Louis

The young blond man said, "What's in it for me? It's simple. The auction will help me collect more runes for my procedure."

Rohan said, "Hm, got it. You plan to take a cut of the payment. Well, I figured you'd do something like that, but we have to discuss each other's percentages. I won't accept anything less than eighty percent. Is that all right with you?"

"No."

"I figured you'd say that. Well, I think I can lower my share to seventy-five percent depending on how much the information is sold for. More than that is really going to be difficult for me."

"Calm down, Rohan. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm not going to take a fee from the auction. You can keep all the runes."

"What? What are you talking about? Didn't you say you were going to use this auction to get more runes?"

"Yes, but I said it as a figure of speech. My mission isn't the same as the rest of you."

"Hm? It isn't? Don't you need to collect runes?"

"No. I need to trade them."

"Trade them?"

"Exactly. I need to trade twice as many as you need to collect, which in this case would be one hundred white runes, fifty blue runes, twenty green runes, and ten red runes."

"I see, but what do you mean by trading them? Do you have to exchange your runes with the other participants?"

"That's one way, but I can also be the intermediator between two or more participants in a rune exchange. In addition, any kindsaction using runes is also considered, such as the auction I just suggested."

"I see, but in that case, how are you going to prove that you made these transactions? After all, all the other participants can show the runes, but you won't have anything to show."

"Yes, that's why I carry this with me."

The young blond man then took a small notebook from his waistband, opened it, and showed it to Rohan, saying, "I write down all the transactions I make here."

"You write them down? Isn't it very easy to falsify them that way? After all, you can make up lots of transactions that don't exist and pass the test."

"Hahaha, I thought the same thing when they explained my test, but unfortunately, it's not that easy. In addition to writing down the transactions, I also need the signatures of all the people involved, plus a confirmation stamp from one of the two city guards. Without that, the notes are worthless."

"Wow, and how do you pay for your stay in the shelter and the food?"

"I pay by showing the transactions I've made."

"I understand, but what occurs if one day you don't complete a transaction?"

"Well, to answer your question, I have to explain to you my privileges."

"Privileges?"

"Yes. As my test is different from normal, I have a few privileges. One is that I have a rune credit, so even if one day I can't make a transaction, I can still pay for food and shelter. Another is that I pay half price for everything."

"Half price?! Wow, if I could pay half price, that would really help me. That way, I wouldn't have to look for so many white runes to pay for daily expenses, and I could focus on getting green and red runes."

"That's true, but anyway. I think I've answered enough of your questions. What do you say? Shall we make this auction happen?"

"Well, I only stand to gain from it, so I don't see why not."

"Great. I'll organize everything and let you know when it will be."

"Okay. I'll look forward to it."

The young blond man started to leave the kitchen, but halfway there, he turned back and said, "Oh, I forgot. If you don't mind, talk to Mai so we can also sell the information about the red runes."

"Hm? Wait a minute. How do you know that I know how to obtain the red rune? Unlike the black rune. There wasn't any kind of fight involving that information."

"You're right, but I'm a person who pays a lot of attention to detail. The only people who know how to get the red runes are Mai and Welli, and the only link between the two of them is you."

"I see... wait a minute. So you weren't sure I knew how to get the red rune?"

"Not until now, hahaha."

"... Ah, okay. I didn't like being tricked, but it was my fault for being stupid. I'll try to talk to Mai, but I can't promise anything."

"All right. Even if you can't, it's okay."

"Okay, but before you go, I also forgot to ask you something."

"Of course. Go ahead."

"What's your name?"

"Oh, that's right. I didn't tell you my name. My name is Louis. It's a pleasure."

"Same, Louis."

Louis then left, and Rohan continued eating.

Just then, Welli approached Rohan and said, "Louis came to talk to you?"

Rohan said, "Did you already know him?"

"Yes. He asked me about you the other day. What did he want with you?"

"He wanted to have an auction with me."

"An auction?"

"Yes. I'll explain."

Rohan then explained his conversation with Louis to Welli.

Welli said, "I see. It really is a good idea. Maybe you'll even be able to complete all the runes you need for the first procedure."

"Yes. Let's hope this auction goes well."

"It'll definitely work out. Now, about Mai. Do you think she'll agree to take part in the auction?"

"I don't know, but I'll have to try and talk to her."

"Got it. Well, just try not to fight with her."

"Tell me about it. I didn't want to get close to her again. I hope it all works out."

...

Night had come, and all the shelter participants headed into the forest to look for the runes. Mai was in the middle of a group of people when suddenly Rohan approached.

When she saw this, everyone in the group was surprised. After all, everyone knew that the two of them were avoiding each other.

Mai then said, "Do you need anything from me, Rohan?"

Rohan said, "Yes. Would you have a minute to talk to me, Mai?"

"Of course. Go ahead."

"No, I need to talk to you in private. It won't take long."

"Hm, okay. Come with me."

The two of them then went to a corner near the city wall, and Mai said, "We're far enough away. What do you want to talk about?"

Rohan said, "Here's the situation..." and then explained the auction to her.

Mai said, "It's an interesting idea. I agree to participate."

"Good."

"But there's one condition."

"A condition? What condition?"

"I don't need the runes you get by selling the information about the red rune, but I want to know how to get the black rune for free."

"Hm, unfortunately, I can't agree to that condition."

"Why not?"

"The information about the black rune is worth more than that."

"Hm ... fine. How many people do you intend to sell the information about the black rune to?"

"Well, I don't know. The person organizing the auction won't be me."

"Hm, got it. Well, anyway, I have a proposal. You can have my share of the sale of the information about the red rune. Still, I want the right to buy the information about the black rune for the lowest price it sells for during the auction."

"Hm, all right. Sounds like a fair deal to me. In fact, it's even in my favor. Which is kind of strange."

"Don't worry. I did it to make up for all the trouble I caused you. No need to thank me."

"... You're only missing the black rune, aren't you?"

"Hm? What are you talking about, Rohan? I told you I left the deal this way to make up for the trouble I caused you."

"... Okay. I'm not going to argue with you about this. Well, that's all I wanted to say. Bye."

Rohan then headed towards the forest, and Mai said, as she watched him walk away, "He's more perceptive than I expected. He managed to realize that all I need is the black rune. I'm glad it all worked out in the end. I had no idea how I was going to get that information out of him with him openly avoiding me."

...

A few days passed, and Rohan was in the shelter's kitchen eating with Welli when suddenly Louis sat down at the table and said, "I have good news, Rohan."

Rohan said, "Good news is always welcome. I imagine it's about the auction."

"Exactly. It will take place tonight. Right after everyone gets back from the forest."

"Great. Let's hope I get enough for the first procedure. I can't wait."