Malin participated in three battles. The Chaos Priest was the first war trophy. Malin tossed its head to the Baron, and the lame man, holding the head that fell into his lap, was still surprised and confused until Malin told him it was a gift. The Mage then shook his head very awkwardly, "This is not my war trophy, sir, I don’t deserve it."
"No, this is your war trophy. Such things are of no use to me, but for you, the head of a Chaos Priest is enough to obtain a harmless potion recipe from the Church of the Lord of Justice," Malin said with a smile, then tossed another head, that of a fish-person received from the second battle, to the Baron, "What is this thing called?"
"Tide Prophet, a subspecies of fish-people among the Spirits, but they do not belong to the oceanic civilization. They even wage wars against their fellow oceanic creatures, the fish-people. They are lackeys of the Evil God of the Ocean, and also very powerful Casters, Mages like young Mister Raphael wouldn’t be able to deal with them," the Baron explained as a Farolian, who was well-informed about such creatures from the sea. His explanation made Malin nod, "Very good, this is yours now, as a reward for answering my questions."
Baron’s reaction was even more exaggerated as he held the head, "How can this be right? I only said a few words, such a thing could sell for at least a thousand Mowish in the oddities market!"
Mowish? Malin was stunned for a moment before coming to an answer—economy. The Sydney Union is the largest trading partner of the Farol Principality and the guarantor of its independence. In this Principality, Mowish has become the lawful currency people use to trade.
It seems his father-in-law has some capable economic talents under him.
"I do not need that thousand Mowish, but you, I suppose, do. You are already a Baron, don’t you want to go one step further and become a Baron who can pass on his title? And I believe, the head of a fish-person could help you become a Baron, and as for that priest’s head, consider it my gift for your promotion," Malin said with a smile and waited until the distressed-looking Baron caught the last head Malin tossed to the old Mage, who refused it with a Blink.
"You are belittling me, Mister Malin," the old Mage shook his head, "In comparison, I really have no need for such things. As for you, you are still young, even if you own properties in Carterburg, you’ve already given out three gifts. There’s a saying among the Farolians, a Hunter should not enter the forest and return empty-handed."
Malin shook his head with a smile, "I have my own prey. The head of this Chaos Warrior is an investment I make in Raphael. I see in him the virtues a Mage should have—dreams, hope, honesty. Given time, he will be an excellent Mage, and I invest in him today hoping he will achieve his dreams. Like you, Mister Baron, I saw your courage in today’s fight."
At that, Malin turned to the Baron, "Mister, do you still oppose my offer?"
"I... I am very grateful for your generosity and swear I will not let you down," the man finally bowed his head and expressed the utmost gratitude to Malin, "I swear, I will show you that the Tony family will always stand at the forefront of the battle against Chaos."
Hearing his response, Malin nodded with a smile to show he understood, then turned to the old man, "And you now, do you intend to decline my gift on Raphael’s behalf?"
The old Mage gave a wry smile and shook his head, "I have no reason, nor the right, to make decisions for my Apprentice. Raphael, pick up that head. It is the gift Mister Malin has given you."
The Apprentice only then reached out to drag the head, which made Malin even more hopeful for the boy’s future, "Raphael, do you remember what you told me?"
"I remember, sir, I said I would work hard to become a full Mage," the boy nodded vigorously to show he hadn’t forgotten, "And that I will make sure my younger brother and sister don’t have to herd sheep again."
"Very good, since this area has been cleared, I assume we will soon hear of news from the North..." as Malin was saying this, he noticed a teleportation portal open nearby, and watched Lady Anna step out, feeling a mix of joy and regret," it seems we already have the answer."
"The battle is over, and it seems the same is true here. We have won, and the Northern district has been liberated," Lady Anna said, accepting the old Mage’s chest salute, "How did the boy do?"
"He is beyond reproach, ma’am, the most sensible child I have ever seen," the old Mage smiled at Malin, "Mister Malin, hopefully we will meet again in the future."
"Until we meet again, sir," Malin replied with a smile.
In the old man, Malin saw the shadow of his own mentor, like Hoffman, he was also a good teacher who invested his heart and soul in his Apprentices.
"Let’s go," Lady Anna stood in front of the teleportation portal.
Before stepping through, Malin paused, pulling a vial from his potion bag at his waist, "Sir, I still don’t know your name."