"So a deal then?"
"Yes, a deal."
Jane and Hans shake hands as the latter broker a deal.
Cooperation once more, is something Hans is familiar with. This time, however, Hans plans to see it through, unlike the go-and-dash he has with Mira.
Jane is supposed to get enrolled in the Academy of Magic as a transfer and also manages to rise her year by one level thanks to an accelerated program. But with Hans's arrangement, Jane will be attending the academy much earlier.
The deal between Hans and Jane is quite simple. Instead of sponsoring Jane, Hans plans to fund her instead. To Jane, this sounds ridiculous, and stupid, and proves of no benefit to Hans. However, to Hans, this means a lot.
Hans's ambition is to be set free from the workings of fate, and the whims of the plot. His current plan is to work as a 'Deus Ex Machina' as intended until the epilogue, and once meets his retirement, he will finally cut off the connection from the world and finally do his own thing.
In order for him to achieve this flawlessly, he has to work behind the scenes. If he publicly sponsors Jane, it might become a problem in the future. Instead, he should just privately fund her, and this way, his connection will not be as strong.
There are reasons why Hans is being paranoid and cautious, and it is because the novel has no proper ending. As Deus Ex machine, perhaps it is his responsibility to help the protagonist in the future to reach the proper ending.
"What do you get in this?" Jane asks, her eyes are a bit red in the eyes evident from her crying.
Hans thinks long and hard for an answer.
"Revenge." In the end, Hans comes up with a lie.
It is not a white lie, but more of a convenient lie. He cannot really tell her that it is because they live in a novel. Breaking the 4th wall will not do anything good for Hans at all. Excluding his faulty seemingly fine mental health, he cannot have his accomplice thinking of him as a nutcase.
"I will fund you. If something comes up, you will only need to listen to me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand." Jane softly replies in a murmur.
Hans shakes his head detecting doubt from her.
"Let's go." With Hans in the lead, the two of them sets off to find refuge with the rescue team.
Apparently, the devastation is quite widespread that other Cities are also affected. However, City Z has the worst fate as more than 60% of its population is already a goner.
The world operates on a single government that divides into twenty-six city-states. It is difficult for another city to interfere with another unless it is a state of emergency.
It is clear as day that politics is at work.
Hans eyes suspiciously the three different help booths from the three other cities. They are clearly competing to attract and get the most refugees on them which is quite problematic in itself. Aside from the inefficiency that it brings from unnecessary congestion, there are also some quarrels that might dangerously exacerbate something worse.
Not wanting to stay to see where it goes, Hans drags Jane from the gathering camps.
"There are shy three months until exams. I will train you in that duration."
"Wait, shouldn't we first collect our relief goods?"
"Too much waste of time, moreover, if you receive their benefits, you will have to comply as citizens to their city. I prefer we stay as people from City Z."
"Why? This city is shitty, and from what I hear, people will do anything to get out of here."
Hans knows. Not because he is the author of this world, but simply because. Even in his own original world, cities like this exist. Disgusting, abhorrent, and too shitty to be liked. There is no sane man who prefers the shitty slums and alleys of City Z. But for a mage, City Z is a necessary existence. In fact, each city has a unique service of its own, and that is the same for City Z.
To City D, it is 'neutrality' they sell with their safekeeping and sheltering. And to City Z, it is the 'Underworld Marker', something a level above the Black Market every city has.
Yes, City Z is dirty physically, and everything negative ends with –ly. The only exception to this rule may be the often places that are clean physically. The familiar stench no longer hovers from Hans's mouth as they arrive at n establishment.
'Molly Has It.' it reads.
"What are we doing here?" Jane asks.
"This is a privatized bank. Totally illegal. But City Z is not really a follower of rules. This place is a bank that loans money and does bank stuff. Its additional services include deposit boxes." Hans explains.
"I know," Jane simply nods aware of what he is talking about. "Auntie Carlos often brings me here."
Hans ponders on her words.
He remembers writing about Jane being knowledgeable of the dark and gray areas of society, but he did not write where her knowledge comes from. Now, Hans learns that this knowledge must have come from that Carlos. S/he may rest in peace.
"Let's go."
"Should I not just wait here?"
Hans shakes his head in disapproval coming to understand her knowledge of the 'dark' world must not be complete yet. "We cannot. You cannot. There is no danger inside the bank. However, you staying here does. So let's go."
One man and woman, clearly at the height of their 16 years of existence enter the establishment. Without question, the two minors easily come to access their services as the attendant by the door tries to endorse them with their services. The two ignore the attendant.
"How will you get your things? Auntie Carlos always has her key, but you just got your place squashed."
"You auntie must be using the normal services then. I have contracted with the VIP service here. There is no need to use keys."
The two of them pass by the counter where the establishment renders their normal services until they reach the tunnel for the VIP. The security might seem lax, as there is only one guard from the entrance of the VIP tunnel, but the guard's strength is enough to deter just everyone— 5th circle.
"Wow~!"
Jane exclaims as she watches Hans place his thumb in a certain vault.
The two sets foot inside where there is only a single bag.
"This place is so big, but you only have this one thing? Is this not too much waste of space?"
"I agree. But it is worth it."
Hans grabs two Love Potions from the bag, and pockets it in his underwear. There is an increase in bulge, but not enough to see it as too unusual.
"…" Jane's silence though seems to tell otherwise.
"What? Is there a problem?"
"No, uhh… Don't you think it's a kind of hazard?"
"It won't be here for long."
Hans gives a deep sigh, as he tries to find reason. In the end, he ends up deciding to be more democratic than he likes. It is not entirely freedom-oriented, but at least, he pays attention to the transparency aspect of things.
"This is the current plan. These are Love Potions. We will auction them. We will have funds. Then… I will train like I mean it. After this, you will be grateful. So, be grateful."