This is a POV chapter (Not John Doe)

****

I stealthily follow the rich fat man I've set my target on this time. Trying to steal can often be easy, but when one needs to steal from rich privileged people surrounded by guards like this self entitled man, it becomes exponentially difficult.

Deception doesn't seem to be possible under the watchful gazes of the guards, my only possibility is relying on speed and dexterity.

The entourage has finally entered an area with several escape routes, I carefully survey my surroundings from a rooftop before making a beeline for the storage pouch in the fat man's hands.

Success! The fat fingers were just too easy to swipe from. The guards are looking at me murderously. I have little time to think about their curses. Left, right, right, left, into the window, onto the roof. Looks like I escaped again this time.

Fatso's pouch is full of goodies. I should try to sell it slowly, or the pawn shop will begin suspecting stuff.

****

"This? It looks all shiny, who knows what it really is made of?"

"Even a blind man can see that it is a silver tiered knee cap. It even boosts magic defense!" My angry voice croaks as I somehow manage to hold my emotions in check.

"Listen kid, both you and I know where this equipment came from. Don't give me the crap about fairness. This is all I can pay!"

"But it's worth at least twice as much!" I can scarcely hold back my tears. The pawn shop was clearly scamming me!

"It's up to you kid. Or do you want me to report you? Huh?"

I accept the transaction without question after his threat. At the very least I have enough silver coins to last a week.

I change my clothes in an alley and run to the hospital. Nurse Sorrow looks at me with painful eyes, I hate it when she does that, but I suppose it's why she has such a stupid name. I wonder what is it a pun on.

"Nurse Sorrow, I've brought money for the next one week. Please take care of my mother."

"Oh little child, you are working too hard. Look at you, all soiled up. Why don't you take a bath here before meeting your mommy?"

"En." I nod my head like an innocent kid. This sorrowful hag won't let me live in peace if I don't act along.

I took a bath and feeling refreshed, I go to my mother's hospital room. My darling mother is as weak as ever.

"Mommy, I'm back! How are you today?"

"My dear princess, Tina dear, I'm doing fine. Tell me about you. How are classes going on dear?"

She seems to be getting feebler by the day. Choking the hurt in my chest and lump in my throat, I pit on a cheerful facade. "Mommy, it was very good! I learnt lot of new things today!"

"I'm so proud of my daughter. As long as you live a good life of honesty and pride, I would have no regrets!"

"En!" I nodded at those words that pricked my heart. How can the poor live a life of honesty and pride? We have been thrown to fend for ourselves. As if stealing wasn't enough, I have to see Nurse Sorrow's watery eyes every evening, is there a bigger form of torture?

While I leave, Nurse Sorrow stops me.

"Child, the doctor said that you would have to perform the operation soon. If we don't she wouldn't have long to live."

"Can we do it and we pay back in installments?"

"That...it's not possible child...sniff...you can barely pay the discounted hospital fees, we cannot do the operation without gold coins."

"I will think of something! Please take care of mother till then, I might not be able to come often enough."

****

As I walk out of the hospital and onto the market street, I notice a huge crowd of people crowding around the billboards. Going closer I can faintly make out what it's all about.

"Six new electives in the fine arts?"

"Who wants these garbage courses?"

It seems like the school decided to add a few more useless courses that I cannot possibly afford. The only good part about being dragged by mother to this Academy district is the number of fat purses which can pay for her hospital fees.

****

I haven't been able to find a suitable target yet. Trying to steal from the uber rich is really too difficult. Luckily I've been selling off that fatso's silver ranked equipment.

Several powerful looking students suddenly approach a noticeboard and pin a bounty.

"A thieving bastard dared to steal the storage pouch of the Boss of the Lockhart Villa! Whoever can find the thief will get to become a member immediately!"

"Wow, there was someone so daring in Helmholtz! The thief is done for, what were they thinking going against the Villa?" Pitiful comments were being spoken by the crowds.

Don't tell me, the fatso I stole from...was the boss of this Villa! I have to be very careful.

****

Today I need to sell the remaining treasures of that Villa boss fatty. Even if I don't get a good price, mother can at least remain in the hospital for a couple of more weeks.

"Oh, brat! It's you! Have you got more treasures?"

"En!" I try to minimise conversation and quickly end the transaction. I lay out the five remaining items. The scheming bastard's eyes begin glowing.

"Hmm, not bad. I'll give you 1000 silver."

"You must be joking quoting such a ridiculously low figure." I retort angrily and decide to take back the items, but he begins bargaining.

He finally agreed on 5000 silver and asked me to wait. It's been at least 5 minutes and he still hasn't given me the money yet. Suddenly there is a huge thud blocking the shop entrance.

"Where is that thieving bastard!" Holy shit, its the Villa Boss fatty. Fuck!

"This brat! My lord! It is this brat!" Fuck! The pawn shop sold me out!

"Haha, say your final words before this Boss pummels you to death thieving brat!"

Even as he said that, it wasn't him but his goons who began thrashing me all over. What chance does a weakling like me have against these powerful able bodied men?

As I was barely avoiding being punched and kicked in a vital spot, I noticed an opening and quickly escaped the shop through the opening in their wall of men. Trying to blend into the crowd was pointless with my conspicuous thief outfit in daytime. I kept running madly, all the treasures were lost. Luckily I had gradually sold several of them over the week. Mom can stay in the hospital for at least another week, but now thieving will be even more difficult with the bastards of the Villa following me around.

As I was blindly running, I wildly charged into a connecting alleyway and collided into the most weird looking brat I'd ever laid my eyes on. The only thing in my mind was the huge pair of sunglasses that covered most of his face as I was falling backwards from the impact.

Out of nowhere an arm wraps around my waist and steadies me into a standing position. As quickly as it held me, the hand was withdrawn.

"Miss, you should be more careful when you run. Never look behind, but attend to the other three directions."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"What..?" I'm being lectured about running from this bizarre student?

"Running from those Villa freaks? I saw you, they cornered you well. You must be the thief that fatso was abusing huh?"

"Nothing to do with you.." How did he figure out that I am a girl?

"Heh... You're still thinking about that? The moment I held your hip it was obvious. You hid it well, but you didn't think about touch. I bet I was the first guy who touched you like that huh? Will you dream about me tonight?"

"What the... Fuck you sleazeball!" How did he read my mind?

"I didn't read your mind."

"Wha...?" He is a mind reader! Definitely a perverted mind reader!

"Ugh I'm not a mind reader, nor am I perverted. I was just flirting, girl. Calm down."

Who is this freak?

"Damn! Why do you think I'm a freak?"

"What do you think? You accurately respond to every thought I just had?"

"Logical deduction. Plus your facial expressions can't hide shit, no wonder you need a mask to even enter a shop. With you blushing so red that you would rival a rose, is it difficult to imagine what you thought?"

"Damn, leave me alone! Did you also find me to stamp on when I'm down? Get lost!" I finally lose my calm and the tears can't hold back anymore. I begin sobbing like a baby.

"Hey, hey I'm sorry, I went too far. Calm down. What will people think if you sob like a baby?"

"You..!" Bastard reading my mind again! I push him away.

"Aah, I'm sorry. How about this, I'll help you escape these buffoons and treat you to a snack as an apology?"

"En." Escaping right now is the most important thing.

"Okay, hold my hand."

"What? How dare you!"

"Idiot, hold my hand quickly!"

What was he trying to do? I can hear those shrieking bastards coming here following me. I don't have any choice but to trust this crazy boy.

I gingerly held his hand with mine. His fingers felt as soft as cotton. I couldn't think as my mind went blank. The bastard! He locked his fingers into mine!

His hand felt warm and gentle and suddenly I felt warm energy enter my body through my hand. All the pain and injury was gently swept away and I felt refreshed. In my stupor I suddenly lifted my gaze from our conjoined fingers to look at twelve able bodied members of the Lockhart Villa looking at the two of us.

I then realised that we are still holding hands in front of everyone's view! Panicked, I try to wrest my hand out of his, but he clamps on even tighter! What is he trying to do!

"Bastard! Didn't you say that thief disappeared into this alley?"

"B-boss I thought I did!"

"Then where the fuck is he? Fuuuckkk! First that sunglasses young master and now that thief! I will show them their place! They aren't here, search elsewhere!"

"W-what?" I whisper.

"Idiot, why were you trying to take your hand away? If you did that, wouldn't he have seen you? You were trying to break the invisibility spell?"

"You turned invisible? If you didn't tell me how would I have known? Who are you? I never heard anyone turn invisible before!"

"Heh... I ate an invisibility pill."

"I didn't know pills like these existed! Wouldn't this be the holy grail for all thieves?"

"Hmpf! You think such a pill can be found easily? Only a rich royalty like me can obtain such treasures!"

"Pfft...who are you trying to fool? A slimy guy like you with an atrocious dressing sense being royalty? Then aren't I the Princess of Bavaria?"

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness!"

"Shut up!" I glare at him. He seems to have a remarkable talent to get on my nerves. But he used a precious treasure just to save me from some goons. Doesn't he have no monetary sense?

"Quickly change your clothes, then we can blend into the crowd."

"En. But it's not like you can blend in with those stupid sunglasses!"

****

I was wrong, we could blend. Because he kept holding my hand and the two of us, invisible walked for fifteen minutes, before we entered an expensive looking café. The moment we entered, the waiter greeted us.

"Good evening sir and madam!"

"A table for two please!" The silver haired boy said, while winking. I stealthily pinch his palm.

"Why did you wink! You bastard you want to die?"

"Calm down, he will direct us to a more private table."

Just as he said, the waiter directed us to a private table that was obstructed by bamboo sheets and a table lit with candles.

"Who would've thought we would have our first date on the very day we met?"

"What first date? You just owe me food!" This guy! What a shameless man!

"Okay okay. So tell me, why does a beautiful girl like you need to steal from a fatass like that Lockhart?"

"Why do you care! Just treat me to a good lunch and get lost!"

"Damn, you really are a tigress! I'm just making conversation, woman!"

I felt guilty for lashing out at him, when he was showing concern.

"My mother, she is suffering from a terminal illness. I had to begin stealing to make enough to let her stay in the hospital's care. But now she needs surgery, or she will..."

"Okay, don't need to force yourself. Let's eat food."

****

It was the best meal I had in years. I was really feeling grateful at this gesture from the silver haired boy. I wonder why he hides his face? He doesn't look bad at all, if he could take off his sunglasses, I might at least see his face properly once.

"So...I can help you with your monetary problem, I can pay for your mother's operation and care, if you want, I can even get her treated in the best hospital in the territory."

"How dare you? Do you think I'm a beggar?"

"Wait, wait!" He put both his hands in the air to stop me from exploding. How dare he?

"I said wait! Let me finish! I know that you won't accept charity, given your aggressive behavior you would probably beat me up if I offered to do it for free. So I have an offer for you. A business transaction, if you must.

Tonight at midnight, there will be a test held by the new music instructor. Whoever clears the test will get a gold tier equipment. I want you to go and clear the test and obtain the gold tier equipment. Bring it back to me, and in exchange for it, I'll help you cure your mother."

After hearing his proposition I couldn't help but fall silent. It was a tempting offer I couldn't refuse.

"Well?"

"Alright. I agree."

****

It is the final day of the test. I was the first to enter the room, but I still haven't cleared it yet.

Selling information as per the music teacher's advice helped me secure mother's stay at the hospital for a few more weeks. But she needs this operation to get better. Clearing this test is my primary hope.

Little did I know that it would be so difficult. Thanks to the friendly teacher's advice I feel like I've almost reached the crucial trick.

I wonder who the music teacher is. I wonder why he sounds familiar?

I have finally grasped the idea. I hit each side of the bass drum, creating a powerful vibration on each membrane. I then noticed the harmony between the two vibrations. I gently caress the metallic boundary on one side of the membrane, only ever so slightly and the membranes begin dancing around chaotically.

The huge vibrating him suddenly gets muffled and then dies it. In the silence, the two membranes exploded! A silent explosion without any blowback!

The drum disappeared and in its place is now a door.

"Professor, are you on the other side?"

"Open the door and find out!" The familiar voice rang back. Over these past 10 days of endless agonizing banging drums, this voice's occasional comments were my only source of support.

****

I open the door, eager to see what lay on the other side. Mother could finally be cured!

"Yo! Missed me?" A sight I could never have imagined. No wonder the voice sounded familiar! It was him, the silver haired boy!

"Y-you? You are the professor?" He was no longer wearing those atrocious sunglasses. I could finally see his face in its entirety. He didn't look bad at all. His eyes, they were almost magnetically attractive. It felt like a powerful magic. The eyes...were silver? They held an unimaginable depth to them.

"Oi, you'll have many more opportunities to stare at me later."

His hateful comments brought me back to land.

"Like I promised, I will help your mother get better. However you don't have to worry about the gold tier equipment, in fact I have a choice for you..."

****

Once again like that day, we are walking together, but this time to the hospital.

"Hey, little thief, you didn't have lunch today because of the test. Let's go have a snack."

"I don't have any money." I weakly mumble an opposition. I actually am hungry!

"Give me a break. Let's go!" What the heck? He just grabbed my hand again?

"Heh, aren't you blushing too much?"

"Bastard!"

****

Having eaten a scrumptious meal, we leave towards the hospital. In the hospital, we are greeted by the one and only Nurse Sorrow.

"Good evening Nurse Sorrow!" I reply cheerfully. Hopefully she doesn't get all sorrowful now.

"Pfft...what?" That stupid silver haired guy opened his useless mouth again.

"Oh, this dear child has brought a boyfriend! I was afraid she would never get one! Boy, you must take good care of her!" Oh no! She started her sorrowful mourning routine!

"Definitely, Nurse *cough* Sorrow, pfft, I will take care of this little girl."

"What will you take care you bastard! Nurse Sorrow, he isn't my boyfriend!"

****

"Tina, my princess! You're back! I missed you a lot dear! I heard you had exams. Are they done with? Oh who is this young man?"

"Hello aunty, I'm princess Tina's friend. OWWW."

"Tina, why are you being so violent?this is the first time you've brought a friend here."

"Sorry, mother. How are you doing now?"

"I'm doing well. You just take care of yourself."

"Aunty, can I take your pulse for a minute?" The silver haired professor suddenly ventured to my surprise.

****

"Princess Tina, can you let me check your pulse?" The silver haired boy asked me.

"You better not try anything funny here."

"Are we not in front of your mom? Besides we've already dated twice, it should be normal to hold hands now."

"Who would even date you?" I kicked him as hard as possible, but he didn't seem hurt at all. He faked getting hurt, but I could tell.

He suddenly had a serious expression as he took my pulse. I don't know why it made my heart beat faster.

"Don't do the operation." He said seriously.

"What?"

He brought his face close to my ear. His breath made me shiver. "These doctors have no clue what's wrong with your mother. Doing this operation will certainly kill her. I can cure your mother, but it will take some time."

"Are you telling the truth?" I couldn't believe what he was saying at all!

"Why would I lie to you?" He replied plainly.

"Ok I believe you... But how can I trust a music teacher over medical experts?"

"Watch."

He took mother's hand and suddenly the air became warmer. Suddenly, mother's cheeks became flushed red instead of her usual pale appearance.

"Tina, what is happening?"

"Just a moment mother, my friend here is trying to help you."

****

Few minutes passed by, and mother looked better than she did in years.

"I suggest discharging your mother from the hospital next week and cutting the operation out. I can cure both of you, but I'll need to procure some special herbs to create a medicinal pill."

"B-both of us?" Mother's panicked voice.

The silver haired boy seriously nodded, then stared at mother for sometime. I could not make heads nor tails of the situation, but I could see that mother increasingly became more panicked as they stared at each other. Just as I was going to stop him.

"Am I correct?" He suddenly asked.

"H-how?"

"It doesn't matter at the moment. Please follow as I say."

Mother then looked towards me, beckoning me closer, and then whispering in my ear.

"Listen to your friend and do as he says. Discharge me next week."

"Mother what did he tell you? Did he threaten you? Tell me mother, I won't leave him alive if he dared threaten you."

"I don't think He means us harm Tina, my princess, just do as he asks you to."

Facing mother's puzzling words filled with seriousness, I can only nod.