Alan had made up his mind. Since he’d decided, all she could do was supervise him closely—absolutely no messing around. If he dared write some trashy novel, she’d break his legs and claws alike.
"Haina, I need to go out and buy some things. You’re in charge of the guild for now. Handle any commissions as you see fit, but remember this: if a job exceeds our guild’s capabilities, we don’t take it—no matter how astronomical the price. Always act within our limits."
To write his novel, Alan needed magic tools from Newdali City’s commercial district. Before leaving, he reminded Haina firmly. Lately, she’d been getting too money-minded. If he didn’t warn her, she might accept life-threatening commissions by the time he returned.
Haina shot Alan a withering glare. "I’m not some brainless girl, you know? Having grown up in this guild, do you really think I don’t know which commissions to accept? Seriously, I’m not an idiot."
"Are you going alone? Or taking Emma?"
"I... I’ll take Emma," Alan said. He’d meant to go solo, but the unease flickering in Emma’s pale pink eyes made his words change at the last moment.
"Why not take me? I want to go too!" Bacas Medi, beside Alan, saw he wasn’t planning to bring her. She bit her lower lip lightly, gazing at him with resentment. "My figure is far better than that little wolf girl’s. Why won’t you take me?"
"Fine. If you come along, I’ll find you a hotel with a beautiful setting. After all, you can’t stay at my place indefinitely."
Bacas Medi was his fiancée, but that was all thanks to his scheming grandfather’s trickery. Besides, there were no romantic feelings between them. Even if Medi wanted to marry him, he wouldn’t accept. He longed for heartfelt love, not a contract.
Considering that if Medi stayed at his place, it might harm her reputation, Alan wanted to find her a hotel. That way, when she met a man she truly loved, she wouldn’t feel tainted.
Ah, these days, a guy like him—unlecherous, upright, and without any cross-dressing fetish—was becoming rarer by the minute. Any girl who ended up with him would surely be happy for life.
Medi, standing beside Alan, had no idea he was boasting to himself. She was torn between choices. From Alan’s words, if she followed him, he’d find her a new place. If she stayed, she could keep living here.
How infuriating! Why was he being so cruel? Why force her into such a dilemma? What about her beauty? Where did that stand?
Her master had once said only two kinds of people ignored her beauty: gay men or the permanently impotent. Since meeting Alan last night, he’d seemed to ignore her completely. But Medi knew Alan wasn’t impotent—after all, last night she’d seen Alan...
As for whether he was gay, Medi wasn’t sure.
After much deliberation, Medi finally decided. She’d stay at the guild. She couldn’t leave. The moment she did, her man might be snatched by that little wolf girl and the flat-chested girl behind the bar. She had to stay. She had to guard her man!
...
Half an hour later, Alan and Emma stood on Newdali City’s busiest commercial street.
The bustling street dazzled Emma. Her pale pink eyes sparkled with pure curiosity. When a four-wheeled magic-powered car drove past, her blue fur bristled. She grabbed Alan’s hand and squealed, "Look! A cart without horses is running!"
Every time this happened, Alan gently patted Emma’s head and softly explained what it was or what kind of vehicle it was.
On the Mystic Cloud Continent, magic had a long heritage. Over nearly ten thousand years, it had woven itself into ordinary life—magic crystal lamps at night, magic-powered cars, trains, even airships.
Alan strolled with Emma, buying her tasty snacks and fun toys whenever he saw them. He couldn’t believe how much he was spoiling this little wolf girl. When he’d gone out with Sia, he’d never been this attentive.
Thinking of Sia, Alan guiltily glanced around. If that little Sia saw him being so tender with Emma, she’d pout her rosy lips and demand angrily whether he didn’t like her anymore.
Strolling along, Alan led Emma to an inconspicuous shop. Unlike the lavish stores around it, this one had only a wooden board outside. It read: "Genuine and fake magic tools. The blind beware."
Yes, that’s exactly what it said. No wonder the shop was deserted.
Alan glanced at the board, took Emma’s hand, and entered. He hadn’t visited often, but each time he’d bought piles of magic tools. He could barely call himself familiar with the owner.
Creak!
The door swung open. Inside, magic tools filled every corner. The shop had three levels. The first floor displayed small tools—for daily life and combat. The second held enchanted weapons, a common haunt for mercenaries. The third floor? Alan didn’t know. It was sealed with magic; only the owner could enter.
Inside, the shop owner—dressed in a blue-spotted magic robe—propped his chin on his hands, half-asleep. His messy black hair resembled a bird’s nest...
Chirp!
A small blue bird emerged from his fluffy hair, chirped once, and gently pecked his forehead.
"Kuro, I wasn’t sleeping," the owner yawned, stretching lazily. His slit-like eyes slowly opened. "Oh, who do we have here? Little Alan! Hey, where did you pick up a beastkin?"
Alan looked at the scruffy-bearded owner. The blue bird perched on his fluffy hair.
What kind of bird Kuro was, Alan still didn’t know.
