Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons-Chapter 320 - - Taming the Gift for Home - 4

While they waited in the VIP room, the door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman with elegant bearing and a perspicacious gaze. She wore an impeccable business suit in turquoise tones, and her hair was pulled back in a perfect bun.

"Miss Ashenway! What an unexpected pleasure," the woman greeted with a respectful bow. "It's been several months since your last commission."

"Madam Alicia," Liora responded with a nod. "I appreciate you receiving us with so little notice."

The owner of Pegasus directed her attention to Larissa, recognizing her as well with another bow. "And Miss Dravenholm. It is an honor to have two distinguished ladies at the same time."

Her inquisitive eyes finally settled on Ren, studying the luminescent mushrooms with particular interest.

"And these young people are...?"

"Our friends from the academy," Liora explained, gesturing gracefully. "Especially Ren Patinder, who requires your services."

Min, noticing the woman's evaluating look, couldn't contain himself:

"Are you underestimating Ren because of his mushrooms?" he asked without any tact.

Alicia smiled at the direct question, her eyes half-closing with unexpected warmth. "Not at all, young man. In fact..."

She approached an elegant golden cage resting on a side table. Inside, a tiny white canary perched, its feathers gleaming with an unnatural pearlescence.

"Along with the Weak Plant, the Red Slug, the Blue Spikes, and other beasts considered unfortunate or for the poor, this small canary is a creature many would consider insufficient," she explained in a serene voice. "This isn't my beast, of course. I possess a pegasus that I cultivated at the same academy you now attend."

The canary hopped onto her finger when she opened the cage, emitting a melodious trill that seemed to carry farther than natural sound should.

"But this small creature of little power has immense utility in my business," she continued, letting the bird hop between her fingers. "I perfectly understand that the value of things isn't always in their destructive power."

She delicately closed the cage, directing a meaningful look at Ren.

"If this young man is a friend of two such distinguished young ladies as those accompanying him, then he surely has more value than what appears on the surface."

Alicia took a seat across from them, adopting a more professional posture. The subtle change in her demeanor transformed the atmosphere from social to business in an instant.

"Let's be direct," she proposed, folding her hands neatly on her lap. "How can I help you, young Patinder? I'll do so if it's within my capabilities."

Ren nodded, internally grateful for her practical approach. "I need to send a cart with many small crystals to the outskirts of the city. I'd like to know the cost."

The woman arched an eyebrow, evaluating him with interest.

"Is this payment for some urgent business with commoner workers?" Immediately she waved a hand, dismissing her own question. "There's no need to answer. Privacy is part of our service. What amount are we considering?"

"At least half a million crystals," Ren responded without hesitation.

Alicia showed no surprise, maintaining her professionalism. "Normally, our fee is 5% to insure the amount in case of theft or contingency." She paused, glancing briefly at Liora. "But being a friend of Miss Ashenway, we can reduce it to one percent, with full guarantee."

Ren considered the offer. "In that case, it will be six hundred thousand crystals."

"Perfect," Alicia nodded, making a quick note in a small leather-bound book that appeared in her hand. "Six hundred thousand crystals, with a fee of six thousand. Total: six hundred and six thousand."

Ren handed over the bag with the crystals he had withdrawn from the bank. The weight of responsibility lifted from his shoulders as the bag changed hands. Alicia counted them discreetly, confirming the amount.

"I'll acquire the small crystals and prepare the shipment immediately," she assured, her voice carrying absolute confidence. "By tomorrow at the latest, it will be at the location you indicate."

Ren described the address and his parents' names for delivery, his voice softening slightly when mentioning his family home.

"May I ask about the birds?" Taro intervened when everything had been settled, pointing to the canary. "How exactly does your business work with them?"

Madam Alicia smiled, apparently pleased by the interest. She stroked the beast gently, eliciting another melodious trill from the canary.

"We rent beasts from different tamers to send messages," she explained, her eyes lighting up with passion for her work. "They can be conspicuous like this canary, or birds difficult to detect, even some with special abilities. The price varies depending on the contract time, the required abilities, and the type of beast."

She settled more comfortably in her seat, clearly enjoying sharing some details of her business.

"Some clients request a monthly service for occasional letters. Others require constant service, like at the castle, where some tamers rent their beasts twenty-four hours a day, every day, for a considerably higher fee."

"And how does the monthly letter delivery work?" asked Ren, suddenly interested, leaning forward slightly.

"It's quite simple," Alicia responded. "We provide the paper and ink, you write your message, and we take care of the rest. We can send a letter along with your crystal shipment, and establish a regular service if you want too."

Ren nodded thoughtfully. "I'd like to send a letter with the crystals then."

"Of course," Alicia smiled. "The paper and ink for one letter would normally be one hundred crystals, but we'll consider it a courtesy in this case."

Taro, who had been mentally calculating, asked: "And a monthly service with a bird within the city range?"

"One thousand crystals per month for one letter," Alicia responded promptly. "Complete delivery and response guarantee."

Ren exchanged a glance with Taro. "That service interests me as well."

"Excellent," Alicia rose with elegance. "I'll prepare the necessary papers. Meanwhile, would you like to write the first letter now? We have a private desk available."

As they followed Madam Alicia to another room, Ren felt a profound relief washing over him. Finally, after so many months, he would be able to communicate properly with his parents and send them the help they so desperately needed.

The free day before the new semester's start was proving much more productive than he had anticipated.

♢♢♢♢

In the city territories under Goldcrest influence, unusual agitation coursed through the mansions of noble families.

Messengers and messenger birds crossed the sky at all hours, carrying urgent orders and summons.

The call had been clear: present themselves with their best combat units before Kharzan Goldcrest, the undisputed leader of the golden lion family. A double tamer of a Supreme Golden Lion at Gold 3 level and also a Superior Golden Armor Spirit at Gold 2 level as his second beast, Kharzan was one of the most powerful and feared tamers on the continent.

In the great hall of his main fortress, nobles from various allied families gathered, their faces tense as they listened to the Goldcrest patriarch's words.

"Our enemies are not satisfied with their territories," Kharzan declared, his deep voice resonating in the stone chamber. Golden energy rippled across his skin as he spoke, his lion partially manifesting in response to his emotions. "The Ashenways and the Dravenholms conspire against us, threatening an internal war that would shatter the fragile balance of power."

Murmurs of indignation ran through the hall.