Thinking it through, Lynn immediately adjusted his expression. Fear came first, then gratitude, both measured and convincing as he could.
His shoulders sank slightly, as if relieved, and his voice carried a trace of self-mockery as he spoke.
"Boss, you must be joking," he said carefully. "A Lord Wizard? What kind of people are they? How could someone like me ever have that kind of luck…"
He hesitated, then added, as if recalling an old memory. "Actually, back in my hometown, a Lord Wizard came once. That was three years ago. I was curious, so I went to get tested too."
"Oh?"
One-Eyed Wolf's single eye narrowed. He leaned forward a little, the heavy pressure of his presence pressing down on Lynn like a weight.
"What was the result?" he asked. "How did they test you?"
The key question had arrived.
Lynn met his gaze honestly, his face showing a mix of openness and faint regret. "They used a crystal ball. It was glowing when others touched it."
He paused, letting the silence stretch for a breath. "I put my hand on it for a long time, but nothing happened. Not even a flicker. The Lord Wizard said I had no talent at all and told me to give up."
He let out a soft sigh, perfectly timed. "I was pretty down about it for a while."
The mention of the crystal ball was precise. It matched what Lynn had already learned from Little Beggar. As expected, the sharp suspicion in One-Eyed Wolf's eye faded noticeably.
"Hmph," One-Eyed Wolf snorted, leaning back. "Not having talent isn't always a bad thing."
His tone loosened slightly, but there was something heavier beneath it. "The wizard world isn't as shiny as the stories make it sound. It's darker than you think. Crueler than even the lowest parts of our gang."
He lowered his voice, speaking like someone sharing an ugly truth. "Think about it. They just recruited last year. All the talented kids in the city were taken then."
"Why come again this year?" he continued. "Black Marsh City isn't some great capital. Where would all these new geniuses come from?"
Lynn listened silently.
"In the past, the testing fee was ten gold coins," One-Eyed Wolf said. "Now it's only one. That tells you everything, they want numbers."
He paused, then added slowly, "I've heard of a certain type of Wizards, Black Wizards, they don't take apprentices to train them. They take them to use them."
His eye fixed on Lynn. "As Materials."
He let the word sink in before explaining. "Test subjects and consumables. Most don't survive. Once you go in, death is almost guaranteed."
Lynn sucked in a sharp breath, eyes widening as he instinctively stepped back a little.
He clutched his chest, fear and relief mixing on his face.
"So that's how it is…" he said shakily. "Boss, thank you for warning me. I really dodged a bullet."
He laughed weakly. "Honestly, I'm fine as I am. With you protecting me, I eat well, sleep comfortably. What more could I want?"
Then, as if embarrassed, he scratched his head. "I was even thinking of saving up to marry a nice wife in a couple of years. Live a steady life. That's much better than becoming some wizard's… material."
His lack of ambition, and his clear contentment, visibly pleased One-Eyed Wolf.
A faint smile appeared on the gang leader's face. But it didn't last long.
One-Eyed Wolf tapped his fingers against the table, the dull thudding sound filling the room. "Lynn," he said casually, "I also know that when you're out procuring goods, your hands aren't completely clean."
Lynn's heart lurched.
The color drained from his face. He stood up abruptly, panic written all over him.
"Boss! I..I—"
"Sit down!" One-Eyed Wolf barked, though there was no real anger in his voice. "It's just a bit of money. I don't care."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Water too clear has no fish. I understand that. As long as you work properly for the gang and don't go too far, consider those small gains your reward."
Lynn collapsed back into his chair as if his legs had given out. His eyes reddened, and his voice trembled.
"Boss… I swear," he said hoarsely. "From today on, I'll be loyal to you with my life. I'll never do anything that harms the gang. If I do, may lightning strike me dead."
"Good," One-Eyed Wolf said, clearly satisfied. "Remember that. You may go."
Lynn bowed deeply and left the room.
The moment the door closed behind him, every trace of fear and gratitude vanished from his face. His expression went cold, calm returning like still water. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, just enough to show a hint of amusement.
This, too, was part of the plan.
Lynn had deliberately left small, obvious flaws in a few transactions, just enough for Skinny Monkey to 'accidentally' notice and report. He needed One-Eyed Wolf to hold something tangible over him, proof that Lynn was greedy but small-minded.
A subordinate without flaws was dangerous. A subordinate with petty greed was easy to control.
This round was his victory.
He had not only erased One-Eyed Wolf's suspicion about the wizard test, but also firmly nailed down his image as someone greedy for small gains and lacking big ambitions. From now on, the gang leader would lower his guard.
Back in his room, Lynn locked the door and stood by the window, moonlight spilling across the floor. His smile finally widened, carrying a faint trace of mockery.
Control him with a few coins and fake trust? Ridiculous.
Black Wizards..materials…Nine deaths out of ten.
So what?
At least that path offered a chance to break free.
If he stayed in the Blood Hand Gang, he would always be an Abacus Snake on a leash, crushed sooner or later by some knight or wizard passing by. Or discarded, just like Ghost Fox, once his usefulness ran out.
The wizard's path was dangerous, yes, but it was the only road that led to real freedom.
Lynn pressed a small cloth bag against his chest. Inside were twenty gold coins, every bit of his savings. Enough for the test. Enough to run far away if things went wrong.
Two days later would decide everything.
On the first day of the talent test, Lynn behaved exactly as usual. He handled procurements, checked businesses, and showed no sign of anything out of place.
Meanwhile, the City Lord's Mansion was packed. Youngsters who had just turned ten, those who couldn't afford the fee last year, and those who refused to give up all gathered there. Their clothes were clean and neat, showing that none of them were truly poor.
It wasn't until night fell that the mansion finally quieted.
Lynn didn't ask about the results. He even cut off contact with Little Beggar entirely.
At moments like this, the calmer you were, the safer you became.
On the second day, everything continued as normal. The only change came near dusk, when Lynn passed the Nightingale Pavilion and glanced at it with curiosity.
"Brother Monkey," he asked casually, "is this place really as good as Vasa says?"
Vasa, the casino manager, was always trying to drag Lynn there whenever accounts were settled and Lynn had always refused.
After all, his "Little Lynn" wasn't ready yet.