Under Lunla Grandma’s comforting presence, Belle gradually stopped crying.

  In the end, she handed the envelope and academy emblem to Lunla Grandma, then bowed to Caius before returning inside.

  Faintly, voices of her and the little girls inside could be heard.

  "Belle-sis, are you leaving?"

  "No, sis isn't leaving…"

  "That's great! Belle-sis isn’t leaving!"

  Children couldn’t understand the pain within. Their innocent words were like steel needles piercing Belle’s heart—it must have hurt.

  Yet, her voice remained gentle, carrying a smile.

  "Mm, not leaving, not leaving…"

  Caius listened in silence, then frowned slightly.

  The cigarette in his mouth was almost burnt out. He hadn’t spat it out in time, and since it didn’t have a filter, his lips were slightly scorched.

  Beside him, Kiki’s eyes were slightly red from what had just happened. At this moment, she was at a loss on how to look at Caius.

  Tossing the cigarette butt aside and crushing it underfoot, Caius ruffled the little catgirl’s head before looking at Lunla Grandma as she approached.

  "Child, I'm entrusting this to you…" she said, solemnly holding out the envelope and emblem to Caius, her expression tinged with sorrow.

  Her hands trembled slightly, her gaze never leaving the envelope and emblem, eyes filled with pain.

  But Caius merely chuckled, taking the items without putting them away. Instead, he said, "Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Caius. I’m a mercenary."

  Lunla Grandma was taken aback. "You… you’re not a student of Hydis?"

  "Not exactly," Caius grinned. "I’m just a mercenary delivering a letter from Hydis Magic Academy."

  "Now, I have a proposal. Would you like to hear it?"

  Lunla Grandma, though surprised, was a seasoned elder. She quickly regained her composure. "Go ahead."

  "As you can see, I’m a mercenary, and not just any mercenary—I’m an excellent one."

  "Do you know what makes an excellent mercenary?"

  Before Lunla Grandma could answer, Caius continued, "An excellent mercenary can complete any task!"

  "And I emphasize—any task!"

  Hearing this, Lunla Grandma caught the deeper meaning in his words, her eyes lighting up with hope. "Then… can you help her?"

  "I accept your commission!" Caius declared immediately.

  Lunla Grandma hesitated. Had she issued a commission?

  Was this considered a commission?

  But she could tell—Caius was willing to help them.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Tell me the details first," Caius said.

  "Mm…" Lunla Grandma nodded and began, "The orphanage used to receive support from the city, but ever since the new City Lord took office, the funding program was canceled."

  "The city’s administrative office no longer provides grants to keep the orphanage running."

  "Fortunately, a few kind-hearted people adopted some of the children, but there are still four left with no home. They are too young, not even ten yet."

  "So, I’ve been selling vegetables at the market to scrape by."

  "But then, a new city regulation came into effect, requiring vendors to pay taxes and stall fees. It costs 150 Gold a year, which we simply can’t afford, so we were banned from selling at the market."

  "Without a permit, selling produce privately is illegal. The vegetables we grow now can only be for our own consumption."

  "But just eating vegetables isn’t enough. We need rice, salt, oil, winter clothing, stored food…"

  "I’m old. There are many things I can no longer do, and knitting sweaters doesn’t bring in much money. Right now, the orphanage relies on Nannan attending school while working at a magic potion shop to support us."

  "Nannan met a great mentor—one from Hydis. She came to Ocean City Academy looking for talented students to join her magic research team and took notice of Nannan."

  "Nannan is a bright child, and her mentor is kind, helping us a great deal."

  "Without her, we would have suffered even more, and the children wouldn’t have been able to eat meat."

  "Even though I heard from Nannan that their research team has encountered financial difficulties recently, her mentor still hasn’t stopped supporting us."

  "Originally, I wanted Nannan to attend Hydis Academy, to follow her mentor and secure a better future."

  "But recently, another new city regulation came into effect. Ocean City Academy has become a closed-campus institution, preventing Nannan from working while studying to support the orphanage. Now, we rely solely on her mentor’s aid."

  "Yesterday, Nannan told me that their research project has hit a major roadblock, and funds are running out."

  "Her mentor still insists on helping us but is under immense pressure. Nannan doesn’t want to burden her anymore, so she’s thinking of dropping out to work instead…"

  "Nannan is exceptional—she could go to Hydis Academy, but she can’t stop worrying about us."

  "At her age, she should be out exploring the world, not shackled by us… We are the ones holding her back…" Lunla Grandma’s eyes turned red with sorrow.

  "And even though Nannan hasn’t said anything, I can tell she’s being ostracized at Ocean City Academy. One day, when she came home, I saw a bruise on her forehead. When I asked, she just said it was nothing."

  "She’s gentle and kind, but she’s also stubborn."

  "No matter how I ask, she won’t say a word. But I know—she must have suffered."

  "She claims she doesn’t want to study anymore, not just because of us, but because she’s being bullied at school."

  "So… more than anything, I want to commission you to look into what’s happening at school and help her."

  "She truly wants to continue studying. She loves learning. I beg you, please help her…"

  Caius was stunned. He had thought Lunla Grandma was telling him all this to ask for help getting the orphanage through hard times so that Belle could study without worry.

  But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

  Lunla Grandma’s real concern was that Belle wasn’t dropping out solely because of the orphanage. The bigger reason was that she was being bullied at school.

  "What about the orphanage and the children?" Caius asked.

  "I can sell the land," Lunla Grandma said. "I hold the deed to the orphanage. If I sell it, I can take the children back to my hometown and stop burdening her. I can also pay you a commission."

  "I was ready to accept my fate, but since even you are willing to help her, as her elder, I must help her too—even if it costs me my life!"

  Caius was filled with respect. He pressed his lips together and nodded. "Then I have a better idea."

  "Why don’t you sell the land to me?"

  Lunla Grandma was clearly unprepared for this possibility.

  "Yes, to me. To be honest, I just arrived in Ocean City recently and need a place to stay," Caius said. "I think this spot is nice. There’s even a lake in the back—perfect for fishing."

  "If you’re going to sell it, why not sell it to me? I’ll give you a fair price, no tricks. I’ll renovate the place, and you won’t have to leave. There are three houses—enough for everyone."

  "That way, your financial problem is solved, and you don’t have to move. It’s a win-win."

  "And as for school bullying… That’s my specialty!"

  How to deal with school bullies?

  Simple.

  Bullying the bullies back!

  A true bully of bullies!

  Caius had experience in this—he even enjoyed it.

  Lunla Grandma stared at him, her nose tingling, tears welling in her eyes.

  "Thank you… thank you…"

  "No need," Caius waved a hand with a grin. "This is helping myself too. Mentor Holan values Belle, and I am Mentor Holan’s personal mercenary. It’s my duty to help."

  "Alright, let’s discuss the price of the deed."

  "Kiki."

  "On it, Meow!"

  "Go ask the Boss Lady how much land usually sells for in Ocean City."

  "Got it, Meow!"