Haina didn’t want Medi staying at the guild. But clearly, Alan wouldn’t listen to her or kick Medi out. This trapped Haina in a dilemma. At his age, Alan had zero resistance to girls. If Medi lived here long-term, he’d inevitably fall for her.

No way! She couldn’t let this happen. Alan was her boy—hers alone to claim. She’d raised him carefully since childhood. If someone stole him right under her nose, her decade of devotion would be wasted, like sewing a wedding dress for another.

Alan wanted Medi at the guild? Fine. She’d just move in herself from today. After all, she had rooms on both the second and third floors!

With a plan settled, the killing intent around Haina faded slowly. A trace of cold smile bloomed on her flawless face. “Alright, Alan. Since you insist, opposing you would seem heartless. Let Medi stay—as you wish. But I’ll also live at the guild these days. Any objections?”

Alan nodded with a bitter smile. No problem. Of course no problem. She just wanted to watch him, prevent mistakes. Totally fine. She’d raised him as her man since he was little. Now guarding him like her man? Understandable. Completely understandable.

“If you have no objections, that’s best.”

Medi, sipping red wine at the bar, saw Alan agree so easily. Fury nearly made her crush the wine glass in her grip. Damn that blue-haired woman—shameless homewrecker! She wasn’t even as decent as Alan’s stinky Little Wolf Girl. At least the wolf girl had a contract. What did she have? Nothing!

If not for Haina and Alan’s possible deep bond, Medi would’ve summoned her little pets to devour Haina already. Hmph. She’d observe a few days. If that blue-haired woman truly aimed to steal her man, don’t blame her for ruthlessness. A DarkMage’s man—whoever snatches him dies!

Medi’s bewitching eyes turned icy. Eli Gaoer and Dass, still crouching in the corner and catching her gaze, trembled harder. “Mommy! Help! A woman wants to kill us!”

“Eli Gaoer, Dass, show some backbone! Stop crouching in corners like scared rabbits! You’re B-rank mages—act like it!”

With the women’s killing intent calmed, Alan stared at Eli Gaoer and Dass, heartbroken. Cowards. Would sitting in the guild hall kill them? No wonder no commissions came lately. Who’d hire such timid members?

Eli Gaoer and Dass glared at Alan, teeth gritted. Whose fault? His! Even picking a wife—couldn’t he choose a gentler one?

Look at who he got—or rather, who his grandfather picked. One werewolf. One DarkMage. They couldn’t afford to offend either!

Offend Emma? She might transform someday and bite them dead instantly.

Offend Medi the DarkMage? Worse. They’d die mysteriously. “Dark”—those two words said everything.

Eli Gaoer and Dass used Mind Speech, beaming their thoughts straight to Alan’s mind.

Mind Speech was a popular communication magic. Rumor said its creator became a billionaire selling it.

Yeah, that mage made his fortune off Mind Speech. But gossip claimed he died young from overwork—keeping mistresses three, four, five. No one knew who inherited his wealth.

Hearing their Mind Speech, contempt deepened in Alan’s eyes. He couldn’t bother replying. He shot them a king’s-level glare and headed upstairs. Magic pen secured—it was time to dig Mercenary World from his memories.

Haina and Medi? Let them bicker. As long as no real fights broke out. Summer heat made tempers flare—understandable, especially for a fire mage like Haina.

Medi? DarkMages hated rules. They killed on whims. Dislike your face? Dead. Dislike a pig? Dead. Wall blocking your path? Blast it to dust.

That recklessness got DarkMages hunted by the Light Cathedral—burned or beheaded.

Alan climbing the stairs, Emma tugged his sleeve. She blinked up at him, head lifted. She wanted to follow. The first floor scared her—especially Medi’s gaze, always icy with killing intent. Safer by Alan’s side.

“What’s wrong, Emma?” Alan stopped. She was clingier than he’d thought—maybe from being in the human world.

“Emma… Emma wants to follow Alan,” she murmured haltingly, fluffy hand gripping his sleeve.

She feared troubling him, scared he’d refuse. Unease flickered in her.

Alan smiled. He took her fluffy hand gently. “Follow if you want. Just don’t get bored later.”

Emma grinned, little fangs showing. Her blue ahoge shot straight up, brimming with energy.

Downstairs, Haina’s chest tightened. Damn Alan—he’d never smiled at her so softly.

Flames sparked deep in Medi’s eyes. Sly Little Wolf Girl, faking pitifulness for Alan’s care! Think only you can do that? Wait, I’ll use that trick tonight!

Hmph, Little Wolf Girl—don’t get cocky. You’re on my blacklist too!

Alan and Emma knew nothing of their thoughts. Upstairs, he led her toward the study.

Strike while the iron’s hot. Alan itched to write that novel from memory. But publishing Mercenary World in Magic Weekly—was it really wise?