Death Frost | Deathsworn #2

Chapter 58 ❆ Dinner

"Actually, my master just said there is knowledge in others' experience or something, and that I should ask my peers regarding that kind of wisdom. So, in this way, I suppose we can help one another?" I suggested with my best business smile.

This way, neither I nor the others would have to feel burdened with favors. To be quite frank, though, I preferred being owed more than owing. But right now, I needed some good will—and I wasn't that horrible of a person to not want to get along with people. Kind of like trying to get off the right foot or something? I also had to clear some debts and show that I wasn't going to be an easy picking. This way, I could prevent myself from getting taken advantage of.

As I had observed so far, Erlan was a little shrewd, albeit naïve, so his executions were somewhat lackluster. If he was interacting with ordinary kids around his age, he would've probably fooled them, but I wasn't exactly an ordinary kid.

I knew he might be interested in my methods. After all, during our last fight, he'd been wrecked by me.

"Sure. Though I'm not really certain how we can help," Erlan thoughtfully replied.

"I'm sure you have a lot to offer," I said, then proceeded to take my notebook out of my pocket and tear off a page to give him.

His eyes widened at my unhesitating motions, and he wavered when I handed him the paper. "Don't you...uh...need this?"

"I actually have a good memory," I said. "Besides, this kind of information naturally depreciates in value the older it gets. People aren't standstill statues. I'd rather cash in my chips while they're still worth something." I cheerfully urged him to take the page. As he accepted, I continued, "Of course, information will be on a to-follow basis when you can offer something in return. Think of this as a free taste or something."

"You're demanding a lot. You sound confident in the value of your observations?" Arondite intoned softly beside me.

"You're right. I sound quite arrogant, don't I?" I smiled. "But if someone's after it, it should be a point of interest, at the very least." I flipped through my journal and tore off a page about him. "Here you go," I said. "You can be a judge for yourself. Either way, what's a kid like me who hasn't wiped the snot off her face without having anything to offer, right? That may not be much, so you can decide for yourself if you want what I have!"

Their dubiousness was understandable. There were many others who could offer feedbacks as good as—even better—than mine. However, I prided myself on my research ability. Researching, for one, not only required observation but also resources. The perspective of a peer was different from a master. Right now, my resources were a little short and my knowledge of the matter on hand was shallow at best. Hence, I focused my information on possible points and targets of weakness that the subject might not be aware of and made careful suggestions on how to work on them—if not what I could take advantage of. I was still limited by my inexperience, but I was viewing them as opponents, which should help them see things from such a perspective.

Arondite stared at the paper I was extending towards him.

"Anyway, if my knowledge today isn't enough, it should be better and worth something tomorrow." I shrugged.

"I don't need it," he said, turning away dismissively.

I did not feel offended by the sharp attitude, having already expected it, and steadily withdrew the piece of paper. I stuffed it calmly between the pages it was torn off from as everyone else watched.

Miles gazed at me with a hooked brow as he read through the page, dumbfounded. "Do you do this to every person you meet? Write something about them?"