Vanessa gazed upon the busy market area, at which she could only describe it as “huge!”, since she didn’t know of a more suitable word.

“Kyle! Look! It’s so large! Let’s go take a look!” Vanessa hurriedly pulled Kyle into a particular area of the bustling stalls. Not surprisingly, most of which were dealing with clothing for females.

‘How is she not tired……Did she forget about Alex perhaps? ...’ Kyle thought as he let himself be pulled behind the frolicking girl, going from stall to stall.

This scene was totally not weird, since Kyle noticed many ladies, young and old, either single or with a companion, going to and from stall to stall. He also noticed many men with dead fish eyes, soullessly following their companions.

Kyle let out a small smile. ‘Good thing I’m a god with a Divine body. Can’t imagine a mortal to keep this up for long.’

After which seemed like half a day, Kyle finally got a word into Vanessa.

“Wife…what about Alex? You can always come back here later. We’ll be living here after all.”

“Ah! I forgot!”

Kyle just stared at his bride to be with a blank face.

The time was just after lunch. The two rushed to the academy. After being pointed to the visitor centre by the gatekeeper, Vanessa informed their purpose to the receptionist.

“Yes, his name is Alex. He just started this year. Please tell him his sister is here to see him.”

“Oh, a new student? They are currently in a training session and are unable to come out. They aren’t allowed to go out of grounds on school days anyway. How about you leave a letter for him? I’ll have his reply held here if there is one so you can come check it tomorrow.”

“Ah that would be OK. Do you have a parchment by chance?”

After leaving a message to Alex, the couple reluctantly left the magic academy.

“Wife, let’s have lunch and find somewhere to sell the ore. We should purchase a place as soon as possible.”

“OK, I’ll do as you say, dear.” From time to time, Vanessa would call Kyle as ‘dear’. She reasoned that she should get used to calling him in an intimate manner to forward their relationship. Of course, she still blushed every time.

After having lunch at a small restaurant, the couple headed towards a large merchant company, recommended by the knowledgeable waiter.

“Goldberg company” Kyle read the sign on top of the wide doors out aloud as they stood in front of the entrance.

As the two stepped inside, they were greeted by a staff member.

“Good afternoon, honoured guests. How may I help you?”

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

“Err, we want to sell an item. Would it be possible to set up something right now?”

“Of course, this way please.” The rather beautiful female staff led Kyle and Vanessa to a vacant counter.

“Our appraisal staff will be able to look at your item. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”

After the greeting staff member went away. Kyle placed his backpack onto the counter. He slowly opened the backpack until a portion of the ore was revealed.

The expression of the appraiser behind the counter changed as he stopped Kyle from opening it further.

“Esteemed guests, please come with me.” The staff led seemingly unfazed Kyle and surprised Vanessa into a private room at the back of the building.

After everyone sat down opposite each other, Kyle once again placed his backpack on the table. He took out the ore and pushed it across, towards the man.

The man looked at the ore with excitement, studying the details with care. After a few minutes of picking up and examining, the staff turned to Kyle.

“We can offer you 140 gold coins for this ore.”

Kyle fell into thought upon hearing the offer. Rather, he was just pretending to think deeply. He knew that the price was reasonable. Vanessa was stunned. She had never heard of this amount of money being mentioned. This was enough to buy half the farms in her village!

“OK, deal.”

The two men shook hands. The appraiser went out of the room. After a few minutes, he came in carrying a tray, upon which sat a small box and a parchment, and another man, holding a larger box.

The appraiser wrote the details of their transaction on the parchment and handed it to Kyle.

Kyle signed the receipt after looking it over and took the small box from the tray.

“Wow, that’s a lot!” Vanessa excitedly spoke while hanging onto Kyle’s arm. The couple were now heading to an inn to stay for the night.

Kyle smiled wryly at the girl. He could not tell the girl that he had mountains of gold coins in his storage ring that he had collected over the years. ‘Well, it might not be necessary.’

Kyle led Vanessa into a somewhat lavish looking inn. After paying the fee and receiving the key for their room, they decided to leave their belongings except for the money in the room.

“Wife, stay in the room. I’ll be back in a bit. Wait for me, OK? Don’t go anywhere.”

Vanessa nodded despite being puzzled. She trusted Kyle enough to not question his behaviour.

Kyle went outside the backdoor of the inn, while avoiding the employees. After making sure that no one was around, Kyle vanished from the spot.

 ***

Dran was a thief. He was a very good thief. But one day, he stole from someone he shouldn’t have. As a result, he was caught and forced into a mana contract into working for a certain company.

Of course, it was not a stand-up office job. He worked in the shadows, to conduct questionable tasks in the eyes of society.

Today was no different. He was told to follow a couple, a man and a woman, who looked like country bumpkins. He was staring at the inn the couple went in from the rooftop of a nearby building, unnoticed by anyone, or so he thought.

“What a boring task…when is ‘gold one’ going to come. I want to go back and drink already…”

Suddenly, Dran’s vision went dark. Just before losing consciousness, he vaguely heard someone say, “Looks like you aren’t going to have a drink anytime soon.”

 ***

“Wife, I’m back.” Kyle opened the door to their room and walked in.

“Welcome home, dear. Ohhh, I’ve always wanted to say that!” Vanessa came up to hug Kyle while smiling.

Kyle returned the embrace and closed the door.

“Wife. Have a seat.”

Vanessa noticed the somewhat seriousness from Kyle’s tone. She obediently sat on a chair, facing Kyle.

Kyle looked into Vanessa’s eyes. He slowly got down onto one knee in front of Vanessa. The girl was visible flustered now, albeit with a somewhat expectant expression.

“Dear Vanessa. I realised that I haven’t formally proposed to you yet.” Kyle paused and took out a silver ring from his pocket.

Kyle took Vanessa’s left hand. “Vanessa, will you marry me?” It was a rather boring and conventional proposal. However, Vanessa was shaking with happiness.

“Yes! Of course, I will! Oh Kyle! I’m so happy!”

“Hahaha, we’ll only be happier in the future my lovely wife.” Kyle gently slid the ring onto the ring finger and pulled Vanessa for a kiss.

“We should go celebrate! Let’s go buy our new home!”