Magic Integration Association Branch.
“How come you’re here again…” Sheila, smoking outside the Association, scowled darkly.
“Oh, what a coincidence! On my way home, I ran into a Thief and just happened to catch him.”
Dragging the Thief, Hilxi entered the Association, and soon several people came over to verify.
“That’s the Magical Thief, Xiaren. He’s committed dozens of crimes, with stolen property totaling around 200 Gold Coins,” an Association Staff member sipping coffee confirmed.
200 Gold Coins!!
Hilxi’s breathing quickened as the place names she’d previously obtained flashed through her mind.
So that’s where it’s all hidden?
Wow, this is huge! Instant wealth overnight!
“Well then, these are the items he stole. Please check who the owners are,” Hilxi tossed a cloth bag into the hands of the Association Staff, then turned and waved her hand, “Goodbye everyone, I’ll be going now.”
“Hm? You’re leaving without even asking about the bounty?” Sheila looked at Hilxi’s retreating figure in surprise.
“I’m giving it all to you!”
“Ah, thank you!”
Suddenly, Xiaren, who had been silent until now, seemed to remember something and shook his head frantically, shouting:
“All the money I stole is hidden under a certain stone brick. I’m turning it all in! Stop that woman! She’s definitely trying to steal my property!”
“I’m not, I’m not! Don’t say that!”
“So that’s how it is. Hey, Hilxi!!” Sheila suddenly understood and turned to shout after Hilxi’s retreating back, “If you dare touch that money, you’re sleeping at the Association tonight!!”
“…So mean.”
Hilxi, who was jogging away, froze on the spot.
Unable to get the money, Hilxi returned to the Inn and slept straight until dawn.
The next morning, she went to the Association as usual for training.
She jotted down notes about the Association’s commission-related questions and strategies for handling different types of commissions.
By noon, time had passed quickly.
After lunch, Hilxi walked alone through the streets, weaving through the clamor and the endless flow of pedestrians.
These streets seemed lively every day.
But she wasn’t just out for a casual stroll—she had a goal.
“Where is Naersha now…”
Silently activating Divination Magic, Hilxi located Naersha’s position.
Right, her target was Naersha’s Purification Magic!
First, she had to find the person, but that was very easy for her.
Not long after, Hilxi spotted her target walking by the roadside: short pale yellow hair, golden eyes, still wearing the black and blue robe, looking somewhat cold.
At that moment, Naersha was holding a piece of paper, occasionally glancing around, seemingly searching for something.
Hilxi didn’t hide and confidently walked over, greeting her:
“What a coincidence, Naersha-san. Didn’t expect to run into you here!”
“Ah… you’re Hilxi-san, right? Indeed, quite the coincidence.” Naersha tilted her head for two seconds, then smiled politely.
“Rude, you just couldn’t remember my name, huh.”
“No way! I was just teasing you!” Naersha shook her head with a smile.
“Alright, I won’t hold it against you. By the way, are you looking for something?”
“Ah, am I that obvious?”
After chatting, Hilxi learned that Naersha was searching for a lost Cat of Flowers. It was also an Association commission—low pay but simple.
After hearing this, Hilxi confidently patted her chest:
“A lost Cat of Flowers, right? Simple! Leave it to me!”
“Leave it to you… huh?”
Naersha tapped her temple with a knuckle, puzzled:
“Are you trying to steal my commission?”
“Of course not, I’m just helping out, you know.”
“Is that so… but just so you know, I’m not sharing the reward.”
“Hmm, I don’t need it!” Hilxi said, her conscience pricked by her own words.
Building a good relationship first was more important. She nodded subtly in her heart.
Finding the missing cat was easy.
Hilxi only needed a glance at the cat’s features and used Divination Magic to locate it, finding it with little trouble.
“Wow, Hilxi! You’re so useful… cough cough, you’re amazing!” Naersha happily said, holding the cat.
You definitely just treated me like a tool, didn’t you… Hilxi patted the cat’s fur in her arms and let out a sigh.
“Thanks a lot, Hilxi-san. Well then, I’ll return the cat to the owner and go collect the reward at the Association, hehe…”
“Can I come along?”
“Ah, sure.”
Hehe… another commission to take, and then… a sly smile unconsciously appeared on Naersha’s face.
“Uh, that smile is kind of sinister.” Hilxi’s expression darkened.
But it was all part of her plan.
After returning the cat and collecting the reward, Naersha took another commission: to find a lost item, a necklace that looked quite valuable.
“Hilxi-san…”
Outside the Association, Naersha gave Hilxi a mysterious smile that said, “You know what I mean.”
“Ah, ah, I know what you’re thinking. Leave it to me,” Hilxi waved her hand but then paused to think.
That necklace looks like it could fetch a lot of money. Maybe I should sell it at the pawnshop after finding it—it’d probably be more than the reward…
After hesitating, Hilxi decided against it. Maintaining a good relationship was more important.
In the end, she found the necklace near the edge of a Sewer.
“This must be the necklace, right?” Hilxi looked at the floating necklace with disdain, Magic Wand clenched in her hand.
Its original silver-white color was stained with filth, giving off a foul stench. She wondered if the owner would still want it back knowing it looked like this.
“Seems like… yes?” Naersha wasn’t too sure either.
Hilxi then used Water Magic to wash it off, and Naersha’s eyes immediately brightened.
“It really is! Hilxi-san, you’re amazing!”
“Compliment me more, I can take it.” Hilxi smirked.
“Ah Hilxi-san, you’re shameless!”
“…That’s not really a compliment, is it?”
At three in the afternoon, the sun slanted west, and white clouds drifted gently across the sky.
Having completed several commissions, Hilxi and Naersha walked side by side along the street. Hilxi felt utterly drained; even walking felt unsteady.
“I… can’t do anymore.”
Unable to go on, Hilxi gave up.
“Just one last commission! Only one more!” Naersha grabbed Hilxi’s arm, her eyes shining as if she’d found treasure.
She’d earned more this afternoon than in three whole days! This friend was a keeper!
“Well, you leave me no choice. I’m out of magic…” Hilxi helplessly shrugged.
“Oh, then goodbye.”
“Your mood swings way too fast…”
“Just kidding! Well, Hilxi-san has helped me so much, so I want to help you too…” Naersha showed a knowing look and brushed hair away from her forehead, “There’s an old saying: ‘When someone is overly nice for no reason, they’re either a villain or a thief.’ Hilxi-san…”
“I don’t think that at all!” Hilxi quickly waved her hands, stepping back.
“Oh~ I get it. You’ve got a crush on me, don’t you?” Naersha’s cheeks flushed as she gave a meaningful smile.
“Ah?”
Uh… technically true, but the magic is what I’m interested in… Hilxi nodded faintly, then leaned closer again:
“I just want to be friends with Naersha-san. More friends, more paths…”
“I see, you have good taste!” For some reason, Naersha suddenly got narcissistic, “Then it’s settled. You’re my best friend from now on!”
Just that easily to best friends? Hilxi twitched at the corner of her mouth, then beamed and grabbed Naersha’s hand.
Her touch was a little cool.
Then she stated her purpose:
“As friends, holding hands is pretty normal, right?”
“Oh my, are we really that close?”
“Didn’t you just say best friends?”
“Uh… yeah.”
Thus, the precondition for duplicating her talent was met. Hilxi felt her efforts hadn’t been wasted and was much happier.
If all went well, she just needed to shamelessly stick close to Naersha for half an hour.
“Are you hungry?” Naersha suddenly asked.
Hilxi was indeed a bit hungry—after all the commissions, not just her magic but her stamina was drained.
“A little. If you insist on treating me, I’ll reluctantly accept.”
“…Then let’s go to the Bakery.”
Huh?? If you’re hungry, shouldn’t you go to a restaurant? Why a Bakery? For sweets… Hilxi was about to protest but then thought, food is food, and stayed quiet, letting Naersha lead her to the nearby Bakery.
Later, she truly turned the purpose into filling her stomach, gorging herself until Naersha’s face darkened.
Is this how you eat sweets?
“I’m full.”
Swallowing the last bite of cake, Hilxi leaned back in her chair, her expression anything but happy.
So sweet, so sweet—it’s making my stomach turn. Looks like sweets can’t replace a meal…
“How’s the taste?”
Naersha sat beside Hilxi, expressionless. If there were a “favorability meter,” she was pretty sure hers had dropped from 80 to 40.
“Uh… very sweet.” After a moment’s thought, Hilxi gave her review.
“Obviously… By the way, this place is mine.”
“! It’s so delicious! It’s the first time in my life I’ve tasted such amazing desserts. Ah, this flavor is irresistible; every bite is filled with happiness and love~ It’s like floating among colorful clouds!”
“Get real, desserts aren’t hallucinogens.”
“Haha, I’m just expressing my feelings metaphorically.”
“Sure, very metaphorical.”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.