Wilma clasped her hands together as she leaned forward and rested her forearms against the table. She looked at Ackster with a narrowed gaze.
"I can't tell if you're not listening to me, underestimating Nold, or just that desperate."
Ackster shrugged and gestured for Wilma to hand it over.
"It doesn't really matter, either, does it? As long as I grow strong enough to carry out the tasks, you're happy right?"
Wilma tilted her head and shrugged slightly. She didn't deny it.
"I mean, sure. But there are other ways to grow strong. Your explosive growth rate is a decent indicator of your potential, talent, and hard work. But you would be surprised by the average life expectancy of rising stars who reach all the way to the A-ranks and above."
"I wouldn't. They get overconfident and die, no? It's nothing weird. But if you thought I was the same, you wouldn't have pulled those strings. So, stop dallying."
Wilma sighed.
"You really were a lot more fun to talk to before all this."
"Can you blame me? I thought I was asked on a date for the first time in my life, and instead of, you know, starting to date someone, I got roped into some weird business where I got threatened with death if I won't keep my mouth shut."
Wilma's jaw dropped slightly, and she looked at Ackster with wide eyes.
"Really? You haven't been asked out before?"
Ackster crossed his arms and looked to the side with a frown.
"Even when you're that handsome?"
"Looks aren't everything, you know. Now, can we get back on track?"
Still a little surprised by Ackster's revelation, Wilma obliged and stuck her hand out. It vanished into thin air for a couple of moments before it came back out with a box.
"Ironwood?"
Ackster voiced his question about the box's materials as he grabbed it. It was the size of a shoebox, and it looked like it was a single piece of wood due to the grains seamlessly covering its surface. However, it possessed a metallic gloss and sheen. It was also smooth and slightly cold to the touch.
"You know about it?"
Wilma raised her eyebrows in surprise as she looked at Ackster. Her hand was still on the box, preventing him from taking it.
Ackster realized he might have fumbled, and his eyes flashed. But he forced himself calm. Ironwood was rare, especially on Tenger, since it came from another continent, and the Arboria continent, more specifically its inhabitants, weren't really famous for being willing to trade. However, that only added to the material's fame.
"Not personally. But I've heard about it."
"I see."
Wilma didn't say anything and just looked at Ackster, still holding onto the box and preventing him from taking it.
Ackster raised an eyebrow and gave her a questioning look. He thought they were done with the games. He was getting pretty tired of them and in general. He had been awake and active for a while now, and with what he had achieved during the day, he was tired. Strong Body and its regenerative and energizing capabilities helped him stay awake for longer periods of time on fewer hours of sleep.
But the earlier he could get to bed and rest up, the sooner he could get out and continue growing stronger. And now that he had instructions on how to get skills and possibly something bonkers he had never heard about, he definitely didn't want to sit around and play mind games with Wilma.
Ackster wondered what would happen if he just decided to go ahead and rest his eyes for a couple of moments until Wilma finally decided to acquiesce.
Almost as if she could read Acksters' impatience and stubbornness conspiring to make trouble for her, Wilma spoke.
"I'm sorry."
"...What?"
'Wouldn't it be better to just give it to me instead of apologizing?'
Ackster didn't voice his doubts since he had a feeling Wilma wasn't apologizing for not handing over the box.
"I didn't mean to hurt or lie to you when I asked you out on that date. In my eagerness to better understand you and recruit you, I used an approach where the ends justified the means."
Wilma solemnly bowed her head in apology. But she still didn't let go.
Ackster furrowed his brow in suspicion and confusion. He couldn't understand why she was apologizing. It felt genuine, but he couldn't tell if Wilma was being honest or if she was doing her best to fool him.
"Why? Why are you apologizing now?"
"Because you're right. I don't think you will grow arrogant and get yourself killed. It's my earnest wish that you live a long and fulfilling life. I also want our cooperative relationship to continue for a long time."
"..."
"However, that will be impossible, the cooperation part, not your long life, even if I can increase your chances, if our relationship is already souring."
"I see."
Ackster nodded. He didn't accept or reject Wilma's apology or explanation at once since he had to think about it a little. He also didn't want to be swayed by the honest and solemn beauty that Wilma put on display as she looked at him with clear eyes. He couldn't believe in his judgment if he made a decision at once without thinking about it first.
Wilma's words made sense. But that didn't mean much since Wilma wouldn't speak nonsense. If she really wanted to solidify the trust between her and Ackster, she wouldn't say anything that would cause the already paranoid Ackster to doubt her even more.
Considering the power behind her and her influence, Wilma could force Ackster's hand. Unless she really wanted it, there was no reason for them to have such a great relationship when they could just be casual business partners. There would be no need for trust in the other person when they could trust what the other had to offer.
Wilma would trust Ackster's potential and the Guild's ability to guarantee he wouldn't go back on the agreement.
And Ackster could trust in the benefits Wilma offered.
Ackster leaned toward accepting Wilma's benefits, even if it was suspicious since she didn't stand anything to gain, at least not on the surface.