Part 2: Centum (5)

“Yeah, it’s a raven. Doesn’t it look like it’s folding its wings to pray?”

The man chuckled as he spoke.

Indeed, there was a raven acting strangely on the roof of the tavern.

It had brought its wings together in midair, bowing its head in a reverent posture.

It genuinely looked like it was praying.

“Wow! What a sight!”

Lucy exclaimed in awe. She was relieved that no accidents had occurred at the tavern.

“Right? Everyone’s been staring at it. Some folks even stop to pray before leaving. I came here after hearing the rumors and decided to make a wish myself.”

“That’s so fascinating. Aiden, should we make a wish too?”

Aiden frowned and shook his head.

Only Lucy clasped her hands together and made a wish.

Meanwhile, Aiden used Soul Telepathy to reach out to Mugin.

-What are you doing?

-Praying, just like someone suggested, Mugin replied slyly.

Clearly, the raven was protesting over the joke they’d shared earlier that morning—about wanting to eat a Mana Heart.

Aiden, however, thoroughly ignored Mugin. If he indulged its whims, it would never stop.

*  *  *

Once they began their proper tour of the town, Lucy found herself unintentionally drawing the attention of passersby.

The reason was none other than Aiden’s appearance.

Everyone they passed, regardless of age or gender, couldn’t help but steal glances at him.

Lucy chuckled softly.

She remembered reacting the same way when she first met him.

On the other hand, Aiden pulled up the hood attached to his robe to cover his face.

“Doesn’t it bother you, being stared at so much?”

Aiden gave a small nod.

“But doesn’t wearing the hood make it harder to see your surroundings?”

“It’s fine.”

“It might not be. Come on, let me get you a present to celebrate your visit to the town.”

Lucy dragged Aiden to a clothing store, where she bought a long, thick scarf.

“Stand still for a second.”

She wrapped the scarf snugly around Aiden’s neck, pulling it up to cover his nose. With half his face concealed, his striking appearance was toned down just enough.

“How’s that? Warm, doesn’t block your view, and it hides your face. Triple win, right?”

“This is… quite practical,” Aiden admitted.

Lucy smiled, satisfied with her handiwork.

They crossed the central plaza and strolled into the bustling commercial district.

Even in the morning, the streets were packed with people.

Shops were open, and locals and visitors mingled noisily.

A juggler entertained a crowd, while a bard sang a melodious tune.

The scent of delicious food wafted from street stalls.

As Lucy pointed out landmarks and highlights of the town, she peppered Aiden with questions.

She was curious about his past, about the life he had led.

But his answers were far from satisfying.

The response she heard most frequently was, “Not sure.”

Where was he from?

What was his family like?

Where had he traveled during his wanderings?

Aiden deflected almost every question.

“Aiden, about when we met Cheese… did I upset you in some way?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“You’ve been so quiet. I thought maybe you still held a grudge.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

He didn’t seem to be lying.

It was becoming clear that Aiden was naturally reserved.

He only answered when spoken to and rarely initiated conversation with Lucy.

If she wanted to talk, she usually had to be the one to start.

There really was no one quite like him.

Perhaps this was why people said the heavens were fair.

The heavens had gifted Aiden with unparalleled looks but had taken away his sociability in return.

What kind of life had Aiden lived?

What had shaped him into the person he was now?

She couldn’t help but be curious.

Of course, she’d never know unless he chose to open up.

“How’s your magic training coming along?”

For once, Aiden asked a question.

“Not great. I feel like I’ve hit a wall lately. It’s hard to construct mana circuits just from library books… Wait. Hold on. How do you know I’m training in magic?”

Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise.

Aiden had asked so naturally that she hadn’t thought twice about answering. But now it didn’t add up.

The fact that she was training in magic was…

…something even her parents didn’t know.

“I can sense the mana in you.”

“Mana perception starts at fourth-class mages!”

“You don’t have to be a fourth-class mage to feel it if you’re highly attuned.”

“Wow. That’s amazing. So can you use magic too?”

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“I’m not a mage, but I can use magic.”

“What does that even mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

Aiden slipped out of the conversation like a slippery fish, keeping his secrets close.

“Has Mister Carl told you yet?”

“Told me what?”

“That he’s planning to send you to the academy.”

For someone so taciturn, Aiden had a knack for dropping bombshells.

Her father? Sending her to the academy?

That was the first she’d heard of it.

“My father doesn’t even know I’m training in magic. I’ve been hiding it from him all this time.”

“Maybe he knows but pretended not to.”

“No way.”

Lucy waved her hands dismissively.

“Have you ever wondered why Mister Carl suddenly started working as a mercenary?”

“Because we needed the money…”

“If money was tight, he could’ve taken small jobs in the town. He didn’t have to go far away. He took big jobs to earn a large sum in one go.”

“……”

“Any job that requires being away for years would have to involve a hefty sum—enough to cover academy tuition.”

Lucy blinked in shock.

Everything clicked into place.

The tavern’s earnings were meager, but not so dire that her father had to leave for years at a time.

When he decided to leave, her mother hadn’t tried to stop him.

She’d grumbled outwardly, but Lucy knew her mother couldn’t live without him.

Now, it all made sense.

Her mother must have known she was a mage, too.

“Honestly, I never even considered that. But how did you figure it out when I didn’t?”

“You just have to observe and analyze.”

With that, Aiden fell silent again, offering no further explanation about his “analysis.”

Lucy’s feelings were a mix of guilt for her father’s sacrifice and excitement at the thought of attending the academy.

“You’re a mystery, you know that? I can’t figure you out at all.”

“It’s better if you don’t. Especially my past.”

“But I want to know.”

Aiden didn’t respond.

Lucy no longer felt hurt.

It wasn’t because Aiden ignored her, but because she had come to understand that this was just his nature.

“Most people can’t wait to talk about themselves. You’re the complete opposite. Doesn’t that feel suffocating?”

“Not really.”

Aiden replied calmly.

“I was thinking of heading to buy a music box now.”

“Do you like music boxes?”

“I suppose I do.”

“If it’s a music store you’re looking for, this way is better.”

“No, this way is faster.”

Aiden strode confidently ahead.

He navigated through a maze of alleys without hesitation, avoiding the main road.

Lucy was surprised once again.

The path Aiden took was ten minutes faster than the one she knew.

He’d only arrived in the town yesterday, so how did he already know the shortcuts?

Though Aiden seemed aware of Lucy’s astonishment, he didn’t bother to explain.

It was just like Aiden.

At a shop specializing in music boxes, Aiden carefully examined several pieces before purchasing two.

Both were top-quality music boxes.

Their surfaces were elegantly engraved, adorned with sparkling jewel decorations.

The melodies that played when wound were clear and natural.

Despite each music box costing a hefty 5 gold, Aiden showed no hesitation in making the purchase.

He had clearly stated he wasn’t a noble.

‘Maybe his parents are extraordinary merchants.’

“Here, this is for you.”

“Really? You’re giving it to me?”

“You gave me the scarf, after all.”

Lucy carefully accepted the music box Aiden handed her.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

“Let’s wrap up the tour and head back.”

“Why? It’s only been two hours.”

“Because you’ll be busy, and so will I.”

Aiden’s words carried a cryptic tone.

*  *  *

On the way back to the tavern, Aiden kept fiddling with the scarf.

In truth, he didn’t need it.

He could regulate his body temperature using mana.

But the warmth from mana and the warmth from the scarf were different.

The decisive difference…

…was the texture.

He liked the soft feeling of the fabric wrapping around his neck and face. Covering his nose with the scarf also reduced the number of stares he received from others.

“You seem to like that scarf.”

Lucy asked with a smile.

Aiden nodded.

‘Useless things = burdensome things.’

That had always been Aiden’s definition, but today, that belief began to shift ever so slightly.

Something useless could have its uses.

And even if something was burdensome, it could still prove valuable.

Since starting his retirement mission, Aiden had been subtly changing, as though soaking in a gentle drizzle.

‘Can I really become ordinary?

Someone like me, who’s spent half his life taking lives?’

Like a music box that only moves when wound, could someone like me, who only functioned on orders, learn to move of my own will?

Aiden posed the question to himself, but it echoed back as a hollow silence.

He wasn’t just bad at talking to others—he struggled with truly communicating with himself.

One of an assassin’s virtues was secrecy.

Whether it was their identity, their feelings, or their skills…

…hiding everything increased their chances of survival.

Even though Aiden knew he wasn’t an assassin anymore, his old habits had fossilized, refusing to change.

“This is where we part.”

“Huh? Weren’t we heading back to the tavern together?”

“I’ve got something else to do.”

“Alright. Be careful not to get lost. See you later.”

Lucy waved and walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, Aiden turned and continued walking.

He moved toward the town’s most desolate slum.

Even with the sun high in the sky, the slum was eerily quiet, almost oppressive.

This was a place where day and night were reversed.

The dilapidated, foul-smelling streets were littered with people reeking of alcohol and drugs.

The only creatures bustling with activity were the rats.

Aiden slipped into a narrow alley and walked for a long time.

Eventually, a crumbling wall blocked his path.

It was only then that he turned around.

“I know you’ve been tailing me. Come out.”

Aiden’s voice cut through the silence.

The effect was immediate.

Moments later, six burly men stepped into the alley, forming a semicircle around him.

Their eyes gleamed with hostility as they glared at him.

“How the hell did you know we were following you? Got eyes in the back of your head or something?”

The man who seemed to be their leader stepped forward.

“No need to explain.”

“So, you came here knowing? Does that mean you think you can handle all of us on your own?”

“Of course. I assume you’re here to return the money you stole from me?”

“Huh? You recognize me?”

“I’ve got a good memory.”

Aiden tapped his temple with a finger.

That was it.

This man had once pickpocketed Aiden, only to have the tables turned on him.

Because of Aiden’s striking appearance, the man had spent days searching the town for him. Upon spotting him today, he decided to follow him.

“Well, that saves time. Hand over my money.”

The man growled, drawing a dagger from his belt.

The blade gleamed menacingly in the morning sunlight.

“You messed with the wrong people, kid. We’re with the Kajin Gang, the ones who control Centum. You’re just a drifter, so you probably don’t know how powerful Kajin is.”

Aiden’s response was cold: “A gang? You mean you’re more than just petty thieves?”
 

To be continued

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