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Chapter 25
“Haaahm.”
After a long yawn, I picked up the note Grandpa had left behind.
There’s stew and bread in the pot. Once the sun sets, don’t go anywhere—stay inside the house.
P.S. If you’re doing well when I get back, I’ll bring you a cake.
— Wiz
“…‘Bring you a cake,’ he says.”
Does he think I’m a kid?
“Heehee, but I like cake.”
I’m fifteen years old—still a child with bright dreams and hopes, apparently!
After setting the note down, I walked to the kitchen and opened the pot lid.
Just like the note said, a creamy potato stew filled the pot.
“Grandpa’s really got a heavy hand.”
At this rate, I could eat for three whole days.
I quietly covered the pot again and moved to the living room sofa.
“He said he was going out in the evening…”
Did his appointment get moved up? I didn’t expect him to leave this early.
He said he’d be back around dawn or morning, so I’d be alone until then.
“Sigh. What do I even do today?”
If the guild were open nearby, I’d go there, but it was already afternoon. By the time I got back, it’d be dark.
Maybe I’ll just go for a walk?
It was only two in the afternoon. A short walk wouldn’t hurt.
I could grab something sweet on the way and borrow a few books to read.
After roughly planning out my day, I grabbed my keys and stepped outside.
“What a nice day!”
It had been gloomy yesterday, but now the sun was bright and warm—perfect for a walk.
Feeling naturally cheerful, I walked briskly toward the bakery.
“Oh my, Amelia! You’re here!”
“Hello!”
The lady standing in front of the bakery smiled brightly.
“You didn’t come the last couple of days—I was starting to worry something happened!”
Her words might’ve sounded like a normal greeting, but… yeah, I knew what she meant.
She thought I’d died or something because I hadn’t shown up in two days.
Ugh, creepy.
That’s just how people in Proud greet you, apparently. Shivering, I rubbed my arms and forced a smile.
“I just had somewhere to go. You still have Kate and muffins left, right?”
“Of course! Who in this town doesn’t know I bake fresh in the morning and afternoon?”
“Of course, everyone knows!”
It was true—this bakery was known across Angelo as the safest and tastiest one in town.
No wonder it was popular enough to bake twice a day.
I happily opened the door and—
“Oh, my lady?!”
“……”
—quietly closed it again.
“What’s wrong? Is something inside?”
“Hehe, no, I just remembered I needed to buy something else first, so I’ll come back…”
At that moment—
“My lady!”
The door burst open.
“Oh, heavens, what a coincidence!”
With eyes sparkling like a puppy’s, Maytal greeted me enthusiastically. My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I swallowed my tears.
“Y-yeah, what a coincidence indeed…”
Why on earth are they here…?
The entire outdoor terrace had been rented out, so we were the only ones around.
And in the middle of that peaceful scene—
“You came here for cake?”
“Yes. As you can see.”
Maytal pointed at the plates stacked in front of the young man.
“Our lord here is absolutely obsessed with cakes.”
“I’m not obsessed.”
“He says he’s not, but he really is. You saw last time, didn’t you? He piles sweets like a mountain.”
Maytal whispered like it was a top-secret confession. Felix’s face twisted with irritation even at that hushed tone.
I swallowed nervously and picked up my fork.
“I heard this place has the best bakery in Angelo, right? I can see why it’s so popular.”
“They say they use only the finest ingredients here.”
I managed to reply weakly and took a bite of the chocolate cake Felix (well, Maytal, really) had practically forced on me.
Still… it’s delicious…
Life always feels better with a little sugar in your blood. I was reminded of that truth again as I happily devoured the cake.
“But…”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Did you really just happen to be passing by?”
“E-excuse me?”
Maytal blinked, clearly flustered.
Suspicious. Very suspicious.
I tensed up and cautiously glanced at Felix. He met my eyes—then quickly looked away.
Hmmm.
That only made it more suspicious.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. Then Felix suddenly turned back to me.
“You.”
“Eek!”
That startled me!
I looked at him nervously.
“Y-yes…?”
“What deal did you make with Gilbert?”
“Deal?”
Felix blinked slowly. It was the kind of look that said, don’t even think about lying.
Okay, so he doesn’t know what I actually do… yet.
If he did know, he wouldn’t be asking what the deal was—he’d be asking why I made it.
Better to keep my mouth shut.
I quickly came to that conclusion and set down my fork.
“Let’s just say it’s a mutually agreed-upon… contractual relationship.”
Felix gave me a look that clearly translated to stop talking nonsense.
“But it’s true…”
Jeez, what an unfair world.
I wanted to explain more, but that was all I could safely say.
If it comes to it, Gilbert can smooth things over himself.
Even though Felix was the heir of the powerful Cazliden family, I had to keep my word. We’d agreed to keep my identity hidden, and that meant sticking to the plan.
Felix didn’t look convinced.
Well, that’s understandable.
Raymond was one of the hardest guilds to enter in the entire empire. Every member’s identity was strictly protected.
So even if he didn’t like me, there wasn’t much he could do about it.
“That’s impressive,” Maytal said sincerely after hearing my explanation.
Felix shot his lieutenant a chilly glare, but Maytal—
Wow, this guy’s got guts.
He just smiled as if he didn’t even notice the daggers Felix was glaring at him. I was honestly impressed.
“Thank you for the compliment,” I said, smiling.
“Not at all. As you know, Sir Gilbert is quite free-spirited and particular. For him to personally scout you means you must possess exceptional talent and ability.”
That part matched exactly what Roten had told me before. Feeling flattered, I couldn’t help but grin.
Then it came—
“Then, what circle are you?”
“…!”
Ah. There it is. The question I’d been dreading!
“Hmm.”
Stay calm.
In the Empire of Riumbel, mages are divided into three general ranks: high, intermediate, and low. But those were just rough categories.
The more precise measurement was the “Circle” system.
Think of it like a video game’s leveling system—starting from 1st Circle (the lowest) to 8th Circle (the highest).
An 8th-Circle mage was considered an Archmage, a once-in-a-century genius.
Normal people are around 1st or 2nd Circle, right?
Still, since Gilbert scouted me personally, being too average would look bad.
I’d never actually tested my level, but I was… decently talented, probably.
“Could it be you’re over 5th Circle?”
“Yes!”
Nice. A little exaggeration never hu— wait.
“…Yes?”
Um, which circle did he say again?
