Rewards, Deals, and Flames
A warm and friendly atmosphere filled Heinz's personal research lab.
"Is that true? Something like that really happened?"
"Haha. I told you. After Victor got his unique equipment, he went wild beyond anything we expected."
Heinz deliberately made a foolish expression and spoke in an exaggerated tone.
"He fought a humanoid special species with the resolve to die. In that life-or-death moment, Victor got blasted away by the monster's attack, and for an instant the creature's eyes started spinning like crazy."
So the confusion status effect triggered!
"Even though it only lasted a moment, the injured party members used that opening to press the monster hard. Victor's rage-filled strike carved deeply into it, but then..."
But then?
"Would you believe the monster suddenly stopped attacking and started begging us for food instead?"
"Food? Even just hearing it sounds ridiculous. You must have been completely dumbfounded."
"Exactly. I was starting to think Victor's unique equipment was useless except for the resistance option, but it turned out to be terrifyingly effective. Without that talisman, someone might have died."
Impairment... Despite the silly name, the effect is no joke.
"Well, it only worked because the enemy had weak mental defenses. Anyway, we took down the special species, returned to the city, and hit the jackpot this time."
Heinz gestured toward me and continued.
"Thanks to that, I had some breathing room and was able to post the request, which is how I got to meet Aren."
Slurp.
By the time we'd nearly finished our tea, we'd shared almost all of our stories.
"By the way, that's surprising. A hidden cave and space like that on the fourth floor..."
"Oh, don't even mention it. If it weren't for the friend we met there, it would've been quite difficult."
Heinz pushed his glasses up and spoke.
"In any case, it was the right call to leave midway. At the end of a cave leaking that kind of darkness, there might have been something as ridiculous as a high-ranking lich or death knight. I can't even begin to guess the origin of that place."
"That's what the Great Labyrinth is like, after all. No one knows what might happen or where."
Heinz nodded in agreement and straightened his posture, finally steering the conversation toward the main topic.
"Now then, let's discuss the request. To cut straight to the point, I'm quite satisfied with the item you brought."
"Does that mean...?"
He asked me to wait a moment, disappeared into another room, and returned carrying something that he placed on the table.
"I can offer several options for compensation. Let's start with the first one."
Tap.
The first thing his finger pointed to was a small brown pouch. Probably filled with money?
"Yes, exactly what you're thinking. Precisely two gold coins and fifty silver coins. The average market price for a normal golem core at the central auction house is around two gold coins."
Two gold coins and fifty silver coins! That was enough to cover more than half the cost of the armor I'd bought.
"Considering it's a rare type of core we've never seen before and that it was partially destroyed, this seems like a fair valuation. Shall we move on to the second option?"
Heinz slid a yellowish-brown scroll across the table toward me.
[Stonefall] (D)
Usage: Designate a location in your mind while staring at empty space within your line of sight, then tear the scroll in half.
When used correctly, a boulder appears without warning and falls upon the designated spot.
— If an enemy struck directly by the boulder survives, they have a high chance of entering stun, dizziness, or internal bleeding states if their durability is D-rank or below.
— Enemies hit by fragments from the shattered boulder receive weak defense-ignoring damage.
"It's a scroll imbued with the fourth-circle spell Stonefall. It could prove quite useful in a life-threatening situation."
Indeed, it would pair well with the Palm of Destruction scroll I'd obtained in the cave last time.
But was that all? He'd said there were multiple options, yet it seemed like I had to choose between just two?
"The final, third reward is an enchantment. If it's something I can work on, I'll use a mid-tier secret art from the Earth School to add one option to any single piece of equipment."
"Enchantment, you say?"
"Yes. For example, if applied to armor, it might randomly grant increased defense or damage reduction. Or something more unusual, like a chance to knock back attackers on hit."
Heinz tapped the table with his index finger as he continued.
"For weapons, it could make attacks heavier. I've explained all the compensation options I can offer, so please choose one of the three."
What should I pick? Money was the safest choice, but...
People always get excited about limited editions or special deals even when they don't need them right away.
The idea of a School secret art made it feel like a rare opportunity, leaving me conflicted.
'Chaos, do you know anything about enchantments? Which of these should I choose?'
[Chaos says that enchantments vary widely—some come from professional enchanters, others from Magic Tower secret arts, barbarian tribal spells, or consumable items.]
Oh.
[Chaos adds that just because there are many types doesn't mean they're common, so this kind of opportunity is rare.]
'So you're saying I should choose the enchantment? I was worried it might be worth less than the gold, which is why I hesitated.'
Having Chaos around really was reassuring.
"Money can always be earned again. A one-time scroll is inferior to a permanent enchantment. I'll take the third option."
"An excellent choice. In exchange for saving funds, it's time to spend the contribution points I've been saving—"
Beep—!
"Oh! Please wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."
A series of beeps echoed from another door leading deeper into the lab. The resonant sound, almost like a summoning chime, made Heinz cut himself off and hurry toward it.
Click.
Though the door closed and hid him from view, faint voices drifted out.
—Yes. Yes? No, what do you mean? Even if it's the Elder's order, isn't it rude to leave my guest like this? Understood. I'll hang up.
Bang!
Heinz stormed out, kicking the door open.
"Hoo. Aren, I'm sorry. We'll have to end our conversation here. It seems we need to go meet the master of our School and an Elder of the Magic Tower."
?
"What? Suddenly? ...No. Let me ask one thing. If I go, will anything bad happen to me?"
"Absolutely not. Even if it did, I'd handle it somehow. Could you spare a little time?"
I stood up.
Well, it's not like they'd kill me outright, right?
If Heinz was this flustered and pleading, refusing would be difficult.
"Let's go. Thinking of it as meeting a high-ranking person instead of demonstrating magic isn't so bad."
"Thank you. As thanks for saving my face, I'll give you the scroll I showed earlier in addition to the enchantment."
That worked for me.
I accepted the scroll he offered, tucked it into my bag, and followed Heinz as he led the way.
***
"Well now. Have you been well, Scarlet? It's time for your weekly lesson."
"Have you been well too, First Elder?"
"Of course. Haha, what work would I have? I've just been idling about. ...You look like you have something to say?"
"My, you're sharp. Actually, there's one favor I'd like to ask."
Scarlet smiled, saying it was fortunate their schedules aligned.
"Let's hear it."
...
"So you want me to arrange a meeting between this Aren fellow on the 27th floor and someone under your command? But how did you learn of this?"
"Come now. You know everyone turns a blind eye to communication orbs. You can be quite mischievous at times like this."
The First Elder stroked his beard.
"Hmm. Why should I grant this request? I have no reason to be discourteous to a guest of our School's mage. I'm not the type to abuse my authority."
"If you do this for me, I'll ask my father to pay more attention to the Earth School."
"Even if I say that, will it work? Conrad isn't that soft."
'Hehe, I never thought hiding my achievements bit by bit would come in handy like this.'
Scarlet clasped her hands in front of her and spoke.
"This is something even the First Elder hasn't seen before my father, so don't be surprised."
Whoosh. Crackle.
Shwaaaak!!!
A fierce white flame surged from her palm with violent force.
Fwoosh—
But it extinguished in less than ten seconds.
"Haaah. A bit dizzy. As expected, it's still very difficult. Did you see it clearly?"
The First Elder's eyes, which had witnessed that brief flame, bulged wide in a way that didn't suit his age.
"Heh, no matter how much you've been fed, how can you produce White Flame at that age!"
"How about it? This should be enough to convince my father—no, the Tower Lord, don't you think?"
"Very well. I'll make sure the meeting happens no matter what. I won't ask any questions, so don't worry."
Scarlet winked with one eye.
"I can't trust the others. You know that too, right? That stiff Second Elder, the Third Elder who looks ready to blab to the whole neighborhood, and the rest are all a bit... you know?"
"Haha! Indeed. Of course. Among the Elders, there's no one as steadfast and reliable as me! That's why I'm the authority on Earth-element magic!"
"Since you're granting my request, please give him something as well. And say a few kind words. Okay? Grandpa."
Watching Scarlet stick out her tongue and act cute while her eyes gleamed mischievously, the First Elder thumped his chest.
"Seeing your achievement, we can skip today's lesson. I'll summon him as soon as I go down. Whose guest did you say he was on the 27th floor?"
"Heinz. He said his name is Heinz."
"Got it. By the way, what's your relationship with this Aren fellow that you'd go this far?"
"Shh."
Scarlet placed a finger to her lips.
"Didn't you promise not to ask anything...?"
"Ahem. I was being too nosy. Already playing the wife. That fellow's blessed."
The First Elder stepped onto the warp magic circle in the center.
"Then I'll be off. If anyone asks why the lesson ended early, make something up."
"Yes. Have a good trip."
Flash!
"He's gone? Ugh. I'm tired. Oh right! This isn't the time for that."
Scarlet infused mana into the communication orb in her bosom.
Hum.
After a short wait, a woman's voice came from the other side.
—Oh? What's the matter during your lesson time?
"You still have that familiar I made, right?"
—Yes? Yes, I do.
"Then take it and go straight to the First Elder's side. After that, give the familiar to the man named Aren who's there, and gradually get closer to him. I mean narrow the distance."
—You want me to get close to a man? All of a sudden?
Scarlet let out a shallow sigh.
—Understood! Don't sigh, it's scary! Geez, my fate.
"Stop fooling around and go already."
—Yes yes. I'll report the progress when we connect tomorrow. Then.
Click.
After putting away the now-disconnected orb, Scarlet blushed and brought both hands to her cheeks.
Her breathing grew rougher.
"Haaah. Good. Now I'll finally be able to see his face, even if through a loophole."
Whoosh!
Flames began to rise, growing stronger with her emotions.
"For now, this is enough to satisfy me."
***
"Thank you for granting my unreasonable request. Heinz, you may return now."
The Elder of the Magic Tower and master of the Earth School was a dwarf?