When Will She Come?
Three days had passed since I'd finished tidying up the shop. I'd neatly arranged the haphazardly piled dolls in display cases, posing each one just right. The cheap ones, I'd all shoved into the workshop. No point making her uncomfortable by showing off junk like that. I'd kept only the highest quality, most expensive pieces. The cramped shop suddenly felt spacious. I'd even set up a reception table in the extra space and splurged on enchanted chairs. All that was left was for a customer to walk in, and it'd be perfect.
But no customers came. Sure, the occasional person dropped by, but they were just your run-of-the-mill slum rats. I sat behind the counter and pulled out a book. Even a 3-Year-Old Mage Can Easily Install Circuits. A comprehensive guide to doll-making penned and published by a legendary ancient dollmaster! I'd snagged it yesterday from the underground market. The seller didn't even know what it was, so I got it cheap. No idea if it was authentic, but the knowledge inside was the real deal. I'd stayed up all night devouring it in excitement. No matter how many times I read it, there was always something new to learn—doll blueprints, optimal circuit layouts, efficient mana storage methods, and more. Master this, and my magic would skyrocket.
I was deep in the book, wrestling with its secrets, when the shop door suddenly swung open.
Hm? No signal from the dolls I'd stationed around the perimeter. Whoever slipped past my surveillance net was on a higher level than me.
I set the book down and straightened up. In walked a tiny girl who barely reached my waist. Long hair like threads of spun gold caught my eye first, followed by those emerald eyes gleaming with otherworldly light. She was adorably beautiful. But my gut churned. I knew the monstrous mana hidden beneath that cute facade. This was Irian, the mage-explorer who'd wiped out a drug gang overnight three years ago.
"Welcome!" I greeted her crisply and hurried to her side. "Professor Irian, it's been too long. This way, please."
I led her to the reception table. She followed, glancing around. I seated her and channeled mana to awaken the hospitality doll's heart. It smoothly served tea and pastries. She immediately grabbed a snack and popped it in her mouth.
"Oh, this is good."
Of course it was—one mana stone for ten pieces. A mage's painstaking creation, meant to aid mana circulation. I'd bought them but never dared eat any. Should've tried just one. Swallowing my regret, I rubbed my hands beside her.
"Thank you for visiting. If I'd known you were coming, I'd have prepared something better. Sorry it's just this."
"Eh, it's fine. This is good enough next time too."
My smile nearly cracked. Next time? Damn, I'd need to stock more. I just bowed gratefully.
"How did your last expedition go?"
She loved bragging about her hauls every visit. Show-off type. Better to ask early and score points.
"Yep, success."
She beamed proudly. Her mana ripped space open in an instant. From the rift, she pulled a small bell. I swallowed hard. I hadn't sensed a thing, yet suddenly it was right there. The bell reeked of deadly intent—not ordinary at all.
"This is the result. Full of mana beasts inside."
"Congratulations!"
I clapped with the hospitality doll for emphasis. She smiled contentedly at our cheers.
"So, um, about the dolls..."
"Oh, the dolls. All wrecked."
Her mana seeped into the rift again. She dumped out what looked like doll wreckage. Side-eyeing it, not a single intact piece. Total scrap. I sighed inwardly and summoned cleaning dolls to haul it away.
"I'll do my absolute best to make the next ones tougher."
"Yeah, try harder."
She nodded. So blunt. These weren't even combat dolls to begin with. I didn't sell fighters. Just convenience models for users. No clue why they kept breaking.
"So, what brings you here today?"
I asked as she stuffed her mouth with pastries. Gotta be dolls, right? Eyes sparkling, I infused mana into my prepped lineup. Demo the features, and she'd be hooked! I waited for her to ask to see them.
But she just stared at me, munching away, silent. What? Cold sweat trickled down my back. Not here for dolls? Finally, she spoke.
"You failed the university exam this time, right?"
I choked. Out of left field. Flustered, but my mouth moved fast.
"Yes, my shortcomings led to failure."
I gauged her expression. Why bring up the exam?
"Yeah, the dolls you gave me were pretty crude. Not enough to get into university."
I squeezed my eyes shut. What was this? Had I messed up? Run? My mind raced. She just kept staring. Unable to meet her gaze, I looked down. After a long silence, she crossed her arms.
"Guess you're the right fit after all."
Ears perked, but I didn't get it. Fit for what?
"Here, got this."
She pulled a stack of papers from the rift. I took them carefully. My entire history—20 years of deeds, even island stuff. My face paled. Who investigated me? Not that it mattered; anyone could with cash. Who gave it to her?
"The kid who wields five swords gave it. Strongest around here."
That bastard! Evan, I won't forgive you! I trembled with rage.
"Needed someone useful, was gonna use him, but he'd already been to university. Shame. But he recommended you and handed this over. Your dolls are crude, but I like 'em. You'll do."
Damn, he'd said send me, but spilling all my info? That sword nut sacrificed me. Do what with me? Turn me into a doll? I kept smiling, but my lips twitched.
"How could a nobody like me help Professor Irian?"
I blurted desperately. She ignored me, grabbing another pastry.
"You won't be much help."
Fatal blow! My head spun from the mental gut-punch.
"But anyone better than you passes university."
"Easier to pick up a desperate stray like you. Plus, your dolls are fun. Never seen any like them at university."
Terror froze me, but that last bit registered. University? Trembling, I looked at her. She'd kept mentioning it oddly.
"D-do you work at the university?"
Wasn't she just a wandering mage? That's what I'd thought.
She tilted her head. "Didn't I say? I'm a professor."
University professor! Not a student—a prof. Big shot. Explained why she called my dolls crude. From her view, they were trash. But why buy them repeatedly? No idea. Whatever—focus. She needed me. A professor did.
Wait. "Are you... getting me into university?"
"Mhm."
She sipped tea and nodded. University! A dream for a guy who'd failed to even step inside for 10 years.
"How long till the next exam?"
I calculated frantically. Two months since last one. About 10 months left. She pulled out paper.
"Your name?"
"Ebron."
"Right. I, Irian, will teach Ebron to pass university. Thereafter, Ebron shall serve Irian at university until graduation."
Her mana wrapped the paper, forming words—just what she'd said. A contract.
I, Irian, will teach Ebron to pass the university entrance exam.
Thereafter, Ebron shall serve Irian at the university until graduation.
Penalty for breach: Mana tree decay.
I swallowed, tense. I'd faced many contracts in life. First was Ojo's—binding him to the clan for 200 years. I'd made some myself. Lesson learned: don't sign lightly, no matter the bait.
But university... The words glowed clear. My lifelong dream. What I'd chased 10 years without touching. She offered it. Rationality fled in the shock. What to do? But seriously, what was happening? I stared blankly.
Tempting. But I barely knew her. "Serve" could mean Ojo-level hell. I opened my mouth to refuse—then my hand shot out, injecting mana. What? Not me. Panicking, I checked: my seedling in my chest was casting Magical Breathing. It hijacked my half-rooted body. My tree betrayed me! I yanked mana back, too late. Balanced perfectly, the contract sealed. She grinned, tore it. Mana settled on our wrists.
'In exchange for Irian's teachings to pass university, Ebron promises to serve Irian until graduation.'
Contract complete. Breach it, and my tree rots.
What the hell? I grilled my inner tree. It just greedily sucked mana, innocent as ever. Infuriating nonchalance. Then it hit me: Did it think I'd never pass on my own? I slumped. Even my tree lacked faith. Was my talent that worthless?
"Fun. Your tree signed for you."
Irian eyed my chest intrigued. No hiding my misery, I scowled at her.
"Alright, contract done. Lessons start tomorrow."
She sipped tea. "I'll be here till the next exam, so prep my room. Now."
Thunderbolt. I gaped. I'd planned to sell dolls, make bank. Blink, and I'd signed away my house too. Couldn't complain—contracts need consent. My tree's, but still.
She finished her tea, frowning. "What? Move it."
Her mana growled. I snapped to. Done was done. Whatever traps, one truth: professor, getting me in. Serve her best.
"Yes! Cleaning now!"
I stood, awakening waiting dolls. Meant for sale, now scrubbing. Had to make professor-worthy space, fast.