When the trio finished dinner and sat for a talk the atmosphere tensed up a little. It was evident from the father daughters duo change in face. Before they were cheerful and tried to talk about different stuff. There were also some attempts to crack some jokes to see how Leo reacted. Generally Leo saw that they were not bad people but he could not tell more then this.
The trio sat at the edge of the inn dining hall to not attract any unneeded attention from the other sparse costumers that were eating dinner too at different tables at a big room that caused people to feel comfort. Maybe it was Miriam good attitude or the general positive atmosphere but the "Sun Shine" inn was a place that you wanted visit.
After clearing his throat Elen said: "Leo we came here to ask you for a favor. Recently we got to the mage association and it was discovered that Elly has a low water aptitude talent for magic."
Leo nodded and said: "Congratulations Elly!"
He did not say anything more and waited for Elly or Elen to continue their part.
He understood that Elen most likely wanted his help in some way and he was not going to be the hero on the white horse that come and save the day. He was ready to consider or debate on the terms but he was not ready to help for free. It is something that he will do only for family, subordinates or slaves that cant betray him in any way. It was something he practiced from his previous life. When you saw how low humans could fall during times of war nothing really will surprise you anymore.
"Thank you!" Elly said, but she did not really have any enthusiastic smile on her face. She understood that even with higher aptitude she will not get anything until someone will let her into the mage circle.
Elen saw the awkward smile on his daughter face and it made him feel helpless and hopeful at the same time. He had to convince this little brat to teach his daughter mage techniques. Elen was pretty sure that it will be not that hard. It was still only a kid. Give him a gold coin and the deal is sealed.
"We need help with teaching Elly how to increase her magic power and use it. We are ready to pay few gold coins. They will be payed when we see progress in Elly's abilities" Elen said.
He did not really know anything about magic generally. From what he saw from the parchment she needed a meditation or a breathing technique and some kind of spells. He was not really sure on what she needed the most.
'This guy surely thinks I'm dumb or something' Leo thought. He was pretty mad on the inside, but smiled brightly.
'This guy wanted to get things that can be bought only by magic crystals in a big amount for gold coins. What a joke.'
"I agree." Leo said.
Elen and Elly were ecstatic from what they heard but then..
"Only if you pay by magic crystals and sigh up a magic contract to not teach my techniques to anyone else" Leo said.
Leo had a big amount of those magic contracts that were left for him by David. He understood what those things were after he saw them when he scanned with his magic power the services that the mage association provided. If you go back on your word in the contract you will get a huge backlash from this scrolls and most likely die or be in an unconscious state like some kind of plant.
Elen's and Elly's faces changed and they were at a loss for words for a short time. Soon Elen recovered from his stupor and said: "We can add other benefits if needed."
"I need magic crystals or something equivalent in value" Leo said flatly.
'What a brat. He don't act like a child at all. What the hell is wrong with him' Elen thought.
"What can we give you so you agree to teach my daughter?" Elen asked.
"Noble title and control over your family." Leo said.
"What!?" Elen stood up and said. He understood that he reacted in a too much radical way when people looked at him strangely. He apologized to the other consumers and sat down.
"You don't have to agree. It is just what I want. I don't think it is too much. It takes a big amount of recourses to study magic and there is really nothing you can give me. If you give me control over the family I would train Elly because she will become my ally and maybe even partner in the future. It is an investment worth making. If you agree and sign the magic contract I will know that your family could not betray me. This what is the most important thing for me right now. If you want you can marry Elly to me so the Shmidt family will be bound to me and I will be bound to you by blood relations" Leo said with a serious face.
The father and daughter duo became quite for a long time. Their faces changed from anger to sadness and then to a deep thought.
"Can we think about it?" Elen asked.
"Sure. Lets meet tomorrow morning." Leo said.
"Can we think about it for more time?" Elen asked again.
"Sure you can but I cant guarantee that the deal will be valid. Other people may contact me and offer me something better." Leo said.
He generally thought that this family should be a good choice. Also he wanted to take control over a family or organization he will join. He did not want to be a small pawn that could be easily manipulated by a strong family. It was easier for him to take a relatively weak and small family and increase their foundations until the needed level.
"Okay." Elen said. He did not think it will be that hard to negotiate with a kid.
After that the duo bet fair well to Leo and left.