Silence fell over the yard of the humble house. The afternoon sun, beginning to tilt towards the west, cast long shadows, but in the center of the yard, the glittering light from the pile of treasure seemed to challenge the twilight.
Ten elite assassins, usually cold, calculating, and emotionless, now stood frozen. Their eyes widened, staring at the pile of pure magic crystals and gold jewelry that had just spewed out from the dimensional rift created by Arvin. They were confused. Their hands trembled, not out of fear, but out of deep hesitation.
"This..." one of the assassins swallowed hard, his voice choked. He tried to reach for an S-grade magic crystal but pulled his hand back as if afraid of getting burned. "Young Master, we cannot choose."
"Why?" Arvin asked, raising an eyebrow, slightly confused by their hesitation. "Is it not enough?"
"No, Young Master! Quite the opposite!" the assassin answered honestly, cold sweat trickling down his temples. "All the items you brought out are luxury goods of High-Grade quality. Just one small magic crystal in this pile is worth our salary for five years. How can we take it for just one year's payment? We feel unworthy!"
They were mercenaries with a code of ethics. Taking more than their due would hurt their professional pride. They were used to being paid with gold coins, not national treasures.
Arvin was stunned for a moment, then said to him, "Alright then!"
With an elegant snap of his fingers, Arvin closed most of the dimensional rift.
Zap!
The pile of gold, jewelry and a lot magic crystal was sucked back into the void, leaving only one magic crystal the size of an adult's fist. The crystal floated down to his palm, glowing beautifully.
"Alright, then let me handle it myself." Arvin decided. He stored the rest of the treasure away. "I will sell this crystal in the capital. The proceeds will definitely be more than enough to pay all of you and fund the logistics for the trip tomorrow. You can share the remainder as a contract signing bonus."
Gaile, who had been silently observing Arvin's unreasonable magic abilities, finally couldn't hold back anymore. Curiosity overcame his reluctance towards his new master.
"Young Master..." Gaile stepped forward a bit, his eyes staring sharply at the blue crystal in Arvin's hand. "Forgive me if I am presumptuous. But where did you get this much treasure? Dimensional space magic without an artifact, and magic crystals with such ancient purity... That is not something that can be bought in any magic shop. Even a Duke's wealth wouldn't likely be stored carelessly in a student's dimensional pocket."
Arvin turned, looking at Gaile with a flat expression. "It was a gift from someone."
"Someone?" Gaile frowned, his curiosity becoming more urgent. "Who is that person? What is their purpose in giving this much treasure to you? What is the return? I'm just worried you are involved with dangerous parties, Young Master."
Arvin fell silent. His gaze turned cold, piercing straight into Gaile's eyes. The atmosphere in the yard suddenly dropped a few degrees.
"Gaile..." Arvin's voice was low but full of emphasis. "I promised that person to keep my mouth shut tight. I swore to keep their identity, location, and reason for giving all this treasure a secret."
Gaile flinched but still tried to open his mouth, "But Young Master—"
"Enough!" Arvin cut him off sharply. An intimidating aura emanated from his body.
Arvin took a step forward, making Gaile reflexively step back.
"Are you trying to provoke me into leaking a secret I have kept?" Arvin asked, his tone now sounding dangerous. "Do you intend to make me a dishonorable man who breaks his own promise, Gaile?! Do you want me to be a liar and a traitor to my word?!"
Gaile widened his eyes in shock. He realized his mistake. He had just questioned his master's integrity.
"N-No, that's not what I meant, Young Master!" Gaile immediately bowed in panic. "I didn't mean to make you break your promise. I just..."
"Then keep your mouth shut about my wealth!" Arvin threatened firmly. "Never ask again where it came from. Just know that it is a gift from someone and now belongs to me. If you ask again, I will consider it an insult to my principles and honor!"
"I understand! Forgive my insolence!" Gaile exclaimed, cold sweat pouring down.
The other mercenaries held their breath. They saw another side of Arvin: someone who held promises and secrets above all else. Their trust in Arvin actually increased. If Arvin was so loyal to keeping the secret of his wealth source, he would surely be loyal to keeping his promise of protection for them.
Arvin snorted softly, then clapped his hands once, changing the tense atmosphere in an instant.
"Good if you understand. Now! Forget about the treasure. Before I leave, give me your weapons!" Arvin ordered, his tone returning to casual as if nothing had happened.
"Gather them in front of me. I will re-polish your weapons so they can become magic weapons, just like I did with Gaile's swords!"
Rayand, who had seen the power of Gaile's swords during the duel earlier—how the swords could unleash deadly wind elements—immediately jumped enthusiastically, forgetting the tension just now.
"Really, Young Master?!" Rayand exclaimed. Without a second of hesitation, he drew his greatsword and handed it over with both hands. "Please make my sword like Gaile's! I beg you!"
His four colleagues who also witnessed the duel didn't want to be left behind.
"Me too, Young Master!"
"My spear too!"
"Please do my bow too, Young Master!"
They said in unison, scrambling to offer their worn weapons full of battle scratches.
Seeing their leader and elites so enthusiastic, the other Red Sand members—who were initially hesitant—finally moved too. One by one, a pile of swords, axes, spears, and daggers began to mount in front of Arvin.
While the men were busy with their weapons, Arvin turned to Tresia, Gaile's wife. The woman stood on the house terrace, looking at her husband and colleagues with a relieved smile.
"Tresia," called Arvin.
Tresia jolted as her name was called, then stepped forward approaching the yard. "Yes, Young Master?"
"Look for a piece of wood that you feel most comfortable holding!" Arvin ordered. "Not just any wood, look for one that has resonance with you. I will turn that wood into the best magic staff for you!"
Tresia gaped, confused and in disbelief. "M-Magic staff? For me? But are you sure you will..."
Gaile, hearing that, immediately approached his wife. He held Tresia's shoulders gently, then nodded firmly. "Just do it, Tresia. The Young Master never plays around with his words. This is your chance to become a great mage again like before."
Receiving her husband's support, Tresia's eyes welled up with tears. She nodded respectfully to Arvin.
"Yes, Young Master!"