Chapter 183
Translator: uly
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Give and Take #2
“Well, how about it? I think this is sufficient compensation. I don’t know much about mana, but surely your power to see the future has grown substantially enough?”
As various emotions swirled within me from the text that had appeared before my eyes, Serazade spoke to me in a soft voice.
Only then did I realize that this situation was a transaction.
Oh no, this is bad.
People generally live in groups.
From families, expanding to villages or societies, and ultimately forming nations on a larger scale.
I had thought that on an even grander scale, the zeitgeist of humanity as a species might intertwine.
Regardless of gender or era, if I had to pick one crucial aspect of human relationships, I’d say give and take.
You receive as much as you give, and give as much as you receive.
That’s fairness.
I boldly suspect that much of the problems between people in human society arise because this fair relationship isn’t formed.
In that sense, I had just received a significant compensation.
To avoid any backlash, I needed to pay Serazade something equivalent to the Clear Oil I had consumed.
The problem was that she craved knowledge of the future from me, and I had no satisfying vision to offer.
I was too reckless.
I had originally planned to refuse.
But when she presented that pure white droplet, I couldn’t hold back, as if it were a gift I’d waited my whole life for.
Just as a protein-deficient body craves meat, my mana-starved body had devoured the Clear Oil.
“Hmm—.”
I let out a deliberate groan.
Information about the future? I could just give her what I knew. Putting on a grave air, as if sharing something profoundly serious, I began.
“Aren’t there walls piled up all around Turki?”
“Indeed. Long walls fill the surroundings of Turki. When our ancestors built those barriers, everyone called them mad, but we reaped the benefits handsomely in the last war.”
Around the small kingdom of Turki were walls infused with magical energy. When the old king built them, everyone pointed fingers, saying, “Is this really necessary?”
Yet when the Demon King Angmar led his forces to invade Turki, he suffered repeated defeats against those sturdy barriers.
It was the moment when the foresight of Turki’s ancient king was vindicated.
“Few will be able to breach those long walls in the future either. They have become Turki’s pride itself.”
“True. Unless there are flying beings from the sky.”
“The sky?”
“Yes. It wouldn’t be wise to rely solely on the walls’ perfection.”
“Is that a prophecy?”
At Serazade’s question, a description of Turki flashed in my mind: reduced to ruins by sky-flying monsters, curtly evaluated.
Since it might happen someday, could it be called a prophecy?
“A future I’ve already observed. It might change from this point onward, but it’s still something that could occur again someday.”
“The sky, huh—.”
Serazade placed a hand on her pointed, slender chin, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. In this world without fighter jets, it might sound utterly absurd.
The most dangerous sky-flying entities were high-level mages at best.
From what I knew, flight magic required extremely complex calculations, demanding at least 6th Circle mastery. Thus, invaders from the sky were rare.
Even if Serazade scoffed, “What nonsense—!”, I’d have no retort. Surprisingly, she seemed to take my odd tale seriously.
My name value, perhaps?
Rumors of me as a famous shaman made anyone believe what I said earnestly.
Even skeptics of prophecy would start paying subtle attention to the sky they’d ignored, if a renowned shaman warned, “Beware the skies!”
Good.
She’s buying it.
“If it’s the sky, specifically? Can’t you tell me more?”
“Well... that far, I...”
“I see. The sky. I’ve never even given it a thought. Then, one more question. Actually, this is the more important matter.”
“One more?”
“Yes. And it would be best if you keep what passes between us absolutely secret.”
She was laying it on so thick. I couldn’t help but tense up. I just wanted to escape this as soon as possible.
Finally, Serazade asked.
“When will my height grow more? Surely you’re not saying I’ve already stopped growing? It would be wise to tell me the truth.”
“Hmm.”
Relief mixed with empathy. Height matters. She seemed curious if she still had room to grow.
“Aren’t you beautiful enough already? Why ask such a thing?”
“Because Turki’s solemn ancient laws allow only women who’ve grown beyond a certain size to marry and form families! I’m barely scraping by.”
“...I see.”
“Is there no way to grow just 3cm more? At this rate, I might have to choose one of Kasim’s children as my heir!”
Serazade looked desperate. Understandable—she’d barely claimed the throne and naturally wanted to marry, bear heirs, and pass it to her own children.
But I didn’t know how to grow taller.
If I did, I’d have done it myself.
Still, her earnestness stirred my guilt from gulping the Clear Oil earlier, so I racked my brain for any help.
“How about drinking lots of milk and going to bed early?”
“I’ve tried that! I’ve had growth plate massages and all the recommended remedies. My health improved, but my height didn’t budge...”
“I see.”
As royalty, she’d surely tried all the common-sense advice I could offer.
In that case, my advice had to be nonsense—spiritual, mystical, unverified.
But as a shaman, I had few plausible lines.
“How about falling in love?”
“Falling in love?”
“Have you heard tales of girls blossoming into women through love? Becoming more beautiful and radiant?”
“......”
Unhappy with my answer, Serazade fell silent. As I tensed, she nodded, murmuring, “Indeed.”
“Indeed, I’ve heard such stories myself.”
Of course. Love releases endorphins and dopamine in women, maintaining physical allure in various ways.
Even without that, lovers find psychological stability, overflowing with vitality in all tasks, potentially aiding growth.
...Though whether it makes you taller, who knows.
“Anyway, that’s all I can tell you.”
Fearing she’d pry into thornier topics, I quickly wrapped up. Luckily, we were both busy, so the talk ended there.
As I rose, opened the door, and stepped out, another thought crossed my mind.
This ark was riddled with Solomon’s magic circles everywhere, spawning massive ants, wasps, beetles, and beasts in the dungeon.
Some growth-promoting magic circle, apparently.
Should I mention it? Not knowing Solomon’s ancient archmage spells’ effects, I kept silent.
“Then, Lady Serazade. It was an honor to meet you.”
Bowing as I turned to the corridor, she called, “Theo Gospel.” Expecting more, I paused, and she said.
“Would you consider coming to Turki’s palace? I’ll pay generously. Whatever Queen Aira offers, I can give a half-fairy like you several times more.”
“...That’s—”
As I opened my mouth, Serazade raised her palm.
“I won’t hear your answer now.”
“......”
“I’ll stay another week. Think seriously until the duel trial ends and your duties are resolved.”
* * *
Out on the street, I felt utterly refreshed.
Not just mentally lighter—my body felt clean, fresh as if newborn.
Like strolling a forest path, inhaling the sweet morning dew after a night rain. My recent stiff back and neck felt washed away, mind clear.
This is Clear Oil’s power.
Nice.
I’d love a few more. But she’d demand even greater payment, so I’d hold off, regrettably.
I had nothing left to offer for such priceless elixirs. Even my earlier lame prophecies and advice shamed me.
Better avoid entanglements now.
Still, a scouting offer from her. Even multiples of Aira’s pay?
Tempting, but as I said, the world’s rule is give and take. Accept big, give big.
I lacked such capacity, and discovery might enrage her: “You deceived me—! A total fraud—!” and off with my head.
......
Definitely refuse.
With that thought, I headed to my dorm. I needed alone time to ponder much.
Topping my interests: Mage level 10.
The new job change options from reaching 5th Circle were irresistible.
Job change.
A bit childish, but it felt like a game, visible progress exciting me.
Clunk.
I’d arrived at my dorm.
At the 5th-floor door, I noticed something off.
The seal I’d taped in the door gap was gone.
Another intruder.
「Calm Situation Assessment!
You gain experience via Talent 《Calm Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
Who?
Elga? Miss Mirna? Or Stella Bellhawk back from somewhere?
Whoever, breaking in again. Preparing for possible assassins, I drew my wand.
Thus, the door creaked open.
On the bed sat none other than Aira. I hastily lowered my aimed wand, flustered.
“Lady Aira, what brings you to my room again?”
This wasn’t the first time, but still.
Aira eyed me with narrowed gaze.
“Theo, where have you been that you’re only coming back now?”