Chapter 40: Meeting Sam

And so, the store was closed for that night and we were partying until late to celebrate the girls' debt being cleared. Although the negotiation hasn't happened yet.

Then I proceed to give them notes I wrote about how to improve magic without using magic resources. It was to improve their ability and living condition. If they grow stronger, they can also be a hunter and get money from missions.

Knowing that their living condition can be improved, they got extremely happy. With this, if my negotiation failed tomorrow, they can at least pay their debt by working as hunters during the day. But I'll try my best to have a successful negotiation.

It might be a good thing that their debts are all toward this Sam. Or maybe this is not a coincidence? I asked Ruby about Sam and she refused to answer me. She only said that I will know about Sam during the meeting.

And then, the party ended with the girls being so studious. Even Hannah's mother, Penny, is learning. Leaving only me and the two kids Hannah and Daniel since they haven't gotten their magic yet.

Everyone now went to their own rooms to study about their elements. Other than the common elements like fire, wind, earth, and ice, I also write about how to increase their magic by meditating. It's useful for everyone no matter what elements they have.

And that night I play with the kids until they sleep. I let the kids sleep on the bed while I slept on Blobbybed. Even Sophie who always come over, didn't come. I should have given them the notes tomorrow so I can sleep with companions tonight.

The next morning, I wake up and find that there's no one on the bed. Both kids somehow ended up moving to Blobbybed and use my body as a pillow. I carefully pick them up without waking them, and move them to the bed.

Then I went to the dining room to have a breakfast. And while having breakfast, everyone woke up and we're having breakfast together. Some of the girls asked me a question about my notes and I explained to them clearly. They are really studious.

Then as a morning routine, I left the city to exercise in the forest. I practice by myself, not with Victoria since there's a possibility of something happened tonight during the meeting with Sam, the moneylender. Or is it the mafia? Whatever the case, she's a little bit involved in the underground. That's why I choose her to be my business partner.

I finished my practice and returned to the city to find Kayla just arrived.

"Kayla! Hey!"

"Hmm? Roy! Just finished morning practice?"

"Yes. How about you? Still practicing rapier?"

"Of course. I finished practicing and come here as soon as I finished. I already told my family that I won't live in the village anymore. It's great to not having them talking about arranged marriage again. I also told them that I have a boyfriend and I won't return again."

"You won't miss them?"

"I won't. I didn't tell them that I'm pretty successful as a hunter although still a D-rank. If I do, they would asked me for money. I'm just glad I won't live with them anymore."

"Well, if that's what you want."

Then we walked together toward the school. As for Angela, we will meet her at school so it's fine to not care about her now.

"So you'll be looking for apartment after school with Angela?"

"That's the plan. Are you going to come with us looking for apartment?"

"No. I have a plan. I have a meeting with some mafia guy. And if you noticed, there's a guy following me since I entered the city. Must be one of his men."

"Hmm? I didn't notice at all."

"He's over there. Hiding behind that house. Hey!"

I waved my hand to the man who followed me. Then he looked surprised and pretend that he didn't see me.

"Wait here."

I asked Kayla to wait as I walked to the guy who followed me.

"Hey. I already noticed you since before I entered the city. If you pretend that you didn't see me after I waved my hand at you, I will be embarrassed."

"How did you notice?"

"That doesn't matter. Now that I gained a lot of attention because you pretended to not noticing me, the numbers of your people looking at me increased. How many people did Sam ordered to follow me?"

"…"

"So you won't answer. Well, that's fine. Just tell Sam I will meet her after school. And also tell everyone who followed me that if I greet them, they must not embarrass me by pretending to not know me just like you did. That was pretty embarrassing, you know? That's all I have to say. I'll be going to school now."

I left the man and returned to Kayla who doesn't have any change in her expression even after I told her I will have a meeting with a mafia.

"What kind of meeting will you have with that mafia?"

"Business kind. I'm looking for partnership with a win-win relationship. I'm just hoping that Sam will listen to me."

"What kind of business?"

"I will give Sam something for Sam to sell."

"What things?"

"Possibly, many kind of things."

"How will you get those things?"

"A hint. I'm an Air elemental mage."

"Hmm… I have a guess but I can't be sure yet. I'll just ask you tomorrow at school then."

We continued chatting until we reached the school.

At school we were told that the exam will start in three days. That was quick. Luckily, we have returned before the exam started. Even though we got delayed because I needed to kill one man.

"Roy!"

After school was over, Angela called me.

"Hmm? I thought you two are going to look for an apartment. You're looking for me?"

"Yes. I heard from Kayla that you have a business meeting with a mafia. Well, I don't need to care about that. I just want you to help me study for the exam."

"Hmm? I thought you're not choosing to attend college?"

"You said it before, right? That I can have more options if I graduate? I haven't thought about the future yet, but at least I want to have more options. That's why, help me studying!"

"I also ask the same. Help us studying. Please."

Out of nowhere, Kayla joined us.

"That's fine. You're looking for an apartment, right? Then after you found one, tell me where it is tomorrow. Then from tomorrow until the day of exam, we can study there. Of course if you want to study in a restaurant or somewhere else, that's fine. As long as you paid for the meal."

"Our apartment it is. Then see you tomorrow!"

How much do they hate the thought of treating me to a meal? I guess ordering ten serving is too much.

Now that the school is over, it's time to meet Sam.

I left the school and saw the person watching me from before. This time I waved my hand for a greeting and he waved back. And so I went to look for Sam with a good feeling in my heart.

Just a normal greeting can make you happy, but why is everyone doesn't know that? Instead of greet back, they choose to put up their guard? That's just sad.

Well, if they don't know the person who greeted them, it's obvious that they will put up their guard. Maybe I should introduce myself next time I greet a stranger.

I said that I'm looking for Sam. It was because none of his men are actually told me where to meet. But that's fine. If I follow the trail of the people who followed me, I'm sure I can find where he is.

Using my Divine Vision, I found the building where's Sam at in no time.

Before I entered the door, someone called out to me and said that he will bring me to Sam.

I followed the man to a room in the back.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw a man sitting on the sofa with a woman wearing maid uniform behind him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sam."

"No you're not."

I know because there's a hidden door in this room which will lead me to the real Sam. This guy is just one of Sam's subordinate.

"What are you talking about?"

I ignore this fake Sam and walked to where the hidden door is and kicked it open. The man and the maid were surprised to see that I know there's a hidden door behind the cabinet.

There's a stairs leading down to the basement where the real Sam is.

As soon as I entered a room in that basement, I was greeted by the real Sam.

"How did you know I was here?"

Sam asked with a deep voice. But I know that's just a pretense.

"I have a good eyesight. I also know that you're a woman. I guess it's not Sam from Samuel, but instead Sam from Samantha."

"What?!"

It was the man who pretended to be Sam who was surprised. While the maid only surprised to hear that I know Sam is a woman.

"Looks like that guy is in a lower position from that maid since she only surprised to hear that I know you're a woman. She must have known about it before we entered here.

Anyway, I come here for a talk. Let's talk about business."