My name is Macalov Slancher. I manage a casino—no small-time operation. It’s the largest in the Imperial Capital. On the surface, it’s just a gambling den. But behind the scenes… things are far from simple.
Most casinos like ours follow an unwritten rule for profits. Staff pose as gamblers, using sleight of hand to slowly drain patrons’ wallets. When a guest gambles away everything, we send in loan sharks. They erode the victim’s wealth bit by bit. Once they’re useless, we control them through debt. These people scatter across every corner of the Imperial Capital, forming a tangled web for emergencies.
*Such a young fool, wasting time on gambling. Another rich kid chasing thrills, huh? Heh heh heh.*
Macalov sized up the chestnut-haired boy across the table. The youth seemed tense, glancing around nervously. Gold-and-crimson wallpaper and dark brown floors pressed down on him. Dimmed lights, meant to set the mood, only deepened his unease. He’d clearly never faced this atmosphere before.
*My heart’s utterly calm. I even feel like laughing.*
Macalov thought this, but masked it with masterful acting. He played the part of an ordinary gambler, ready to swindle the boy.
*I’m Ken Belmont, a Gryffindor student. I’m investigating the strange disappearances of girls for academic credits. Worse, my friend Ross was gambled away as a stake by Charlotte—my master’s brother! This is terrible! Charlotte may be a Grand Duke, but Ross is the son of the Snow Kingdom’s Grand Duke too! Still, I traced clues from Ross’s messages. This casino hides a human auction ring…*
*To enter the underground casino here… I need to gamble over ten thousand gold coins. Impossible for someone like me, living at my master’s brother’s place. So, I’ll try my luck…*
The boy slowly pulled a heavy pouch from his pocket. It held fifty Saint Gold Coins—funds Alex, Allen’s brother, had given Ken. If used wisely, it might buy passage to the underground auction.
He wore a plain suit. Tucked in his lapel was an elegant membership card. The casino issued one to every guest to prevent trouble. Its magic rune circuit stored the holder’s details, including every bet. Since this was infiltration, the card was forged. Gilded letters read: *Allen Leonardo*. Using a missing person’s name was safest—arranged by Allen’s two brothers.
The grand hall glittered with luxury. Men and women in lavish attire clustered around deep-green gambling tables. Faces showed every emotion—joy, despair.
“I suppose, Mr. Allen, this is your first time gambling? No need to be nervous. Let’s begin.” After a quick glance, Macalov cut straight to business.
*This kid’s naive. In under five rounds, I’ll strip him of that whole pouch. From experience, it holds forty or fifty coins—a juicy, easy target!*
*One Saint Gold Coin equals a hundred regular ones. If luck holds… I’ll gain elite membership in one go. Hang in there, Ross…*
The boy didn’t realize he sat across from the casino’s owner. Macalov’s cheating skills could vanish his money in an hour.
“Ah, sure!”
The boy gripped the pouch’s edge and dumped all the coins out at once.
“All fifty Saint Gold Coins. One bet!”
His earlier tension vanished. Confidence shone through his blue eyes.
Macalov froze.
*Madness… Fifty coins? A fortune for most. Five thousand gold coins—that’s a minor noble’s yearly income…*
Macalov called a waiter, whispering instructions. The waiter fetched fifty Saint Gold Coins from the vault. Macalov’s hands trembled slightly as he shook out his own coins.
“Ahem… sir, shall we start…?”
“Sure~”
*Begin…*
In the dim auction backstage, red silk draped over cage-like structures. Something precious seemed trapped inside…
No one knew what lay beneath the cloth. But anyone passing the corridor heard faint clinking sounds…
Inside one cage, a girl with water-blue hair sat drugged into silence. Her mind raced, planning the next move. Everything was ready—only Ken’s crucial step remained.
*With Ken’s luck, he’ll make it…*
She comforted her unease. *Even with his luck… cheating experts are another matter…*
*As the second son of the Snow Kingdom’s Grand Duke, I had to rely on the Wind Kingdom’s Grand Duke’s son to infiltrate this auction as a pawn. What shame…*
*Yes, Ross is the second son…*
*Casino…*
Macalov wiped sweat from his gleaming forehead. Beads dripped slowly down.
*I cheated first… Why…?* He stared at his hand. An ornate “A” stared back.
*Minutes earlier*
Round after round, they’d bet everything. So far, it was even—Macalov held a slight edge. Luck favored both. Now came the final reveal…
The perfect moment to cheat. He slipped a prepped card from his sleeve. From his hat, he pulled a small chocolate bar, nibbling slowly. The motion hid him swapping his last card.
“Huh? What’s that? Can I have some too?!”
The boy suddenly asked, eyes fixed on the chocolate.
“Oh, here you go…”
Macalov wiped his brow, thinking he’d been caught.
*Cards swapped… Now it’s “Allen’s” turn.*
*Hmph. Too young. Too simple.*
The boy took the chocolate. Unlike Macalov, he unwrapped it and popped it whole into his mouth, chewing slowly. He leaned back, hand on his cards, locking eyes with Macalov.
They stared silently…
Then flipped their final cards together.
“A?!” Macalov blurted in disbelief.
Ken’s card revealed a “7”.
Macalov’s slight lead crumbled with that first card.
*I rigged it… Why?! Wait—the chocolate! When he asked for it… did my shaky hand grab the wrong card?!*
The boy stood, sweeping all fifty Saint Gold Coins into his arms without hesitation.
Macalov wiped his brow again, forcing out the words:
“Young man… you win…”
He slumped back in his chair, drained, lost in thought.
“Thanks.”
The boy grinned confidently, extending his right hand for a shake.
Their hands clasped, shook firmly once, then parted.
He strode to the counter, updating his membership card.
He stored fifty Saint Gold Coins on his magic crystal card. The other fifty he kept on him.
Then, card in hand, he pushed open a hidden door. The guard glanced at its now-golden glow and stepped aside.
*Ross… hold on…*
