Chapter 37: The Red Faces

After a few hours of sleep, I finally regain my strength. Thanks to Victoria’s high-grade physical recovery and mana health potions, I feel that my body seems brand new.

The sun is starting to show up on the edge of the horizon, and the beautiful district is coming to life. From the window, the merchants are chatting and some are opening their stores to make a good sale.

The adventurers from other guilds outside are gathering to do the dungeon quest and kill some beasts for a living.

I sip my hot milk and stare at Victoria, who just comes in carrying another food delivery and a set of formal suit.

"Your hobby seems to make me a fat kid. You always bring food."

I stand up to help her set up the table.

"You know, the key to a child’s heart is through warm food."

"As far as I know, it’s ’man’s,’ not ’child’s.’ By the way, thank you for taking care of me." I sit and bite a piece of bread. It’s warm and newly baked.

"Wow, you already learned how to say thank you!" Victoria overreacts.

"Tsss. I’m just grateful, Victoria. Nothing else." I sip my warm milk and continue eating. Free food is so satisfying and delicious.

"You’re the guild’s greatest asset, and without you, we won’t be known to the other guilds and nobles. So just eat and wear these clothes that I just bought." She points to the new black suit resting on the bed.

"It’s free, so thank you."

Victoria sits beside me and watches me eat.

"Little lamb. Do you really need to go after what happened last night? You need to recover your strength. I could just call a doctor to issue a medical certificate to suspend your work if you want," she says continuously with a pleading tone.

"The schedule is already fixed, and I need to be there to avoid breaching the contract. Don’t worry, I am still alive."

"Fine," she says, moving a step toward the door. "Just make sure that you’ll be careful next time." She looks at me and goes out of the room.

I quietly eat my food, and after that, I get dressed to prepare myself. The picking tools are already gathered and kept inside my magic pouch in case I need to do some lockpicking. The Space Crystals are inside too.

After a few hours, I stand outside the guild wearing my new clothes, waiting for a ride.

Victoria comes out from the guild wearing a pink apron, gasping and holding a small paper bag. It’s food again.

"Seriously? I am sure there’s food for me at the Voulstridge estate." I sigh and grab the small bag.

"My food is better than the food there. Too salty. Not good for your kidneys," she reasons out.

Victoria probably tastes the food there while she tries to open the Voulstridge family chest. Well, I agree, the taste of food there sucks.

"Thanks for the food, Victoria. You don’t have anything to do today?" I ask while looking at the busy corners of the street.

"I have things to do, but it can wait. You’re more important, little lamb~" she says softly.

I just smile at her and gaze at the white, elegant carriage approaching. It must be the Voulstridge carriage since its family crest is carved on the carriage doors.

"My ride is here. You can go now, Victoria."

"I will. I’ll tell you not to embarrass me and the guild’s name, okay? And please, don’t open anything you aren’t supposed to," she reminds me, this time gentler and with a tone of genuine care.

"I will, Mother," I laugh, hinting to her that it was just a joke.

She turns her back and walks hurriedly inside the guild.

Why is her face so... red?

I do not bother and just enter the carriage and leave the Commercial District. The busy district filled with street shops and merchants vanishes after a few minutes. From the carriage’s small window, the outside becomes uncrowded and filled with oak trees along the stone road.

The carriage passes several noble estates until we finally reach the Voulstridge household.

I let out a long sigh as we pass the main entrance leading to the massive manor. There are a few gardeners doing maintenance and trimming plants as we pass the garden.

The last time I got here, I was just a locksmith doing my usual service. I experienced Duke Voulstridge’s suffocating presence and his daughter’s uncontrollable mana surge. Yesterday was a total disaster.

But today, I am not just an estate’s locksmith.

I am here as Arielle’s magic advisor.

The carriage finally halts, and Victor opens the door from the outside.

"Welcome back, young Lord."

I jump down from the steps, and my small boots make a small cracking sound on the ground. I bow a little to him as a sign of respect, and he guides me inside the manor.

"There are servants now? What happened here?" I ask, still walking past the maids who glance at me but silently continue their work.

"Yes, Lord Voulstridge decided to bring back his servants for the meantime while you carry out your duties as the young lady’s advisor."

"And Duke Voulstridge?"

"He is away for noble meetings."

"I see."

It’s better that the duke is not here. The problem is that having some servants around will be a disadvantage for me. I cannot just roam around and discover clues. I need to be careful this time.

We continue walking in the left wing as Victor mentions that Arielle is waiting for me.

"I am so happy that you’re already here, young lord."

I stop and look at him.

"Why?"

"The young lady keeps calling your name for the past few days. She’s excited and perhaps has already missed you." Victor smiles, and I find it interesting.

We finally enter the training room, and I am completely shocked.

Arielle is standing on top of the table, and small lances of ice have already materialized above her head. The three servants are screaming in the corner of the room, hiding behind a crushed wooden table.

"Oh my God! Are you insane?!" I shout out, and her eyes pin on me.

"Who said that I miss you?! Who?!" She cries out, her pale cheeks turning red.

I look behind my back, but Victor is already missing.

My eyes widen as the ice lances move swiftly and pierce the portraits behind me as I duck down to dodge the attack.

Even without my Locksmith’s Eye, I can clearly conclude that her mana is unstable.

Very unstable.