69 Deals II

"I'm not sure we're on the same page. I'm talking about self-improvement here, not murder. It's a state of mind."

Moxie scrunched her nose in annoyance.

"My turn," Noah said. "You've gotten enough from that question. Let's see – can you show me how to get that book on the Linwicks?"

"I can get the damn thing for you."

"Deal."

"Hardly a deal," Moxie grumbled. "But fine. What sparked this sudden bout of self-improvement? Did you just decide to change one day?"

"I had a very convincing drink that made me rethink the errors of my ways. Forever."

Moxie's brow creased in confusion. Then her eyes widened and immediately shot to the gourd at Noah's waist. "Poison. You asked about the healing potion earlier. That's why, isn't it? Someone poisoned, you."

Damn, you're good at connecting dots. That's fine, though. I was already certain it wasn't Moxie that tried to poison me, so having someone else that's actually on my side will be helpful.

Noah nodded. "Yeah. Someone poisoned my potion. It made for a very strong attitude change."

"Oh, shit," Moxie muttered. "I joked that I would have poisoned it. Did you think I was actually the one that tried to kill you?"

"I don't think you get how this game is supposed to work. That's two questions in a row," Noah said with a playful chuckle. "And, actually, our talk convinced me that you didn't. The offhand manner you mentioned poisoning the potion was very clear that you were making a joke, which means it wasn't likely you actually did it. But I want to know who did."

Moxie leaned back and rubbed her chin. "I can imagine. I know what your question is, but I don't think I can answer it. I have no idea who gave that to you. There are a lot of people that don't like you. It's too bad you didn't decide to set sail earlier and get that captain changed out a few years ago."

"Not just the captain. I am trying to improve every part of myself. But, in the spirit of challenging things I once knew – who were you to me? We clearly had history."

"I was the professor that was hired right before you were. I showed you the ropes around Arbitage. It… didn't go well. You were a creep, and the Linwicks only sent you here to get you out of their hair and keep you away from too much attention."

"Just how powerful are the Linwicks?" Noah asked with a worried frown.

"Nope. My turn. If you're so set on this journey of improving yourself, why have you taken on the tasks that Vermil once did?"

"Because I'm a teacher. I couldn't leave students floundering. Improving yourself doesn't mean abandoning your past decisions. I still have to make up for what was done, even if I'm not the same ship."

Moxie nodded slowly.

"Back to the Linwick question, then," Noah suggested.

"They're powerful. Not the strongest noble family in the Arbalest Empire, but they're up in the top ten. Not a group that anyone would willingly want to cross."

And I finally have a name for the place I'm in. Arbalest Empire. Very medieval. I guess it's a monarchy, then. And maybe I shouldn't have pissed Allen off that much, but I refuse to let that prick push Isabel or Todd around. I can't imagine the entire family are all pricks… right?

"I see," Noah said. "What's your next question?"

Moxie shifted in her chair, thinking for a few moments before she spoke again. "Were you serious about how you trained? You've been fighting Slashers nonstop without a Shield?"

"Yes. It was dangerous, but once I figured out how they fight, it became very good practice – not to mention that all the energy my Runes get for killing them is very helpful."

Moxie shook her head. "It's just very strange. Taking so much risk when most people could just save up for a while and buy a Shield… you're crazy. What if you mess up and die? You're acting more like a soldier than a professor. If Isabel or Todd had noble backing, their families would be out for blood."

Noah shrugged. "Then I suppose it's a good thing they aren't. They needed an option, and this is the only one I could think of that would let them catch up to Edward and where I presume all the other students are."

"Somehow, it's working, but shouldn't you cut it off while you're ahead? You're going to get yourself – or worse, your students – killed."

"Don't worry about that. I meant it when I said there's absolutely no way a Slasher could ever kill me. If you'd fought them as many times as I have, you'd know it as well. How do you train your student? Do you just spar with her and help her kill monsters?"

"Pretty much," Moxie admitted. "That's what everyone does. Some sparring, some tips while they train on their own, and then beat monsters until they're weak and let her finish them off. Add that in with normal training and it's much safer and more reliable, even if it isn't as fast. These kids – most of them, at least – are nobles. They've got their whole future ahead of them. They don't want to have to risk their life when they have no reason to. Time isn't exactly an issue."

"That seems like it wouldn't teach them much in the way of fighting monsters practically. What if your student gets hit? I understand prioritizing safety, but it almost seems like you're taking it too safe."

"That's what a Shield is for."

"And if she gets surprised? Using the Shield like a crutch will inevitably fail one day. Better to be able to fight without it and have the Shield as a backup, no?"

Moxie's gaze fell downward. She fell silent, staring at her hands.

"My turn," Noah said after giving her a little time to process his words. "Just how rare are Greater Wind runes? I need one."

Moxie frowned, still clearly not fully done digesting Noah's warning. "Greater Runes are very expensive. Easily a few hundred gold, depending on how commonly the Rune is used in combinations. Wind is one of the most popular because of its ability to fly, so you'd probably be looking at around five hundred gold or more."

"Shit. That's a lot. What about finding it from a monster?"

"You'd have to go somewhere with monsters that used Wind Runes. There's a list of that somewhere. I could help you find it. I need a Wind Rune myself for the combination I'm currently working on."

Noah's eyes lit up. "That would be great."

"But not for free," Moxie said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I want something in return."

Noah tilted his head to the side. "What?"

"I want to shadow your class with Emily. You took two students that hadn't done any work since the start of this year – ones that had absolutely no prospects and no right to even stand on the same footing as Edward – and crushed him completely. That means you're either lying to me, or I'm doing my job wrong."

Noah rubbed his chin. "That's fine with me. I'll make the educated guess that Emily is your student. I don't mind adding the two of you to the roster for a little while."

"So I'll find you that book on the Linwicks as well as a location to look for a Greater Wind Rune and a method to get it. In return, you let us tag along for a while. Deal?"

"Deal." Noah extended his hand, and Moxie clasped it.