"Elder Mage!"
Eunice briefly had the look like she just ate something bitter at Mila's sudden interjectory words.
She didn't give Letti a chance to reply by quickly interjecting. "Elder Mage, forgive me if I am overstepping boundaries, but there are a lot of novice adventurers that are just plain lucky. Shouldn't you consider a mage who is more...experienced?" She stated coyly.
'I won't let a random guy steal what's rightfully mine!'
Oh, how she wanted to throw hands for this injustice. She even turned her back on her former party members to latch on another strong and famous party in the guild for a stronger backing.
Heck, she even begged the Guild Master to endorse her favoringly to the Elder Mage.
All of that just to get taken away by some random dude?
Fat chance!
Letti, who is an unwilling participant in this conversation, stood still with a blank face.
It was obvious to the bystanders that Eunice's words were pertaining to Letti's performance earlier.
"Yeah, what if he was playing the waiting game[1]? Didn't you say he appeared at the last second? That would be unfair to others who did most of the work." People began speculating most notably were the people who arrived late.
"Hah, the outsider got the nerve to Kill Steal[2]."
"Lucky bastard."
"Eh? But didn't you say you'll make sure this guy here will be unemployed in Randell? So I'm offering him a job in Linarest!" Mila pointed at Letti using his staff with a laid-back grin.
Eunice smile was now awfully strained. "Yes, but—"
"Hoh!" Mila suddenly exclaimed with a conspiratorial grin, cutting her off with knife-like precision.
"So in short, you're saying is that I should choose you? What makes you say that?"
Eunice felt like her heart just ceased from beating, and it wasn't because of something heart fluttering.
This person is the type who will wear a smile while burying you 6 ft. underground and dance on your grave.
Not even a talented painter can put into art Eunice's expression anymore.
"I-It was only my opinion!" She insisted albeit her voice came out shaky from the start and she looks to be on the verge of tearing up.
Mila then sighed loudly as if he didn't give a damn anymore. "Looks like you know that I needed to take a disciple."
He felt a slight throb in his temple after being reminded of his master's order. He already knows how straightforward his master is — who else had taught him his candidness — but this is taking it to another level.
"I don't know where you heard that information, but I know that I won't accept those who put dirt on a person's name."
Eunice felt like he slapped her in the face at his blunt refusal. Now, she became the pitiful one in the eyes of everybody.
This is not what she imagined to happen!
Letti stared at her thoughtfully. That girl's sight is still too shallow to take on the deep waters.
'That weak disposition will cause her trouble if she wanted to study in Linarest.'
Remembering her fair share of outlandish experiences back when she passed by Linarest made her left eye twitch.
Then she glanced at the Elder Mage, who didn't even bat an eye blurting those sensitive words to a maiden.
'Especially if you want a teacher like...him, you better get used to that personality first before expecting to get along with the people there.'
Luca unknowingly had the same opinion as Letti as he spectated while crossing his arms over his chest.
"You didn't have to embarrass me like this. How mean!" Eunice wiped her tears daintily, turning around to dart away but not before sending a vengeful glare to Letti along the away.
Those who were eating watermelons[3] previously started minding their own business, believing the show is over.
Miners were also going back and forth inside the [BOSS] dungeon, dragging carts of excavated magic ores.
Letti looks unfazed as if what transpired was none of her business.
She expected the Elder Mage to leave right after, but he was still there...staring at her with gleaming eyes.
Mila only continued talking after Letti glanced at him. "How about it kid? Do you want to come with us?" Mila asked jovially.
Mila originally went to meet Letti for formality's sake, but facing the man in question had piqued his interest.
His appearance was not what he imagined to be. He looks delicate and unremarkable, unlike the seemingly rough and powerful persona their porter reiterated to him.
'Did they see wrong?'
But he brushed that thought as quickly as it comes, knowing there's no point in falsifying a report to whitewash an outsider.
"I'm sorry, but I refuse." Letti shot him down without hesitation.
She really can't see any merit in learning magic from a high-ranked mage. She'll even vouch for the pink-haired to accept the offer.
"What?"
"I, refuse."
Mila snapped out of his trance, chuckling lowly in denial. "Hey, Luca, did I just got rejected?!" He closed his eyes dramatically.
An awkward silence settled in the group.
Letti glanced behind him curiously to see who he was talking to but found no one.
She then blinked in confusion.
'Is he crazy? Or are ghost real?'
Suddenly, a distinctive sigh from a person answered, and Luca unconcealed himself unwillingly. He badly wanted to leave Mila alone at this moment.
The second-hand embarrassment was too unbearable for him. "Why do you need to include me, old fogey? So much for hiding."
Luca clicked his tongue in annoyance once he felt the furtive glances to his way. It was making his skin crawl.
He is undoubtedly eye-catching even by just standing there especially with the wrecked background that contrasts with his bright white hair and angular face.
Letti stared at the unfamiliar individual in surprise. She hadn't sensed his presence right from the start.
Based on the sword peeking under the thick cloak, he should be a swordmaster. Letti didn't know much about swordmasters and the system of Auras, but swordmasters unnaturally set her instincts off.
Luca's blood-red eyes flickered over to Letti, noticing her cautious gaze.
"Hello, my name is Luca. I'm his acquaintance." He nodded politely.
"You can call me Letti." She nodded back, feeling somewhat lost at the development of the situation.
"Who you calling an acquaintance!?" Mila protested, looking incredibly disheartened.
He was becoming a spectacle to the eyes of many.
Letti and Luca seem to form an understanding with one look in ignoring the mage's prattle.
"Are you the owner of the shadow warlock?" Luca asked. That summoned creature left a great impression to him for being mild.
Letti nodded, taken aback at the surprising question coming from him.
"He's one of the good tempered summon." She answered like a mother talking about her children.
"Hey, wait! Don't ignore me!" Mila interrupted, dissatisfied at Letti's lukewarm response.
'Isn't his response to abnormal?'
Mila thought in distress.
Letti had no choice but to glance at him and sighed loudly. "As I said, I don't want to."
"Why?" He expressed his disbelief.
Does he know who he is? He's the Elder Mage, not just any other so-so Elder Mages in Linarest, but the Great Hellion! His talent and aptitude are known as valuable assets to the empire.
He's like the golden ticket to anyone hoping to attain nobler social status.
"I don't know any magic except the summoning spell." She answered bluntly. She didn't have any formal study in magic so she isn't a licensed mage.
That's the way of outsiders. There's no credibility in their background nor do they need to have one.
'Plus I'm the master of a chief warlock with its entire clan,' she answered mentally.
A deliberating silence hung on the atmosphere with her blunt words.
Mila then looked down, giving no hint whatever his expression now.
"Well then, I would like to excuse myself."
Letti assumed he'll definitely take back the ridiculous offer, but then Mila gave out tiny villanous chuckles.
In Letti's eyes, the Elder Mage's character was emitting a very devious color.
'That's not good.'
And according to Luca's 'again-with-this-shit' expression, whatever Mila is thinking will happen.
"Fufufu~...that's even more perfect."
It was then that the gears inside Mila's mind started turning, piecing together the greatest scheme of history.
Luca sighed softly.
He'll definitely request a bonus pay from the Archduke afterward.