The next day.
Noah slept until noon, checked out of his hotel, and filled his stomach with some local street food before heading to the train station to buy a ticket.
With time before the magic train's arrival, he sat waiting in the hall. The place buzzed with heated chatter.
"Great news! Such great news!"
"That damned Black Bird is finally dead!"
"The mayor announced it this morning. Soon we'll all get our money back!"
"Bah, don't give me that nonsense about being 'coerced by a Black Priest.' Joel was rotten to the core by himself!"
"Praise be to the great Mr. Nexus! I worship you!"
…
Noah yawned. Fake name or not, it felt nice to be admired—but gods, were they noisy.
Before long, the magic train arrived. A mysterious man in a black robe, carrying five magic staves, stepped off and accidentally bumped Noah's suitcase in the crowd.
"Apologies."
"It's fine."
Though his getup was conspicuous, the man's manners were surprisingly proper. Noah dismissed it and boarded the train.
The stranger, however, stopped, eyes narrowing as he studied Noah's back. Suspicion flickered in his gaze before he shook his head and turned away.
---
**Agalifa – Love & Lucky business guild.**
Arriving back at the guild, Noah happened to see the same eager salesman from before, though now he was busy with clients. Not wanting to delay him, Noah made straight for the president's office.
But before knocking, he stopped.
Inside, two men were mid-argument—their shouts echoing, followed by the crash of blows.
One voice belonged to Reina, current president of Love & Lucky.
The other—Jude Heartfilia, head of the Heartfilia Konzern.
Two titans of Fiore's financial world, trading fists like drunks in a tavern brawl. Noah's grin spread.
*This kind of melon can't be missed.*
He ran downstairs, grabbed a chair, and dragged it back to sit leisurely at the doorway, listening with relish.
From the sounds alone, he analyzed their fight.
*So rich men throw turtle punches too, huh…? Rebina looks frail, but his kick just launched Jude into a wall. Never judge by appearances… But Jude's sturdiness is crazy. Like a tank. Now the fight's turned around—Reina's the one getting pounded.*
Noah chuckled quietly. Not one thought of interfering crossed his mind.
Inside, Jude collapsed onto the sofa, panting. "Reina… please. For our friendship. Help me through this crisis…"
"Heh…" Reina, beaten and bruised on the floor, sneered. "Still dreaming of profits from Black Bird? Idiot! And don't even think of borrowing from us!"
"When the magician I hired returns, the truth will come out."
At the word "magician," Jude's bruised face twisted in rage. "Damn it! I told you never to trust magic-users. Magic only brings misfortune! It killed Layla!"
Reina snorted. "That why you hate magic… and your daughter too?"
"Don't you dare talk about my family!" Jude surged up, eyes burning, then sagged back in exhaustion. "…One last time. Will you lend me the money… or not?"
"Not a chance. I'm the president!"
"You'll regret this, Reina," Jude spat, storming toward the exit.
Only—when he yanked it open, he froze.
There, seated casually in a chair with legs crossed, was a young man blocking the doorway.
Jude's face paled. "…How much did you hear?"
Noah smirked. "I moved the chair here *before* your fight even started."
Both Jude and Reina gawked, their entire shameful scuffle exposed.
Thankfully, Reina recovered quickly. "Ah—Mr. Noah, you've returned! Seems your commission went well. Please, come in." He shot his old friend a withering glance. "Jude, don't leave yet."
Cornered, Jude grimaced, then returned to sit.
Noah carried his chair inside, shut the door, and propped it against the handle. Sitting back comfortably, he flashed them both a fox-like smile.
"You two have really refreshed my understanding of the wealthy."
"Hahaha," Reina forced a laugh through his bruises. "Just a bit of… sparring. Don't misunderstand, Mr. Noah."
Noah waved the excuse off. Melon eaten, show enjoyed. Time to get to business.
"President Reina. Your commission is complete."
"You've got proof Black Bird was tied to the Black Magic Cult?!" Reina's eyes lit up with relief.
Jude's brow furrowed instead, his distaste for magic plain on his face.
But Noah only shook his head. "The evidence is meaningless now."
"What?!" Reina tensed. "Have they already shifted assets—preparing to abandon Black Bird?"
Calmly, Noah replied, "You've misunderstood. I destroyed the Black Priest behind Black Bird. The Magic Council's enforcement unit has already taken over."
"Soon enough, the Fiore Kingdom will contact you, Mr. Jude, to restore the Heartfilia Konzern's assets."
At that moment, the crystal communicator on the desk lit up. Reina answered automatically, then looked to his old friend.
"Jude—it's your secretary. For you."
Expression tight, Jude took it. "Hello? …What!"
Shock lit his eyes before giving way to incredulous joy. He ended the call with trembling hands, then turned slowly to the young man blocking the door.
The message was clear: just as Noah had said, the Kingdom had ordered Heartfilia assets returned.
Reina knew at a glance and collapsed lazily back into his chair, smirking. "Well then—Jude, don't you think you owe Mr. Noah some gratitude?"
Noah leaned forward, amused. "Yeah. Say thank you."
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