"Hah~ Hah~ You came here for business, why are we sparring?", asked Corvin lying down on the ground.
He was sparring with Felyp after he came to visit the Institute to Noah's call for help. But when he came to the school, first thing he did was sparring with Corvin.
"I wanted to see if you were slacking. Good job, it seems that you didn't slack too much. It is important to keep your shape. Or you will be fired.", he said as Corvin was getting back up.
"It's not like I will be needing this job to stay here in the near future."
Hwack!
"Don't get cocky little boy, you still have long ways to go. It seems like I need to beat your legs more."
Hwack!
"Come on, you can use magic from now on. Come at me."
*****
After a quick bath; Corvin, Felyp and Noah were sitting in Noah's dorm.
"You want me to callibrate these tools?"
"Yes dad, we will use them for measurement and things like that."
"For your business right?"
"Yes."
After tinkering with the tools and correcting their settings, which took about half an hour, he started talking again.
"So, Noah, are you sure about this?"
"Huh? Yeah, why wouldn't I?"
"Well, to make your business work, you need to get engaged to Clair, you know?"
"H-huh?! Why?"
Felyp didn't say 'Because Corvin said you two had little sparks.', so he chose to lie instead.
"I decided that it will be better for our family."
"O-okay..."
Noah was going into his dreams again, and the more he got caught up in those dreams, the redder his face got. He didn't even hear the conversation between Corvin and his father.
"Psst, Corvin."
"Yes?"
"Are you sure this is a good decision?"
"In many ways, yes."
"Okay, we will see. But, if he or she is unhappy because of this, you will pay the price, okay?"
"Gulp, O-okay."
Corvin honestly felt scared. No matter how much he was sure about this, a responsibility like that was too much for him.
*****
Five hours later, Clair and her father came to Noah's dorm as well. Now, that the two noble families were bargaining, Corvin left the dorm. But because the old men were loud he could hear most of what was spoken. Suddenly, Clair shouted with embarrasment, and Corvin smirked at how easy to read the two's emotions were.
'Sigh, I wish I were easy to read too, even I can't read my emotions.'
Deciding to not eavesdrop anymore, he found a spot a bit further away from the dorm and sat under the shadow of a tree. The sun was setting, and he was watching the sky turn a beautiful orange while the sun started to sink behind the lake.
Then he heard some footsteps.
"Now, let's come to the important topic, Felyp."
"You don't want the children to hear?"
"No, it is too heavy for them. They are still kids after all, no matter how many crazy things they come up with."
'Huh? What are they talking about?'
Corvin was still behind the tree. They didn't realize that Corvin was there.
"So? What is it? I can tell you are tired, no matter how much you try to hide it."
"It's nothing currently, but soon, the north might turn unlivable."
'Huh?'
"What do you mean?"
"There is a plague that has been recently spreading in some Piscin city states. The plague might spread to maybe the whole northern part of the empire, and even more. That's why, if the plague hits us, I want you to take Clair in your territory."
"Of course, I would have done that anyways. She is a part of our family... well she will be."
"Thank you. Some turmoil may arise in the north, so I need manpower as well. I know you are busy with Brutea and the Repits currently but-"
"Don't worry about that! I will lend you my disciple, Corvin! You don't even need to tell him about the plague!"
"Oh, thank you, how should I pay you?"
"You know the kids want to share the company equally right? Just give permission for it. That will be his payment."
'Huh? He agreed to it?'
Corvin was surprised since he thought he needed to achieve something to appease the adults before he could get his equal share from a noble company as a commoner.
"But you will also be paying, is that alright?"
"Well, if he saves the empire, as his master all credit goes to me right? I don't need more money, all of it will be wasted by the soldiers at the end of the day. And, I have hopes for my disciple."
"Okay... But what did you mean I didn't have to tell it to him?"
"Oh, that? Well, it's because he already knows!"
"Huh?"
Corvin accidentally made noise because of what Felyp said. Understanding that he couldn't get away from this situation, he slowly got into the two man's sight, looking down in embarrasment.
"D-did you notice?"
"Hehe, did you think I wouldn't notice you, boy? Didn't I tell you, you have long ways to go? Still, it took me a while to notice you. I would say good job, but it's because you were already here before us right?"
"Y-yes..."
"Well, you heard it. Get prepared in two weeks, you and Noah will be going to see what's going on up north."
"Why two weeks?"
"I will contact the Piscin nations. Since they are a bunch of city states, it is going to take some time to get permission from each of them. But they are probably desperate already, so it shouldn't take too much."
"Then, for preparation, can I get some books for the way?"
"Huh? What do you need books for?"
"Well, even if we help to manage the situation and calm the people, I also need to find a way to cure the already ill, no?"
"Ooh, little mister over here is planning that far ahead? I just wanted you to go and beat up the bad guys if there was any, but you have a greater goal than that. Okay then, select five books and I will buy them for you. Don't drown in books and forget getting ready for the travel though."
"I won't, can I start my research now?"
"Yeah, go to the library. We will tell the kids everything... Yes... Everything."
"...? Okay, thank you Master."
'Why do I feel scared?'
It didn't take long for him to find out the reason behind this feeling.
*****
While Corvin was going back to his dorm from the library, he saw Clair and Noah on the way.
"See? Didn't I tell you, that bookworm would be in the library?", said Noah.
"Uuh, you didn't? We both knew he would be here.", answered Clair.
"Yo, guys! What brought you two here?", asked Corvin trying give a smile. He was sweating form fear because Noah and Clair were looking at him with real killing intent.
"Nothing, nothing..."
"Yeah, we just wanted to see you, Mr. Matchmaker."
"Huh? Wha-"
Before he could form sentences, Noah held him with his arms under Corvin's shoulders.
"I think you should know why, Corvin."
"I don't understa- Puha!"
He was punched in his stomach by Clair. It was the punch of a girl, but it was still the punch of someone who worked with metals.
"I also need to hit you once, sorry bro. But you should have thought about it before marrying us in your head. Am I not correct?"
"A-aah, he told you?"
"Yes."
"I- I am sorry?", he tried to smile but-
Puha!
- he got another punch in the stomach.