The gambling boss looked confused after hearing Bravus’s sudden claim. At first, he assud Bravus was just spouting nonsense to stall for ti. But seeing the flicker of doubt in his boss’s eyes, the weakened Bravus hurriedly continued.
"Listen, Boss. In our farming district, there’s a kid nad Clayton. He’s really skilled at farming."
The boss still looked disinterested. "And?"
"At first, Clayton was just an average kid—maybe even below average. But ever since his father died, he’s been making suspicious progress. He beca incredibly skilled in agriculture, and sohow he’s been advancing his magic tier every year like it’s nothing. Sothing’s not right!"
That made the boss pause. He vaguely rembered hearing the na Clayton from his underlings, but he’d never paid it much attention. Now, after hearing Bravus’s explanation, he began to sense sothing odd.
If a seemingly ordinary boy had suddenly beco that capable, then sothing had to be behind it—so hidden power or secret tool. And for soone like the boss, who was always on the lookout for talent and leverage, that was gold.
Still, as intrigued as he was, he remained skeptical. Anything that could accelerate magical growth that quickly likely ca with dangerous consequences.
He furrowed his brows, weighing the risk against the potential reward. Sensing hesitation, Bravus pressed harder.
"Boss, you need to act now—before soone else finds out. If you wait too long, you’ll miss a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity!"
Bravus’s words lit a fire in him. The gambling boss’s expression turned serious, as if he were already planning his next move. Bravus smirked inwardly. If his boss really acted, not only would Clayton suffer—but Bravus might finally be set free. One move, two wins.
After a long pause, the boss turned and walked away without a word. Bravus whispered to himself, smiling, "Heh... I may not control his n, but at least I can manipulate their boss."
...
In the pouring rain, the gambling boss walked with purpose toward Clayton’s ho. He knew Bravus was manipulating him, and he had heard of the bad blood between the two. Still, Bravus’s words had rit.
He had been too preoccupied with his own affairs to notice the hidden talent growing in that backwater farming district. But now? Bringing Clayton under his wing could an gaining not only a skilled worker, but maybe even discovering the secret behind his rapid progress—and using it to train others.
The more he thought about it, the more appealing the idea beca. The heavy rain didn’t slow him down. He walked until he reached Clayton’s door—and without hesitation, ignored the alarm and forced his way inside.
...
Inside, Clayton was working on a new scroll when the alarm blared. He instinctively moved toward the door but froze the mont he sensed soone had already broken in.
His eyes widened. Who would dare break into my house?
Without delay, he tucked all his pets into a dinsional pocket and instructed his mini skeletons to fan out and guard the periter.
Then he summoned water from his storage pouches and spread it across the floor in a thin layer. Once everything was ready, he returned to his desk and pretended to be asleep.
...
Monts later, the door creaked open. A soaking wet man stepped inside without hesitation—it was the gambling boss.
He scanned the room. No signs of life—except Clayton.
Seeing the boy asleep at his desk, the man nodded and stepped forward. As he walked in, he noticed the thin layer of water on the floor.
"Hm? Flooding?" he muttered, but quickly dismissed it. Water inside hos like this wasn’t exactly rare.
He continued forward, now standing right in front of Clayton.
This kid’s a hard worker... No wonder he’s progressed so quickly, he thought.
His eyes shifted to the scrolls on the desk—and widened in shock.
"Mid-tier one-star scrolls?!" he whispered in disbelief.
He was stunned. As a sixth-tier apprentice mage, he still relied on mid to high one-star scrolls himself. And this kid was already crafting them?
Any thoughts of harming Clayton vanished. A man like him valued profit above all else. Killing Clayton would be like killing a golden goose.
He had spared Bravus’s life just to make him a servant. Clayton? He was worth far more.
He began plotting how to recruit the boy—but before he could speak, Clayton opened his eyes.
Still groggy, Clayton blinked and looked around. The boss hesitated, briefly considering an attack—but held back.
If he’s injured, he won’t be useful, he reasoned.
Instead, he released a wave of magical pressure to assert dominance.
Clayton snapped to full awareness under the force of the pressure. His eyes locked on the stranger, panic rising.
"W-who are you?!"
The boss smiled warmly. "Relax, kid. I’m not here to hurt you. I want to offer you a job. You’ll be safe. Everything will be taken care of."
Clayton remained tense. He shouted, "Why are you in my house?! Get out!"
The boss’s smile twitched, but he held his temper.
"I’m serious. I want to recruit you. You’ve got talent."
But Clayton’s expression only grew more fearful, his face pale with panic. The boss finally lost his patience.
"I’ll ask one last ti—will you work for ?!" he thundered, slamming his hand on the desk.
Clayton trembled but didn’t respond. That was enough. The boss’s patience snapped. He began casting a spell to "teach the boy a lesson."
But Clayton had already prepared his move.
"Water Magic: Water Do!"
From the puddles on the floor, water surged upward and enclosed the boss in a do—not to protect Clayton, but to trap the intruder.
The boss was caught off guard. His wind spell, mid-cast, was sealed within the water do. So of the slashes cut through, so fizzled, and so—reflected back at him.
"ARGH!!"
He scread in pain as his own spell struck his body. Weakened or not, at that range, it hurt like hell.
Furious, he quickly cast another wind slash—this ti strong enough to pierce the do. Spotting the opening, he grinned and leapt through, trying to escape Clayton’s trap.
Clayton’s eyes widened in shock.
"Damn it—what the hell is this?!"
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