Back inside Richter's flat, Elijah and Niko jerk their heads back in surprise.
"But why?" Niko asked.
Richter's hand grabbed onto his journal tightly while sitting on the coffee table. "Well… Wouldn't it be best for you two as well. Imagine in your second or third year of academy having me as your potions professor. I will only be moving to the Education District for now… It's not much of a big deal."
"Do you have enough funds to move?" Asked Elijah.
"Heh. I'm almost there. I've already looked at a flat similar to this one that sits right above a restaurant. It's relatively close to your academy, but not someplace the academy students would walk to as there are closer options… I pay 2000 Genny per quarter here, and it would be 3000 Genny where I would be going."
Elijah felt as though it was weird to pay every quarter. Such a large amount of Genny leaving someone's hands at one time is uncomfortable. "How much do you need from us?"
"Only 1000 Genny. I already have the funds for the first quarter and will be selling potions just like usual, but I need 1000 Genny for a security deposit while still having extra funds leftover for potions and food.
Both Elijah and Niko glanced at each other. Just last fortnight, Niko had bought a pair of wind walkers for 3000 Genny. This dropped his total to 5215 Genny.
On the other hand, Elijah has 5425 Genny from not buying a single piece of equipment simply because he hasn't sold his useless weapons yet.
Stealing from dead bodies is one hell of a way to accumulate wealth!
"I have some weapons I don't use that need to be sold. If I can get that amount during the sale, I will give you all the funds you need." Elijah responded with a smile.
Truth be told, Elijah felt if he hunted beasts alone, he would be able to gather far more cores than usual. Of course, this depends on the beast he is facing, but anything that is not relatively fast wouldn't give him any trouble.
If he were ever in a situation that was impossible to salvage, Elijah would simply fly high into the sky — escaping the grasps of almost every beast known to man.
"That sounds promising. And look, I know I am asking a lot already, but I would prefer to get the funds as soon as possible. The owner selling the place for rent is saving it for me as she is a potion seller as well."
"Don't worry about it Richter. You have provided us with help that cannot be measured." Elijah graciously said.
…
Unsurprisingly, the Hunting District was not as lively considering the temporary regulations on hunting. While anyone over the age of 18 was allowed to freely hunt outside the walls, this didn't mean that everyone would do so…
Elijah found the equipment shop Niko had mentioned and walked through the thick glass and wooden door.
Upon entering, a staircase was seen leading to the second floor, while wooden and glass displays were seen lined up against the walls. The space inside this shop was used so effectively to the point of equipment stands being placed in the very center of the room — while also keeping the flow of traffic optimized.
Elijah sold his mundane black sword for 500 Genny as it was made from a rare metal that could be forged into a new sword. Meanwhile, the mundane knife sold for 300, while the poison knife sold for 900.
He was forced to return to his dorm to retrieve all of these items before making his way back to Tavenas.
From this point on, Elijah only held a blue fire runic knife that came from the Frostfire Kingdom, Icebreaker, a mysterious key, a single runic grenade, and some sort of disc that is said to be used for healing purposes. This was alongside his invisibility runes, different fruits and dried meats, 7215 Genny, and four spatial storage rings that sat inside his spatial bracelet. One ring was used for food and water.
4000 Genny would be gone with the wind after lpaying the entrance fee, and another 1000 Genny would be gone as Elijah decided to pay the sum in full.
Confidence was in the would of Elijah. All it took to recuperate those funds were a few nights of stealthily extinguishing the lives of unfortunate beasts.
While his previous encounter at night resulted in a disaster, they had not used Elijah's advantage of flight, and also chose the worst possible beast at the time.
Nistor's were notorious for calling their brethren, but were also very rarely seen as they inhabit the upper regions of the Divide of Lanc.
…
Lickety split was the speed of Elijah's steps while walking through the streets of the Education District.
Rows of limestone and white stone buildings with deep blue roof's were literally everywhere with shaded alley's every now and then.
Kids were kicking soccer balls in the courtyards seen through the archways of residential complexes, while wooden food stands were seen selling meats and fruit — appealing to the snackers that couldn't help themselves.
Near the eastern central part of the Education District, Elijah walked into a restaurant named, "Humerus' Corner".
Richter and Niko were seen conversing with a middle-aged lady — alongside her son of ten years old.
"Again, I can't thank you enough, Amelia… Elijah has the rest of the funds and we should be all set!" Richter said with his hands behind his back.
Pausing because of the brown-haired lady's name, Elijah took ten Genny notes in the denominations of one hundred and handed them to Richter. "I believe you forgot these…"
"Thank you very much." Richter stacked up a total of 4000 Genny and handed it to Amelia. Two keys were exchanged in the process, as well as the signing of paperwork that would prove to the Residential Guild of renting the property.
"So, if I may ask… What will happen to your restaurant?" Richter continued as a way to spark conversation.
"I am a woman of business now, so my manager will manage the restaurant for me while I continue my business of selling potions. You are officially my first tenant!"
After learning about the specifics of Amelia's trajectory in business, Elijah couldn't help but think of the similarities while walking up the stairs to the rented flat on the third floor.
"Richter? Did you say you would be getting a two-bedroom flat?" Elijah was slightly annoyed as Richter technically didn't need a second bedroom.
"The second bedroom will be converted into my apothecary room. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but a bigger space would also benefit you two as well."
"Hmmm… I can't deny that you are right. Just make sure to get better recliners. I honestly don't think I can sleep another night in that thing with a bed waiting for me in my dorm." Elijah brushed off his annoyance while quickly taking a look at the rest of the flat.
The living room was completely empty as the owner had moved most of the furniture, but did decide to leave the bedroom furniture in Richter's bedroom. In the corner of the living room was a wide window that stood at an angle — rounding the corner that the building stood on.
Every wall was the same white and cream shade, blending perfectly with the warmth of the sun.
Today marked a day of change for Richter. Almost a full quarter ago, Richter had barely made it to Gion alive — purely by luck.
Now, he has built himself a decent life despite the never ending pain that goes on in his head.
The life of hunting beasts is something he will never return to as the memories of his past would cloud his judgement and bring upon hesitation.