Faerun: The arcane mage is still too imprisoned.

"I've only been in Rield City for less than two weeks," Arya said, counting on her fingers at a measured pace.

"You first wiped out Baron Yodl's entire family—thirteen members in total, plus guards, private soldiers, and servants, more than thirty lives, all gone overnight."

She paused, a faint smile appearing on her lips: "But that kind of trash, once he's dead, he's dead."

"Then came the Blood Wolf Gang, the Shattered Bone Gang, the Gray Rat Gang... More than twenty gangs that had been entrenched in the city for years were wiped out in eight consecutive nights. Their strongholds were burned to ashes, and almost none of their members escaped."

She raised her amber eyes and looked directly at Lance. "Now everyone in the city is surprised. It's rare to see a mage who clears out gang members every day. People who don't know the situation might think that a paladin has arrived."

"They were all watching and waiting. I arrived the fastest because I was the boldest."

"Oh?" Lance rested his chin on his hands, staring back at her intently. "I'm afraid... it's not just about being bold, is it?"

Arya gave a soft "heh": "Your perception is quite good. Indeed, I have undergone professional training, so I should have some talent."

Lance didn't reply, but just waited quietly.

"We don't know why you did this," Arya leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, "but I don't care about the reason, as long as you're happy. Gangs are a cancer to us, it's cleaner to get rid of them."

"So?" Lance raised an eyebrow.

"I originally came here today just to meet you and get acquainted with you..." She changed the subject, her expression becoming formal, "but after meeting you, I changed my mind—I would like to invite you to serve as our advisor on behalf of the Silver Glow family."

"And the payment?"

"Monthly consultant fee: 1,000 gold coins."

"What do you need me to do?" Lance asked directly.

"If you have spell scrolls to sell, please give priority to the Silvershine family. Other than that, you don't need to do anything."

Arya smiled and said, "However, if you become our family's consultant, you can't accept things from other families anymore."

Lance blinked and deliberately asked, "Is the City Lord's Mansion considered another family?"

Lord Graham was a fearsome and powerful figure. Born a commoner, he was later ennobled as an earl for his military achievements. Everyone in the city of Rield knew him, and even in the kingdom of Eredland, few had not heard of his name.

Arya chuckled: "...Of course, the city lord's mansion is an exception."

"What if I want to leave?"

"You reserve the right to withdraw at any time; just let me know in advance," she answered crisply, then her tone softened slightly.

"Also... I actually have a personal matter I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Tell me about it.

"I have a daughter named Lillian. That child... for some reason, has recently become obsessed with magic and insists on becoming a mage."

Arya sighed and straightened up, the movement causing the fabric of her dress to tighten slightly at her chest. "But our Silvershine family has been warriors for generations. My grandfather, my father, me... there wasn't even a mage apprentice in our family, so there was no one to teach her."

"So I would like to ask you to be her teacher and instruct her for a month, just three hours a day. A month should be enough to see if she has the talent to learn magic."

She looked up, her gaze earnest, "The reward is two thousand gold coins."

As she spoke, Lance saw a golden exclamation mark slowly appear and rotate above Arya's head.

"Two thousand gold coins? That's quite a lot. Shall we...?"

[Quest Triggered: Teach Lillian]

[Task Description: Teach Arya Silvershine's daughter, Lillian, at least one zero-ring trick.]

[Task Time Limit: One Month]

[Quest Reward: Second-Order Spell - Lesser Elemental Guardian!]

Lance's eyes lit up.

"Yes! I'll be a teacher!"

Arya was stunned.

She had prepared a whole host of arguments, and even planned to raise the price to persuade him after being rejected—but she didn't expect him to agree so readily.

Shouldn't monks be busy every day?

"Really?" She could hardly believe it.

"Really?" Lance laughed heartily. "A month, right? Three hours a day?"

"Yes, yes!" Arya nodded quickly. "The salary is two thousand gold coins, payable on the first day! If you have any other conditions, just let me know!"

She stood up, extended her hand to Lance, her eyes gleaming brightly: "Then...a pleasant collaboration?"

Arya's hands were warm and strong, with calluses from years of wielding a sword.

Lance reached out and shook her hand, clearly feeling the solid strength unique to warriors, as well as a temperature far exceeding that of ordinary people.

"Arya's body temperature is at least 50 degrees Celsius," Lance thought to himself, secretly alarmed.

"It's been a pleasure working with you." Lance smiled and released his grip. "So, when can Miss Lillian begin her lessons?"

"Tomorrow will be fine!" Arya said immediately, a look of relieved joy flashing in her eyes. "What time would be convenient for you? Morning or afternoon?"

Lance considered his progress in copying the scrolls: "How about this afternoon, from two to five?"

"Perfect!" Arya took out a silver badge from her bosom, engraved with a pattern of intertwined stars and a longsword.

"This is the insignia of our Silvershine family. Wearing it will allow you to pass through the manor. I will have the butler wait for you at the gate tomorrow."

She paused, then gently waved her hand, and a leather bag appeared on the table.

Arya also has spatial equipment!

She pushed the leather bag in front of Lance: "Here are two thousand gold coins, please accept them."

Lance didn't refuse, taking the bag and weighing it in his hand. The gold coins clinked together with a pleasant sound. "Ms. Arya is quite straightforward."

"The Silvershine family is never stingy when it comes to friends." Arya smiled and stood up. "Then I won't bother you any longer. I look forward to your visit tomorrow afternoon."

She walked to the door, then turned back and added, "Lillian... is a bit introverted, but very intelligent. Please forgive her if she offends you in any way."

"Don't worry, I've always gotten along well with children."

After seeing Arya off, Lance closed the door and poured the bag of gold coins onto the table. The golden light illuminated half of his face.

Wow, that's really generous...

Lance was a little confused and casually put the gold coin back into his dimensional pocket.

"Why would a viscount's family possess such power and wealth? Even earls rarely reach this level."

"Because Arya is a good manager?"

……

The next day at 1:45 PM, the sun was shining brightly.

Lance turned his head to look at Cielsa beside him.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Cielsa was walking over with a plate of sliced ​​fruit when she heard this. She blinked her violet eyes and said, "No, I've been very busy lately."

"What are you busy with?" Lance raised an eyebrow.

"You'll see when the time comes~" Cielsa placed the fruit platter on the coffee table, revealing a mysterious smile.

Lance stared at her for two seconds, then finally shrugged: "Fine, I'll go by myself."