章節 60: Just the Beginning
I was kind of miffed and simultaneously impressed that I was tricked by 37. Nonetheless, I ignored him for a few days.
[But is Yubi—]
Nope. Let's just leave them alone. They sound like they're trouble.
I was at the local Bounty Office, staring at the wall of wanted posters. Yubi, who was most likely another Devil Partner, only had a sketch of a raggedy cloaked figure with glowing eyes. The bounty itself was rather impressive: 100 gold.
Not small gold, mind, but the denomination that was equal to 10 small gold coins.
But considering how Yubi was causing destruction in their wake, like a natural disaster, the bounty was somewhat humble for the body count and damage they did.
[Isn't Yubi—]
I'm not listening! I started humming loudly in my mind.
[…]
Walking outside, I headed toward the Library, intent on slipping a doctored journal to the Head Librarian. I turned into the closest alleyway before flying the rest of the way to the Library, landing on its roof in the last minute.
Right, I forgot about the Ward Key.
Studying the shifting wards for a bit, I deciphered the multilayered scheme before searching through my Inventory for something to be made into a new Library Pass.
Clicking my tongue impatiently, I decided to forego the medium—what was I, a Sorcerer? Magician all the way!
Using my ring to focus, I had a glass pendant a minute later.
"Did you lose this?"
I tried to move away from the person suddenly behind me, but a hand clamped down on my shoulder prevented me from doing so. Scrabbling for the pendant I was just studying to make sure my first piece of <Ward Magic> was done correctly, I slowly turned my head reluctantly to meet Nostradamus's smiling face.
My eyes moved to the necklace dangling in his free hand: my old Library Pass-Key.
"Haha… what did you expect me to do when you kept on tracking me through it, Nostradamus?" I weakly defended.
"Hm. Why did Nori need to avoid me in first place? Shaman Vesa already left."
I avoided his eyes. Wandering around Crown City the last few days, I realized that most people had the impression it was Nostradamus that defended the city.
I also found out that my flight after blasting 01 into smithereens rattled buildings and broke a few windows. Oops.
"Is it because you have something to be guilty about?" Nostradamus spoke in an alven dialect, sounding much more smooth and natural than his Continental Standard. "You know your secret is safe with me, Black Magician."
[Nori, are you okay?]
Just dandy, if, you know, I didn't have a tall half-alfr invading my personal space. It wasn't the first time someone has wrapped an arm around my collar as a friendly gesture but it felt a bit intimidating from the purple-haired Master Sorcerer.
Probably since I kept on trying to avoid him so he keeps on using physical contact to keep me in place.
"Haha, Black Magician?" I replied in alvish. "Is that not you?"
"Come now, we both know the truth. I will continue to reply vaguely, neither confirming nor denying allegations that I was the 'black magician' that saved both Pearltower and Crown City. In return, do not lie to me."
"Why?" I asked when he finally released me, allowing me to turn to face the taller magic-user.
"You are interesting, Nori."
Was that a compliment or a bad thing? Best not to ask.
"Fine. Here," I summoned the doctored journal and tossed it to the half-alfr, who caught the book with ease. "Information about the East."
"From your opponent that night?"
I nodded as I stuffed my hands into pockets, slumping into a comfortable slouch.
"I trust they are no longer a threat?"
"She's gone."
"Thank you," Nostradamus put away the journal before asking to see my work.
With a sigh, I showed him the Ward Key I just made.
He gave a low chuckle, "You made a Skeleton Key. How… Genius. Haha, this is why I like you, Nori. Be sure to visit me once in a while. We can talk."
Or else Nostradamus would track me down again, went unsaid but was obvious.
"Yeah yeah."
…
I dropped onto the cot I haven't seen in days with a gusty sigh.
Nostradamus didn't mention the cost of fixing the damage. What were the chances he was paying for it out of pocket? I mean, he was a scholar but he was also old. Though he'd probably take offense at being called old, appearing to be in his late-twenties.
[It's highly likely.]
'How much was the cost for all the broken windows?' I asked in resignation. I was a bit flakey but I would own up to my mistakes instead of letting another be my fall guy.
Well, I was still going to let people believe it was Nostradamus that beat the monster but I was definitely going to pay him back for the damage to the city!
37 summed up the damages before giving me a number.
I slapped a hand across my eyes. 'Thirty-Seven, how much money would we have if we sold… no, nevermind, answered my own question.'
I could probably pay Nostradamus back with spellbooks and information instead. Because I was basically broke and would need to resign myself to going on Hunting Dailies for money soon.
[There's incentive for you to complete missions, Nori, and not just for money.]
'Ugh, don't remind me.' I was still feeling salty that 37 actually thought to utilize my reading habit to motivate me to do what he wanted.
In fact, until now, I didn't even realize I had such a troublesome addiction.
Then again, I never ran out of things to read before back on Earth…
[Also…]
'Yes?'
[The World gave me a name, Nori.]
"Oh?" I sat up, suddenly attentive.
'Hello, I'm Nori Blackwell, please treat me well.'
The AI laughed a little before returning my greeting. [Hello Nori. I am called Diavazo.]
創作者的想法 
PenOugi
PenOugi Volume 1 End!
I'm going to take this opportunity to put DiaL on hiatus. Need to organize my outlines and plot threads for Volume 2.
Thank you for reading!
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