Chương 18: Chapter 17

"Are you the person they call Mr. Hemmensway?" Elias asked with a playful smile on his face. Even as the people who had previously been reading their newspapers slowly turned toward him, Elias's expression and posture did not change in the slightest. The sudden attention, the hidden gazes and the quiet pressure surrounding the room. None of it caused him to hesitate. Seeing that the young man's demeanor remained unchanged despite the sudden focus placed upon him, Mr. Hemmensway felt a small flicker of interest.

"Who's asking?"

"Nobody important," Elias replied casually. Mr. Hemmensway stared at him for a moment before lifting his knife and pointing the blade toward the exit.

"Then there is no need for you to stay." The smile on Elias's face slightly faltered. A deep sigh escaped his lips.

"Quite unfortunate," he whispered under his breath.

"I was thinking that this could have been the thing someone might not want to miss the chance to gain an increase in monetary value from." He shook his head.

"Truly a pity. It is difficult to find something with such potential." Without waiting for a response, Elias turned around. One step. Then another. He did not slow down. He did not look back.

"Stop." A very faint tinge of cunningness crossed through Elias's eyes. However, he suppressed his reaction and turned around with a confused expression.

"May I ask why you are calling me back?" Mr. Hemmensway narrowed his eyes.

"What are you?" Elias tilted his head slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"You do not seem human." The question caused Elias's expression to shift slightly.

"And why do you believe that?" Mr. Hemmensway lifted his knife.

"I sent a poisoned dagger toward you, yet it passed through your body." His eyes narrowed.

"However, earlier, you were able to touch my table and create sound when you tapped against it."

"I ask again." He stared directly at Elias.

"What are you?" Elias's eyes widened slightly in disbelief before he looked downward, almost sheepishly.

"Is that all you wanted to discuss?" He sighed.

"I'm not certain that is even relevant." Mr. Hemmensway remained silent. Elias continued.

"If you were given an opportunity to make your business thrive, would you truly waste time focusing on something so minor?"

"What are you talking about?" Mr. Hemmensway stepped away from his counter and slowly approached him. The distance between them shortened. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Around them, the customers whose faces were hidden beneath shadows watched silently. Their glowing white eyes remained fixed on Elias. Elias glanced around the room before smiling.

"Just as I said, I truly wonder how you have not managed to become famous among the nobility." He looked around.

"In fact, even commoners could make use of such marvelous ingenuity." A slight sigh escaped him.

"It is quite a pity to see something with such potential lying in the dust, completely unnurtured." He smiled.

"I simply wanted to make a deal." Elias turned slightly.

"But it seems my help is unnecessary." He began walking away.

"I shall take my leave. I do hope..."

"Wait." Elias stopped. Mr. Hemmensway stared at him.

"What is it that you want in return?" Elias smiled.

"Simple."

"I need information," he said, looking directly at the man.

"And you need profit." A pause followed.

"If you have money, I will accept that instead." Mr. Hemmensway frowned.

"There is no need to make this complicated."

"How about this?" Elias continued.

"The information I request is only valuable if someone knows what to do with it. If they do not use it, then it is worthless." He smiled.

"And what I offer in return is the same."

"Something useless if ignored, but incredibly valuable if used properly."

"Is that not a typical exchange?" Mr. Hemmensway remained silent.

"Quite debatable," he finally replied. Elias shrugged.

"We can sign a magical contract if you wish. As proof that I am serious." Mr. Hemmensway looked at him.

"Do you have one?"

"No." Elias smiled.

"However, I believe you should provide the material." The man's eyes narrowed.

"You expect me to provide the contract?"

"Of course." Elias looked amused.

"Otherwise, you could simply alter the terms." He tilted his head.

"You understand I would include a clause preventing such actions, correct?" Mr. Hemmensway flinched slightly.

"Would I come here without considering that?" Elias smiled.

"The wager will be your life." Silence filled the room.

"If you fail to fulfill your side of the agreement, death will be the consequence." He looked at the man.

"Fair enough, yes?" Mr. Hemmensway stared at him. Then finally nodded.

"Yes." The magical contract appeared.

"I prefer not to sign with a name." Elias glanced at the document.

"Do you have a stamp or some manner in which I can place a fingerprint?" Mr. Hemmensway looked at him.

"Illiterate?" Elias immediately shook his head.

"I would not describe myself that way."

"Then why?"

"Because fingerprints are safer." A smile appeared on Elias's face.

"Names can be changed. Identities can be stolen. A magical contract relying only on a name is rather inconvenient." He looked directly at him.

"We cannot have that now, can we, Mr. Hemmensway?" The man flinched. After a moment, he relented. He bit his finger, allowing blood to appear, and pressed it onto the contract. Elias stared.

"My, how crude." He tilted his head.

"Do you happen to have some sort of rouge I could use instead?" Mr. Hemmensway stared at him.

"You can simply use blood."

"Do you truly think I would trust you with my blood?" Elias smiled.

"I'm unsure what kind of experiments you may perform. It could even be blood magic." The man's expression darkened.

"I'm not that kind of person."

"How would I know?" Elias looked innocent.

"I have only met you today, Mr. Hemmensway." He pointed toward the knife.

"And last I checked, I was not the one who threw a poisoned dagger at someone." After a moment, Mr. Hemmensway retrieved a small container of rouge. Elias painted his thumb before pressing it against the contract. The magical document rolled up. A mark appeared upon both of their hands.

"If either party breaks the agreement..." The contract glowed.

"The consequences will activate." Elias looked intrigued.

"Quite fascinating."

"It will kill you," Mr. Hemmensway said.

"I understand." Elias smiled.

"That is precisely why it is interesting." He looked around the room.

"Now, as I was saying..."

"I have a business proposal for you."