“So how did your mapping expedition go?” Noel got to the topic at hand right away.

“The worst. Firstly half my escort didn’t even like me, one was very vocal about it. At one point along the way they abandoned me making me fight a high silver rank beast on my own. Then one of them wanted to kill me to hide this fact. This happened on day four. So I had to spend the next week with them after being betrayed and then threatened. It was very awkward. Especially since three of those days were spent in a small vehicle. I didn’t even sleep until I got back.” Owari unloaded all of his complaints at once.

“Well I don’t think I have ever heard you complain, it must have been quite awful.” Noel was surprised by his outburst. Usually he wasn’t nearly this expressive.

“It’s because I was weaker than them and had to put up with them. I will never accept an escort again. The Sapphire Agency is going to pay me much better the next time I work with them, if they can even convince me to do so.” Owari was quite incensed. He would have rather risked having to fight that pack of lizards alone than deal with that again.

“They’ll certainly be paying for this one. What do you intend to do about it?” Noel was curious what Owari had in mind in terms of compensation, after all the Sapphire Agency really did mess up quite badly.

“Well first I’ll tell them exactly what happened. Depending on their reaction I’ll take it from there. I plan on having Rebecca help me get a meeting with a representative of some kind. If they refuse I’m not working with them again.” Owari was quite annoyed about this since he had initially planned to go alone to get more pay. He lost out on a lot of money because of that escort.

“Well I hope it goes well for you.” Noel would honestly like to storm the place herself and demand an explanation, but she left it to Owari. He would ask for help if he wanted it.

“Well either way I did make a step towards making my mystic art.” Owari decided to talk about a much more enjoyable subject.

“Oh? What happened?” Noel was very curious about this. Even without a mystic art he had come so far, so how far could he reach with one?

“It’s a long range metal affinity technique. I just have to infuse the air around my blade with metal affinity mana and ‘throw’ it at the enemy using my sword as the guide. When I used it I planned on it being a short range move, I was quite surprised when it kept going and gouged out the floor and wall.” Owari recalled the way the metal infused air arced through the air.

“Wait, did you test it out in real combat?” Noel was unsure because of his wording, but she had a gut feeling this was the case.

“Of course.” Owari nodded as if this was normal.

“Shouldn’t you have tested it first? What if it wasn’t a good technique and failed?” She was a bit worried about what would happen to him one day if he kept this habit.

“Then I just try something else. Besides I knew it would be something good, after all it was an upgrade of my most powerful technique and it stimulated my metal affinity like crazy.” It was very mana costly as well.

“Well it’s not like I can change your mind. Just be careful please.” Noel said with a sigh.

“I’m always careful.” Owari said seriously, believing it was the truth.

“Sure.” Noel didn’t believe him for a second but she decided not to argue. She just chuckled and dropped it. In the end she wasn’t too different, she just didn’t fight as much as he did. After all her chop attack against the weasel was untested as well.

“So how have you been doing?” Owari finally got around to asking the question he was curious about.

“I got my first official mission from my family. It was to take out a wolf pack that had been terrorizing cars on the highway. It was a weak type of beast but the group together was upper silver to low gold rank. It took a lot of effort to get them all to actually fight me. Once they did though it was easy.” Noel would have preferred a single strong opponent and not many weak ones. She got enough of that in the train tunnel.

“Well at least you succeeded right? I’m sure that did wonders for your standing in your family.” According to what Noel told him in order to gain standing in her family you have to actually successfully accomplish things. Whether it be gaining recognition from large groups, successfully increasing the families wealth, or accomplishing missions in the field. Noel was most suited for the last one.

“I suppose that’s true. But there are plenty of people ahead of me. Luckily I’m only just starting and I’m in a dangerous territory so I'll get more chances than most so I can still catch up.” Noel was loyal to her family, so of course she would want to increase her standing among them.

“I plan on taking a break for a while now that I’m back. I was out too long and it was a crappy outing at that.” Owari sighed.

“You deserve a break.” Noel meant it, he had been constantly studying or fighting or researching since he got here three months ago.

“Yeah, I don’t plan to stop and do nothing though, that would drive me crazy. I think I’ll go around do some actual socializing. After all I have a lot of contacts now so it’s important to do some upkeep to make sure our relationships don’t fall through.” Owari sighed, he hated politics, but if he saw it as maintaining a friendship then it wasn’t all bad.

“Look at you, actually caring about your image. I never thought I’d see the day.” Noel mocked him teasingly.

“I’m just maintaining some friendships, after all it would be a shame to lose friends because I never talked to them except for business.” Owari made an excuse.

“Whatever makes it easier for you to accept it.” Noel chuckled.

“It does make it easier, but it’s also the truth. Now how to do it.” Owari got lost in thought for a moment trying to consider this.

“You can always treat them to lunch. It’s a good way to get them into a comfortable setting so you can open up. Food is a great icebreaker.” Noel advised.

“That should do for now. I did just make a decent amount so I can afford to go to a decent place.” Owari accepted it.

“Might I make a recommendation?” Morgana cut in.

“Of course, you would be way better than me at this stuff.” Owari respected Morgana’s opinion, she was quite capable.

“I know of two places that make quite good food but would be affordable by you. One of them would be good for business talks and the other for casual eating.” Morgana was as capable as ever, even going so far as to set him up with one’s for either situation.

“Alright, I’ll go with your recommendations.” She gave him the addresses for both and a little information about them right after. “You have a very capable and convenient maid.” Owari spoke to Noel.

“Of course. Without her I would have failed completely in my duties as representative of the Silverblood family. She is well and truly beyond what I deserve.” Noel was very proud of her maid.

“That’s not true young miss. You are a very talented member of the Silverblood family. It’s my honor to serve you and help you grow.” Morgana said sincerely.

“She’s right, not many people our age are already high silver rank. Just look at Rebecca and Lance. Both are talented and only managed to reach that point at their late teens.” Owari also praised Noel.

“Doesn’t that mean you’re the same?” Noel turned it around.

“I suppose I would be going beyond being humble to say I have no talent. But a lot of my skill comes from tricks that anyone can learn. It’s just about their willingness.” Owari still managed to slip in some of his usual humble words into it.

“That’s what makes you more impressive than those like me. We rely on raw talent to push forward, while you learn the real lessons that need to be learned to become strong.” Noel said sincerely.

“I just got lucky. The things I learned were to make up for what I lacked. They just happened to be more important than I thought. Besides once you start practicing seriously I’m sure you can become gold rank.” Being gold rank at their age was the mark of a true genius. Even her father barely did it and he was the second most talented of his generation. There were only a handful in his generation who managed it.

“My grandfather used to say luck is also a form of strength. Many of our families greatest fighters became that way because of lucky chances.” Noel wasn’t sure whether she believed it but she figured she should say it.

“Well I’ll accept it then. Either way I’m mostly this strong because if I didn’t get stronger I would die. Real combat has a way of pushing you to your limits.” Owari wasn’t really a genius, he was just making the most of his talent by pushing out his potential with life or death combat.

“The number one in our family was the same. He’s one of our electrum rank experts. But back in the day he was average at best. In fact few in the family paid attention to him because he never took up missions or bothered expanding their influence. Instead he did what you did and went out and constantly fought in life or death combat until he became so strong that he didn’t need to do any of those other things to gain family approval. He was one of the people who inspired me most growing up.” Noel was quite excited to talk about this hero of hers.

“I guess that makes sense.” Owari couldn’t help but accept it after hearing that one of the top members of one of the top families was apparently as average as he was. “But then why don’t more people in your family do that?” Owari was curious.

“Two reasons, one is that it’s too dangerous. The other is that some do, they just die.” Noel shrugged. It was a risky gamble to use your life as the collateral to grow stronger. If you failed that was it for you, and you would have to make the gamble over and over. It was inevitable you might fail. Even Owari had messed up a few times and almost died. He had the scars to prove it too.

“I guess it would make sense that way. Not everyone can succeed after all.” Owari nodded.

“Well enough with the depressing stuff.” Noel couldn’t help but change the subject, they had managed to get to the negative part when the whole point of this walk was to help Owari relax.

“Fine fine.” Owari shook his head. He was still having fun.

The two of them chatted until it was time to go and eat. They headed over to the restaurant and ate their usual food before heading back to Noel’s place to rest. When they got there Morgana waited outside as usual giving them their privacy. Noel immediately went to her room and changed into some shorts and a tank top before flopping on the couch in her usual position.

“You sure look comfortable.” Owari chuckled.

“Care to Join me?” She moved to the side and smiled mischievously.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take you up on that offer?” Owari asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I’d be delighted if you did.” She didn’t flinch at all.

Owari stared at her for a moment as if considering something. His competitive side demanded he do it. But his reasonable side told him to just give her the win. He considered what would happen with either of those situations and suddenly smiled. He turned over and laid beside her on the small couch.

“You…” Noel was shocked he actually did it. She was on the edge of the couch so she had to grab his coat to keep from falling off.

“Now my legs aren’t your pillow.” Owari chuckled as he laid his head in his arms.

“Right.” Noel said as she did her best to grab Owari to keep herself on the couch.

“Do I win yet or would you like to stay like this for the rest of the evening? I don’t mind either way.” Owari pulled one hand away from his head and used it to support Noel so she wouldn’t have to fight gravity.

“You win. You can sit up now.” Noel replied. As he sat up she spoke again. “I thought you said being bold would work.” She pouted.

“You have to change it up sometimes. Besides, you’ve been spending the better part of a month removing any resistance I have towards touching you. At this point I doubt I have any trouble with that at all.” Owari just laughed. She literally spent days leaning against him, and had even hugged him once.

“I guess that makes sense.” When she thought about it that way she felt less embarrassed about what just happened. “But it was still surprising. Next time say something first.” Noel still pouted.

“Next time?” Owari just smiled causing her to be embarrassed again. In the end she lifted the pillow under her head and covered her face while silently screaming.

“I think I’ll stay like this for a while.” Noel declared as she hid her face.

“Whatever makes you happy.” Owari laughed.

“That would be hiding at the moment.” Noel also laughed a bit as she realized how childish she was being. It had been a long time since she acted so immature. It wasn’t unpleasant.

“Alright.” Owari smiled before he had a thought. He looked down at Noel’s feet. “Are you ticklish?” He asked suddenly.

“What? Why do you ask?” Noel grew slightly guarded.

“Curiosity.” Owari technically wasn’t lying.

“Yes I am. Please don’t tickle me or I’ll kick you.” She sounded serious.

Owari considered it for a bit before he sighed. “That’s no fun.” In the end he didn’t tickle her, but he swore he would one day.

“The last person who tickled me was my father and if not for his absurd strength I would have kicked his ribs in.” Noel lifted the pillow and smiled at Owari, she seemed amused by this.

“You sure know how to discourage people. I guess I’ll just have to become stronger before I can tickle you.” Owari chuckled. It was an odd thing to say but it was definitely amusing. The two started to laugh shortly after.

The two continued with such antics well after sunset. This time Morgana didn’t interrupt and it was late before they knew it. Owari and Noel said their goodbyes in high spirits and Owari went home feeling much better. When he got back he went straight to sleep and woke up at sunrise as usual. Even when he was still tired he would wake up like clockwork.

After waking up he thought for a bit and made his way to the Orion Tradecenter when he arrived he went over to the appointment desk. “Greetings sir.” The woman said as professionally as always.

“I’m here to give a message for Tristain Hilton.” He pulled out his hunter ID which also reminded him to update it. “My name is Owari.” He handed the card over for identification.

The woman looked at the iron border with some derision but she was able to hide it well. However when she saw the data on him in the books she immediately flipped 180 degrees. “Yes sir, what message would you like to give?”

“I’d like to ask him out to lunch if he is available. If not today then whenever he is next available as long as it is this week.” Owari figured it would be best to do things like this.

“One moment please.” The woman pressed a button to call an aide and gave her the message. A few minutes later she came back down. “It seems he is available tomorrow at about 11:30 if that’s okay.”

“Sounds good, tell him I know a place. I’ll come by to meet up with him here. It’s easier that way.” Owari had the message delivered and waited in case he replied. As expected he did have a message telling him he understood and he would be here.

With that Owari left and loitered around town lazily for a bit. He thought about visiting Lance but decided to do it tomorrow as he was currently lying in the park and relaxing. He felt like taking it easy today as later he would be going to see Rebecca to do some serious talking. In the end Owari spent the whole day wandering and finding new places to hang out. Eventually though it was time to go do business.

Owari knocked on Rebecca’s door, and unlike the previous times it was herself who answered. “So you’re back?” She asked curiously.

“Yes, and as much as I’d love to say I’m just visiting so you know I’m alright, I’m also not a liar.” Owari sighed.

“Did something go wrong?” She asked seriously.

“Enough to warrant a meeting with a representative of the agency for me to seriously talk to. I recommend they don’t brush me off or I have no reason to work with them in the future.” Owari was quite serious. “Though you don’t have to worry about our friendship, I don’t hold a grudge against you or anything.”

“Is it that serious?” Rebecca was shocked. She had never seen Owari annoyed like this.

“Considering your people considered killing me at one point, I’d say yes.” Owari made sure she knew how serious it was.

“They did what?” She was even more shocked by this news.

“That’s not all, but that’s all stuff for me to talk to the higher ups about. I’m sure they would be annoyed at you if they learned you had done anything here regardless of if it was good or bad.” Owari knew Rebecca wasn’t a high ranking member of the agency here. She was highly valued, especially now that she was much less cowardly, but she wasn’t high ranking.

“Alright, I’ll let them know you want to discuss some important matters with them. I’ll come by to let you know when they are able to meet you.” She sighed, at least the good thing is that acting as a go between for him meant she was a little more important to the agency.

“It has to be sometime this week and not tomorrow as I’ll be leaving after the week is through.” Owari replied.

“Alright, I’ll see what I can do.” Rebecca wasn’t sure what would happen, she just hoped everything turned out well.

“Well that’s enough serious talk. I’m back from my trip, how did things go for you while I was gone?” Owari changed the topic.

“Well enough. After the incident in the caverns I’ve turned around I guess. After what happened, facing beasts down feels inconsequential.” She still seemed shaken by the event, but she was able to hold it together.

“Well as long as something good came from it then that’s good.” Owari nodded, he knew she was shaken so he had her look at the silver lining to help. This was a far cry from how he had been three months ago when he first arrived in the city. He could barely read people at all back then.

“Right. Would you like to come in? I just finished making some tea.” Rebecca calmed down a bit after hearing him.

“Sure, we can catch up while we drink.” Owari smiled and the two went inside.

They talked for a little while before it got late and Owari went home. They were still a bit awkward around one another due to unfamiliarity, but it was better than before. Owari went home and studied before going to sleep. When the morning came he got up and did some drawing to kill time before he went to lunch. He made a portrait of Fang sleeping under Mirra while his moth flew around the clearing. Since he had no color he had to settle for shading it. He decided to pick up some paint so he could make a proper portrait later.

When it was time for lunch he met up with Tristain who was wearing his usual suit. “So you know a place huh? I hope I’m not over dressed.” He chuckled.

“Don’t worry, it’s a good place. Lunch is on me by the way, I just got a pretty good paycheck recently.” Owari decided to pay as it was only right to do so after inviting him out.

“Alright then.” He nodded, he had seen that Owari was being genuine when he said that.

The two made their way to the place. It was a two story restaurant with the first floor being more casual and the second more formal. Owari and Tristain went up to the second floor and got seated. They looked at Owari a bit funny but when they saw Tristain they chose not to say anything. When he looked at the prices Tristain smiled and nodded. Affordable but still of a good array of choices.

“So I hate to be cynical, but I’m curious why you suddenly invited me out.” Tristan decided to get down to it and get the question out of the way. This was more Owari’s style so he went with the preference of the other side.

“Three reasons. One is that I felt it would be rude to only come by when I needed to do business. Two is that I would like to build some kind of friendship between us after everything that’s happened. And three is that I just got back from an annoyingly stressful expedition and thought a nice lunch out in good company was preferable to eating rations while studying maps.” Owari laid everything out honestly as always.

“So it’s to build relations with your contact. But more of an honest interest than a business one.” Tristan was pleased by this. It meant Owari wasn’t stupid but didn’t comprimise his ideals.

“That’s the idea.” Owari didn’t deny it.

“So what is it you had in mind to talk about?” Tristain was curious.

“Nothing in particular. Do you always come up with a list of subjects to talk about whenever you visit friends?” Owari said with amusement.

“When you put it like that, I’d have to say no.” Tristain chuckled lightly.

“Though it falls into business talk, it’s more idle curiosity than business interest. How is the mine coming along?” Owari decided to break the ice with something the two had in common. It was a tip he read about in a book.

“It’s doing very well. They managed to start mining and plan to grow the treant farm away from the metal sources and cut down the treants in the way so they can mine everything cleanly. The vein is quite massive, to the point where it easily classes on top five mines on the continent. You’re quite lucky to have found it.” Tristain was impressed by his find. With 30% ownership of it he should be.

“It wasn’t entirely luck. I was purposefully looking for it in a geographically viable location.” Owari smiled calmly.

“Is that so?” Tristain was even more impressed hearing this.

“My next excursion will probably be to search for a spring. I recently obtained the necessary equipment for it so I might as well use it while it’s still in good condition.” Owari changed the subject to something less business related.

“You obtained the equipment?” Tristain was a bit curious why he would get it.

“I had already searched another location, but it came up as a bust. The springs were all too shallow to be worth it. They could probably work for a small town and the water tables are good for some of the more water dependent crops, but I’m not exactly a government contractor who works in scouting locations for towns. Plus the magical beasts there are quite strong, so it’s probably not worth it unless they get cleared a bit.” Owari felt it was a shame that there were gold ranks around there.

“Truly a shame.” Tristain also felt it was unfortunate.

“How have things been for you though?” Owari shared a bit so it was time for Tristain to share a bit.