Chapter 319 - Tea with Money
Away from the commercial districts, the streets quietened with a diminishing flow of people. Kai flicked open the pocket watch with his thumb—five minutes to his appointment—plenty, if he hadn’t gotten lost.
Split Mind had tracked the road signs while he browsed his status. He had followed the indications correctly, well… probably. It was a new city.
I should have taken Flynn’s map.
The clop of horses on the pavement alerted him to a coming wagon, the pair of coachmen too busy arguing to pay him notice. Kai turned to the tall warehouses and nondescript buildings that flanked the road for clues of his whereabouts. The plaque names didn’t ring a bell.
Did I take the wrong turn?
A patrol of guards moved up ahead, none lower than full Yellow. They wore the gold and forest green livery of House Hart.
Kai debated whether to retrace his steps and ask for directions when a breeze brought the tang of freshwater silt. Beyond a corner, the dark blue waters of the Latenna River flowed at the end of the street.
Didn’t doubt it for a moment.
Kai stopped on the stone embankment; reeds floated in the current near the shore. A pulse of mana prompted him to push his senses downward, beneath his feet. Chains of cloaked runes ran along in both directions—another corner of the city’s wards.
The whim to probe filled his head with Hallowed Intuition’s frantic whispers.
It was just a thought…
Despite the Yellow-1 density where Nerethi sprawled, he had yet to spot a single beast, not burrowed deep underground or flying above the rooftops.
From the open view of the river, the city extended with no limits. Proud buildings rose on both banks of the Latenna, with colorful market stalls hiding the bend downstream.
Kai had read of the millions calling the Republic home, seen maps of the seven provinces and many minor territories. He understood the numbers, but ink and paper couldn’t capture the weight of reality. The size didn’t sink in till he flew over the endless plains, hills and forests, and walked through cities packed with people.
And this isn’t even the capital.
He had almost caused a brawl when he asked about the biggest cities on the deck of the zeppelin. People from rival provinces were very passionate about the ranking, and only agreed that Meria stood at the top.
Right… my appointment. It should be around here.
He spun on his heels, looking for the place. Four floors, brick walls and a gray shingle roof. Too many buildings fit the description, and the flow of passersby hid whether any had a fish crest on the gate.
Should I check upstream or downstream first?
Kai patted his pockets, looking for a coin to toss, when someone cleared their throat.
“Uhm… Matthew Reece Veernon?” An elderly man stood beside him with the slightest bow, a gloved hand bent ninety degrees before him. He had gray hair combed back and a thin mustache; his pristine maroon clothes appeared vaguely familiar.
Kai bit his cheek and arched an eyebrow. “Alfred?”
The man looked different, but the demeanor and suit were the same.
How could I forget the faithful butler?
Alfred’s confusion showed plainly on his taut face. “You must have me mistaken for someone else. My name is Artesius Gilbert,” he said with a polite smile. “My master sent me to guide you since it was your first time in Nerethi. You’re Master Matthew, I presume?”
“In the very flesh.” Kai grinned and took out the letter he received. The open wax seal showed a fish swallowing a pearl. “Thank you for the help, Alfred.”
The butler didn’t blink at the mention of his name. “If you would follow me. Please, this way.”
The crowd seemed to part before Alfred’s dignified demeanor. Kai walked behind him. The building he had been looking for stood less than a hundred meters away. A wrought iron gate encircled a short garden before the door proper that was opened for them by another servant.
Upon entering the tiled floor, the noise of the streets faded, and the air assumed a fresh floral scent. Numerous presences moved inside the rooms of the four floors. Kai curbed his curiosity, following his guide up a ramp of stairs and down a corridor to their destination.
“The master is waiting inside.” The butler turned the knob and bowed aside.
“I can always rely on you, Alfred.” Kai patted his shoulder in passing. From how the man stiffened, the action must have broken some core tenet of butlery.
He entered a wide, luminous study—the door merrily shut on his back. Even at first glance, he recognized the eccentric decor and plush armchairs favored by the owner.
“Had fun terrorizing my servants?” Reishi sat behind a massive mahogany desk, webbed hands laced on a pile of papers. His reproach was blunted by his smile and the orange crest quivering on his head. “You know hiring competent people is hard enough without you making them run away.”
“I just wanted to give him some encouragement.” Kai sulked at the unjust accusations.
“You touched his shoulder.” The merman ruefully shook his head, gesturing to the sofa arranged around a coffee table.
Kai plunged into the velvet seat and stretched his legs. “Is that bad?”
“Extremely. I’ve never seen Gilbert so shaken.” Reishi’s grin again undermined his seriousness. He smoothed his silk robe and went to a corner of the room where a golden stove was boiling beside a set of porcelain service. “Feel free to talk. The room is warded. I’m glad to see you doing well. Any preference for the tea?”
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“Pick the best one for me. I’m happy to see you too.” They had numerous conversations through the House of Mirrors and missives, but they hadn’t met in person since the archipelago. “I didn’t think I’d see you so far inland.”
“Uh, why? I won’t shrivel and die if I step away from the sea. I’m not a thrice-cursed siren,” Reishi snorted. “Moving on land is just… inconvenient. But I guess that’s what rivers are for.”
“Yeah, that must be it.” Kai chuckled, wondering what face the merman would make if he learned about Rain.
I must be there the day he finds out.
“Thank you.” Kai accepted the steaming cup of a bluish tea that smelled like the sea before a storm, linden honey and raspberries. “How much was this?”
Reishi sat down across from him, softly blowing on the tea. “Five gold mesars for both, give or take. I got it for cheap.”
Already buckled for an absurd price, Kai nearly spilled the tea before firming his grip. “You’re kidding me.”
“You wanted the best. I don’t brew it just for anyone.” Reishi brought the cup to his flattened nose, humming contentedly. “You pay for quality.”
“Are you sure you didn’t get scammed?” Kai stared at the cloud of mana swirling inside the pale blue liquid.
Not like I can resell it… This better make me grow wings and raise my skills.
Kai brought the cup to his lips with the utmost care. Sweet honey and salty sea breeze swept his mouth, the floral flavor brought new notes with each sip and left a refreshing aftertaste.
The stress from the continuous travels to reach Nerethi melted away. He relaxed in the plush seat, just enjoying the moment.
“Not bad, huh?” Reishi exuded smug satisfaction. “It was worth expanding my routes inland.”
“It’s alright, I guess…” Kai said, immersed in the ever-changing taste. Was it worth gold? Probably not. But it was damn good tea. “Is this how you spent the money from selling my items?”
“What’s the point of money if you don’t enjoy yourself?” The merman savored the tea with no hurry. “I don’t intend to die on a pile of gold I never spent.”
“You do have a point…” Kai furrowed his brow. Drowning in his own riches was exactly how he imagined the greedy fish would like to pass. “So your affairs are going well?”
“Quite. Your funds are in good hands.” Reishi flashed his pointy teeth. His aura and profession had grown from their last meeting. “What about you? Is your mind still set on Raelion? The winter entrance especially doesn’t have the best reputation.”
“I’m set,” Kai said. “Waiting another year would be a waste.”
To grow stronger, his efforts and ingenuity couldn’t beat an institution that had stood for centuries. He might as well aim for the best one. And Raelion was the only place where his abilities might not stand out over his peers, not too much at least.
“Then I won’t try to dissuade you,” Reishi sighed. “Just keep in mind, Raelion isn’t simply an academy. Many patrician families of the Republic send their offspring there. It’s both a competition to reinforce their status and a way to draw ties among future elites.”
Basically a nest of young tyrants.
“Valela told me as well. In much detail." Kai downed the last sip of tea. “I’m prepared for it.”
Avoiding them if possible.
Raelion wouldn’t be the best if the powers of the Republic didn’t gather there, nor would it be renowned for its privacy and security. He had no interest in games of politics. With thousands of students admitted each year, he would only focus on his studies.
It doesn’t matter who their parents are if I get stronger than them.
A simple and arrogant solution—either you swim or you drown.
“Well, I’m glad to see you’re confident.” Reishi drew his fingers on the porcelain teacup. “Good luck at the test, though I know you won’t have trouble. Just… are you sure your companions can get in too? Even if they don’t go for Mana Studies, there are no easy courses.”
“It’ll be fine.” Kai scratched his nose to hide a smirk. “They haven’t wasted the last two months.” While he experimented with new herbs and recipes to refill his stash, Rain and Flynn spent their time out on quests.
The conversation moved to their future plans and the Republic more in general. Reishi was an endless source of knowledge on a myriad topics.
In his words: a merchant measured his worth by anticipating market changes, and scouting potential buyers and suppliers—information was king.
He’s quite chatty when you get him going.
“It’s not much of a debate. Nerethi is the second largest city after Meria by population. Others rival it in trade and wealth. Depends on what you value.” The merman gestures with a crunchy cinnamon cookie as he spoke. “It’s alright for a settlement so far from the sea. House Hart has held the governorship of this province for generations. They aren’t the keenest merchants, but the security is good.”
Kai nodded, munching a snack of his own.
Should I take notes?
“Oh, before I forget.” Reishi placed a polished casket on the coffee table between them. “This is for everything I’ve sold. After the agreed fee. I’ve got only a couple of items left in storage that are hard to place.”
“You did great.” Kai leaned forward. How long would it have taken him to sell the disparate materials from the Hidden Sanctuary? Years? Or more? Opening the lid, he gazed at the neat rows of gold and chromium coins.
Maybe I should drink that tea more often…
“There are the equivalent of eight thousand, three hundred and twenty-six gold mesars,” Reishi proudly announced. “Some of the goods you provided were rarer than I expected. It helped me make quite a few useful connections.”
“Mhmm…” Kai nodded, entranced by the fortune. He could retire and live like a rich tycoon the rest of his life.
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The decision had already been made. He took ten yellow chromiums, seventy orange and three hundred gold mesars to round the value to two thousand. Storing them in his ring, he closed the lid on the six thousand remaining and pushed it toward Reishi. “Put them to good use.”
Reishi drummed his fingers on the casket. “Are you sure? You know I can’t guarantee a return. No investment is without risk. Even the safest ship can sink in a storm.”
“We’ve already drawn a contract. I know the risks. I trust you’ll make better use of it than I.” Kai met his pale blue eyes, taking out the already signed papers.
Instead of letting his wealth rot in his ring, a skilled merchant could multiply it and share the returns. He still carried three thousand gold, adding to his previous finances—an almost excessive amount—though Raelion's admission wasn’t cheap.
The academy doesn’t lack other ways to spend, from what Valela told me. We’ll see who’s richer. Me or those punks.
“Just wanted to make sure you had no second thoughts. It’s a deal.” Reishi grinned, adding his signature to the contract. His scales beamed a shade deeper. “I’ll put them to good use. And, uh… thank you for the trust. You’ve no idea how much this helps me. I won’t forget it.”
Kai raised his hands in embarrassment. “There is no need to thank me. And we’re both gaining from this.”
I feel like I’m getting the better deal actually…
No other merchant would give him such favorable rates unless they planned to run away with his money.
“I’ll try to live up to your expectations. You know my father used to say there could be no deal where both sides were happy. Guess that’s another thing the old fish had wrong,” The merman giggled like a mischievous child, only then regaining his composure. “Speaking of which… don’t you have something else for me?”
What…?
“Oh, you mean these.” Kai deposited a row of vials by color. They were supposed to repay the herbs Reishi supplied him, though the value of orange and low yellow potions felt lacking now. “I know it’s not much… It took a while to get used to the new ingredients.”
Do a few golds matter?
“No, I love them!” The merman grabbed a flaming red potion as if someone might steal it. Uncorking the vial, he smelled and peeked at the contents. “Mhmm… Some kind of revitalizing elixir… These are always so fun to appraise and sell. It’s truly a pity you’ll go to Raelion. Why don’t you come with me instead? I’ll set up a lab on my ship and buy all the herbs you want.”
Tempting… but no.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m good.” He laughed at Reishi’s sulk. “The test is in two days. I must go prepare.”
“Can I offer nothing to change your mind?” The orange crest with shades of green flattened on his head, and he watched him with a stubborn smile. “I’ll make you rich.”
“I’m already loaded.” Kai winked as he stood up. “Now I’ve gotta go track down my inn. I’ll write you once I get into Raelion.”
He couldn’t wait for the days to pass.
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