The Regressed SSS-Rank Water Mage Wants To Live a Calm Life-Chapter 15: The Executive Deal
Maxwell faced forward, staring at Gislow.
The old man stared at the water mage as if the young man were a scammer trying to rip him off.
"Aren’t you comfortable with the C-rank? It’s a huge step up from E-rank, you know, and the benefits are still there, and you might be able to climb to A-rank with time."
"But that’s the problem, Gislow. I don’t want a slow climb. I just want the money I’ll get from higher-ranked tasks and commissions. The ones C-ranks aren’t allowed to take."
"Hmm," the old man caressed his beard, sniffing. "What rank?"
"S-rank."
Gislow frowned. Even Vin at the corner grimaced.
"S-rank, Maxwell? Seriously? You do know you haven’t contributed anything major to this guild, right? I can’t just hand you the golden license. Throughout the entirety of my mercenary guild, there are only 6 S-ranks, myself included."
Maxwell crossed his arms.
"You saw what I’m capable of, Gislow. How many out of the 6 S-ranks can kill a mature wyvern alone? With one shot? How many S-ranks are 7th-tier?"
"I... hm." Gislow shut his eyes. "It’s money you want, isn’t it?"
"Yes."
For the first time, Gislow paused. And his aged eyes, the color of muted emerald, pierced straight into Maxwell’s blue eyes.
At that moment, Gislow’s frown disappeared because he saw something in Maxwell’s eyes that he never expected to see in another man’s.
It reminded Gislow of something that he had convinced his mind over and over again to forget.
But how could a person forget the one they loved wholeheartedly?
Sure, they could move on, pretend like everything was fine and okay, but they could never forget. Especially when said love had been claimed by death too early.
When death robbed a person of the countless unfulfilled promises and dreams they shared with someone they love, the best bet was... they would probably never forget that person.
Gislow saw longing in the eyes of Maxwell.
The old man gulped, and his sniffing became louder.
’Hm?’
The guildmaster sighed.
"What is it you’re chasing, Maxwell?"
Hearing his question, Maxwell blinked, confused.
He was about to reply, but he shook his head and cleared his throat.
"Let’s focus on the important stuff, shall we?"
Gislow grinned at Maxwell for the first time. A toothy grin.
"How interesting indeed." Gislow cleared his throat. "Anyway, I can give you the S-rank license."
Maxwell raised a brow.
"Had a sudden change of heart? Or you suddenly realized my worth?"
"Both. But I’m giving it to you on one condition."
Maxwell narrowed his eyes, frowning.
"And what condition is that?"
Gislow, once more, interlocked his fingers, leaning forward on the table, grin widening as the breeze that blew from his window fluttered his grey bangs across his forehead.
"Become my guild executive."
Maxwell just stared.
Vin cleared his throat.
"No," Maxwell replied.
The old man’s jaw widened.
"What?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I’m not going to be a mercenary for long, Gislow. Once I get enough, which I will, I’ll retire. I have... greater things to do."
Gislow gave the young mage a knowing smirk.
"Such a shame. You have a bright future."
Maxwell chuckled.
"You didn’t think that about me a week ago."
"People change."
"No. People themselves don’t change. Only aptitude and destiny."
Gislow chuckled.
"How insightful. Sagely, even. You’re enforcing my remark, Mr. 7th-circle water mage. I wonder... how high will you climb if you’re truly 7th-circle at this age?"
"Who says I’m 7th-circle? And who says I’m climbing? And isn’t 8th-circle considered the pinnacle?" Maxwell sighed. "Enough of this, are you giving me the golden license?"
"I will."
Maxwell nodded, standing up from the wooden chair.
"Gratitude, Gislow." The young mage declared. "I owe you one favor."
Gislow nodded, humming as he gestured at Maxwell to leave.
"Go, go."
Suddenly, Maxwell turned to Vin.
The middle-aged man had an excited expression. A bright smile on his lips, and his countenance was brimming with joy.
Maxwell looked at Gislow.
"Make that two favors. I owe you two favors. Give him an A-rank license. And he can be your executive."
Gislow frowned.
"What? No offense, but is he worth it? He’s coreless, he can’t accumulate mana–"
"Don’t worry about that." Maxwell smiled. "I promise he won’t disappoint."
’He did exploits in my past life, I remember. After killing the wyvern, he sharpened his skills and rose to S-rank on his own, even coreless. Now I wonder what he would achieve if he could accumulate mana...’
Vin remained stunned in place, jaw slacking.
Gislow just stared into Maxwell’s eyes with his arms crossed. Perhaps he was still reading that look in Maxwell’s eyes. Finally, he sighed.
"Both your licenses will be ready by noon tomorrow. And your rewards, and 60% of the profit from the alchemical auction we’ll hold tonight, too."
Maxwell smiled.
"Once more, gratitude, Gislow."
Maxwell turned to leave, beckoning for Vin to follow him.
"And Vin being a guild executive... I’ll think about it."
’Good. He’ll only be lower than the guildmaster and vice-guildmaster, but equal to other executives.’
Vin stood up to take his leave. But before he did, he turned to Gislow.
And he bowed.
"Thank you, Guildmaster. Thank... thank you." Vin’s voice was low and soft.
’Is he crying?’
Gislow didn’t say anything else. He just did that same hand gesture, punctuating that they should leave.
Vin turned immediately, facing Maxwell. His warm smile and his weak, reddish eyes said it all.
Maxwell’s eyes widened slightly, but he tapped Vin’s back, smiling widely.
"Let’s go, let’s go."
Crack–!
The young mage opened the door.
Vin walked out, and Maxwell could’ve sworn he heard a sniffling sound. But he decided that he didn’t hear anything and therefore accredited it to his imagination.
Yup, definitely just his imagination.
Before he exited, Maxwell cast one final gaze at Gislow, who still sat on his chair, holding and viewing the frame of a picture in his hands. The person in the picture seemed like a... woman.
’Where did he even bring that from?’
Max smiled.
’How very heartwarming.’
"Until next time, Gislow."
Clack–!
