The Regressed SSS-Rank Water Mage Wants To Live a Calm Life-Chapter 22: The Taskboard
Maxwell blinked and smiled at the receptionist as he uttered:
"Thank you."
Slowly, the young mage reached out a palm, calmly grabbing the golden license lying on the desk.
While Vin, hesitantly, did the same. Maxwell saw the middle-aged man’s hand tremble as he grabbed the license. And then, a tender, joyous smile lit up his face.
He then turned to Maxwell, hands still caressing the silver license. His dark eyes were wet and glistening.
Vin sucked in a large breath, looked away from Maxwell, and gazed once more at the license, as if surveying it. And Maxwell did the same.
After a few seconds of surveying their licenses, the two mercenaries heaved out relieved, satisfied sighs, and Vin cleared his throat.
Maxwell looked up at the receptionist.
Meeting Max’s delighted gaze, the young lady smiled and nodded, as though acknowledging his new status.
Maxwell held back a chuckle as he grabbed his sack from the desk, calmly tucking the pouch of gold in the pocket of his pants. It made his pants bulge and look full, but he didn’t mind. He’d deal with that when he was done for the day.
But then—
Maxwell gazed at Vin, who stood by his side, gazing at him.
—this man. His gaze, his oh so watery gaze and that grateful expression on his face.
Maxwell frowned.
’He’s about to do it again, isn’t he?’
Just then, Vin spoke out:
"Thank–"
"Don’t." Maxwell sighed. "I’ve told you already."
Vin smiled. A warm, somewhat playful smile.
"Fine," the man said, grabbing his own pouch of gold, and he also tucked it in his pocket. "But I really am grateful, Max. And I want you to know that, even though I can’t repay you for what you’ve done for me today, or tomorrow, or next week..."
Max raised a brow.
"... I’ll still find a way to repay you before my soul leaves the surface of this world. In fact, if you ever need any–"
"Don’t say stuff like that, Vin," Max chuckled. "It’ll sadden your dead wife."
Vin, wide-eyed, paused for a second, staring at the young blue-haired man as though trying to properly digest his words.
Then, in the next moment, the pause broke, and he chuckled. A loud chuckle. No, it wasn’t even a chuckle. It was a laugh, a hearty laugh. It made Maxwell confused for a second, and made Frilo even happier than it already was.
Finally, Vin’s laughter dwindled, and he wiped off a tear in one eye as he struggled to regain his bearing.
In between weakened laughter, the man said:
"I... I guess you’re right, Max." He giggled this time. "No, you’re definitely right."
Maxwell, still confused and staring at the man in disbelief, asked:
"Why the sudden laughter?"
"Forgive me, my friend, but it’s just really surprising," Vin finally calmed down, but his smile was wide now. "You... you can’t fool me, I see it in your eyes and the way you speak. Tell me, who is it?"
Maxwell blinked.
"What?"
Vin grinned, crossing his arms so that the hilt of his sword was exposed.
"Who’s the young maiden that’s captured the heart of Mr. 7th-circle water mage?"
Maxwell cleared his throat, straightening his posture.
"I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about."
"Mn hm," Vin’s grin stretched. "Sure you don’t."
Maxwell noticed Frilo, sitting calmly on top of Vin’s head. The little spirit copied Vin’s exact posture, crossing its arms with a knowing, mischievous grin on its lips as it stared down at Maxwell.
’Oh? Even you, Frilo?’
Frilo nodded.
’Tsk.’
Maxwell turned his neck, gazing at the northern end of the lobby. It was the most crowded area in the guild, where mercenaries flocked around to select a task from the pinned tasks.
It was the taskboard.
Maxwell furrowed his brows, gazed at his golden license. And then he turned to the still grinning Vin and also gazed at Vin’s silver license.
Then, ignoring Vin and Frilo’s prior teasing, the young water mage asked:
"Shouldn’t we put our new licenses to work?"
Vin, momentarily stunned by the young man’s blatant change of subject, blinked. A stunned expression on his face. But then he shrugged. Maxwell was right after all.
"We sure should," Vin replied.
Maxwell smiled and nodded.
"Let’s go then."
The ranking deals had finally been concluded, leaving Maxwell with a heart filled with satisfaction. His next step now was to make use of his newly obtained golden license, complete higher ranked tasks, make money, and improve his reputation.
The reputation part was really important, mainly because a mercenary’s likelihood to be commissioned was mostly based on their renowned reputation and their capabilities.
Maxwell had that step covered. He was sure of it. A week was enough for everyone in Ludia to know that a 7th-circle mage was present, after all. And now that he’d become an S-rank... the seventh one at that...
Max grinned and gazed at the receptionist one last time before he left for the taskboard with Vin.
The young lady blinked, perplexed by his sudden glance.
"Be sure to prepare my accommodations and the rest of my perks," Maxwell whispered.
The receptionist smiled, nodded, and whispered:
"Yes, sir."
Maxwell faced forward, walking side by side with Vin as they made their way toward the taskboard.
Low murmurs flooded Maxwell’s ears from every direction as they finally arrived at the area of the taskboard. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
The moment they saw Maxwell, the once loud and chattering voices suddenly hushed, and conversations died instantly. All the rough-looking, armed men and women focused their attention on Maxwell.
"It seems your new golden license has an immediate effect," Vin remarked with an accompanying chuckle.
Maxwell had pinned the golden license to his shirt like some kind of badge of sorts.
"Of course," Maxwell smiled. "It’s only natural."
The young water mage’s gaze peered ahead, and he narrowed his eyes as he stared past the gathered crowds, at the large wooden board that hung on the wall.
Vin hummed, tilting his head and straining his vision.
"Nope," the middle-aged mercenary shook his head. "I can’t see from here. We’ll have to get a closer look to decide which task we’ll take today."
"Read my mind."
