How to Live as a Hero in a Magical World (49)
For a moment, Kaian became completely absorbed in the shining golden numbers and the even brighter future they represented.
"Um... Mister Kaian?"
The employee's careful voice finally brought him back to reality.
He tried to remain calm.
Unfortunately, his voice came out strangely hoarse.
"Ahem. One hour sounds good. Yes. Very good."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Will you also need accommodation tonight?"
"Ah, yes. One night, please. And I'd like to use the spa too."
Kaian folded the settlement paper with trembling hands and slipped it into his inner pocket.
His fingers touched Lady, which was already inside.
An Artifact and enough money for tuition.
It was a combination that naturally made his cheeks rise.
An Artifact and my tuition money...!
This is amazing!
The employee clearly noticed his twitching facial muscles.
But she showed no reaction and continued with the necessary questions.
She was truly a professional.
"Which sector would you like for your room and spa?"
⟨Saint Dust⟩ was divided into four sectors.
Sector 1 had the best facilities.
Sector 4 was the simplest.
People short on money, like Kaian usually was, generally used Sector 4.
However, it was merely cheaper than the other sectors.
The quality of its products and services wasn't poor.
In fact, escorts unanimously agreed that even Sector 4 was much better than accommodations in Silvaris or Valancia at the same price.
Still... on a day like today...
Maybe I can afford a better spa.
Remembering the golden numbers on the settlement paper, Kaian answered with determination.
"Ahem. Sector 4 for the room."
He hesitated briefly.
"For the spa... Sector 2, please."
The employee nodded and waved her wand again.
Swish.
Pett, who had been sitting there in despair, suddenly dissolved like confetti.
"Aaaaaaaah...!"
The [Gentle Veil] surrounding them also disappeared in a beautiful shower of green light.
Shhhhh...
"Your reservations have been confirmed."
"An employee will guide you to your room."
"The door to your room can be opened and closed using your [Tag]."
"Other additional services can also be accessed through your [Tag]."
"We will settle all payments here later."
"Thank you."
Kaian felt completely drained.
Of every settlement process he'd gone through at ⟨Saint Dust⟩, today's had been the longest by far.
Of course, seeing a settlement estimate far larger than he'd imagined had probably contributed to his exhaustion.
Finally... I can use the spa!
Just as he was about to follow the guide while dragging his exhausted body along, the desk employee called him again.
"Mister Kaian?"
"Yes?"
"Please don't touch anything this time."
"..."
That was right.
Kaian had already personally investigated not only the chandeliers...
But also the gold leaf on the ceiling and even the marble floor.
He had tried so hard to behave politely in the hope that the employee wouldn't recognize him.
"Yes..."
Unfortunately, hidden behind the spring-breeze smile of a Saint Dust employee was an extremely sharp memory.
***
Kaian lowered himself into an outdoor bath covered in rising steam.
He submerged everything except his head.
The air felt so refreshing that it was hard to believe the outdoor bath had been built underground.
"Haaaah... This is nice."
Was it spatial magic?
Or perhaps perception magic?
He didn't care right now.
He simply wanted to let the exhaustion melt out of his body.
Next time, I'm choosing the Sector 2 spa again.
Of course, if he wanted to enjoy a truly excellent hot spring, Eldergrove was better.
There was a Steam Valley between Twofold Lake and the Silver-White Vein.
Its hot springs were cleaner and more beautiful than anywhere else in the world.
However...
Being able to relax immediately after finishing an escort job made the spa service at ⟨Saint Dust⟩ very difficult to resist.
And things are a little awkward with Eldarin lately...
Eldarin was probably still awake in Eldergrove, waiting for him.
I felt her trying to use [Mind Link] on me earlier too.
Even when Kaian begged her to sleep first and stop waiting, Eldarin never listened.
You could simply return home immediately after finishing your escort work.
Every time she said something like that...
Kaian became irritated for reasons he couldn't explain.
Eventually, he'd started avoiding conversations with her.
Now he was even ignoring Eldarin's [Mind Link].
How did things end up like this...?
Kaian frowned, then shook his head and focused on enjoying the hot spring.
Forget it. Enjoy this first.
I spent a lot of money choosing the Sector 2 spa.
One thing he particularly liked about Sector 2 was that it could be reserved for one person.
The Sector 4 spa he'd always used was communal.
It was so noisy that it could've been mistaken for a marketplace.
Every escort who recognized Kaian would talk to him and force food into his hands.
Sector 2, on the other hand, was quiet.
Perfect for thinking alone.
Wow. So this is what paying more gets you.
Yet for some reason...
Familiar faces began appearing in his mind one after another.
Kaian suddenly chuckled.
Finn fluttered over.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I was just thinking about the guys in Sector 4."
"Oh, those noisy humans?"
"Yeah."
Kaian grinned.
"They seriously never stop talking."
He started imitating them.
"Hey, Kaian! Are you eating properly?"
"Eat this. Eat that too."
"An escort can't be that skinny! Where are you going to get any strength?"
"A kid your age shouldn't be awake this late! You'll stop growing!"
Kaian groaned dramatically.
"Seriously. So annoying. They're exhausting."
Yet the smile never left his face.
The escorts of Vernas were the people who had fed, clothed, and given a place to sleep to the strange child who had suddenly appeared one day demanding work.
"Where are you from?"
"Do you have a home?"
"What do your parents do?"
"Do you live alone?"
"Have you eaten?"
Kaian sighed.
"Food, food, food. That's all they ever talked about. Did they all die of starvation in a past life or something?"
But no matter how much he begged, they refused to let him work as an escort.
Their reason was simple.
It was too dangerous.
At your age, you should be studying. If you want to become an escort, come back when you're older.
Who said I don't want to study? I need money to study! I have to go to the academy!
The escorts completely ignored his complaints.
In the end, Kaian decided he had to prove his ability.
So he captured a wanted criminal and dropped the criminal directly in front of Dominic.
"Hehehe. Dominic's expression that day was incredible."
Kaian hadn't chosen Dominic randomly.
There had been several reasons.
First, the eastern entrance where F&F was located was the best place for hiding his identity.
The southern entrance was close to the Valancia border.
Many exchanges there maintained connections with imperial customs officials.
The western entrance was close to Silvaris.
It also attracted many smugglers, so if Kaian caused even a little trouble, rumors would spread immediately.
And the northern entrance? There's no way ⟨Saint Dust⟩ would hire a kid as a hotelier.
The eastern entrance, however, was far from both nations and located deep inside the forest.
I also liked that there were plenty of honest exchanges.
That was largely because of F&F's owner, Dominic Toreto.
Dominic's philosophy was simple.
Never do anything you'd be ashamed to show your family.
Kaian agreed with that.
You shouldn't stain your family's name.
No matter how many times he considered it, Dominic had been the best choice for an escort contract.
