How to Live as a Hero in a Magical World (56)
Madam glanced at the clock.
Tick.
Ten minutes had passed since the time Kaian was supposed to arrive.
She removed her gold-rimmed glasses for a moment and groaned while pressing her heavy eyelids.
I pushed myself too hard because I wanted to secure Kaian before he changed his mind.
There had been good reason.
The things Kaian demanded for their seven o'clock meeting would normally have required at least three days to acquire.
But an intermediary can't complain on the very first request.
She had no intention of saying something like, "That's impossible."
This involved both her pride and Saint Dust's credibility.
Originally...
Madam had planned to assign Kaian the case concerning Delio's disappearance and simply issue him a standard identification card.
The fact that Kaian never personally turned wanted criminals over at the border made it easy to guess that he had no proper identification.
Madam had assumed that perhaps he was reluctant to visit the border because he worked in illegal transportation.
But...
I didn't expect him to have only just become a semi-adult.
For anyone younger than semi-adult age, using magic outside the family home was illegal.
Working was naturally illegal as well.
Still, that wasn't a problem anymore.
Starting today, he's a semi-adult.
There would be no legal issue with him working from now on.
The problem was the identification process.
First...
He needed to receive temporary identification at a border checkpoint.
Then apply for an Awakening Ceremony at a Silvaris administrative facility.
After confirming his residence and mana rank...
Blood needed to be collected from both Kaian and the person guaranteeing his identity.
It's complicated and time-consuming.
Of course...
Madam had enough connections to shorten the process.
If Gretel acted as Kaian's guarantor, he could receive identification without personally entering Silvaris.
Gretel was a famous mage in Silvaris.
Her status was more than sufficient to serve as a guarantor.
I thought that would be enough as a gift for signing the Fixer contract...
But Kaian had completely shattered Madam's plan.
I never expected him to want to hide his identity.
It had been surprising.
For someone who wanted to remain anonymous...
Kaian moved far too dramatically.
News that he had cut off the dark elf leader's head had already reached one of the high-ranking officials in the Silvaris Council.
Well... for now, only that old man knows.
Kaian's request to Madam had been rather unusual.
"I need another mage's identification card."
"Preferably one belonging to a real, living mage."
Madam had stared at him.
"...You know they inspect mana wavelengths when crossing the border, don't you?"
"Your mana wavelength won't match the one stored in that identification card."
"You'll be arrested immediately."
Kaian had answered calmly.
"That's fine. I have a way around that."
"Get an identification card from someone with at least middle-rank mana."
He paused.
"And I need the owner's blood too."
"Blood...?"
Madam had almost asked why.
Then she stopped herself.
"No."
"I think I'd rather not know."
"How much do you need?"
Kaian had thought about it.
"For now... as much as you can get."
In summary...
Madam had to convince a real living mage to surrender their identification card.
And draw their blood as well.
At that point, Madam had maintained her elegant smile and thought...
That's not particularly difficult.
There were more mages than one might expect who had overestimated their own abilities and fallen into debt.
If she offered extra money to a mage drowning beneath impossible interest...
Having some blood drawn wouldn't be a major problem.
They'd probably happily tell us to take even more.
But...
The problem was Kaian's requested deadline.
"Can I come pick everything up by morning?"
"...?"
It had already been four in the morning.
Madam had barely suppressed a curse.
"Hehe."
"Thank you for thinking so highly of my abilities."
Kaian had hesitated.
"If it's difficult, I can find another way..."
"Come back by seven tonight."
Madam smiled beautifully.
"At this rate, I may have to take back that fourteen-gold commission I waived."
That was the moment her investment had grown far beyond what she'd originally expected.
Kaian apparently noticed the sincerity mixed into her voice.
He hugged the money bag in his arms protectively.
He even glared at her.
"Taking back something you already gave me is cheap."
Madam smiled.
"I'd call it a reasonable transaction."
In the end...
Her new Fixer saved his fourteen-gold commission.
He even left the office carrying an entire case of sparkling water.
But watching Kaian walk away like that only strengthened Madam's belief that her investment was correct.
Fixers these days are all cowards.
What I need is a Fixer with nerve.
Someone bold enough to cut off the head of a dark elf leader without calculating every consequence first, if necessary.
Kaian would become much stronger in the future.
He would cut the necks of whatever stood in his path.
I can't let another organization take someone like that.
Especially not Valancia.
Kaian was ambitious.
Unfortunately for her...
That meant he would almost certainly attend the prestigious Arcadium Academy.
Then Valancia would try to absorb him through academic connections.
I need to keep creating ties between him and Silvaris so that doesn't happen.
The place that lent him a hand when he needed one.
The person who fulfilled even unreasonable requests.
If those memories accumulated...
The next time Kaian needed something, Madam would be the first person he contacted.
I only need to be slightly more useful than everyone else each time.
Tick.
The clock had already passed 7:15.
He's late.
Did something happen?
Madam sent mana into the ring on her finger.
It was a communication magical tool called [Link Wave].
The ring flashed twice.
Then the voice of the information desk employee came through.
[Yes, Madam.]
"I'm waiting for my seven o'clock appointment."
"Has Gretel sent any visitor information?"
At that exact moment...
As if answering Madam's question...
The entire office began violently shaking.
RUMMMMMMBLE...!
Objects started falling from their places.
Crash!
They had all been secured with fixing magic.
It didn't matter.
SHATTER!
This was no natural vibration.
Madam immediately realized...
Something was trying to invade her office.
Something possessing an enormous amount of mana.
The employee's panicked voice came through [Link Wave].
[Madam...! Madam...!]
"Do not let anyone enter."
Madam gave the short order and disconnected the link.
The intruder possessed power that even her own mana couldn't handle.
Calling her employees would only increase the number of people caught in the disaster.
For now...
She needed to focus on what was directly in front of her.
Haaa... Let's first try not to die.
Madam removed one of the accessories holding up her hair.
It was a wand decorated with gold and jewels.
When she poured mana into it...
A magenta sphere formed at the tip.
Hummmmmm...!
Ever since establishing the northern entrance, Madam had been pleased that she'd never needed to draw this wand.
I never expected I'd find myself praying this wouldn't be the last time I used it.
The shaking intensified.
