Nest 1
Morning broke. Even at this early hour, quite a few people had already gathered in the inn's first-floor dining hall. After grabbing a simple breakfast from the innkeeper, Licht stepped straight outside.
How should I send it? In his hand was the letter he had carefully written the day before. All that remained was delivering it to the Barbalte Annex.
He had two options: using a messenger bird or hiring a person. Before long, Licht stood in front of the post office, but he halted just as he was about to enter.
No. Neither would work. The moment he sent it via a person, it would be blocked at the family's main gate. It was safe to assume there were no servants friendly toward Sebrik and Lena, who lived isolated in the remote Annex.
Messenger birds are the same. Barbalte was one of the kingdom's three ducal houses. And it wasn't far from El Sion. There would be plenty of direct routes, but none extending to the Annex tucked away in a corner of the estate. They would go to the main house at best.
...No choice, then. In truth, there was only one method left. After standing motionless for a while, gazing up at the building, Licht turned away.
***
Breaking through the main gate of Barte's Mage Tower was no great feat. Schult had given him one more item along with the letter of recommendation last time: a brooch engraved with the Barte insignia. And not just any—it bore the seal of an elder.
The two mages guarding the gate stepped aside immediately upon seeing it. They weren't the same ones from before, probably rotating shifts.
Up on the top floor of Schult's tower, Aila was sprawled on the sofa.
"Hey, Licht..." She replied weakly. Dark shadows ringed her eyes. She looked like she hadn't slept a wink.
Licht sat naturally across from her. "Schult?"
"...Teacher's downstairs. Said he had business."
The research lab, probably. He seemed deep into spatial magic studies. It had little to do with Licht, so he let it go.
"Anyway, what's up?" This was the first time Licht had come to her first, and she eyed him curiously. Her gaze was already fixed on the letter in his hand.
"This."
"......?"
"Can you deliver it?"
"A letter? To who?"
"To the Annex."
"Then use a messenger bird... Oh."
Aila trailed off. All messenger birds to Barbalte went through the main house. If that woman got her hands on it midway, it would be pointless. And Aila had a very convenient direct route named Aren.
Once she realized that, she asked curiously, "Sending the letter itself is no problem... but what's in it? Just a greeting?"
"Bringing them here."
"Bringing who? You don't mean..."
Her expression turned subtle.
"You're staying at an inn right now. Three people would be cramped there."
"How much are houses in El Sion?"
"City center starts at ten thousand gold minimum. That's for the smallest multi-family homes. Cheaper further out, but..."
El Sion was a massive city with over a million people. The central district centered around the Sage's Tower and the lord's castle. Prices dropped as you went outward.
Unlike other cities, even the mid-tier districts here had excellent security.
Which means they're that much pricier. The city's overall wealth meant even its commoners lived better than elsewhere. Licht mentally listed his house-hunting criteria: nearby shopping district, good security, ideally near a decent academy. The house itself could be nice too.
Have to compromise on one or two. Security was top priority—a place patrolled often by city guards, full of families with kids.
As Licht tapped his chin in thought, Aila, who had been humming thoughtfully, spoke up. "Give it here for now."
Licht handed over the letter without hesitation. She summoned a bird from the perch by Schult's office window and tied the paper with practiced ease.
"Money aside—we'll figure that out later—but leaving the Barbalte family is an issue in itself. Coming all the way to El Sion? Not my place to say, but camping or hiring a carriage sounds rough, right?"
Licht chuckled at Aila's words. Sebrik had been the butler with his mother since she left the family. No aura or magic, but he'd seen it all. He'd shared adventure tales from his past now and then. If anything, money might be the issue.
"They'll have money. Something from the head butler, probably. They can pack up the Annex. If not, I'll go myself..."
"Want me to send Aren?"
"What?" Licht furrowed his brow.
"Got a letter last night. Over there." She pointed to one side of the office. "Must've sent it before sneaking out without Aren. All from his dad..."
A stack of letters, not just one or two. Licht looked stunned.
"Contacted him?"
"Already did. Spent last night talking his dad out of coming himself..." That explained the hollow eyes. She sighed deeply and muttered, "He said he'd send Aren if you want. He's technically Barte faction, and it's been ages since he was last at the main tower. If he's coming anyway, he can swing by on the way. No need for money or going down to Britten for a carriage. Sound good?"
Aila puffed out her chest, proud of her idea. Licht stared blankly at her.
"......"
What was kindness without strings? It felt unfamiliar. He'd never received such pure goodwill from anyone but Sebrik and Lena.
Maybe embarrassed by his gaze, she asked, "Why? Not good? Or something else on your mind...?"
"Thanks."
"Yeah. Yeah...?"
Licht spoke with genuine sincerity. Did I hear that wrong? As Aila wondered, a sudden flare!
The spatial transfer magic circle in one corner of the office activated. A burst of white light swirled, revealing a mage.
"Heh heh. Was just about to contact you, and here you are. So, what's the matter?" Schult asked with a smiling face.
Licht stared at him for a moment before speaking. "...What?"
Schult's expression shifted to puzzled in an instant.
***
Not long after, Licht left the tower and walked through El Sion's central district. Besides the bundle from Rex, his pocket now held an extra money pouch.
The Markersy family really is wealthy. When Schult pondered his request to borrow money and asked why, Licht answered honestly. He lent a hundred gold without hesitation—a hefty sum, but pocket change for Schult.
Research funds from the Barte faction alone were substantial. No need for sponsoring families when the Markersys were rich enough. No reason to wear shackles.
Licht knew people like Schult well. Once they decided, they wouldn't budge. He'd seen potential in Licht, so he gave freely. That's why Licht had asked for the loan.
After wandering the main avenue, Licht stopped before his destination: a real estate office far from the center.
The door jingled open. "Welcome. Bern of Siegel Real Estate. Looking for something...?"
The broker, rising to greet him, froze. Tattered cloak, disheveled look. Too young under the hood to pass for a veteran mercenary. He sighed inwardly after a quick calculation. Kids playing around?
But Licht ignored it. Approaching close, he said, "Here for a house."
"Hoo... Sorry. No time for pranks. Please leave..."
Bern's eyes widened as he tried to shoo him away without hiding his annoyance. The Barte insignia brooch.
"Sent by Elder Schult."
"...This way, please. Forget my earlier rudeness."
Quick change. He guided Licht to a long table, offered a seat, and unrolled a large map.
"Here for a house, correct?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... Mind sharing your budget?"
"150 gold."
"150... 150 gold."
Tap tap. Drumming the table, he traced the map with a finger.
"Not buying, then—renting. Center's out, but mid-district has some decent options at that price. Got time? Want to see them now?"
Bern looked up. Licht nodded slightly, and he tidied up before standing.
Following Bern, Licht viewed several houses in his range—mostly small multi-family units. But at that price, each had flaws: far from shops, poor security despite mid-district, or rundown buildings.
"How about this one?"
"......"
"Sigh... Can't be helped. For Elder Schult's referral. This way—the last one."
When even his confident pick got a lukewarm reaction, Bern sighed long and showed the final house.
"What about this? Owner's desperate for cash—fire sale. Hard to find better at this price."
"This one..." Licht's eyes gleamed as he toured it. Cozy overall.
"South-facing, tall floors for great light. Shopping district three minutes' walk—one block over. Nearby Heyna Academy's big, so security's top-tier for mid-district."
Two bedrooms. Checking the kitchen after the living room, Licht opened the upper cabinet. Packed with dishes and tools—left by previous tenant or new?
Bern added, "Utensils and cookware all included. Bit of hype, but you could move in today, no hassle."
True enough. Most furniture was there. The open kitchen felt spacious—good flow for moving around.
Will Lena like it? She loved cooking, so probably.
Back to the living room, he opened the wide window. Bern, who'd snuck up, continued. "Small balcony too. Front yard's a plus over other multis—great for laundry or exercise."
"Price?"
"Hm, let's see... Sale 1,800 gold. You want rent, but with purchase option in six months: 120 gold deposit, 5 gold monthly. Possible?"
Licht gazed at the open yard and blue sky. Better conditions? Six months was plenty. 1,800 gold. Rent over buy due to current funds, but he'd buy if he could. No issue there. Even pricier than before, but far superior.
Shown due to Schult—not for just anyone. Owner called it a fire sale.
"Cheaper options exist... but mid-district edge. Security incomparable. Lots of families here—good folk."
"How old?"
"42 years this year. Near-new. Over half the central mansions are over a century."
"Built when the Great Sage lived."
"Exactly. El Sion's golden age. Still thriving."
Licht turned from the window. Heading to the kitchen, Bern placed paper and quill on the table.
"Well? Guarantee no broker finds better. Originally 1.5 times this price."
"Move-in when?"
"Staying nearby inn? Stick to terms, and today works. Looks like light baggage."
Sharp eyes. Licht's stuff was just clothes.
Sun's setting. Wandering delayed the day. Sunset light bathed the living room red.
"Contract?" Bern's voice was flat. Shown for Schult connection, not max commission.
No long deliberation. Licht closed his eyes, opened them, and picked up the pen.
***
Licht cleared his inn belongings. The contracted house needed nothing extra—fully equipped, as Bern said.
A week later. The day Sebrik and Lena arrived with Aren.
"Preliminaries are done. Bracket's set." Schult, who had suddenly summoned Licht to his top-floor office, said. "Opponent's Alex Bayar. 3rd Circle from the Vishark faction. Get the meaning?"
Shaking the paper in his hand, he grinned. "First sacrificial lamb to fall to your flick of the wrist."