"Yeah, he is with me." That single sentence was the true reason why Sebian was willing to splurge on the girl even if she were to end up leaving him alone. Without any knowledge about the local political and social system, charging right at the gates was akin to asking for trouble.

"Good. How did the exam go?" Just a single look at the alchemist later, the guard moved his eyes back on the girl.

"Do you think I would be returning here empty-handed if I passed? Ah, forget about it." Shaking her head once the town's guard sprinkled some salt on her still-fresh wounds, Aina looked back at the stranger she met in the forest. "Let's go."

As soon as the two of them passed through the gate, Sebian felt as if a whole new world opened before him. Compared to the relatively desolate outside, the land within the city walls was bustling with activity. Vendors shouting praises about their products, craftsmen tirelessly working to produce more, civilians enjoying their days on the streets… All of that served for bail of cold water that suddenly cooled Sebian's mood.

'Just like back home.' Pushing the negative thoughts aside, Sebian raised his eyes at the hill on which the centre of the town laid. Separated from the outer rim by another set of walls, a huge fortress domineered over the entire area. But rather than making the alchemist feel safe, it seemed to loom over his head, threatening to swallow him whole at first given notice.

"So, the merchant's association. Just like promised. My stones, please." After walking just a few steps, the girl turned around on her heel, before spreading her arms to the side. Behind her, nothing of importance appeared. Just a part of the city like any other.

'Yuck, she did me dirty…' Smiling in his thoughts, Sebian only shook his head with pity before reaching towards one of his bags. Pulling out a handful of the stones, he extended his arm towards the girl. Even though his purpose was clearly different and the girl appeared to be smart enough to know it, she still decided to drop him off at the entrance to an entire damned district. But if it was the short term profit she was after, then there was no reason to bother with her in the first place.

"Wait, are you serious?" Looking at the sizable stack of mana crystals in Sebian's hand, Aina involuntary took a step back.

"It's my fault I formulated my request in a way that allowed you to exploit. If I were to hold back on my world during the lessons I'm conducting, how could I hold my face as a… scholar again?" Timely coming up with a background identity that would possibly explain his future actions, Sebian smiled.

'Creating an alibi is a lengthy process, yet fully worth the efforts.' This old maxim served the alchemist through the years-long of adventures and scheming. Even if he was in a different world right now, nothing about its truths changed.

"I… Wait, I didn't say that I'm only here to guide you!" Suddenly exploding with energy, Aina clearly made some kind of decision. But before Sebian would even have a chance to say something, her face darkened as she covered her crotch and breasts with her hands. "But unless you serve the entire Gloryhouse sect to my feet, forget about anything perverted!"

From the desperate look on the girl's face, it was clear that she was serious right now. 'Little does she know, how those words will come to haunt her soon.' Smiling in his mind while nodding his head leisurely in a real-world, Sebian nodded his head before putting the stones back in his pouch. Then, with a single, decisive move, Sebian threw the entire bag towards the girl.

"From now on, for the next twenty-four hours, you are in charge of our spending. All I need you to do is to keep that second grade stone safe because we will need it a bit later." Smiling to his own thoughts, Sebian decisively stepped forward. Initially surprised, the girl obediently followed right in his steps.

'Whatever crazy things he wants me to do… It's only one day. While it's not much, that stone could still help a lot.' Throwing a single glance to the panther gently walking right beside her, the girl shivered when she saw the panther's wound.

"Worried about your beast?" Casually asking upon noticing the changes in the girl's expression, Sebian slightly frowned.

"It's nothing much. That bastard… No, I don't want to talk about it." Quickly changing her mind, Aina cut the discussion. The wound created by both the betrayal of her last teammate and the sight of her beloved pet hurt… Those wounds were still too fresh for the girl to leisurely talk about them.

"I see…" As they passed by a rundown shop, Sebian's eyes glinted when he saw the broken sign hanging loosely from a special hook. Standing for a moment in front of a huge glass behind which some potions and pills were displayed, he then quickly resumed his march. Ignoring the clear hints of mental distraught in the girl, the alchemist then dragged her around the trading district. And soon enough, the prized sight entered Sebian's eyes.

"Tell me, is this one of the more expensive stores in the area?" Still deep in her thoughts, Aina shook her head to reorganize her thoughts before looking at the place Sebian was pointing at.

"Yeah, Galloway's Grand Gallery. While not the most expensive, it certainly has some nice items." After just a single look, the girl shook her arms and answered.

"Good. Follow me. When inside, all you need to do is to smile and look nicely." Suddenly stopping in his track, Sebian turned around before sternly looking directly into the girl's eyes. "Remember. No matter what, just smile. Don't let any emotion appear on your face. That's all I'm asking for."

Leaving the girl stupefied, Sebian marched in directly into the store. Only thanks to the girl's quick wits did she manage to follow him inside before the huge doors closed behind the man.

Stepping inside the building, it seemed as if one entered another dimension. All the commotion and noises from the city suddenly disappeared, replaced by the eerie and silent atmosphere of grandeur.

Stacked in neat lines, shelves decorated the entire, huge room. With various items mindfully placed in decorative boxes, one could instantly feel the weight of the potential shopping. And at first, it seemed as if Sebian fell prey to the riches of the shop floor.

Approaching one of the shelves, he stared at a row of swords and carved crystals for a moment, before moving to another aisle. After spending another few moments there, the alchemist then moved towards his real target.

The aisle with pills and potions.

Soon, his calm face turned morbid, as if the sight of the goods displayed attempted to force a puke out of his guts. With the complexion on his face worsening, he stepped away with disgust, before moving on to another place. Before long, another set of facial mimicry ensued, quickly forcing one of the attendants to his side.

"Sir, may I be of help in any way?" Endearing the customer with the brightest smile he was capable of producing, it was clear that the serviceman hoped to dissolve the trouble before it would appear.

"Actually, yeah. I don't think you are qualified to help me though." Speaking with a face full of disgust mixed with arrogance, Sebian shook his head nonchalantly before rolling his eyes.

"May I speak to your manager?"