NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: I Owe You
'I need to increase my stock of Runic Papers,' Kyle thought after leaving the hall. 'Looks like I'll have to visit the mall again. Might as well pick up a few other essentials while I'm at it.'
With his plan formed, Kyle decided to head home first for a quick refresh. After a long day of drawing, it was necessary to rid himself of some stench and change to something new before visiting a place as populated as the mall.
Less than an hour later, he found himself walking through the mall's grand entrance for only the second time.
Despite having seen it once before, the sheer size and energy of the place still took him by surprise.
Rows upon rows of stores lined the mall's interior, each offering something different.
He wasn't here to sight-see though, as he had a reason for coming here.
He quickly approached one of the mall attendants, a young man in academy robes, and asked for directions to the Rune section.
"Straight down this aisle, third door on your left," the attendant replied with a polite smile.
Kyle nodded his thanks and followed the directions. Weaving through the crowd, it didn't take long before he arrived.
The Rune section was located in a crescent-shaped enclave, surrounded by the other elective stores.
The Alchemy shop was the most colorful of them all, the interior lined with glass shelves filled with glowing vials of every hue imaginable. The air inside the Alchemy shop was thick with the scent of herbs and ingredients.
Finely designed Cauldrons were seen on the shelves too. While students tested and weighed the ingredients of their choice.
Next to it was the Beast Taming section, which seemed more like a zoo than a store. The interior was natural, filled with cages that housed mana beasts.
There were collars, binding crystals, and other tools for taming creatures on the shelves too.
Further down was the Forge Mastering shop, a fiery, industrial-looking space that radiated heat even from the entrance. Inside, massive anvils, hammers, forges, and a variety of metals and ores occupied the majority of the floor space.
Finally, Kyle found himself standing before the Rune Making shop. The entrance was modest compared to the others,
At the far end of the room was a counter where an attendant, a middle-aged man with dark, rune-marked gloves, stood.
Behind him, shelves were lined with stacks of Runic Papers, inscription pens, and bottles of enchanted ink but something caught his attention near the counter.
A slightly short girl stood beside the counter, her voice low and a bit shaky.
Kyle recognized her instantly, after all, they had just spoken less than an hour ago— Lora.
"Is there any way you could lower the price just a little? I, um, I wasn't expecting them to be this expensive," Lora said, her hands fidgeting as she glanced at the Runic Papers she was trying to buy. She could barely afford two with her current savings.
The attendant, a patient man with weathered hands, smiled kindly but shook his head.
"The prices are fixed, young miss. I'm afraid I can't go lower."
Lora looked down, biting her lip as she debated her next move. It was clear she didn't want to leave empty-handed, but the price seemed to be beyond her current means.
Kyle, who had been watching from some feet away, stepped forward, ready to act.
"I'll cover it," Kyle said, placing a hand on the counter.
Lora looked up, startled. Her brown eyes widened as she recognized him.
"Kyle? No, no, you don't have to—"
"I insist," Kyle interrupted with a smile. "It's no big deal. We're study buddies, remember?"
Lora's cheeks flushed, and she waved her hands in protest. "I can't let you do that. I'll figure something out. I—maybe I can come back later."
Kyle chuckled softly. "It's not a problem. You need these, and I have a good reserve of credits. Consider it a favor, okay?"
She continued to protest, but Kyle looked at the bundle of Runic Papers on the counter and turned his gaze to the attendant.
"How much for the papers?" Kyle asked.
Before Lora could stop him, the attendant replied in a calm tone. "Thirty credits per sheet. Three hundred for a bundle."
Kyle froze. "Thirty what?!" He squeezed his lips together, trying to hide his shock. His brows furrowed as he glanced at the small stack of parchment.
'That lying instructor,' he thought with anger. 'She called it cheap.
Lora, noticing his reaction, quickly stepped in. "It's too expensive. You don't have to—"
Kyle cut her off with a shake of his head, still processing the price. Without further hesitation, Kyle turned to the attendant. "I'll take two bundles."
Lora's eyes widened and she screamed unlike her. "Kyle, no! That's way too much!"
He shrugged, ignoring her protests as he handed over the credits. "Don't worry about it."
The attendant quickly wrapped up the bundles, his face impassive as though this price was nothing out of the ordinary.
Kyle took the packages, handing one to Lora, who stared at him with gratitude and guilt.
"Kyle, you didn't have to do that," she said quietly, clutching the bundle to her chest.
He smiled at her. "I wanted to. No problem, okay?"
She sighed, still clearly uncomfortable. "I owe you, seriously. This is… a lot."
Kyle laughed. "Lol. It's nothing serious."
Lora smiled, though her face still carried traces of embarrassment. "Still, I owe you."
"We'll see," Kyle said with a grin.
They walked together for a short while before parting ways. At the exit of the door, Lora gave him a final look.
"I'll pay you back. I promise."
He waved her off. "I'm counting on it."
With a small smile, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Kyle to his thoughts.
He glanced down at the bundle of Runic Papers in his hand and felt like crying.
'I just lost 600 credits in some minutes. I guess it's back to the Arena.'
He thought about putting the papers in his inventory but decided against it because of his location.
As he thought about where to go next, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Kyle!"
He turned, only to spot Riya from the Alchemy Hall striding toward him.