Chapter 5: Greedy Master

Expert… wow, Nor thought, continuing to look through the profiles of the other mercenaries with even more interest.

Soon, a new window appeared before his eyes.

Oh, the Dormund Empire… I've never met anyone from there before. How interesting, Nor thought.

But just as Nor was about to move on to the next mercenary, Kate approached him together with a man.

— This is Mister Nor, — Kate said, addressing the man. — The Vice-Captain asked you to help him specifically.

After that, she returned to the reception desk.

Nor looked up and saw a man of average height with gray in his hair, staring at him with an attentive, almost assessing gaze.

— My name is Nor, — he quickly said, rising from his chair and extending his hand for a handshake.

— Chuck, — the man replied, firmly shaking his hand.

After that, he sat down across from Nor.

While Chuck was settling into his chair, Nor decided to open his status.

Master?!

Nor was even more surprised than when he had seen the Lords. He knew almost nothing about Lords, but he had heard countless legends about Masters.

Then his gaze moved to the age.

Damn… almost a hundred years old?! He's older than my grandfather was… And yet he looks fifty at most…

Noticing that Nor was just silently staring at him, Chuck decided to start the conversation first.

— So, what did Orlan ask me to help you with? — he asked, resting his head on his hand and looking at Nor with a neutral expression.

— W-well… I came here to find a teacher, so I could learn how to sense mana…

Seeing that Chuck didn't react at all, Nor quickly added:

— I can pay!

Hearing that, Chuck immediately perked up a little.

— How much?

— Well… here…

Nor took out two gold coins and placed them on the table.

But before they could even touch the surface, Chuck snatched them up instantly.

— Deal! — he said sharply, immediately taking out a magnifying glass and starting to examine the coins.

Nor couldn't believe his eyes.

Sitting in front of him was an almost hundred-year-old Master, looking at two gold coins with visible delight, as if they were the greatest treasure in the world.

Noticing Nor's stare, Chuck gave a fake cough and quickly slipped the gold into his pocket.

— Well then… — he began, straightening up. — To be honest, I was planning to help you for free. But seeing your sincerity, I've become even more interested.

He stood up from the table.

— Meet me tomorrow at the guild entrance. Eight in the morning.

After saying that, Chuck turned around and briskly headed upstairs, quietly fiddling with the gold coins in his pocket.

Nor remained seated at the table, watching him leave with an empty stare.

— …What just happened?