Wolf brought up the matter of finding a new weapon, and Headmaster Smith suggested he try his luck with the Church of Fairness. If anyone had treasures for sale, they did. Either them, or the Artificers’ Guild, but Daniel Smith hated their pompous guts. He sure as hells wouldn’t send business their way.

“Here.” Headmaster Smith flicked a fancy card towards Wolf.

The young man caught it. The card was solid black and appeared elegant. One side had Church of Fairness printed in cursive. The other side had three letters, VIP.

“What’s this, Sir?” Wolf tapped his finger at the surprisingly firm card, confirming it was neither paper nor cardboard. Monster Beast bone?

“Church of Fairness’s loyalty card. Use it when you go shopping for your sword. The more you buy the greater the discount, up to ten percent.” Headmaster explained, maintaining a neutral expression, as if he wasn’t helping Wolf. “However, it resets every five years, so it’s not as useful as it sounds at first. Just return it to me once you’re done.”

Wolf couldn’t believe his ears. This kooky old man is helping me?

“Thank you, Sir.” Remnants of Wolf’s anger disappeared, placated by the gesture. He planned to spend all his money to buy the greatest weapon he could afford. A ten percent discount saved him quite a sum.

“No need to thank me. Now, off you go.” Headmaster Smith waved his hand, shooing the youth and casually ending their meeting.

Just in case, Wolf formally bowed before leaving the office.

It’s four in the morning. Administrative services started working between eight and nine, but Wolf had an idea how to spend the spare time. He went to the True-Namer library, to dig up information on Demonic Forest.

After waking the snoozing librarian, Wolf went through the relevant records. Some things he knew. For instance, Wolf was familiar with the centennial demonic rifts and irregular Monster Beast migrations.

Some information was new. For instance, demons sometimes planted Demonic Beast trees near their rifts. Author speculated it was a religious ceremony of sorts. Humans destroyed Demonic Converters as soon as they spotted them, but if the rift opened in a danger zone, it was usually too late. Once Demonic plants took root, their demon reinforcements made chopping them down too difficult. Then, the empire's troops fortified the area until True-Namers arrived, or the rift closed.

However, Silverhound’s Mage Academy’s Headmaster from five hundred years ago had an idea. He wanted to use a conveniently placed Demonic Converter to reduce the pressure from Monster Beast migrations…

Wolf read about the region’s history. He paid special attention to differences in losses and damage suffered from Monster Beast migrations, and couldn’t help but admire the wisdom and pragmatism of Lord of Blood.

Another important article were the bestiaries. Demon Forest’s Monster Beast species all came from the Beast-lands and followed the law of the jungle. Strong feasted on the weak. With each successive Monster Beast migration, surviving Monster Beasts turned into stronger Demonic Beasts, further strengthening Silverhound’s shield.

Hours passed. Sun rose, then crept higher into the sky. After returning the last book, Wolf went to the finance department to exchange his Academic Credits. Butterflies fluttered in Wolf's stomach and his eyes shone with expectation as he fantasized about his future sword.

Ten minutes later Wolf entered the finance building, going straight for the counter.

“Good day, Sir. How may I help you?” A beautiful, shapely woman asked with a melodious voice. Then her eyes widened, and her face changed.

She jumped out of her seat and placed a break sign on her counter.

“Sir Wolf, the Chief ordered us to take you to her office without delay.” The clerk’s coquettish smile revealed perfect, pearly white teeth framed by alluring red lips.

She was stunning. The beauty was in her mid to late twenties. She wore a smart, tight-fitting business attire, looking perfectly decent, yet mesmerizing at the same time.

The suit enhanced her curvy figure. Her flawless healthy suntan and glossy brown hair were just the finishing touches which made Wolf’s heart beat faster.

She outclassed Mandy, let alone Anna.

Wolf gulped, His dilating pupils and flaring nostrils pleased the woman, making her smile widen a bit. She turned around and briskly walked away. She swayed her hips enough to attract attention, while remaining decent. Wolf dumbly watched those tightly confined buttocks shake in rhythm with the sharp clicking of her high heels.

After a moment he pursued, but didn’t move his gaze away from the woman’s tight rear.

The woman stopped. Wolf didn’t know how long he stared at her butt, but it wasn’t long enough.

“This is the Chief’s office.” The clerk motioned with her hand without turning around. “If there’s anything she cannot help you with, my name is Rose. I live in the first block, building one, the penthouse suite.”

Rose spoke nonchalantly, then spun around and “accidentally” bumped into Wolf. However, she’d miscalculated. Instead of pressing her breasts against a man’s firm chest, Rose buried Wolf’s face into her impressive bosom.

She faltered and stepped back, regaining her balance.

“Also, I’m a virgin, who isn’t interested in advancing further as a Mage,” she whispered, then with a sharp clicking of heels left Wolf behind.

The seductive statement Rose believed would arouse Wolf completely missed its mark.

Does everyone know? Did I become a joke of Silver City? He stared at the door in front of him. Does it matter?

Wolf stood alone in the hallway, thinking about his life. He wondered whether Lonely Eagle went through this period of mocking. But would public opinion stop him?

No. It wouldn’t. The shortcut to power was an irresistible temptation. Once he reached the peak of the world, who would dare call him a philandering pervert?

In his moment of doubt, Wolf examined the door in front of him. It was a good door. Oak. No less fancy than the one to the Headmaster’s office. Wolf drew in a sharp breath and calmed his mind.

He knocked on the door, which opened soundlessly.

“Come in,” a familiar voice said.

Wolf stepped into an impressive office. The outer walls were transparent, allowing rich natural light. At the center of the room stood a massive desk fashioned of black wood, behind which sat Mandy.

She stared at Wolf with dreamy eyes and a warm smile, cupping her cheeks in her hands like an infatuated schoolgirl.

“You’re finally back,” she exclaimed and got up. “I can’t believe you came to see me as soon as you returned!”

Her voice was full of emotion, her eyes watery and her smile blissful.

Mandy had changed. Radically. She seemed genuinely happy with her new job and life.

Wolf didn’t know, but Mandy earnestly prayed to Spirit of Fairness every morning. She prayed for Wolf’s safe return, and for Anna’s good health and long life. Several times a day Mandy randomly pinched herself to check whether she was dreaming. In her mind’s eye, she enjoyed an ideal life.

Wolf smiled awkwardly. “You’re doing well.”

He came to withdraw money, not visit Mandy. In fact, he only thought of her when he compared her ass with Rose’s. Oddly enough he didn’t compare breasts, even though Mandy’s were more to his taste.

After that awkward greeting, Wolf stood stiff like a board, giving Mandy enough time to run over and jump on him, hugging him with her arms and legs alike.

It was as clear as day she was happy. He also noticed Mandy had grown more beautiful and attractive. Her state of mind improved, and she stood and hugged with confidence.

Before, hints of her daily struggles and frugal lifestyle marred her face with tiny wrinkles and dark rings under her eyes. But after one month Mandy transformed. Her tiny wrinkles disappeared and her skin was pure and supple.

She replaced her smart academy-issued uniform for a custom getup. Mandy wore flat beige shoes made for dancing. She had a tight-fitting dark-blue skirt which loosened and flowed down to her calves, a custom tailored beige shirt with enough room for her bust, and an unbuttoned formal jacket, the same color as the skirt.

Mandy took a deep breath through the nose while latching onto Wolf.

“I really am doing well,” she whispered into his ear. “I can’t remember when life treated me this kindly. Honest. As soon as you left for your mission, I received a promotion letter. Now I’m the chief bursar, or the Mage Academy’s Chief of Finance as people in the administration call it. My job boils down to attending meetings and reading through piles of books, ledgers and old finance records. It’s kind of boring, but I can see the point, so I’m managing. Not to mention I’m learning about administering finances, so even if I get fired I will have a bright future ahead of me…”

Mandy spoke about her job and fantasized about the bright future glimmering beyond the distant horizon.

“That’s good. You always had a talent for accounting.” Wolf had seen Mandy’s life. He knew about her childhood, her talents, and her bizarre obsession with him. Mandy’s fascination bordered on fanatical worship, and that unconditional love scared Wolf.

Mandy nodded and continued with the subject. “I got this fancy office, and an even fancier apartment in the teacher’s block. Secretary Richard was kind enough to explain and demonstrate various Spell Formations set up here. The room is soundproof and impervious to scrying. The walls can turn transparent, and the windows act like mirrors regardless of whether they are open or closed…”

Mandy blathered. Apparently she’d memorized all her office’s features and enjoyed the perks life threw her way.

“Tell me, are you in a hurry?” Mandy realized she was so high, she jumped Wolf and flooded him with random bits of accounting and descriptions of home security wards, all the while hanging from him like a koala.

Wolf opened his mouth, but Mandy didn’t wait for him to speak. “How about you sleep over? My king size bed fits three, and I can talk to Rosaly, if you want—”

“I’m not interested in that woman.” Wolf’s cold tone surprised Mandy. However, deep down his refusal delighted her. Wolf visited her, and he didn’t show interest in a willing, attractive harlot.

Mandy let go of Wolf, then skipped to her desk. She bent over and wiggled her butt as she opened a drawer, giggling like a little girl all the while.

Wolf heard the clicking as glass bumped against wood. Are all staff members obliged to drink dwarven whiskey?

“I stashed something for you, since I know you enjoy it.” Against Wolf’s expectation, Mandy didn’t take out the smiling miner. Instead, she placed a jar of raspberry jam on the desk.

“You were away for so long, I missed you. How about we enjoy some sweet moments?” Mandy licked her lip, as if she already had jam on it. She winked and single-handedly unfastened the top button of her shirt.