Chapter Eleven: Awe

“Fink Danito, where are you? You bastard, get out here now!” Gary the steward’s thunderous voice echoed at the entrance of the inn.

Several family warriors forcefully shoved aside the inn staff blocking their way, and Gary swept into the establishment like a whirlwind.

The moment Hugh appeared at the staircase, Gary’s eyes gleamed. Pointing to the four warriors beside him, he shouted, “That’s the boy who caused our family enormous losses!”

The four warriors stepped forward, blocking every possible escape route at the stairway. Clearly, they were well-practiced at this—not rushing to seize their target, but first cutting off all avenues of escape. Behind the steward stood four ordinary servants, tasked with actually capturing the culprit.

Hugh smiled at the scene before him and turned to Daisy and Lanty. “Go back to the room. Tell the others that everything will be fine.”

Lanty forced a smile. “Yes... I’m not nervous... I’m not nervous. You said you could handle it, right?”

Her voice trembled noticeably.

Daisy took a deep breath. “Fink, don’t risk your life. If it comes to it, we can just compensate them.”

“I know. Go on, quickly.” Hugh urged them.

Once Daisy and Lanty had retreated to the room, Hugh turned back and smiled. “I thought you were here to thank me, Mr. Gary.”

“You should call me Mr. Carmel. That is the surname bestowed upon me by my master. When you speak that name, perhaps you’ll recall what it means to provoke the Carmel family—and the consequences that follow!” Gary roared in anger.

He strode forward several steps. “I bet you didn’t expect me to find you, did you? Now, boy, you have two choices. One: compensate the family for the five hundred gold Vitts of losses. Two: let our warriors break your legs.”

Hugh glanced coldly at the four warriors blocking his way. They were merely novice fighters; even without magic, he could easily take them down. But he decided it was time for a more dramatic approach, something that would cool the adrenaline-fueled steward’s temper.

He lifted his head slightly and smiled at Gary. “I think there might be a better solution.”

Wind elements began to gather.

In a voice like a whispered incantation, he softly recited the spell of wind. The power of the wind surged and built around the inn, gathering until it took on tangible forms—blades swirling in the air like leaves, sharp as knives.

Silent, yet fraught with danger.

Every soul inside the inn was enveloped by the intense breath of wind, the effect of a wide-area wind spell—Wind Rend.

Gary stared, dumbfounded at the unfolding scene, murmuring, “Oh my god…”

He finally understood the kind of opponent he faced.

A mage!

Damn it, he’d just been shouting and threatening to break the legs of a mage! Even the lowest-ranking mage was not someone a handful of novice warriors could contend with. The mystery and power of mages had always been beyond question.

But that was not the most important factor.

Mages enjoyed a status far superior to others. Unless a warrior reached Seventh Rank and became a free knight, even a Sixth Rank warrior could not compare to a novice mage. For one thing, mages were far rarer than warriors; for another, their functions could not be replaced by fighters.

Warriors possessed only combat prowess, while mages wielded far more—their auxiliary abilities in other fields were even greater. Thus, a Third Rank warrior might defeat a novice mage, but his pay and treatment would never equal even a tenth of that mage’s.

The only ones with status equal to mages, besides the holy knights of the church, were alchemists. Yet equality in status did not mean equality in power; alchemists simply lacked the strength to challenge mages.

This is why everyone aspired to become a mage—prestige, power, and so much more. Even the famed Grand Alchemist Heinz, so vital to the rise of the Empire, dreamed not of alchemical mastery but of greater magical strength.

Otherwise, why would Lancelot, star-ranked warrior, ever serve an alchemist?

So, not only did Gary and his subordinates lack the ability to kill Hugh—even if they possessed the means—they would not dare attempt it.

If the head of the Carmel family himself stood before Hugh, his rank would grant him the right to disregard a novice mage, but a mere steward…

Gary had every reason to believe that the Carmel patriarch would not fear this young mage; but should the mage kill him now, the patriarch would likely not so much as bat an eye.

There were far more nobles than mages in any nation, so nobles never provoked mages—unless the mages went too far.

Five hundred gold Vitts and a steward’s life were not worth risking the Carmel patriarch’s safety.

Nor would four novice warriors suffice.

Who knew what greater powers stood behind this novice mage?

So now Gary trembled with fear, and even the four warriors exchanged uneasy glances.

What now?

———

“I believe your temper is cooling, isn’t it?” Hugh smiled, addressing Gary.

“Oh, yes, sir. I apologize for my disrespectful words earlier. I hope you won’t take offense.” Gary was drenched in sweat, mopping his brow with a handkerchief that was now thoroughly soaked.

“Then perhaps we can talk calmly. Tell me, what has happened to bring you here in such a fury?” Hugh feigned ignorance, waving his hand to dismiss the wind blades in the air.

“Well… it’s like this, Mage Fink…”

“Call me Mr. Danito,” Hugh said coldly.

“Yes—yes, Mr. Danito. This afternoon, I followed your instructions and purchased some Red Ling and Aruba Lizard Liquid, handing them to our alchemist for preparation. But the result…”

“What happened? Did you succeed?” Hugh asked, though he already knew.

“In fact… it was a failure, Mr. Danito. The potion erupted like a volcano during crafting, destroying half the alchemy room and ruining many materials. My master… was furious, and scolded me. Then I…”

The honest Gary trailed off, unable to continue.

“I see,” Hugh nodded. “You think I harmed you, gave you faulty instructions, and so you came for revenge? Is that it?”

“…Yes—yes, Mr. Danito.”

“Actually, your alchemist is simply incompetent.”

“Our alchemist… incompetent?”

“Yes. It seems he doesn’t know how to handle new things, nor does he have relevant experience or lessons to draw from. A minor change throws him into chaos, causing your family great losses. Truly unfortunate—I acted in good faith, only to be repaid with hostility.” Hugh sighed, shaking his head.

He glanced back and noticed Daisy and Lanty watching him anxiously. The two girls hadn’t seen the tempest of magic in the inn, only that Gary the steward had transformed from a tiger into a housecat, leaving them bewildered.

“So that’s it,” Gary’s mood calmed considerably. He saw that the young mage had no intention of harming him. “Are you saying the formula can still be successfully crafted?”

“Of course,” Hugh said, showing a hint of dissatisfaction. After a moment’s thought, he added, “To prove myself, I can accompany you to your family and demonstrate the process before everyone, clearing my name. I don’t wish to be seen as someone who abuses his position.”

Gary breathed a long sigh of relief.

The mage was willing to come to his family and was so reasonable—it was a blessing. Having only just trembled in fear, Gary now regained his composure and barked orders, “Prepare a carriage, a luxurious one! We are inviting a mage to our family, and he will guide us in potion crafting!”

Hugh replied coolly, “I dislike ostentation, Mr. Gary. Mages should not be lost in vanity and splendor—they distract from the pursuit of magic. Besides, news of today’s events would not benefit your family’s reputation.”

“Oh, yes, you’re right, sir,” Gary said hurriedly, turning to the servants. “Any carriage will do. Nobody is to speak of today’s events. Give the guests some money; make sure they understand the value of silence. Record their names. If anyone talks, the Carmel family is not to be trifled with!”

The servants rushed to carry out his instructions.

Hugh said, “Wait for me at the door. I’ll say farewell to my friends.”

“As you command,” Gary replied respectfully.

Hugh returned to the room, smiling at Daisy and Lanty. The two girls rushed to him, throwing themselves into his arms. “Oh, Fink, how did you do it? You’re simply amazing.”

Hugh glanced at Gary and his warriors and servants waiting respectfully outside, then answered thoughtfully, “Well, perhaps it’s the power of words. Sometimes, I find even nobles can be quite reasonable.”