Chapter 43: 43. The Profession I Once Envied
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"Mr. Hope?!" Mia gave a cry of surprise. Her mood improved immediately when Baiyi suddenly appeared. After noticing that he was wearing the cloak she'd sewn, she became even more elated and hurriedly walk to his side. With a sweet smile and a joyful heart, she asked, "Why did you come here, Mr. Hope?"
"I was wandering around and since it's lunch time, I thought I would drop by," Baiyi said casually, as he reached out to touch Mia's head, "Well, let's go over there and eat."
"Okay!" Mia gave an enthusiastic nod. Even with such a small gesture, Mia was very happy. Her footsteps were significantly lighter and the two black pigtails were bouncing as she skipped along, expressing the happiness of their owner.
This girl is too gullible, Baiyi gave out a sigh... This girl should really keep an eye on herself, so as not to be cheated by other guys... They walked a short distance back into the little garden. As they walked onto the soft grassy field, Baiyi suddenly felt awkward. It was because many students came by to have their meal and even though there were several benches and verandahs, all the space had been fully occupied.
"Um ... " Mia had also noticed the situation. She did not want to sit on the grass that would dirty her white skirt, so she said disappointedly: "Should we head back to the classroom, Mr Hope? You have not visited our classroom yet."
Before Baiyi could speak, he saw a Soul Armature near them quickly stand up as he pulled the boy sitting next to him up as he signalled Baiyi to come over to their spot. The Soul Armature himself also came forward with a slight bow before directing his practitioner to sit alongside the grassy area.
"It looks like we've met a nice person." Baiyi quickly led Mia over to the empty spot.
Mia felt slightly strange as she did not know the guy who had just given up his seat. However, that did not prevent her from thanking the two polite strangers first before taking a seat next to Baiyi. She then proceeded to take out a handkerchief from her skirt's pocket, unfolded it and placed it on her stockinged thighs to cover the subtle gap between the thighs and the hem of the skirt. Only after she had placed the handkerchief that she put the lunch box on her lap and opened the lid.
When Baiyi saw the content of the lunch box, he immediately became annoyed. His once gentle and relaxed tone turned serious as he asked, "Why are you only eating these?"
Within the wooden lunchbox was only a few pieces of bean sprouts, a few vegetable leaves and a palm-size bread. The portion was definitely too little and miserable, even for a girl.
Mia was shocked by the sudden change in Bai Yi's demeanor so she quickly explained, "Oh, it's because I had the box of biscuits this morning so my stomach is still full and can't eat anymore." She then gave her belly a pat to show that she was full.
In actual fact, it was only a small box of biscuits which she had generously distributed to all of her fellow classmates and she only got to eat two pieces of them. Baiyi did not say anything and he could only look at her silently.
Mia could feel Baiyi's skepticism. Lowering her head so Baiyi could not see her expression, she said, "And also, I am slow so I don't want to fight with the others for food..."
Mia was really bad in lying. The Celestial Fortress Academy had not deteriorate to the point where there's a food shortage. Instead, it was actually her secretly trying to save money to get a new body for Baiyi. That was exactly why she only chose to eat a few bean sprouts.
Baiyi had long ago seen through her simple and loving gesture but it only made his feelings even more complicated. His heart ached for her but at the same time, he also felt touched by her actions. Patting her head lightly, he said in a stern voice: "Mia, your body is the most important asset you have. From now on don't take these anymore. I will also come to see you every day during lunch time."
"Eh?" Mia quickly raised her head. Looking at Baiyi's serious face, with a mixed feeling she gave a nod.
"Well, you wait here for a moment, I'll go to the canteen to get something nice for you." Baiyi said and as he was preparing to get up, a girl dressed in a similar uniform as Mia came over to their spot. Cheerfully, she beamed, "Mia, I bought an extra chicken today. Is it okay to give you the other one?"
As soon as she finished asking, she picked up a piece of tender golden fried chicken drumstick and placed it on Mia's lunch box without waiting for Mia's reply. The girl gave a slight bow to Baiyi and then hurriedly ran away.
Baiyi glanced towards the direction of where the girl came from and saw Mr. Owl giving him a friendly wave. It looked like he had overheard their conversation?
"Um, thank you but how is this…" Mia took a look at the chicken on her plate that was emitting a tasty aroma and for a moment was slightly embarrassed. However, she did not get to finish her question as a crowd of students, both boys and girls, were soon walking towards them while carrying their lunchboxes. Like the girl before them, they placed eggs, ham, bacon and other varieties of food into Mia's lunchbox and her lunch box became so full it almost could not fit all of them...
The last one to come over was Mr. Sorry who was holding two steaming hot wooden mug. He handed one of the cup gracefully to Mia and asked, "Excuse me, I had just meticulously brew this hot drink that is well liked by young girls. Would the beautiful and cute Miss Mia like to have a taste?"
"Thank you." Miya absentmindedly took the flavourful hot drink and shot Baiyi a confused expression to ask for clarification.
"I was free this morning so I gave them some help. That's probably it." Baiyi said casually.
"Is that so? As expected, Mr. Hope is so good. Everyone respects you so much..." Mia grinned happily. But when she looked down at her lunch box, she could not help but gave her head a scratch. Awkwardly, she asked, "But isn't this a bit too much?"
How could it not be too much? Compared to having the top military doctor that can cure every incurable disease, oh sorry, it’s super blacksmith, what does this even cost? They are all yearning to build good relations with me. Baiyi thought to himself and then cast a simple Warming Spell on the lunch box, "Don’t force yourself to finish it. You can keep it for dinner."
After Mia finished her lunch and went back to her class, the lunch box filled with the goodwill from the others was placed by Baiyi's side as he continued with the repair works on the bodies of the other Soul Armatures.
When class had finally ended, Mia quickly walked over to the garden, just in time to see a Soul Armature--- the last person that Baiyi had just finished working on--- and his practitioner giving Baiyi a deep respectful bow.
"Mr. Hope!" Mia quickly walked to Baiyi's side, "I heard my classmates talking about your work, everyone is so grateful to you! Everyone was saying you're a wise and astute mentor and they even praised me as well, making me feel shy..."
"Ah, this is a small matter. Alright, let's go back." Baiyi picked up the lunch box and led Mia back to the direction of the dormitory. The pair of shadows--- one big and one small--- gradually grew longer as the sun started to set.
While waiting for Mia to finish her pigeon feeding routine at the public square, the Archmage asked Baiyi, "It seems that you have thought of a solution today? No wonder you were so busy to the point that you didn't even ask for a dime."
Yes, this solution is not too bad. Bai Yi turned his body away as Mia suddenly crouched down, unconsciously showing him the teddy bear underwear that was peeking out from underneath her skirt that was too short for her.
Although I did not make any money but I think I've gained something much more precious today, he continued.
Just as he predicted, on the second day, the number of Soul Armatures who showed up in the garden was more than the day before. His reputation had started to spread and if it continued to go on, the things he could earn would be more than just a silly excuse to pacify Mia-chan.
Apart from that, Mia was also receiving a lot of care from her classmates. For those students who were still at the simple and naive stagein life, whoever that was kind to their Soul Armature would be regarded as a friend. That was also why as soon as Mia had stepped into the cafeteria, a kind girl passed her a plate filled with various delicious food.
To be able to exchange that simple gesture for a good relationship with the master blacksmith was a good bargain. That was not only understood by the students but even the academy as well. And so, on the third day, Baiyi's workshop had moved from the bench of the small garden to a small wooden shed next to it. The academy had also turned the place into a small blacksmith's workshop. Although the interior was not big, it was at least fully equipped with materials and tools.
Gee, it seems like the Celestial Fortress Academy really knows how to make a business deal, Baiyi said to another Walker as he saw the long queue of Soul Armatures already waiting outside the workshop early in the morning.
"I guess this is it then? It's time to start charging some fees now." the Blacksmith suggested.
"No, no, no, this is not the time yet." The Merchant quickly discouraged the idea, "I would suggest that Sir Hope do not ask for payment now but to wait until they offer to pay for your service instead... What we are doing now is to pave a way for the future. When the suitable time comes, you can simply give an excuse that you can no longer provide a free service. At that time, they would be willing to pay you a large sum of money."
As expected from the Merchant. Without a doubt, that guy had a much wider knowledge in the matter of making money than the rest of the Walkers... In the field of business, his marketing strategy was definitely as good as the Earthlings.
"Last time, I used to play many different type of games. I would alway be envious of those NPC that did the repairing work. Even though they are quite despicable, their work was no doubt enviable... And now, I did not expect that I, too, have taken up this role." Baiyi said, half mocking himself.