Ray

“Just about as can be expected.” Ray answered, wondering if he was right.

“Satyrs are a nomadic species that are spread out all across the continent. But recently, a group has arrived in the Elven continent, and we have been entertaining a group from them. The situation is simple, the Satyr ambassador smelled your Ma’s cookies out from a room away and came running for them. So well, we’ve been sending regular batches to them, and we need more cookies to continue it. Now can you get those cookies?” the shadow princess said.

“The Satyrs are interested?” Ray asked, surprised.

“I wouldn't know, they keep a tight lip on what they're up to, none of them will even come close to the surface. The ambassador travels entirely by portal. A small portal opens and tells us they're coming three days before they plan to come.

The meetings were robotic, they traded things, usually the same stuff. The Satyrs were just trying to maintain an amicable relationship, until now. So, we're trying to satisfy them as well as we can. Are you in? “ the shadow princess said.

Ray’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her, saying, “Why do I think you’re not telling me something? Tell me, miss princess, what price are they offering? And how much more is it than what you’ve been giving us?”

Ray smiled as the shadow princess’ face twisted in irritation. Ma might be the one good at business, but even he could sniff out someone avoiding mentioning something.

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Ray

Ray stared at the shadow princess across the attic dining table. Ma sat beside him, her hands folded against the table, staring at the shadow princess. Three cups of tea sat before them, steaming the air between them. A great battle was about to begin, only the first play remained to be made.

“I do find your leaving out certain details in our deal to be quite a breach of trust, miss. I don’t know if we can continue our deal at this stage.” Ma began.

“And how was I to know that you wouldn’t mind making deals with Satyrs? Or that you won’t tell the Xnarthan? In fact, what proof do I have that you haven’t told them?” the shadow princess replied.

“I thought it was a rule to ask your mother before you made deals regarding things, or did things change since I was there a few days ago?” Ma quipped back.

“The rebellion has been growing fast for a while, so I have decided to take on some duties to lessen her load. But she did tell me that you were a friend when I asked. I wouldn’t have trusted Ray with the information otherwise.” the shadow princess replied.

“Well, you answered your own question, but I notice mine is still left.” Ma replied, sipping her tea.

The shadow princess took a deep breath, clearly frustrated. “What do you want? I can’t pay you more, the rebellion needs the money to function. Do you think it's the right thing to do? To charge the rebellion when we’re working hard to free us from this dreary life? Do you have any idea how many people would love to have this chance?” the shadow princess said, her words reeking in passion.

“A speech more suited to a rebel meeting than a business negotiation, princess. I am not a member of the rebellion, just a businesswoman that sometimes does business with you.”

“Three mana coins for a box, is that price acceptable to the rebellion?” Ray asked.

“No! The rebellion will not pay more than we are already. But we can compensate you for the extra work with something other than money. Ray, do you want to participate in some combat lessons? The rebellion has some every weekend.” the shadow princes asked.

Ray had to say, he was tempted, those combat lessons might get him the [Magic combat] skill, and he did need that.

“Did you know that the Empire requires two signatories on adoption papers? Ray’s other mom is Marchioness Ariana Salazar herself, why would he need those lessons?” Ma asked.

“What do you want?” the shadow princess asked, clearly frustrated.

“A rule of negotiation, dear, is that you never show the opponent that you are frustrated. As for what we want, the list is rather short. I want the rebellion to provide guards and servers to us, and a favor from the rebellion.

A normal one, nothing that would put the rebellion in much danger, but if we want to escape the Empire someday, then maybe the rebellion could help us then.” Ma asked, shocking Ray. The price was a bit high.

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“Will you pay these guards?” the shadow princess asked.

“Yes, of course. Do I look like someone that would exploit people?” Ma replied, still sipping her tea.

“No, I just thought you wanted the rebellion to pay.” the shadow princess replied. Ray had thought the same. “So you just want us to recommend some people? Why?”

“I can trust them. At most, they will be reporting to the rebellion. A person I hire off the street could be reporting to anyone, the guard, a noble, the Xnarthan. I would rather not have the people supposed to guard me be someone I cannot trust. And besides, do you know how rare decent Mage bodyguards are?” Ma asked.

“Can you afford their fees? What salary will you be offering?” the shadow princess asked.

“A thousand mana coins for the bodyguards and five hundred for the servers. I am going to get a lot of mana coins from doing business with you, after all.” Ma said. Ray was shocked by those numbers. Ma’s savings a few days ago amounted to less than a thousand mana coins. The house was five hundred mana coins. But they would be earning five hundred mana coins every day from the shadow princess’ deal alone, let alone others.

“I can accept that. What Tier do you want?” the shadow princess asked.

“What Tier can you give?” Ma countered, finishing her tea. “And don’t answer me now, ask your mother and tell me.” Ma said got up and went down, leaving Ray alone with the Shadow princess. Ray just shrugged as he followed, the shadow princess disappeared into shadows a few seconds later.

“Ma, where is Aunty Ariana? I haven’t seen her in a while.” Ray asked.

“Well, Trevor is out at the border and Anita is at the Academy, so Ariana up and left for her archipelago. But I can send a letter if you want to meat Anita.” ma said.

“Could you?” Ray asked, his face brightening, he hadn’t seen her in a while.

“Well, I think it's been long enough to justify it, but it will take a week before you can meet her. The Academy is very bureaucratic.” Ma answered. "Now, don’t you have some potions to get back to?"

And Ray did get back to his potions, he did not know why, but he had a feeling that he was close to Alchemy level three. The potions had been selling well, and Ray had just enough money to buy one set of ingredients for the neutral potions.

The way the System seemed to be working, to get to Alchemy level three he would likely have to try a new potion. The neutral mana potion looked nice. Ray would give it a tomorrow at the College, but first, he had a few more potions to make.

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Ray

The college was the same as ever the next day, but Ray had a mission to accomplish. Marcus’ words of warning still wandered around in his head, the Empire would be doing something soon, and if this potion sold well, then Ray could get a massive benefit from it.

Ray quickly made his way to the lab tower, he had long memorized the things needed, and could start soon. The lab building was unexpectedly surrounded by a crowd of gray-robed students, some sort of commotion was going on.

Ray headed closer, eager to hear what was happening.

“But we’ve already paid! What does the Dean mean by this?” Ray heard Marcus’ voice shout out.

“I don’t make the rules commoner, but you should know your place. Just because you’ve got into favor with the Marchioness’ charity case doesn’t mean that you can do what you want. The labs have a new price now. The policy won’t be changing anytime soon, you can leave the College if you want. I know I won’t miss you.” A derision-filled voice spoke out.

Ray’s brows furrowed in irritation, was Marcus being targeted because of him? What did he do?

“Uhum.” Ray cleared his throat, making the young-looking white-robed disciple blocking the gate turn towards him in irritation.

“Oh it's you. The labs are all open, one of the under students can arrange one for you if you want. But none of them are getting anything, I can tell you that. And even the marchioness herself can’t do anything about it.” the white robe said, puffing out his chest and looking at Ray provocatively. Ray found him funny, but he was young to be here. And that meant he had some background.

“I don’t suppose you can tell me why the Dean made the policy?” Ray asked, for some reason, everyone was looking at him like he could do something. Ray had no clue what was going on.

“No. Just ask the Marchioness if you want to know. But I am not telling you a thing.” the disciple said.

“I will as soon as she gets back from her trip. Marcus is with me, a basic lab and the materials for the neutral mana potion.” Ray ordered, trying to act confident. The entire thing puzzled him, but he wasn’t foolish enough to not know what was going on.

Luna had already told him that him making potions would change people’s perception of him. And Aunty Ariana was one of the most influential people on the continent.

The kid’s eyes widened in shock, “A neutral mana potion…sure, whatever. Just a second-year potion.” the kid said, turning to the gray-robed students behind him and waving at them. Ray was pretty sure it was a third-year potion, and quite difficult to make.

Ray went inside, followed by Marcus, and immediately asked.

“Now, can you tell me what is up with the Dean’s new rules?” Ray asked.

“Well, you see, there was a little altercation in one of the classes between noble and commoner students. And for once we came in winning. But now Professor Durret, that’s the name of one of the older professors, is angry and persuaded the Dean to raise the prices.

The Duke and other nobles are not happy about commoners gaining power, I hear that the head of the Order of Mage-Warriors visited to express his worry about how the College was sponsoring rebels. The rumors of rebels in the Commoner’s district are spreading fast, and the nobles are panicking.

The fact that some of the sixth years used their knowledge and leftover money to cross over three Tiers in the last few weeks has them panicking. I don’t think we have long in the College now, Ray.” Marcus said, fear in his eyes.

Ray’s brows furrowed, things were worse than he thought if even the College was trying to prevent people from gaining mana.