The warm sun hung high in the sky, shining brightly at two in the afternoon.
The bustling street was lined with numerous vendors selling their goods on both sides.
In a noticeably quieter corner by the roadside, on a thin blue-striped cloth about two meters long and wide, sat a girl cross-legged, her face partly shadowed by the wide brim of a large purple Triangle Hat.
She had orange-white hair and wore a black Magic Robe, and with the gleaming Crystal Ball in front of her, she gave off an aura of mystery.
Many passersby glanced her way with puzzled expressions, unsure what she was doing, but after a brief look, they moved on. No one was idle enough to stop and ask.
As the gaze shifted down from the Triangle Hat, a pair of slightly sleepy, deep blue eyes blinked.
“Business isn’t great, huh.”
Hilxi propped her chin on her hand. She’d been sitting here for an hour now—her legs ached, and her head was nearly nodding off. Yet not a single customer had come by.
Could it be no one believed in divination?
Oh no, that means no money to swindle either.
She was so bored she even started counting how many passersby went by.
By the way, the Triangle Hat was borrowed from Saya. Saya was very reluctant at the time, even saying something like, “Not unless you step over my corpse can you take the hat that Miss Ireina gave me.”
But with Hilxi’s threat, “Not lending it? Then I won’t bring you lunch tomorrow,” Saya eventually gave in.
“33…34…”
When she reached the fortieth person, a curious man finally approached and said:
“Little girl, are you lost?”
Hilxi was jolted awake by the sudden voice and hurriedly managed her expression, answering coolly:
“No.”
Do I look like a lost little girl? I definitely look like a mysterious, capable Fortune Teller.
“Then what are you doing here?”
“I’m a Fortune Teller. Would you like a reading?” Hilxi picked up the Crystal Ball and smiled.
The man’s surprised “Oh” was followed by a skeptical look. “Fortune Teller…? You can’t be a scammer, right? You’re clearly just a kid…”
Kid…
A vein bulged on Hilxi’s pale forehead as she gripped the Crystal Ball tightly.
This is a customer. No roughness allowed. It’s a customer…
After several self-reminders, she smiled again:
“How will you know unless you try? One reading, one Gold Coin.”
“One Gold Coin!?” The man took a few startled steps back, nearly bumping into someone behind him. He turned to apologize, then angrily shouted at Hilxi:
“That’s expensive! Do you even know what a Gold Coin can buy?”
“My readings are worth that much.” Hilxi tapped the Crystal Ball.
Divination consumes a lot of Mana, and this isn’t some superstition—it’s real Magic. Definitely worth the price.
“Forget it, too expensive.” The man shook his head and walked away.
Gone??
Seeing her first attempt at a sale fail, Hilxi sighed softly and frowned, wondering if her price was too high. Maybe one Silver Coin per reading?
No way. That wouldn’t make any profit. Considering my Mana, after about five readings I’d be drained and would need hours of rest to recover.
Better to wait a bit longer. If no customers come, then lower the price… Wait, I have an idea!
Just sitting here waiting is too inefficient—I should be proactive!
Glancing at the passersby, Hilxi took a deep breath and approached a richly dressed man nearby, gently patting him on the shoulder.
Feeling the touch, the man turned around puzzled. He appraised Hilxi briefly before politely asking:
“Miss, may I help you?”
“I’m a fortune teller… ahem, a Fortune Teller. Handsome, dashing sir, would you like a reading?” Hilxi tried to look as pitiful as possible.
“Oh? So young and already out here making money? That’s admirable.”
“…”
Don’t get angry; this is a customer. Hilxi kept her temper.
After calming herself, she asked again:
“So, would you like a reading? Mine’s very accurate!”
“What’s the price?”
He didn’t need a reading, but the child looked pitiful—he might as well help.
The man reached into his pocket, intending to toss a few Copper Coins and do a quick reading as a good deed.
“Just one Gold Coin~ Very cheap, a bargain!”
The man’s hand froze and the smile vanished.
So it’s a scam—thankfully, almost fooled by the cute face.
“Sorry, I don’t need it.” The man coldly declined and turned to leave.
“Really don’t need it? I saw you reach for your money.” Hilxi wasn’t giving up.
“My hands are cold.”
“…”
Watching the well-dressed man run off, Hilxi’s smile faded.
She slumped, sighing again. Seems I’m inexperienced at scamming.
Next time I’ll say, “Oh sir, it’s not expensive at all. You can pay after the reading!” Heh heh, that way I can strong-arm a sale—I’m a genius!
“You’re… a Fortune Teller?”
A customer?
Her thoughts interrupted, Hilxi turned with a cheap smile.
“Yes, would you like a reading?”
The speaker was a girl about two years younger than Hilxi, with pale green hair and matching green eyes, her cheeks still a bit round and innocent. She wore a blue robe.
Hilxi’s smile faded noticeably.
A child… unlikely to have a Gold Coin.
“Um, I want to see where I can find a big pile of Coins!”
“If I could tell that, do you think I’d still be sitting out here?” Hilxi shook her head.
“Huh? Aren’t you a Fortune Teller?”
The green-haired girl looked confused, as if wondering why a Fortune Teller couldn’t predict where to find a fortune.
“Fortune Tellers aren’t all-powerful…” Hilxi dashed her hopes.
“Then can you tell me where a certain person is?”
“If you can describe what they look like, maybe.”
At that, the girl brightened and leaned closer, glancing around before whispering:
“I know where to make money. If you help me, we can make a lot.”
“Hm??”
Hilxi’s first thought: I’ve been scamming so many people, now someone’s trying to scam me.
“If you know, why don’t you earn it yourself?”
“I can’t, that’s why I’m looking for your help! Silly.”
What!? She called me silly!?
Hilxi’s face turned serious and she flicked the girl’s forehead. The girl yelped, stepping back and holding her forehead, cheeks puffed out.
“Rude child, go on yourself!” Hilxi said, preparing to leave.
“Don’t! I can’t do it alone!”
The green-haired girl followed closely. But Hilxi wasn’t stupid enough to fall for it.
“I can’t do it either. I’m just an idiot.”
“Oh no, you’re so pretty, kind, and gentle. You wouldn’t just stand by and watch!”
“Stand by and watch… isn’t that a bit extreme…” Hilxi was speechless but intrigued by the girl nonetheless.
“Let’s talk somewhere private.”
She dragged the girl like a kidnapper down a deserted alley, then coldly looked down and asked:
“Spit it out. How do we make money?”
Looking at the dark alley, the green-haired girl swallowed nervously, voice trembling:
“Playing… hide and seek.”
“Huh? Hide and seek?”
What nonsense is this? I’ve definitely been duped, how silly of me to fall for such a simple trick!
Not daring to meet Hilxi’s intimidating glare, the girl lowered her head and quietly said:
“Yes. If you win one round, you can earn several Silver Coins…”
Several Silver Coins!
Hilxi squatted down instantly, smiling kindly, her eyes fixed on the girl:
“Count me in!”