Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 215
>Chapter Title: Already Got a Job?
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Evelyn’s sudden change in attitude left me stunned for a moment.
But I quickly pulled myself together.
“You okay?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
I’d figured she’d be down in the dumps for a while.
Did she notice my gaze? Evelyn slurped the coffee she’d bought with *my* money and flashed an “ah” smile.
“I’ve gotta eat to live, right?”
Ah, right. Of course.
I’d forgotten she was flat broke right now.
‘Guess desperation makes you tough.’
Anyway, it wasn’t a bad thing for me.
No, it was actually great.
If Evelyn bounced back and could help, that’d be perfect.
But first, there was something I needed to clear up.
“About that commission.”
“Oh, I’m really confident I can do a good job. Not as good as when I had the Goldrin name backing me, but still…”
“No, that’s not it. You said you’d give me a discount since we’re friends, right?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Doesn’t being friends mean an even bigger discount?”
“……?”
Evelyn tilted her head for a second.
But it didn’t last.
It didn’t take long for her eyes to change.
“Aster, you’re not seriously thinking of pulling some cheap trick like putting the relic’s ownership under your name just to dodge the commission, are you?”
What kind of look was that?
She looked like a robber with a knife.
What did she even take me for?
“No, the relic *is* mine…”
“I’ll hear you out.”
I had to spend a good chunk of time proving to Evelyn that the relic really belonged to me.
She only dropped her suspicions after I pulled one out of my subspatial pocket to show her.
“Fine… I’ll believe you for now. But where did you get that relic…?”
“Stuff happened over break. It’s not stolen, so relax.”
“Stolen would actually be better.”
“……?”
“Stolen goods mean a higher commission.”
Ah, yeah. Sure.
My throat felt inexplicably dry, so I quenched it with coffee. Evelyn did the same with the coffee bought on *my* dime.
Anyway, enough small talk.
“So, I need to sell this relic. You up for handling it?”
“Yeah, if possible. I’m confident I can do way better than if you sold it yourself. Even after my cut.”
Got it.
“So, you gonna trust me with it?”
“Yeah, sure.”
It wasn’t a hard decision.
If Evelyn had been fine from the start, I’d have handed it to her anyway.
Just one worry, though.
“But you sure you’re okay?”
“With what?”
“Goldrin won’t get in your way?”
“……Ah.”
Had I poked a sore spot?
Evelyn’s face visibly darkened.
But if I wasn’t going to give her the job, fine—but since I was, we had to address it.
‘From what I heard, the succession fight was brutal.’
Even that secretary’s betrayal—I figured it was her brother’s scheme.
In other words, she was up against someone ruthless enough to crush a rival who’d lost everything and fled, leaving no chance for a comeback.
Would a guy like that sit idly by if Evelyn showed up in merchant circles again?
‘Not if it were me, that’s for sure.’
If I were him, I’d pull every string to bury her.
Wouldn’t be hard.
A family like Goldrin had influence everywhere in Hazen’s markets. Just a word to the right merchants, and done.
Actually, no need for that.
‘She can’t even leave Hazen in her state anyway…’
Just grip Hazen’s trade tight. Easy.
Did that realization hit her late?
Evelyn’s eyes twitched, and she shook her head vigorously. Soon after, she spoke.
“I… have a plan for that.”
“A plan?”
“Not every merchant’s under Goldrin’s thumb. Some from the other big three houses… They won’t look kindly on me, but no choice. Bitin was great at this stuff…”
Evelyn trailed off with a bitter smile.
Yeah, I’d kinda guessed that approach.
Just curious what she’d think.
Turns out people think alike—her plan wasn’t much different from mine.
“Hmm, I see.”
So, what now?
I pondered for a bit.
Did she misread my silence?
The bitterly smiling Evelyn suddenly turned away and raised her voice.
“I! I’m really confident I can do it well! Just give me one shot. Of course… if you wanna go to a pro, no reason to pick me…”
She tried to sound upbeat but trailed off.
I shook my head firmly.
“No, how could I trust some random broker?”
“Huh? Why not trust a broker?”
“How do I know they won’t screw me? I don’t trust ’em. Especially with relics.”
Worst case, to an outsider, valuing a relic is arbitrary—looks like earrings on ears or nose rings on noses.
Why hand it to some stranger?
And after hearing her story, if I brought her in, I’d already decided to weather any Goldrin interference.
Sure, not sure yet if she’s tower material, but a little setback like that? Worth it.
My actual concern?
This.
“What if we sell it on the black market?”
“……Huh?”
“I heard there’s a Black-White Slums near Hazen. Gotta have a black market there, right?”
“Yeah, but… why go black market?”
“No real reason.”
Thinking ahead: after selling, I’d hole up in the Black-White Slums for a while. No need to shop around Hazen.
Might as well make connections in the slums’ black market now.
“Black market would dodge Goldrin interference, sure…”
“They’ll lowball the price since it’s shady?”
“Not always. No taxes, so sometimes the difference is small.”
Right.
Decision made.
“Let’s sell the relic on the black market.”
“Really? No, even so…”
Evelyn trailed off, unconvinced, then spoke with a dark expression.
“Hey… if it’s because of me, you don’t have to. I can introduce a reliable broker. Commission’s enough for me…”
Thinking it was for her sake, she stuck to her guns.
Honestly… I was a bit surprised.
‘Is this really Evelyn?’
The same one who’d try planting a seed of evil in the academy for her gain—now thinking of others in her own pinch?
…Yeah, personality check: pass.
Alright, time to lay it out.
I steeled myself, looked at Evelyn, and spoke.
“Hey, wanna do one job with me?”
“……Huh?”
“Let’s start a business together. We’ll use the relic money for startup cash. Black-White Slums means no legal hassle, right?”
“No… age laws aside, it’s not no hassle—it’s just they can’t enforce it…”
“Tch, whatever. So, you in? Or out?”
Details didn’t matter.
Only one thing: step into the lawless Black-White Slums together or not.
“Need time to think?”
Evelyn raised a palm—hold on.
Then she chewed the straw of her *my-money* coffee, deep in thought.
How much time passed?
She chugged the rest, whipped her head around, and glared at me.
“I’m in.”
“For real? Once you’re in, no easy out. Could get dangerous. Not just business on my mind.”
“Not just business…?”
“I’ll explain later. You could bail on anything beyond business, if you want.”
Not gonna lie.
This wasn’t just about business. I was thinking farther ahead.
Depending, if Hazen’s Black-White Slums worked out, I’d make it my base.
The Magic Tower’s foundation.
My first step to change the future.
Did she read my eyes?
Gulp.
Evelyn looked at me tensely.
After a moment.
Her mouth opened.
“Dunno what you’re planning, but I’ll try it. Anything beyond business… I can decide then, right?”
“You know expulsion’s on the table if caught?”
“……At this rate, I might not make next semester anyway.”
“Not bad.”
“……Huh?”
“Nah, nothing. Anyway…”
I smiled brightly and offered a handshake.
Evelyn gripped my hand with her free one—not holding the *my-money* coffee.
“Please to work with.”
“……Same here.”
Our hands clasped tight.
‘Slave… no, friend acquired.’
…Quite the detour, but not bad.
* * *
That’s how I parted with Evelyn.
We’d hash out business details later—probably meet again tomorrow.
After, I spent hellish time with Teheman sunbae as usual, then slipped into the dorm through the window.
But.
‘Pola again today?’
Lights-out long past, yet Pola’s bed still empty.
Lately, no clue what he’s up to—never seen him come in on time.
Bed’s messy in the morning, so he does return, but I can’t remember seeing his face.
‘Not my business.’
Finished showering and heading out when I heard movement.
Pola.
Just climbed in the window? It was cracked open. I shook my head, heading to bed, and tossed out a casual question.
“What’re you doing?”
“……!”
He jolted, fixing his clothes.
I smirked at his outfit.
“Already got a job?”
“……?”
“Nah, you look like a night prowler.”
Night prowler meant thief.
Slipping in late every night, hopping windows—blurted it out.
But why?
“Not your business.”
Normally he’d coldly ignore, but he snapped back, turned away, and ducked into the shower.
I stared at his back, tilting my head.
‘What? For real?’
His reaction earlier…
When he came out before.
‘Bandages, right?’
Faint blood scent now tickling my nose.
Unnoticed unless focused, but once I did—blood hung in the air.
Thought he was with a mercenary band.
Gone full merc? Side gig?
‘Tch, whatever.’
I shook off thoughts of Pola. Not my problem.
He’d handle himself.
Lying in bed, lights out.
One thought crossed my mind.
‘Lock the window starting tomorrow?’
Curious, actually.
Our unspoken rule: never lock the window. Wonder how Pola’d cope if I did.
I could magic my way in, but he couldn’t.
‘Tch, whatever.’
End of Pola thoughts.
Eyes closed, off to sleep.
‘Anyway, roped in Evelyn nicely…’
Next, need muscle… er, friends. Where to find the right ones?
No riffraff.
…Thus, a night of worries deepened.
And so, a week later on the weekend.
“Aster, let’s go.”
“Yeah, let’s.”
I headed to the Black-White Slums with Evelyn.