Contact (2)
“I wish you’d never contacted me at all.”
I’d known a message would come sooner or later, even if not right away. Of course, I wasn’t thrilled about it.
It’s gotten awfully chilly between us in the meantime. That’s why they say you should keep in touch now and then. When the body grows distant, so does the heart….
“Cut the crap and get to the point.”
I interrupted, urging her straight to the matter. The longer I chatted with a god, the fouler my mood got.
I was hoping for a nice long talk…. But we can chat anytime, so that’s fine.
Right after, the World Tree explained the reason.
I’ve sent a few of my children out into the world lately. They had some tasks to handle.
“Figures you’d be busy with Geomjeong and all.”
That explained the recent radio silence from the World Tree—and the canceled exchange meeting.
…Where do you even get your intel? Only a tiny handful inside the Holy Kingdom know about that.
“If you wanna know, cough up a price.”
Come on, aren’t we past the point of formalities? You could share a little.
“What we’ve got is a thorough business deal, nothing more.”
A relationship forged purely by transaction—no more, no less. That was it.
Whatever happened to that cute, adorable kid? You’re making me sad here.
The World Tree’s words dripped with feigned hurt. But I wouldn’t budge. Gods were sly creatures at heart, their true intentions always shady as hell.
“So, what’s this about?”
My children were kidnapped. Fortunately, most made it back unscathed. All but one. Right now, I can barely even reach that one.
“Location.”
Captured in the free city of the great desert.
Hearing that, I checked today’s date.
“Gotta move fast, then. Only two weeks till the auction starts.”
Once it’s sold off, tracking it down gets a hell of a lot harder. We’d need to rescue her before the auction ended.
You’ve got this, right, Kyle?
“Yeah, I can pull it off without much hassle. But here’s the thing…”
I eased into it slowly.
“This one’s a request, right?”
…….
The World Tree went quiet for a moment.
Do you have to be so calculating about it, Kyle?
“Watch your words. Who started acting all transactional first?”
If she’d helped unconditionally during the corruption incident, I’d have done the same without asking for anything. Chorok was a god friendly to humans, after all.
It’s such a waste to use it on something like this.
“Then forget about the elf.”
The World Tree fell silent, but I could hear the agony in her voice even from here. She could never abandon a life born from her own hands.
Alright, fun’s over.
Erasing her chance to ask a favor would be nice, but no need to burn that bridge now. I could guess what she’d want later anyway, and it’d be smarter to rack up some debt here. Might even score an elixir out of it.
“How about this instead? Like last time—a straight trade. I rescue the elf, and you grant me a favor later.”
Not the most tempting offer….
“Then don’t. I’m good either way.”
No matter her choice, I wouldn’t lose out. Though her picking the trade would benefit me more.
She seemed to mull it over briefly before responding.
Fine, a trade it is. But if she gets hurt, you’ll answer for it.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll send her back in one piece.”
At that moment, the pattern on the back of my hand glowed. The vow updated, granting us each one new favor.
“I’ll contact you once she’s rescued.”
I’ll let the child know ahead of time.
“Got it.”
I cut the connection and headed out, mulling it over as I moved.
“It’s early, but it’ll work out.”
The Elf Rescue episode was originally slated for a week from now. But it had jumped the gun, and the reason was obvious: my connection to the World Tree.
In the original novel, after the black mage raid came Rana’s Corruption arc. Evan saves her there, catching the World Tree’s eye, who then reaches out through Rana. But I’d wedged myself in between, skipping that whole chain—and now the request was aimed at me.
Eh, a little deviation like this was tolerable. I’d seen it coming the moment I got involved.
By then, I’d returned to the dorm. Rana was already up, playing with her summons on the bench.
“Kyle! Good morning!”
“Morning. Why didn’t you call me if you were awake?”
“You looked busy, so I didn’t wanna bother. I did good, right?”
Her words drew an involuntary smile from me.
“Ah, I’m hungry. Student cafeteria? Or should I whip something up?”
“Food later. Let’s head out together first.”
“Where to?”
“To see Professor Ratral.”
A few preparations were in order before departing for the free city.
“I was just about to call for you—perfect timing.”
Ratral welcomed us warmly, but his face told a different story.
“Grandpa, you haven’t slept?”
“With everything going on, there hasn’t been time. Did you sleep well, Rana?”
“Yep, at Kyle’s dorm, so I was fine.”
At his granddaughter’s words, he shot me a glance.
“Yeah? No issues?”
“Thanks to Kyle, I slept like a rock!”
He let out a hearty chuckle this time.
“Why not move into the dorms for good while you’re at it? Better to bunk with someone you’re comfortable around.”
“Uh, um? I mean, I’d love to be with Kyle, but…”
Rana, uncharacteristically flustered, peeked at me. I quickly cut in on the grandpa-granddaughter exchange.
“Anyway, what’d you need?”
“Heh, even when I’m helping, you fuss. You were advertising it loud and proud at the banquet. Word’s spread beyond professors and students— even the staff know now. So if you’re rooming together…”
“Drop the dorm talk before we even get there.”
“……”
Ratral shut his mouth at my curt dismissal. Department dorms separated by gender—no more cohabiting like this.
“Ahem. I called you about yesterday’s incident. I investigated the site you moved to…”
“You saw it, huh.”
“I did. Traces of a demon.”
He met my eyes briefly.
“That was consideration on your part. Explaining why you didn’t mention it on the spot.”
“No need to add confusion to chaos.”
“I appreciate it. As you said, going public would’ve only muddied things further.”
Ratral nodded in understanding.
“What rank?”
“Viscount-class. No need to investigate its motives—it came purely to kill me.”
“The Ardins have deep bad blood with demons.”
He moved past it without needing details. Ratral Heytald had witnessed and gauged my abilities to some extent. He’d kept my secrets so far, so spilling about demons wouldn’t hurt.
After a few more brief questions, Ratral said,
“So, what brings you here unannounced?”
“I’ve got a favor to ask.”
The two favors he’d promised after I saved Rana long ago. Time to cash them in.
“Months have passed, and here you are early as ever.”
“Been busy, you know.”
“Rumors say as much. Alright, what is it?”
“Well…”
“Kyle wants to join the free city auction!”
Rana jumped in.
“An invitation to the free city auction? Easy enough. Wasn’t planning to go this year anyway.”
“Already got the invite.”
“Well done snagging one. Time off, then? No issue there—the black mage mess means two weeks off for investigations and recovery.”
I knew that already. Tianis Academy was shutting down for two weeks because of the black mages.
“Not that. Train tickets. First-class.”
“Feels like a small ask, personally…”
“Value’s subjective.”
“Fair enough.”
Some might call it a waste, but not me. To someone who knew the novel inside out, it was priceless.
“Rana going too?”
“Yeah. Oh, and my junior’s tagging along—ticket for him too, please.”
“Got it.”
Rana blinked in surprise.
“I’m going too?”
“Were you planning not to?”
“Of course I’m going! But Evan too?”
“He’s useful.”
And in a certain sense, Evan was absolutely essential.
“By when should I prep?”
“Tomorrow or the day after.”
“Understood. I’ll book three first-class tickets.”
“Thanks.”
After some light chat, we left the room.
“Food now?”
“Got one more person to meet. Later.”
“Ugh, but I’m starving…”
I soothed Rana as we headed to our next stop: Senior Ruina.
Senior Ruina, whom I hadn’t seen in a day, was holed up in her workshop cranking out commissions as usual. She paused when we arrived, but her blank face fixed on me as she pointed at Rana.
“Why’s she here again…”
“Hehe, came to see you, Senior Ruina!”
Rana bolted straight for her. The senior flinched and darted behind me.
“…Don’t come closer. I warned you. If you do…”
Then Rana pulled out a wrapped box she’d hidden behind her back. A fancy package stamped with the Dessert Kingdom logo. Inside: her favorite cake, naturally.
But not just any cake. This was something very special.
The senior, whose staple food was cake, clocked it instantly.
“That’s… the special chocolate cake…”
“Yup!”
A limited release from Dessert Kingdom, once a month at random times. This was it.
“How’d you get it?”
“Got lucky! They were selling it right as I showed up.”
Rana unwrapped it slowly and lifted out the cake. Looked ordinary enough. But the scent? Way too divine for mere chocolate—fragrant, intoxicating, filling the air.
Gulp. A swallow echoed.
Ruina Senior couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“Hyah!”
Rana jiggled the cake stand. The senior’s eyes followed. Another jiggle, bigger this time. Her head craned, tracking it fully.
“Don’t toy with food…”
“Hehe.”
Rana beamed, clearly amused. She sliced it then, showing off the cross-section.
“Don’t you want some? Come sit, and it’s all yours!”
Tempting her like a wild animal with bait, Rana dangled the layered cream, sponge, and chocolate closer.
Ruina Senior squeezed her eyes shut to resist, only to snap them open and stare, swallowing hard.
“You’ll really give it all?”
“Yes! Bought it just for you!”
“Fine, then…”
She caved to the cake. Sat herself down in front of Rana and started munching away.
“So good…!”
“Hehe, super soft, right?”
Rana stroked the senior’s head wildly as she raved, satisfying her urges. The scene struck me as absurd in a way.
“What’s with you, Kyle?”
“Just funny.”
Realizing what I meant, Rana said,
“People like Senior Ruina are super wary, so you gotta ease in slow like this. Otherwise, they hate you.”
I just chuckled wordlessly. Looking back, I’d fallen for that tactic a bit myself.
Whether we chatted or not, the senior stayed laser-focused on her cake. We watched her devour the whole thing.
Finally, plate empty, she spoke.
“So, why’re you here?”
“Got a favor.”
“What.”
Still nestled in Rana’s arms, she watched as I pulled a dark red gem from my subspace. Black magic aura rippled out.
“Ugh… Don’t bring that filthy thing into my workshop.”
Her face twisted in disgust, words clipped. Looked ready to smash it if I showed more, so I stowed it.
“What’re you gonna do with that…”
“Was gonna ask for a magic tool. Heading to the free city auction…”
“Auction?”
Her eyes lit up at that, keen interest sparking.
“You’re going there…?”
“Yeah. Got business.”
“Me too. Let’s go together.”
She grabbed my sleeve out of nowhere. Never expected her to invite herself.
“Uh… you wanna go?”
“Yeah. Never been to one.”
The senior, perpetual workshop hermit, rarely ventured out. A far-off city? Unheard of. She hadn’t tagged along in the novel either.
“You sure?”
“Fine.”
She nodded like it was no big deal. I pondered briefly, then decided.
Hmm, could be good. An alchemist like her would help big time.
“So Senior Ruina’s coming too?”
Ruina glanced blankly at Rana. No expression, but shock registered underneath. Snapping back, she asked slowly,
“…Her too?”
“Yeah. And my junior. The one you met last time.”
Her face went flat. Irritation and dislike plain as day. She alternated looks between Rana and me.
“Ditch ’em. Just you and me.”
She dropped the most awkward line imaginable.