The plan was getting good from the beginning, but the sudden appearance from Claire was the unexpected variable for Baston. He didn't want to join the Versance family since he already had many upcoming quests from the old book. For sure, his freedom would be limited once he set foot inside. At least, he had to delay his answer before he successfully killed Levan.
Tomorrow, the magic competition still ran as usual. Despite the chaotic previous battle, everyone at the seat still couldn't contain their excitements. They already enjoyed such a feast from the first and second round,
so they wanted more of it. The appetizer was done and right at the moment, it was the main menu. Baston looked at the craziness from the participant area and smiled bitterly over his decision.
In order to gain Levan's trust, he had to win many more rounds. It was better to become a champion, but it would put himself into a
limelight. The nobles must dislike the idea so other troubles would soon come to him. The best he could do was to reach a runner-up by then. This position must be good enough in front of Levan, but it was also good for Claire. Looking at the result, the woman from Versance family surely thought her decision was correct. It would be very hard to run from her anymore once Baston picked this way.
In the end, he could only do it like this for now. In order to finish his quest, he must make his best impression in front of the target. Once he got a lot of information, then there would be a chance to strike. Still, he wondered what to do about Levan's company in the end. While he was thinking, the announcer had already decided the next round between him and another person. Despite the clamored name, Baston really didn't know who was his opponent.
"Baston, your winning streak will be over from now on! I will make sure you stop in this round…" the opponent scoffed arrogantly.
"Alright…" Baston answered simply.
Since there was no recollection of what this young boy in his head, the fat boy didn't take the matter seriously. Although the people who could advance until this round was better than before, it still wasn't enough. Baston could easily shove this noble boy, but in case of getting much more attention, he prolonged the battle until half of the limited time. There was no need to take it seriously because it would do no good for his situation.
When the fat boy was busy making a little fighting drama, Levan watched the battle enthusiastically from the VIP room. At first, he planned to come here in the first and final round. Ironically, the appearance of Baston changed it because this fat boy gave him surprise in every round. For the first one, Baston didn't act too much and only hid inside his ice magic. Once he saw the opportunity, he blasted his way and advanced to the next one. In the second round, the battle was getting complicated since he needed to face 6 opponents at the same time. Levan thought Baston would lose terribly but amazingly, he regained his rhythm before successfully went to the next round.
It should be able to divert everyone's attention, but Baston simply was incredible in front of Levan. As the merchant who tried very hard to get nobility, he had to treat every step he took carefully. He often must bow
down to others, mostly to nobles when he had a chance to meet them. Afraid of
taking a possibility to offend them, he kept his attitude humble so no one could nitpick the shortcomings. Although this route was very slow, but he was glad he didn't make any enemy in the first place. Living peacefully while enjoying his wealth and power was the best way for him. That was why when he watched the second round, he felt Baston was simply just like him.
Giving the first spot to the noble while still ensuring his place, Baston showed that his way of fighting was into Levan's liking. At the
VIP room, he could see the noble boys were happy and conflicted at the same time. They were glad to win the first place, but they still let Baston advanced to the next round. Even though so, just a few minutes after that, they were quarrelling because one of them didn't get a chance to go to the next round. At that time, Levan could see they were busy over their own conflict while Baston was forgotten over the time. With just this result, the merchant laughed merrily.
Rather than having a problem with nobles, it was better to avoid it. The way Baston solved his own problem earned him a high score in Levan's heart. Looking at the noble boys who were still arguing yesterday, he
felt happy because not only the problem was gone for the fat boy, it made the relationship between the boys before strained. Sometimes, seeing other suffered felt good. That was what happened inside Levan before he left the arena to busy himself.
Not surprisingly, Baston apparently came out as the winner again. Levan who was still in trance about what happened yesterday gave an ecstatic applause to him. He realized he was getting fond of this fat boy. If
he could, he really wanted him to sign the contract before any sudden variable
disturbed his chance. Unbeknownst to him, Claire from Versance family was his biggest variable but because Baston never told him, he was still in the dark.
"Prepare the magic contract…" Levan told to his assistant.
"Are you sure…"
"Yes, I'm very sure," Levan stopped his hesitated assistant to talk anymore, "I can't wait any longer. I'm afraid Baston will be taken by other from this battle. As you can see, that fat boy will soon become the star
of this competition. If I'm waiting for more days, there will be surely one or two that take fancy of him. At that time, I will regret it forever."
"What if he doesn't want to sign it?"
"He will. Just give him a good amount of money. I'm pretty sure he can't resist the wealth he will get."
Levan was confident that Baston wouldn't reject someone who brought many stacks of money in front of him. As a person with the lowest status, he was sure the poor boy who saw a lot of money would be soon blinded
by greed. The statement was true, but it was too bad that Baston actually had already become a rich. Just a little money wouldn't faze him unless huge one. Even though so, Baston himself didn't plan to get too much money for now. The assistant then hurriedly prepared everything before looking for the fat boy.
In the meantime, Baston went back to rest after winning the battle. There was no surprise since the opponent was weaker than him. If he could comment, the first and second round were more interesting because he had to face several opponents at once. There were still a few rounds until he got to the final, but he decided it was better to stop before he reached it. He was afraid he couldn't stop himself to win this magic competition accidentally. When he was trying to rest, there was a sound coming from the door.
"Knock… knock… knock…"
Alarmed, Baston quickly hid himself inside the book. His puppet automatically came out and transformed into himself with complete
clothes. The difference was this puppet didn't look tired enough unlike the real Baston. He was like this because it reminded him when Claire visited him without warning. Afraid of meeting her directly, he strived to act carefully before the woman could leave him.
"Who is it?" Baston controlled the puppet to answer.
"I'm the assistant of Sir Levan. I'm coming here because my lord wanted to meet you."
"Me? Why is it?"
"It looks like an important thing, but I don't know for sure. It's better to come out with me to see him directly."
"Alright then…"
There was no way the assistant knew nothing. Levan and him should be the same. If the boss did something, his personal assistant should know what his boss was doing. After scrambling to the office before, Baston found out this assistant was just like Levan. The face of kind angel with the
attitude of the devil. Truly, a person couldn't be judged just by the face. Although the tone was humble, but Baston could feel the arrogance in it. He really wondered what would happen if Levan succeeded into a noble? It would be a disaster by then.
Just like that, the puppet silently followed the assistant back to the company. Different from before, they headed to the building behind the warehouse. When Baston entered, it was unlike the warehouse because this one looked like a noble house. There were many luxury goods where jewels and diamonds glimmered over the wall. Looking at this, the fat boy frowned. There
was no way Levan could buy all of these things with the money from his own company. Not only the big expenditure for the employee salary, he also needed to purchase raw materials. Even though he was the exclusive supplier, it didn't mean he could have vicarious life. Then, the only answer was the worst Baston could think of.
This merchant must be robbing so many people, destroying much more than anyone could think of. Since Levan's revenue couldn't catch up with the expenses, then he could only get more money from other sources. Unknowingly, Baston clenched his fist. If only not the puppet who took the role of facing Levan, he would already show his determination to kill. Slowly, his sense came
back before he calmed down. Being in this kind of emotion would destroy the opportunity, so it was better to act innocent until he could strike Levan.
Step by step, both of Baston and the assistant headed toward the furthest room. The man knocked the door, announcing to Levan who was inside the room that he already brought Baston here. After getting the answer, everyone was inside and the assistant locked the door. The man stood firmly beside while the fat boy took the seat. Baston felt his heartbeat rose because it felt this time something extraordinary would happen.
"Sir Levan, I heard you want to meet me urgently. Is there anything I can help?"
"It's like this…" Levan explained, "During the match earlier, I'm afraid someone will take fancy of your strength and ability. Once they make a move, it will be a regret to lose the talent like yourself. That is why I ask my assistant to come here in order to sign the contract. After you give me your consent, I will be relieved to sleep at night today."
"I see…"
Baston nodded thoughtfully because what was Levan afraid already occurred by the way. Claire had visited before this and it would be just a matter of time before she came again. Knowing this would happen, he
already got the quickest way to avoid her invitation. Anyway, the plan had to wait after he finished the quest. The assistant took the magic contract and he then started to read it. All in all, the paper looked usual with no harsh requirement but one thing disturbed him.
There was one statement he must abide. He had to be loyal for Levan and helped him whenever he needed Baston. Of course, the fat boy also must not harm him. In case this contract was violated, then the payment was his life. After that, the contract explained if he still stayed with Levan until he passed away, then all his wealth would belong to Baston. The fat boy chuckled since it had many loopholes to exploit, but it was alright. He also took advantage of this loophole to fulfill the quest. Without further ado, he signed
the contract through his puppet and slowly, the paper floated away and went back to Levan. Noticing his scam was successful, the merchant wanted to laugh loudly but he resisted until the end. He thought Baston was too easy to fool, making him couldn't wait the future he wished for.