The girl still looked so young that it was hard to imagine she was capable of much, let alone teaching even the most basic magic of this world.
But hearing that she was a Saint-tier Water Mage, one of the uncommon experts of this world, made him hesitate.
It was worth mentioning that both magic and swordsmanship in this world were ranked: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Saint, King, Emperor, and God.
As long as they worked hard enough, most mages could generally reach the Advanced rank in their specialty.
Anyone capable of casting magic above Advanced would be called a Fire Saint, Water Saint, and so on, earning far more respect.
Swordsmen were a little different. Instead of saying "Saint rank," they were directly called Water Saint, Sword Saint, and so forth.
Earlier that morning, Roxy Migurdia had failed her interview at the lord's estate and lost the chance to become the tutor for the daughter of the Lord of Fittoa.
She'd been depressed afterward, worrying about where she should earn money next.
But the moment she walked outside, the intimidating female warrior Ghislaine suddenly approached her and, after only a few words, offered to introduce her to another teaching job.
Before Roxy could even object, she'd been brought to the front of an obviously wealthy mansion.
The elders of the household never appeared.
Instead, the famous Sword King Ghislaine stood off to the side, quietly discussing something with the person who seemed to be her future student.
At first, they intentionally kept their voices low.
Gradually, however, they became louder.
Standing not far away, Roxy heard every word clearly.
Her cheeks slowly flushed with embarrassment, and she subconsciously fiddled with the bangs on her forehead, trying to hide how awkward she felt.
She had considered simply leaving.
But reality didn't allow it.
She was genuinely short on money right now.
So no matter how uncomfortable she felt, she could only grit her teeth and stay.
When Ghislaine and the other person finally finished talking and returned, Roxy couldn't hold back anymore.
With an unhappy expression, she asked, "So? What did you decide?"
"Why are you angry?"
"I'm not angry!"
"Uh... sorry."
Only then did Ash realize Ghislaine had been speaking a little too loudly.
With a somewhat awkward expression, he apologized, then smiled and held out his hand.
"I think you're fine. Let's go with you."
"Haah... Just like that?"
Roxy sighed, her eyes full of confusion, but she still hesitantly shook his hand.
"Did your family leave the decision entirely to you?"
"There aren't any elders in my family."
"They're away? Or should we wait until they—"
"I'm the only one in my family."
"Eh? Ah... I-I'm... sorry!"
Realizing she'd said the wrong thing, Roxy immediately lowered her head guiltily.
Ash simply smiled and waved it off, "Don't worry about it. I don't really dwell on it myself."
"I-I see... Then... should we start lessons now? Or tomorrow?"
"I still have some books I want to study more thoroughly. Let's start tomorrow."
"Then I'll come back at this time tomorrow... Um..."
Halfway through speaking, Roxy suddenly hesitated, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Ash looked puzzled, "Is there another problem?"
"N-No... it's just... the inns in town are pretty expensive, so... if possible, could I receive an advance on my pay?"
Twisting awkwardly with embarrassment, she carefully voiced her request.
She knew it wasn't exactly proper, so she hurriedly added, "Of course! I definitely won't run away, and I'll do my absolute best to teach you. I can even leave my staff here as collateral for now."
"Hmm... there's no need to leave collateral. But I do hate people cheating me out of money..."
"T-Then what should we do?"
"I'm not very good at fighting myself, but if you run away, I'll ask Ghislaine to come find you."
Ash smiled, refused the collateral with a wave of his hand, then patted the muscular woman beside him on the shoulder, delivering an even more terrifying threat instead.
Ghislaine looked completely unconcerned and nodded.
"Yeah. Don't worry. I'm pretty good at tracking people down."
"I-I won't! Really! I swear!"
Roxy hurriedly waved both hands.
She carefully glanced at the muscular woman beside him, unconsciously shivered, and repeatedly promised.
"I believe you."
Ash smiled casually before turning to the tomboyish woman standing there with her arms crossed.
"By the way, how much should I pay? Ghislaine, how much do you earn each month as the lord's bodyguard while teaching swordsmanship?"
"I get two gold coins a month. As for her, I think they offered... five silver coins?"
"That's a fivefold difference?"
From what he'd learned, a person's monthly living expenses in this world were around two silver coins.
Under those prices, hiring a Saint-tier mage only cost five silver coins, while a Sword King cost two gold coins.
It was surprisingly cheap.
If even Saint-tier mages earned so little, how were ordinary people supposed to support a family?
He couldn't help wondering about the world's economy.
Meanwhile, Ghislaine was stunned that he'd calculated the difference so quickly.
She wasn't even sure if the math was right, but the calm look on her face instantly disappeared.
Her eyes widened.
"W-Wow! You figured that out so fast?"
"I seriously don't understand what you're so surprised about."
Ash didn't feel complimented in the slightest.
Instead, he rubbed his forehead speechlessly.
"If I didn't know what you're like, I'd think you were mocking me."
"Speaking of which, are you good at math?"
"I know a bit of geometry, algebra, and calculus."
"Geometry? Algebra? What's that?"
Ghislaine looked completely lost.
"Let's put that aside... What are you trying to say?"
"Can you teach me math?"
"I can probably help with other things, but this one... Haah. Now that I think about it, you really do like making impossible requests."
As Ash sighed and took money from his pocket, Ghislaine's expression kept changing, and she couldn't think of anything to say.
In the end, however, Ash nodded.
"It's not really a problem. You teach me swordsmanship, and this kid can teach you math. She did say she'd work hard."
"Thank you."
Roxy, who hadn't been able to join the conversation and hadn't understood what they were talking about, accepted the five silver coins he handed over with a somewhat unhappy expression.
Although she didn't object to what he'd said, she still couldn't help pouting.
"I don't want you calling me a kid! I may look like this, but I'm actually alrea—"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be counting on you tomorrow."
In his eyes, someone just over thirty was still practically a child.
So he merely waved it off without caring.
His attitude left Roxy a little unhappy.
But he was the one paying her.
So despite her reluctance, she could only take the money and leave for the time being.