Steps

While being carried by Den on his shoulder during the memory, the "asleep" Shin's eyes, upon realizing he was far from Dwan, would finally open discreetly to look around. He quickly noticed cracks where light seemed to notably seep through as pieces of the very reality that made up the memory shattered until, finally, Shin would open his eyes in the real world, observing Dwan watching him with a smile but a somewhat uncertain gaze, leaving Shin quite nervous. Just when he was about to break the silence, Dwan spoke.

"I've searched and delved into your mind with all my efforts, but I haven't noticed any abnormality that suggests you're some kind of threat. So, that clears you of suspicion. Also, considering we've cooperated for some time, I'd like to propose a certain idea."

"Please, go ahead."

"I think it's inevitable to hide the fact that magic exists from you. After all, you've been in contact with us for months, and now you've survived an attack from a hostile Enchanter. All these things could indicate that you would be a useful asset to our company."

"Are you suggesting I become an Enchanter?"

"You don't necessarily have to be an Enchanter to work in the company; there are several civilians working with us."

Dwan commented with a smile on his face as he clasped his hands in front of himself. Shin, on the other hand, felt somewhat nervous, although his expression didn't show it. This was a chance to perhaps take his first step to find a way back home: becoming an Enchanter. Shin looked down as if gathering courage for his response, then lifted his gaze to Dwan with a determined expression.

"While it's true that my encounter rate with paranormal events or Enchanters is notorious, to the point where this time I was a victim of an assassination attempt, and my survival was more than a miracle, these constant encounters with magic have made me want to try to gain knowledge about that magic. Not only to defend myself and my siblings but also because I feel it could be helpful in studying the case of this assassin. From what I understand, she is a figure from an important organization that is constantly being sought."

Dwan wouldn't say anything during Shin's explanation, simply watching him as if trying to find some motive beyond what he mentioned. Still, Shin's expression didn't betray his speech. Dwan would only smile gently and comment.

"It's true that you could give us good assistance since you have a direct connection with the assassin, not to mention that you could provide details that we omitted. However, the decision of whether you become an Enchanter is not entirely in my power. I can recommend you, but that decision ultimately falls on others."

"Does the church make the final decision?"

"That's right. I believe you can deduce it from the significant contributions. The churches are the main source of magical protection against Enchanters. The answer to this is as simple as knowing that multiple churches were formed from Enchanter organizations a long time ago. Specialized companies are an extension of them, where they can take legal actions to investigate cases where the existence of a hostile or unregistered Enchanter is suspected."

"If that's the case, I have no more... In fact, I have an unrelated question. How much would I be paid?"

Shin's face would become unusually serious, awaiting a response from his prospective employer. Such a sudden question would take Den, who was behind them, observing the conversation, by surprise, unable to help but release a short laugh at the sudden change of topic. Dwan, on the other hand, didn't seem very surprised by the question itself, as he had already been in Shin's memories and partly understood that he needed money for his siblings. However, he did look curious about the priority with which Shin mentioned it because the Shin he had seen in his memories wasn't the kind of person who was very careful about pay; one could say that his nobility bordered on foolishness on that matter.

"It's a good pay. 2 Vors every fortnight as a civilian assistant and 5 Vors every fortnight as an official member of the company. Work hours can vary, depending on the tasks you need to perform."

How much is that... Shin, basically from another world, carrying amnesia, left him quite vulnerable in economic terms. He would try hard to dig into his mind to find out exactly how much the economic value was. In an instant, an explosion of information in the form of memories would form in his mind. With one hand rubbing his forehead to cope with the new information overload, he pondered.

So, 2 Vors are 20 Edors, and at the same time, they are 200 Fors... There are exactly three main coins in the nation of Yvan—Vors, Edors, and Fors, in descending order of value. Vors being the highest denomination, Edors being the middle denomination, and Fors being the lowest denomination. With approximately 20 Fors, you could buy two pieces of meat. With 20 Edors, you could buy a kilogram of meat. And with 20 Vors, you could buy twenty kilograms of meat. Similarly, the value of my house is about 100 Vors. If I receive 2 Vors every fortnight, in a month, I would receive 4 Vors. In a year, I could receive between 24 to 48 Vors, almost half of what my house costs... This is an unbelievably higher sum of money compared to my job as a Guardian! Is this what that guy has been earning all this time?

Shin couldn't help but glance slightly at Den, genuinely surprised. He was answered by a small smile from Den. Shin wanted to jump at the job even if he didn't receive any power. Who wouldn't, with that pay? However, he quickly regained control of his greed when he remembered his goals and realized that being a Guardian meant a lot to him. He found himself in a dilemma.

That was close. I almost jumped into the job without considering anything else...

"The conditions are certainly attractive, but I don't think I can decide at this moment. As you know, my passion is being a Guardian. I can't easily give up something like that."

"You don't need to worry about leaving your position as the city's Guardian. Originally, the Guardian system was proposed by the church, so we have flexibility with this job. Moreover, you already work with us in a certain way, as you know. You can perform tasks we assign while carrying out your Guardian duties, and your pay will remain as we previously discussed. Of course, your two salaries won't merge; the old one will simply be replaced by the new one."

In essence, I'm the same, only now I'm paid for the extra workload...

"If your request to become an Enchanter is approved by the church, then Den will come to inform you about it."

Now I don't know if seeing him in my yard again should be good or bad news. "Understood. How will I know when I'm assigned a task?"

"You'll just know."

"How?"

"Magic."

...Is this living in a magical world? Shin couldn't help but internally satirize the situation due to the simplicity of Dwan's answers. Although he couldn't argue against them, as they made sense in that world. Dwan, on the other hand, simply smiled tranquilly as he stood up to stretch and looked at Den calmly leaning against the wall.

"Everything is finished. Shin Hin is completely free from doubts and suspicions. Keep in mind that if there's any future news from the church, you're in charge of it."

"Now I'm a babysitter, great."

Den would say with a small laugh while Shin observed him in silence with a face that seemed to be planning to assault the chestnut-haired guy once they left this place. Dwan would simply walk towards the door they had entered earlier, opening it a bit as light generated to give way to the alley again. Once both young men stepped out, the door closed and then disappeared.

Den would simply set off to go to Shin's home in the dark night. As he walked, Shin seemed curious because, despite the annoying character of the other, he wondered how he had become an Enchanter and why.

"Have you been working as an Enchanter for a long time?"

"Not much, just a few months. Although I understand that I must look like a professional, it's inevitable given who I am."

He would say with a small joking smile. Shin could only sigh, somewhat used to the other's attitude, and continue with his questions as they both walked.

"So, why did you become one? It doesn't seem like a very safe job; I can know that firsthand."

Den would continue walking, but his aura would become somewhat different from before, which was playful. Now he seemed somewhat serious on this topic, not taking his eyes off the path they had to follow. With his hands in the pockets of his trench coat, he would begin to explain.

"It's a goal I must fulfill, and for that, I can only achieve it with the powers of Enchanters. Besides, I've come to terms with giving my life for it."

"Something so important to give your life for? What is it?"

"It's a secret."

This time he's right... "I understand."

"And you? You were almost killed by an Enchanter. You should have reasons to distance yourself rather than get closer."

Correction, I was killed by her. "While it's true that the less I interact with magic, the less prone I would be to encounter her, the probability is not zero and not even close to low. So, call me a coward, but I want to have the power to ensure the protection of what I care about and myself. But more than anything... I feel it would help me find something I've lost."

"Is it an object?"

"It's a secret."

"...Heh."

Den would only stay silent for a few seconds, and for the first time, Shin noticed that he wouldn't joke or try to tease him. He would simply smile calmly as they continued their way. Soon, the figure of Shin's house would show through the fog, dimly lit by the moonlight.

"My job is done. I've taken the princess to her castle."

"Do you tell me this because you can't do it with a real one?"

"You're learning. Well done."

He would say with a small laugh, unaffected by the other's provocation. Instead, he seemed to find it amusing to slowly change Shin's manners to resemble his playful and annoying way of acting. Afterward, he would simply bid farewell and disappear with calm steps through the streets. Shin would then enter his home carefully to make sure not to wake his siblings, heading to his room visibly exhausted from the "interrogation." As he threw himself onto his bed, he would turn in a way that his face ended up facing the simple ceiling above him. Finally, he felt that he was one step closer to magical means, although, of course, he hadn't forgotten what happened with that dark curtain. His head would turn towards the nearest shadow, but he decided it was better to rest, facing something he didn't even know what it was, apparently his "special ability," while being completely exhausted, wasn't a good idea. So, he would simply relax his head on the pillow, and finally, his eyes would close, sinking into a deep and peaceful darkness.

Chapter end