The Black Mage Hates Landlords (1)
"Guess I should at least shoot her a text."
Raban, grabbing a hoe, a black plastic bag, a towel around his neck, and a backpack, looked for all the world like some neighborhood grandpa off to forage wild greens on the back mountain. And in a way, he was. His main goal was retrieving the erosion entity he'd neatly chopped up and hidden in the Black Forest in manageable sizes, but since he was heading there anyway, he figured he'd pluck some mugwort on the way to avoid raising suspicions. Who knew where those mascot imperialists might have their eyes planted?
Raban pulled out the phone Lux Tierra High School had given him as an emergency contact and staff welfare perk. He was reluctant to use it casually since it was likely tied to the mascots, but what could they do with overhearing a chat about foraging mugwort?
That should do it. Satisfied with his perfect message—stripped of any unnecessary fluff—Raban nodded.
Barely thirty seconds after sending, ding-dong! A reply came faster than expected.
Raban bobbed his head at Nai Hyun's texts. Putting in full punctuation, spaces, and periods every time like that.
That kid's got real writer's potential, doesn't she? It wasn't like she was talking to an elder, but that meticulous grammar adherence screamed hidden literary talent.
Maybe I should nudge her to try writing a novel sometime. This world's webnovels were way too genre-skewed. Magical girls dominated the cultural landscape with overwhelming presence. If she had the chops, he'd coax her into writing about wizards instead.
With that pointless resolution, Raban stepped out the door.
"Alright. Mugwort pancakes it is today."
"This is private property. Who might you be?"
"Uh."
Raban had been busted!
Raban generally tried not to judge people by appearances. For starters, when he got serious about magic, he shed the human form entirely. Sure, in situations where he poured everything into a single target instead of a swarm, he'd condense into a perfectly limbed human body—but that was less for any special reason and more because it was the shape he knew best.
From his old world, he'd learned to gauge threats, not beauty or ugliness. Exceptionally beautiful things were usually vicious. A lush apple tree with vibrant green leaves and tempting fruit on that red, repulsive soil? Nine times out of ten, it was a monster's lure like an anglerfish; the one exception was an apple itself that grew on soul-fertilized soil, luring victims to slaughter as a deranged killer tree. Anything just pretty got eaten early—survivors who stayed beautiful warranted caution. Oh, and the hideously ugly were dangerous too. Attracting eyes yet fending for themselves meant they were poison no one dared touch.
So even in this world, he resisted the mascots' looks and kept his suspicions sharp.
But...
This guy's suspicious as hell no matter how many times I look.
The 'landlord' before him was way too shady-looking. Neatly combed hair. Sharp eyes softened by round glasses, a blessed physique that made even a white suit look natural—objectively handsome. Yet it all combined into an explosion of suspicion.
Flawless skin, black gloves completing the OCD vibe, manic glint behind the lenses, every gesture of adjusting his glasses and hair screaming red flags.
"I'm Nachalsu. Feel free to call me Charles."
Specifically, he looked like the type who'd slick his hair back, toss the glasses, and declare 'I'll stand above the heavens' any second.
Raban shoved his biases aside and shook the proffered hand. The glove felt unpleasantly rough.
"Nice to meet you. I'm... staff at Nai Hyun's school."
"Ah, you're the teacher from Nai Hyun's school."
"Not a teacher. More like temp hire."
A gentle, probing smile. So blatantly suspicious. Normally, Raban would've shrugged it off as 'poor guy's struggling with society.' But this was a Na Ju Pharma survivor. The Black Forest encircling Nai Hyun's home was the sole gap in Hikarius City's mascot barrier. True owner of this magical hotspot. How could he not stay wary?
"Huff, huff... Seriously. This place is on high ground—too annoying to bike up...!"
Nai Hyun had rocketed out of the dorm on her bike at full speed after one text. From her uncle. He'd finally made it back to Hikarius City after ages. Post-Na Ju Pharma dissolution, Uncle Charles had wandered the world doing volunteer work. He dropped by his hometown occasionally, but always vanished as abruptly, so she often learned after the fact. Advance notice like this was rare.
Truth be told, that alone wouldn't have her pedaling like mad. Uncle would just chill inside with his phone if she was late. But with that mister in the Black Forest...
Uncle Charles had a name evoking hearty corn, but a prickly temper to match. He'd bicker with family nonstop—back in her clueless kid days, only she could hang with him. Post-incident, he'd mellowed, striking first less often, but people didn't change easy. He might call the cops on the mugwort mister without blinking.
And if poor mister got pinched for trespassing, those dark circles would balloon.
"Seriously. No one picks up their damn phones."
Shed called both multiple times—no answer. Assuming they'd met, Nai Hyun smashed her homebound record and screeched into the yard. There they were, arguing in the front.
She yelled,
"Uncle! That mister's kinda pathetic but not a bad guy!"
"Aigoo, Nai Hyun. Mind your manners with grown-ups."
"Calling me pathetic? That hurts."
The adults united in scolding her. Nai Hyun's brow twitched. Somehow... more chummy than expected.
"I love mugwort pancakes. Saw some thriving last time."
"Oh, me too. Come inside instead."
They're... hitting it off? Nai Hyun tilted her head at the inexplicably buddy-buddy pair.
"Nai Hyun. Take this."
"Huh? What's up, mister?"
"Mugwort I picked here."
"...I suck at cooking."
"Yeah? I'll make pancakes later and drop 'em at the dorm for you and the kids."
Raban casually asked to use the kitchen; Nai Hyun numbly nodded. Humming, he prepped to boil the greens. Uncle plopped in the living room, flicked on the TV. Sink water ran. Daily noises dueted in her ears.
Screw it. Let the adults sort themselves—they'll make food eventually.
Post-tension crash left her drained, everything annoying. She chucked her bag in her room for a nap when—
"Nai Hyun."
"What, mister."
"Is that guy the one who left you the villa?"
Casual as you please. But Nai Hyun was a magical girl—sensitive to malice. Beneath Raban's words swirled dark intent. Dense hostility even villains shied from.
Why's mister suddenly...? He was usually chill, bantering back slyly. Complained about counseling but listened closer than anyone once inside. No reason for this sticky, sharp ill will.
Then it clicked—Uncle's old position. The situation.
Mister Raban: mana disaster amnesia victim. Hikarius's latest? Na Ju Pharma wipeout. And Nachalsu was a Na Ju exec.
"Mister. Hold up. You're not gonna stab uncle, right...?!"
Raban's head filled with question marks.
"Why would I stab him? I just..."
'...got royally pissed at his very breath.'
Raban replayed the chat.
Haha, having tons of land's a hassle too. So many houses—even dropping by weekly, a year flies. Oh, got some for pets. Four now; watching them tussle is cute. Tenants call thanking for cheap rent—didn't even know I owned the place. What's money without helping others? Set up a scholarship foundation and all.
Slipping good deeds into boasts to neuter smears. Masterclass deception impossible in a day or two.
Did I let on how grated I was?
Raban rubbed his temple.