Someone called out to her.
Katrina stiffened when she recognized the voice.
"What a coincidence!"
Nathan laughed and sat beside her.
Confusion painted Katrina's face. Why was he here? Did he not leave earlier?
"W-why are you here?"
Nathan scratched his head while answering.
"Touring..."
"ha?"
"I have [Basic Alchemy] but I'm not very good at it, so I tend to waste a lot of materials in the process. I was looking for a cheap shop to buy ingredients to cut down the cost, even if a bit and someone recommended me that shop."
Katrina inaudibly sighed and relief washed over her.
She thought Nathan had been following her.
"But I didn't think I would come across you while you were...Ahem"
Nathan slyly smiled.
"W-what?"
"I didn't think my to-be mentor was..."
Nathan leaned closer to her. He brought his lips next to her ears before whispering.
"...a thief."
"!!"
Katrina flinched and, not having expected such an action, scurried away in a panic.
In the moment of haste, the ingredients she stole fell to the ground.𝙛𝘳ee𝓌e𝗯n𝗼ѵ𝙚𝗹.𝒄𝚘m
Silence descended.
Katrina looked at the ingredients before lifting her head.
Nathan didn't say anything and only looked back at her.
"I b-bought them."
"I don't think someone hides the materials they buy under their robe though."
"T-that is because of... bullies"
Katrina denied every claim. Nathan, who heard her last words, looked surprised.
"Bullying? That would make sense."
He stopped speaking for a moment and in silence picked the ingredients before passing them to Katrina.
"I almost became the victim of bullying once, too. I know it can be hard. You can talk to me if the need arises."
Watching his gentle smile, Katrina felt a pang in her heart. Was he also bullied? Was this why he came to her, to hide just like her?
But she didn't think he would understand her. Bullying alone was never enough to put her down. In her case, bullying was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Nathan was about to leave but stopped.
"I'm sorry for asking this but... Can you show me the bill?"
He had a sorry expression as he spoke.
"That shop doesn't issue bills."
Katrina didn't hesitate and answered. She wanted nothing more than for Nathan to leave her alone at this moment.
Nathan's eyes widened.
"Seriously? what luck" He mumbled in a barely audible whisper.
Katarina didn't pay attention to his whispering and hurriedly tried to leave.
She was beginning to feel suffocated. She could feel gazes looking at her even in this empty place.
"Then..."
However, her feet stopped upon hearing Nathan's next words.
"...can you explain this?"
A hologram appeared in the air. It showed Katrina going into the shop, choosing materials, and also... stealing.
In the video, she was shaking continuously and habitually looked around, fearing that she would get caught.
"Why d-do you have a recording? How did you..."
"Know that you would steal?"
Nathan nodded to himself at Katrina's doubt.
If he was here to buy materials, why did he have a recording, a recording from the point she entered the shop at that?
"I can answer that, but is that important here?"
He leisurely circled her.
"Shouldn't you be asking what do you need to do for me to keep my mouth shut?"
Nathan already knew about Katrina's stealing habit.
After Royal Demon attacked the 0th floor, the reason she laid low was also related to this.
At that time medications were in high demand to treat the corruption of cadets, and this led to Ward buying most of the ingredients from shops.
If Katrina stole in that situation, someone would've noticed the missing ingredients and she would've gotten caught.
"I... I can report that you are blackmailing me..."
"I don't mind that. We can fall together if you want to do that."
Nathan didn't have a hint of fear as he spoke that.
For the past week, he stayed with her as he wanted her to empty her stock of materials. He knew she would steal after that and, catching her in the act, he could use the chance to persuade her to work with him.
"W-what do you need?"
Nathan's smile didn't leave his face and he took out an Oath.
'Why do I feel like I'm bringing out Oath for everything?'
He gave the Oath to Katrina.
"I need your trust. In return, I'll help you."
Katrina read the Oath.
It was a basic Oath that read Nathan would keep her secret as long as she followed his instructions. Also, if the instructions lead to physical, mental, or any other sort of harm, she had the autonomy to deny the instructions.
Katrina looked at him with a suspicious gaze.
"...Why are you giving me an Oath? You can simply… blackmail me with the video"
"It's persuasion, not blackmail. Also, will you trust me if I say I want to help you?"
In truth, this wasn't the Oath Nathan wanted Katrina to sign. He wanted to make a business alliance with her, and get other benefits too, however, he knew that for that to happen he needed to earn her trust.
Persuasion was only a short-term solution. In the long run, he needed her trust, or he might die of poison by a healing potion, heck he might be turned into a living golem too.
The last part wasn't a joke. She did that to someone in the novel, though that was by mistake, it destroyed that person and turned them into a mindless doll.
Katrina bit her lips and channeled mana into the Oath.
"I knew you would accept me, Kat! Let's clear the dungeon and have a celebration party after that!"
Nathan clapped and picked up her bag for her.
Katrina's mood was at its lowest. She stood and was about to return when Nathan's words registered in her mind.
"D-did you say d-dungeon? Uhm…you don't mean… Dungeon of Trials, do you?"
"Yes, I do"
Nathan gave his pure smile while answering.
Katrina backed away unconsciously.
"I'm o-only Lvl8. I'm very weak"
"Don't worry I will protect you"
"Can I not c-come?"
"Hahaha.... I wasn't asking"