Another world, Celeste

Chapter 41, pt 3

Later that evening, inside the dimly lit office of the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild.

Guild Master taps his finger on the cover of the notebook and asks in all seriousness, "Where, no, who did you get this information from?"

When the person who brings the notebook to him does not immediately answer, Guild Master calls her name.

"Serafina."

"Is it that important, Guild Master?" The tamer breaks her silence as she casually shrugs her shoulders. "I only took a small peak on the first page but looking at your face, there must be more valuable information inside that book."

"I wouldn't necessarily use the word valuable but it is helpful," Guild Master says with a wry smile and repeats his first question. "Tell me, who gave you this book?"

"I'll tell you but you have to agree with my request first."

Guild Master shows an unwilling face.

"It's related to finding the mage," Serafina tells him.

After a short contemplation, Guild Master nods his head, agreeing to Serafina's request but not without a hint of reluctance.

"...Fine, let me hear it."

"I wish to temporarily appoint Iris as my trainee until the end of the auction."

Guild Master is prepared to hear the tamer demanding to be paid more or to increase the number of her long breaks, however, what he just heard is unrelated to any of his expected guesses and that catches him by surprise.

He cannot help but ask, "Why all of a sudden?"

"Iris asks me if she can erect a barrier at the Auction House tomorrow. She said it would help finding the mage we're looking for a lot easier."

"And being your trainee will give her a reasonable excuse should any of the sensitive fellows choose to be annoying at the auction tomorrow."

Guild Master gets the gist of it without needing further explanation and continues, "While I don't understand how putting up a barrier is connected to finding a single mage, you know that I don't have the authority to allow it, right, Serafina?"

Serafina leans on the table with a wide knowing smile.

"Guild Master." The tamer pauses on purpose before she slowly reveals, "The person who gave me that book was Iris. She managed to collect all the information written in that book while she went around the Auction House. All in one day."

Silence fills the Guild Master's office.

Serafina stands straight to get a better look at Guild Master's face. It's the first time she has seen him looking stunned. She rather enjoys it, especially since she's not the cause of it for once.