Transmigration Into A World With Manna

Chapter 2

"What's happening today..." After Luigi spat angrily, he felt confused. He waved the paper around, but the kid didn't hurry to talk about it or beg for more time. He just sat there, looking relaxed... and strangely, he was staring at Luigi like he was a silly clown.

Luigi wanted to threaten the kid to make him beg, but he couldn't. Seeing his nephew again after so long made him feel he needed to be strong.

"It doesn't matter," he finally said. "Either you pay your debt now, or you use the house. Otherwise, I'll tell everyone at the Union. Let's see who will do business with your chamber after that!"

These words worried the old butler. Luigi's threat was scary. The chamber was struggling, but it could recover. Giving the contract to the Union would hurt their reputation.

The old butler's face turned pale, and his hand shook.

But Caster stayed calm, joking with the old butler, "I told you uncle was worried! He's already thinking no one will do business with us."

"Young Master, you joke," the old butler said, looking worried.

Caster smiled but didn't say more. He respected the old butler for staying.

"Enough with the jokes, Kid. Let's talk business!" Luigi got mad at Caster's joke. "Your father took eight thousand gold from me. You have two choices: pay now or use the house. I have other things to do."

"The house is not an option," Caster said firmly. "Your offer is too kind! I'm worried you'll lose."

Luigi ignored the joke and asked again, "So, will you pay the gold?"

"Paying back with gold isn't impossible," Caster started, then stopped.

"You really want to pay?" Luigi was surprised. Everyone knew the chamber was struggling. How could they get the money?

Luigi tried to stay calm. "That's good. Wanting to repay is best... The total is eight thousand. Go get it."

After Luigi left, Caster turned to Hisashi's two friends. "You guys still hanging around? Waiting for an invite to dinner?"

The two guys snapped out of it. "Uh, we're leaving now," one of them muttered, and they hurriedly escorted Hisashi away.

With them gone, peace returned. Caster motioned for the old butler to sit down. His bruised arm was wrapped up, causing him some discomfort. "Young Master, about the eight thousand gold..."

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Caster said casually. Eight thousand gold wasn't a big deal for him. Even though money wasn't common anymore, he still valued it. His situation now was better than the scarcity of his old world.

But the butler was worried. "We don't have the money. We've sold everything to pay for the losses from the accident."

Caster remembered something from Sifa Spellbound's memories. "Didn't my father leave me an alchemy workshop?"

"Yes, but after the accident, all three alchemists left. Without them, it's useless," the butler explained. The alchemy workshop depended on skilled alchemists, and without them, it couldn't make enough money.

"Let's check it out anyway," Caster suggested. The butler was surprised by his confidence. Caster seemed different now, more sure of himself. "Young Master has grown," the butler thought sadly, wishing his late master could see it.

As they talked, someone came to the door. It was a young man, about twenty years old, not very tall, wearing a black gown with a wyvern on the cuffs, which was the standard outfit of Okland, the top magic school in the eastern kingdom.

He must be a student from Okland, since only mages wore black gowns.

Without waiting for permission, the young mage burst in, seeing old Pavey's bandaged arm and getting angry. "Sifa Spellbound! Look what you've done! My father has worked for your family for over 30 years, and now he's hurt helping you. Is this how the Spellbound family repays loyalty?"

"Raymond, quiet!" The old butler scolded his son, trying to explain.

But Raymond was hot-tempered. He couldn't listen after seeing his father hurt. After hearing about the sea accident, he rushed from Fallen Star Lakeside to Rebillion City. On the way, he learned that Luigi had hired Hisashi to collect a debt.

Raymond had grown up in the city and knew who Hisashi was. He stormed into the Spellbound house, seeing his father's state. His anger turned towards Caster.

Raymond always looked down on Sifa. Despite having a wealthy and powerful father, Sifa struggled as a Magic Apprentice, even with the best resources. Raymond believed he could do better.

Now a mage himself, Raymond felt no envy towards Sifa. They belonged to different worlds, as professors at school had said. A lowly Magic Apprentice couldn't compare to a mage.

"Sorry, Young Master. Raymond doesn't know any better. I'll make him apologize," the old butler said.

"It's fine. Raymond is young and impulsive," Caster replied, heading for the door. Before leaving, he added, "Raymond, your father needs rest. Follow me to the Gilded Rose."

Raymond was furious. 'How dare a mere Magic Apprentice order a mage around!' But before he could react, his father scolded him.

On the way to the Gilded Rose, Raymond didn't pay much attention to Caster. He planned to play along at first, but then taunt him when the time was right.

Raymond waited for his chance to turn the tables on Sifa Spellbound.

So, the 5th Rank Mage waited patiently. The twenty minutes almost passed, yet that troublemaker continued walking slowly, lost in thought.

‘What's he thinking about? He's just an apprentice. What profound question could he have?’ Raymond wondered, growing impatient. ‘He's stalling! He needs to ask for my guidance soon. If he waits too long, we'll reach the Gilded Rose, and there won't be any witnesses! What's the point of taunting him then?’

‘I need to bring it up myself...’ Raymond thought, then spoke up, “Young Master Spellbound, did your teacher tell you which formulas you need for forming the mana whirlpool?” He felt smug, displaying his seniority.

But Raymond waited in vain. The youth remained lost in thought.

‘This is too much!’ Raymond fumed, veins popping on his forehead. ‘I'm a great mage, yet I'm initiating a conversation with a mere apprentice like him. He shouldn't dare ignore me!’

“Hey! Young Master Spellbound!” Raymond shouted, trying to control his anger.

“Hmm? What?” Caster finally snapped out of it. “Oh, the Topha formula for the foundation, Jide for direction, and Pythan to save mana,” he explained, giving Raymond a strange look. “Isn't this basic knowledge for an apprentice?”

Raymond seethed. ‘What does he mean by that? I'm a great mage! I don't need him to teach me apprentice stuff!’

Before Raymond could think of a response, they arrived at the Gilded Rose...