When Your Secret Crush Wizard Took a Love Potion - Chapter 21
The mercenary captain’s gray eyes sparkled with curiosity, contrasting the client’s still arrogant demeanor.
“Prove it.”
“Wait!”
Without thinking, I shouted ‘Fire’ and gathered flames at my fingertips, but after hearing the mercenary captain’s quick warning, I realized that demonstrating such offensive magic was not appropriate in this setting.
The innkeeper, greeting guests at the counter, caught this spectacle and gasped in shock.
“Cancel it, cancel it now! Immediately!”
As the fireball grew, the desperate client finally yelled. It took longer to dissolve the gathered magical energy than to have cast the spell.
Sweating profusely after finally extinguishing the flames, the client, soaked in sweat, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his damp forehead.
“Alright, I see you’re capable. I’ll let you board my ship.”
The situation nearly escalated into a fire. The client, looking significantly older from the shock, turned to the mercenary captain, exhausted.
“What do you think?”
“We’re lucky. We’ve encountered a competent wizard.”
Assured by the mercenary captain, the client informed me of the time and place to meet at the dock the next day and stood up.
“I need to rest early tonight at my estate after all this.”
Though he looked drained, the client settled the mercenaries’ meal expenses before leaving.
“You must also be there tomorrow at the arranged spot.”
His last glance seemed to ensure I noted his order. I see that he was a man of principle despite his earlier haughtiness.
“Quite bold of you. Was that to put that arrogant young lord in his place?”
The mercenaries’ demeanor lightened considerably as they didn’t have to be formal anymore.
“Still, that was too risky. What if you had started a fire in the inn?”
“The young lord’s confidence deflated instantly. His startled expression was hilariously pitiful. Haha!”
“Enough of that.”
The captain reigned in the mercenaries who were talking to me.
“My name is Marca Hex. Since there are others here, I’d appreciate it if you could call me captain.”
“Sure, Captain.”
It wasn’t a difficult request.
“Now that we’re working together, you’ll need more details about this job.”
Through Captain Marca, I learned the client’s name was Olio Bennet, a well-known figure among Meroni’s elite. He was newly independent from his family and eager to prove himself with his own trade.
Marca seemed enthusiastic about being his first client, though she complained a bit about playing the role of a nanny due to his slightly naive nature. Still, she didn’t entirely dislike it.
“I’m curious, with your level of magical skill, you should have made a name for yourself already.”
Typically, mercenaries receive jobs through guild brokers. Although it involves a fee, being formally employed through a guild guarantees compensation for injuries or risks incurred during the job.
Of course, there are those like me who are employed directly, bypassing the guilds. These are usually newcomers or those who prefer not to be bound by guild restrictions.
“You don’t look like a criminal.”
The captain said, eyeing me up and down as she extended her hand.
“Anyway, I hope we get along in the short time we have.”
As smoothly as things had progressed, I felt a bit bewildered. I hadn’t initially planned to hire mercenaries directly for the trip to the Mistwood Forest, nor did I expect to join in this manner.
‘Did I really make the right choice?’
The reason I kept having doubts was because I had lived with Edgar back in our mountain cabin. I shook off the hesitation and took her handshake.
New experiences always bring fear. There was nothing to lose by moving forward, so it was worth the challenge.
“Let’s meet at the dock at the scheduled time tomorrow, miss.”
Marca said, urging her men to finish up their meal.
