Chương 9: Location, Location, Location!

When a mysterious lady in an exquisite wraithshade dress arrived at the storefront of Prestige & Heritage Property Group, Ambrogino Rouvier cancelled all his bookings for the day and tripped over his feet to take her on as his client. Ambrogino had been the top real estate manager (aside from the crown) in Rosenarte for over a decade. He knew a big spender when he saw one. Wraithshade fabric was at least fifty racks a metre, and her wide-brim hat was a custom piece from Sorcerer Hat Atelier.

Three well-dressed whelps followed behind her like ducklings. He assumed she must be the wife of a nouveau rich merchant, or perhaps the kept mistress of a wealthy lord. There were three reasons why he didn't think she was old money. First, old money tended to dress more conservatively, with perhaps a flashy ring or necklace as a statement piece, and they didn't dare use beauty charms, thinking them gauche. Secondly, they tended to be lent properties from the royal family.

They didn't have a need for a business like him. And third… Third, he was an Empath! Although his client wore an expression of cold disinterest, he could feel her excitement through his ability. He didn't disdain her type like most of the aristocracy. In fact, she was his favorite type of customer. The kind desperate to spend every cent they had in order to fit in with the upper class - to belong. Ambrogino fought his urge to chortle wickedly. He had caught a big fish - all he needed to do was reel it in.

Then he would be dining very well indeed.

"And what may I call you, miss…?"

"Ophelia," she said silkily.

"What an exquisite name, if I do say so myself," he flattered.

"I should have guessed such a beautiful woman would have an equally beautiful name."

"You are too kind." Even though her tone was cold as stone, he could feel her spark of pleasure through his abilities. A lesser real estate agent would've already been discouraged by her. Not Ambrogino. They had a short conversation about tastes before Ambrogino led Ophelia away to tour the properties. Near the Royal Mage Academy. Apartments with a nice view. A terrace balcony. He carefully steered the talks away from budget. He knew her pockets were deep.

First, he would make her fall in love with an expensive property, then he would reveal the price. The lady might hem and haw for a while but then she would call her husband and make him pay up. Ambrogino adjusted the lapels of his brocade suit, pleased with himself and his intelligence. He doubted she had any business with the Royal Mage Academy. It was too exclusive, and even money couldn't pave your way into its legendary halls. You needed to have the purest pedigree, and even then it wasn't a guarantee.

She probably just wanted to be in the vicinity in order to form connections. A "lucky meeting" with a professor or student could go a long way. Again, he didn't judge. He was a top class businessman, after all. He escorted the group into the Prestige & Heritage Property Group carriage, hopping inside himself.

"Driverless carriage," he bragged as the vehicle set off down the cobblestone road.

"State of the art magery." A few sudden yelps and shouts sounded outside the carriage as it almost plowed over some passersby. They crossed a bridge, the water of the canal glittering on the windows on either side of the carriage. He stopped at the first property. Ambrogino got out first, surreptitiously checking the wheels to make sure there were no bloodstains on them, before helping the lady out of the carriage. This apartment was a dream.

It was about an hour's walk from the Royal Mage Academy, but it was an architectural masterpiece.

"This pied-à-terre is called Luce del Sole. I'm not sure this property is for you, but there's nothing else like it in Rosenarte. It's close to many shops and restaurants." Ambrogino unlocked the brick apartment and let the group inside to admire the interior. The blonde whelp jumped with joy, running around the sunlit apartment. Ambrogino grunted with satisfaction.

"She loves it. I can tell."

"How?" Ophelia queried dryly.

"Because you're an Empath?" He paused before grinning, adjusting his lapels. So, she had looked him up prior to walking into his agency. She couldn't have known his class otherwise. He was hiding it, after all. Someone would have to have an obscenely high-tier [Observe] skill to even peek at it, and they would be nursing a migraine after. The brunette whelp walked around carefully, examining potential exits and safety hazards. He didn't seem impressed by all the windows.

"Rin, go sit on that window ledge," said Ophelia. The ravenette whelp did as she was told. She had a bitter expression on her face, but as soon as she sat near the window, the sunshine threw rays of light on her face, making her seem cute and cherubic. Ambrogino didn't blink at the strange request. He'd had particular clients before - clients that wanted houses facing certain directions to get more natural lighting. He was glad he showed his client this apartment first. The natural lighting was superb.

However, a wave of dissatisfaction went through his client.

"Absolutely not." Ophelia swept away. The hem of her wraithshade dress billowed slightly, the sheen of the fabric flashing purple then green.

"Is a darker atmosphere to your taste?" asked Ambrogino, unfazed.

"Perhaps you prefer apartments with sconces or fire sprite lanterns?" In most cases, if a client expressed disinterest, it was because they wanted to drive the price down during negotiations. Ambrogino's properties were that amazing, and he could pinpoint his clients' tastes with the accuracy of an Archer. But because he could sense Ophelia's negative emotions, he quickly moved on without a single word of cajoling. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Ophelia nodded.

"I need something with drama. Like I could set a play there." The next property also wasn't to his client's taste.

"The halls are too wide," she muttered.

"If an enemy broke in, the confrontation wouldn't feel tense at all. Ambrogino, do you have any properties with a spiral staircase? Maybe stonework?" Ambrogino did, in fact. An extremely recent acquisition. And it was right by the Royal Mage Academy. The only reason he hesitated was because he had another client interested in it. And that client was very important. There's no harm in showing her, he decided. If she's interested, I can just inflate the price to the point of ridiculousness.

If she buys it anyway then it's worth offending that fellow. They returned to the carriage and made their way to the next property.

"My lady, can't you just make a house?" asked the blonde whelp.

"I create pocket dimensions, my darling. Not houses." Cute joke. Ambrogino chortled mentally, seeing that the blonde whelp seemed to believe her mother's exaggeration. He guessed this was why people had snot-nosed spawn. Their dewy-eyed naivety made tricking them fun. After all, the only beings that could create pocket dimensions and hidden realms were the gods. Not even archmages had that capability. Except… well, there was one, wasn't there?

He glanced at Ophelia for a second before shaking his head at his own foolishness. Now he was the one with the naivety of a child. Lady Vyx had been spotted in public recently, but only for a moment. She also lived in that castle on the western outskirts of Rosenarte. There was no reason why she needed a real estate agent. A shiver ran through him. He shouldn't even be thinking of archmages. Beings of such high rank… simply thinking their name could draw their regard his way.

When they reached the apartment, he proudly began showing it off." Le Ciel," he introduced with a grand flourish of his arms. It really was a beautiful piece of architecture - gothic style, with cream stone and dark blue roofing tiles. The apartment sat on the corner of the block, and the terrace balcony went almost all the way around the building except for where it connected to the next apartment.

"We are in the elite Grandiflora District," he continued.

"This pied-à-terre went up for sale today, actually. There was a tragedy in the owner's family last night and his relatives are trying to liquidate their assets immediately."

"Oh?" said Ophelia with sly interest.

"That person wouldn't happen to have been involved in the massacre at the fighting pit ring, hm?" Ambrogino cursed. So she knew. The tragedy had been publicized in every newspaper, but the exact details had been censored by the royal house. The current story was a mana leak explosion. They went inside. A dramatic staircase descended into the foyer, which was tiled in checkered black and white marble. He basked in the shocked awe he felt from all four people.

Ophelia went around, checking the lighting and dimensions against some parameters he had no knowledge of.

"This pied-à-terre has more magic than what I usually sell," he said.

"The rooms and hallways are prone to shifting around, and on the full moon, the kitchen will bake random dishes." The woman inspected the apartment one last time, then glanced at the three kids, her gaze seeming to linger on them. A pang of melancholy went through her. Then it was gone.

"This is sufficient," said Ophelia.

"I'll take it." Ambrogino let out a deep, put-upon sigh.

"To be honest, I shouldn't have even shown you this place. It was irresponsible of me. Too many people are interested in this property. The location is perfect - places here almost never go on sale. I have offers out of my ears for it. The highest is already up to thirty million gold." A bright burst of shock went through his client. Ophelia narrowed her eyes.

"Five million." He almost choked at her audacity. Negotiating was one thing, but this was simply delusional. Five million? The land itself was more than that, let alone the building on top of it. Even his VIP client had put in an offer of ten million. Did he misread her? Was she not as wealthy as she seemed? No. He was never wrong. Ambrogino shook his head sadly.

"I can't go below thirty million. This is such a safe neighborhood, perfect for the kids."

"Except for the 'mana leaks', hm? This district is so old, I bet the mana pipes around here haven't been updated in a hundred years."

"Twenty-five million," he grudgingly offered.

"Only because I prefer selling to families." Ophelia curled her lip and pulled out a mirror. Ambrogino tried to tamp down the smugness that was surely wafting off of him. Ambrogino: 187, Clients: 0"Hello, this is the Royal Mage Academy," came a voice from the mirror. Ambrogino froze. Was this Ophelia truly delusional? Why did she call the front desk of the Royal Mage Academy?

"Please transfer me to Bianca." No. This woman was definitely crazy. Bianca Albini? The headmistress of the academy? What -"I'm sorry, miss." The voice was colder now.

"The esteemed headmistress does not accept general calls. You will need her personal number to -" Just then, the face on the mirror changed as someone forcefully took control of the line. A visage of stern beauty, white hair framing her face, appeared.

"Lady Archmage. What is it?" Ambrogino stopped breathing. He thought he might collapse on the spot, sweat breaking out across his forehead. L-Lady Archmage? Then, when his client said her name was Ophelia… did that mean… did that mean… His eyes swiveled to the woman in the wraithshade dress. Lady Ophelia Vyx, the Sovereigness of the Seam?! And she had the headmistress herself on the line, the number one offensive mage in the world? The person with the most virtuous reputation, with endless riches?

She of Radiant Valor? Oh, no. What had he done?

"Five million is fine!" he squeaked out, waving his arms desperately. If Lady Vyx even mentioned the phrase "thirty million for an apartment on Soubry Avenue" to the headmistress, he was afraid he would be incinerated on the spot by a beam from the heavens.

"Oh?" said Lady Vyx with a catlike smile.

"Nevermind then, Bianca." The lady gave her a judgmental look, before her gaze somehow found Ambrogino sweating buckets to the side. He didn't even know how that was physically possible - to look beyond the frame of the mirror. But he wasn't going to question the abilities of archmages. Especially when one of them was giving him such a glacial stare.

"I thought you said you needed that money for your apprentice," said Headmistress Albini.

"Of course. Who do you think this apartment is for? Rin will need a place to stay while attending the academy."

"We have student boarding." Lady Vyx scoffed.

"As if I'd let my apprentice stay in a shared room with who knows who." The headmistress's voice went quiet.

"We were roommates."

"..."

"Well…" Lady Vyx recovered.

"Regardless of where Rin will be staying, I still need a place near the academy. It will be a pain to get to work every day otherwise."

"You can gate across the continent in the span of a breath."

"Bianca, warping messes up my hair." The white-haired woman gave Lady Vyx a resigned look before cutting the call. The mirror returned to normal, and Lady Vyx tucked the artifact into a pocket in her dress.

"You said five million, Ambrogino?" she said with a lovely smile. He struggled not to faint. Ambrogino: 186, Clients: 1