Mistblade firmly set the terms. "When the time comes, come to me to fulfill your promise. If not... I'll deal with Kayden." With that, she turned her attention to Apache. "The book."
Apache, who had just been standing protectively in front of Mistblade, awkwardly sat back down and gave a sheepish smile. "Dean... Could it wait until next month, maybe?"
Rita's jaw nearly dropped as she turned to Mistblade. Wait, she's the dean?!
Mistblade's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I preferred you back when you stood on my desk, raising your arms and shouting that you wanted to drop out."
Rita, Nivalis, & Kayden: ...what the…
Apache clenched her fist and lightly coughed into it. "Ah, well, I was young and foolish back then."
Mistblade's tone remained icy. "Hmm. And now you're much more responsible—sending your student to raid my library and steal my World Relic."
Apache gritted her teeth and reluctantly pulled a small container of Moon Sand from her pocket, offering it to Mistblade. "I was wrong. Please forgive my disrespect."
Rita silently watched as Mistblade's expression softened once more. She took the Moon Sand and said, "Deliver the book to my palace by February."
Wait a second, Rita thought. Is she just here to collect loot? First dragon blood, now Moon Sand?!
But that wasn't all. Mistblade's gaze began sweeping the room, scanning from side to side as if she were checking to see if anything else had been stolen.
Oh no... is she mentally running an inventory check on me?!
Although Mistblade didn't look at Kayden, everyone in the room knew who she was referring to when she said, "She knows what she can and cannot speak of, correct?"
Apache replied, "Rest assured, she understands the gravity of the situation. She won't say a word."
Mistblade didn't push the issue further. She trusted Apache to handle things appropriately. "Let's hope so."
With those parting words, Mistblade turned into a misty vapor and exited the alchemy shop. Outside, the sound of Moonfox guards retreating followed her departure.
Finally, the three left in the room heaved a collective sigh of relief.
Rita immediately sat down and poured herself a glass of ice water to calm her nerves. Kayden quickly joined her, grabbing a glass of her own. Ever thoughtful, she also poured a small cup for Nivalis.
Apache opened a bottle of chilled wine for herself. "That was terrifying…"
Curious, Rita asked, "Teacher, how did she even figure out it was me? When she initially identified me, I wasn't even using this identity."
Apache took a long swig of her wine, visibly relaxing. "Haven't you been reading the Alchemy Daily? Mistblade Moon Sovereign recently invented a new gem called [Moon Serenade]. When activated, it reveals which beings owe her something. Anyone indebted to her will have musical notes floating above their heads. She probably saw the notes above you."
Rita almost choked on her water. A gem specifically designed to counter me?! If this thing becomes widespread across Lania Kaia, won't I be doomed every time I set foot there? And Mistblade can just whip up whatever she needs whenever she wants?
Nervously, Rita asked, "What tier is this gem? Is it expensive? Do you think it'll become common?"
Apache gave Rita a long, complicated look. Just how many people has she wronged?! "It's a high-tier item."
Nivalis couldn't help herself, now feeling a little less intimidated by Apache. She spoke up, "So if someone owes more, do they have more notes above their head?"
Hearing the dragon language, Apache glanced at the little mongoose for a moment. Her tone softened noticeably. "Of course. The more you owe, the more notes appear."
Rita's hand trembled slightly as she held her glass.
The little mongoose stood up, her beady black eyes looking up at the top of Rita's head. "You think when Mistblade saw you, it was a full musical score up there?!"
But Rita had already regained her composure. She reasoned that Mistblade probably couldn't be certain she was the same thief from before. The value of a single World Relic was immeasurable, and [Moon Serenade] was a new invention. It might not yet be able to distinguish between stealing one Relic versus multiple.
Or, Rita thought, she knows but considers the translation ability for universal languages to be more important than the Relics themselves.
Apache, meanwhile, looked at Rita with newfound respect. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. You remind me of my younger self."
Rita modestly replied, "Not at all, Teacher. I would never dare stand on a desk and provoke Mistblade Moon Sovereign."
Apache nodded approvingly. "True. You're more the type to crawl under her desk and pickpocket her trousers."
Rita: "..." Why do you have to make my epic heist sound so sleazy?!
Nivalis nodded thoughtfully, only to have her head gently smacked by Rita.
Kayden, who had been quietly holding her water cup, remained silent. Both Apache and Rita assumed she had been too frightened to speak. Rita decided to lighten the mood by pulling out a handheld gaming console from Nivalis's storage and handing it to Kayden. "Here, play something to relax."
After chatting a bit longer and confirming that Mistblade wouldn't suddenly come storming back, Rita finally took out the 400g of Moon Sand she had separated from Wrathful Moon earlier. She handed it to Apache.
Before she could even speak, Apache snatched the bottle and looked ready to gush with endless praise. But Rita preemptively shouted, "It's for Lucia!!!"
Apache's face fell in disappointment, and she just barely stopped herself from exclaiming, "Is this a gift for your most respected teacher? Thank you! It's late, go rest!"
Rita let out a sigh of relief. That was close.
She quickly explained Lucia's instructions, and Apache's expression grew serious. She carefully stashed away the Moon Sand according to Lucia's specifications.
"Wait, Lucia taught you [Little Fish Kingdom's King] and [Second-Rate Fool]?!"
Rita sighed dramatically. "Yes, of course. You know how Lucia is. She just can't help but spoil a true genius when she sees one."
"Teacher, why does your face look green? Don't tell me you're jealous?"
"Don't be ridiculous. This is just the natural color of undead skin. You foreigners wouldn't understand."
After chatting a while longer, Rita discussed some of the issues she'd encountered during her time in the High Tower. Once Apache learned Rita had been there, she finally understood how Rita had improved so rapidly. Without hesitation, she handed Rita ten new notebooks filled with her research, telling her to study them on her own.
As the time limit on her [Away from Home, Identity is Self-Assigned] skill approached, Rita finally bid farewell to Apache and Kayden. Leaving the alchemy shop, she hadn't gone far when she picked a pocket from a passing undead.
Suddenly, Kayden's voice called out behind her.
Rita turned around with Nivalis in her arms, both tilting their heads in unison. Kayden ran up to her, slightly out of breath. She was holding the gaming console Rita had given her earlier. She was a little taller than Rita in her current Wind Scythe form.
Clutching the console nervously, Kayden looked at Rita and asked, "Would you… like to visit my home? I want to thank you for saving me today."
Rita didn't see it as a big deal—she hadn't really saved Kayden, just saved herself. But seeing the sincerity in Kayden's eyes, she nodded in agreement. Worst case, I'll just drink another bottle of [Melting Time].