

‘You’re a fool.’

‘You’ll have to do better than that. I’ve said that word again and again when I’m angry at myself.’

‘… Forget that I’ve ever extended an invite to you.’ Razae rose from his seat. ‘I now see that you’ll do more harm than good to my guild. Vigo was right, you’re just a fly. Go and gain your Approval, prove your worth, and only then I might extend another invite for you.’

Then, he left.

… Good riddance, Latla thought. She then shifted her focus toward the auction.