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Chapter 13
Right now, every penny mattered to me. I didn’t have the luxury to just let people overcharge me.
‘Besides, I’ve got the sword Grandpa gave me.’
He said he’d protect me, but that only applied when I was at home.
‘There are times I have to move on my own, after all.’
I couldn’t keep summoning Gilbert to my house every time. That meant I’d have to go to him, and if Grandpa followed me each time, it’d be a huge problem.
I was still hiding the fact that I could make potions.
So I set a few ground rules with Grandpa — “no invading my privacy” — with an extra condition:
He must never follow me and never guard me outside.
‘Of course, he opposed it at first.’
But seriously, I couldn’t go to the guild with Grandpa tagging along, could I? In the end, he had no choice but to agree to my stubborn insistence.
Instead, Grandpa taught me some basic self-defense and magic. For someone like me, still awkward with magic, it was the best training possible.
And since Grandpa was a top-tier expert, my skills improved dramatically in just a few days.
‘He looked pretty surprised, too.’
He didn’t expect me to improve that much in just three days. Grandpa had this complicated expression on his face.
‘He doesn’t suspect me of being some weird prodigy or something, right?’
No, if he did, he would’ve asked outright. Grandpa wasn’t the type to hold back.
‘But why does he need so many potions, anyway?’
Did someone in his household fall ill?
Potions were usually miracle cures for wounds and internal injuries. For someone to need a large quantity of them, there had to be a serious reason.
‘Alright. That settles it.’
I’d practice hard and make a ton of potions for him before he left.
Sure, we had a contract, but honestly, it was a contract that benefited me way more.
If someone helps you, it’s only right to repay them somehow.
Since he refused money, I’d pay him back with lots and lots of potions!
‘Ah, this must be it.’
I double-checked the address Gilbert sent me and looked up at the sign.
Proud Angelo 483-1.
When I arrived before the massive building, my jaw dropped.
‘Whoa, no way.’
It was huge. I traced the towering marble structure with my eyes — even the staircase radiated luxury.
‘Maybe because he’s the guild master?’
Just how much money did he make? I’d heard Raymond was top-tier in Proud, but seeing it in person, the grandeur was something else.
So this entire building belonged to Gilbert?
‘Ugh, so jealous. Building owner goals!’
And just like that, I’d found my new role model.
“May I ask what brings you here?”
As I climbed the gleaming stairs, an attendant at the door asked politely.
I handed him the card Gilbert had sent me — a black background with a white serpent at its center.
The moment he saw it, his face went pale.
“M-my apologies for not recognizing an honored guest!”
‘Whoa. His whole attitude just flipped!’
It really hit me then how important Gilbert was.
“Please, this way!”
“Okay!”
Nice. This was definitely a story worth bragging about for the next ten years.
‘The inside’s just as fancy as the outside.’
Money really did make all the difference. I walked in, admiring the clean white marble floors and soft wool carpets.
Elegant artwork and sculptures filled every corner. There were guest rooms and tea tables arranged tastefully throughout.
‘Even if it weren’t for business, I’d still want to come here.’
It was the kind of place that made you want to linger — pleasing to the eye and full of refined warmth.
I walked along, taking everything in. Sure, I felt some curious stares, but—
After a week in Proud, my courage had toughened up considerably.
‘I can’t lose my nerve now.’
These were the very people who might buy my potions someday. If I looked timid, they’d take advantage of me instantly.
So I met their gazes head-on, chin raised proudly. Later, one of the staff told me that being personally escorted inside was a rare sight — that’s why everyone had stared.
A polite attendant led me to a door.
“The master is expecting you. Please, go right in.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed slightly. The attendant, looking strangely moved, bowed deeply in return.
‘Uh? Why’s he acting like that?’
I blinked as he hurried away, and then—
“Lady…”
“Waaah! Agh! You scared me!”
I clutched my chest, gasping. Seriously, he had appeared without a sound!
Peeking through the half-open door was Gilbert, his face ghostly pale.
“You—you okay? Why do you look like you’re dying…?”
“Haha…”
Gilbert gave a weak, colorless laugh.
‘What the heck?’
He looked like he could drop dead any minute.
Catching my breath, I glanced up at his ashen face. He took that as a cue to open the door wider.
“Wow, sir.”
Okay, I probably shouldn’t say this, but…
I scanned the mountain of papers piled up everywhere.
“You’ve really been buried in work, huh.”
“Thanks for noticing, Lady.”
Running a hand down his gaunt face, Gilbert stepped inside first. I followed, marveling at the towers of paperwork.
‘Did he seriously go through all of this?’
Unlike the lavish floors below, his office — the highest one — held only what was necessary: a desk, a sofa, maps, and endless documents.
‘So this is what it takes to make big money…’
Right then, I decided to change my role model again.
“Come sit. Do you want—”
“Orange juice.”
“Perfect. I like you even more now — same taste as me.”
Smiling faintly, Gilbert sat across from me on the sofa. He found a bell buried under the papers and rang it. A butler appeared almost immediately.
“You called, sir?”
“Two glasses of orange juice. And plenty of sweet cake and pastries.”
“At once, sir.”
The butler took off as if given a life-or-death mission.
“Um, can we even finish all that?”
“Hmm? Don’t worry, Lady. I love sweets.”
Pushing a pile of documents aside, Gilbert cleared space for the treats as the butler returned, setting everything neatly on the table.
The butler handed me my drink.
“Your juice, my lady.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I smiled, taking the glass, and the butler bowed politely before leaving.
Gilbert let out a tired sigh.
“I reviewed the sample you sent.”
“How was it?”
“…Honestly? It was incredible.”
He downed his juice in a few gulps, exhaling deeply.
“Even among high-grade potions, the effect can vary a lot depending on quality. But the one you made… just a sip worked almost instantly. Frankly, I’ve never seen such dramatic results.”
‘Knew it!’
My shoulders twitched in excitement.
‘Maybe I really am talented at this!’
If someone like the head of a top trading guild said that, it had to mean something. I sipped my juice with a lighter heart.
“So, you’ll accept my deliveries now?”
“Yes.”
Gilbert snapped his fingers.
From within the sea of papers, a sheet of parchment and a quill floated out.
They landed neatly on the table. Gilbert picked up the pen.
“But—there are two conditions.”
