Yuan did not know that part of course and Noah would definitely not tell him the truth.
Across from him, Yuan’s expression settled back into its usual composed state after the brief mont of surprise.
He did not ask who the apprentice was, neither did he show any intention of digging deeper into the matter.
Because, in his mind, there were lines that should not be crossed.
If the white-masked man had chosen not to ntion who his apprentice was, then asking about it directly would only co off as intrusive.
And that was not a risk Yuan was willing to take.
Not when dealing with soone he already regarded with such caution.
So despite still being buried, he buried the matter for now.
Without saying anything further on the matter, Yuan reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch.
The material looked refined, its surface smooth and well-crafted, clearly not sothing cheap.
He loosened the string at its opening slightly, glancing inside for a brief mont as he counted the contents within.
The faint clink of tal echoed softly as the coins shifted against each other.
Once he was satisfied, he tightened the pouch again, then extended his hand forward.
"Here," Yuan said, his tone polite as ever.
He placed the pouch gently on the table, sliding it toward Noah.
Noah’s gaze shifted imdiately.
From Yuan, to the pouch.
For a brief mont, he didn’t move.
Then—
He reached out.
His fingers closed around it.
The mont he lifted it, he grip tightened slightly.
Not because it was heavy, but because it contained five gold coins!
Noah held the pouch for a mont longer than necessary.
His eyes, hidden behind the mask, shone faintly.
This was still a significant amount of money to him.
Yuan simply stared at Noah, unable to see the expression behind his mask.
He hadn’t actually needed to put the coins into a pouch.
After all, five gold coins were not many in number.
They could have easily been handed over directly.
But he had still chosen to use the pouch, out of courtesy.
Especially considering who he believed he was dealing with.
An arch magus.
Soone far above his own level.
It was only proper to present the paynt in a manner that reflected that.
Across from him—
Noah slowly lowered the pouch onto his lap.
His posture remained composed.
But his thoughts had already shifted.
’I would like to ask about what kind of weapons they have...’ he thought.
Because now that he had money, there were so important things he needed.
He could not keep using the spare kitchen knife as a weapon, especially not when it had broken.
It wasn’t even ant for combat in the first place.
And yet—
That was what he had been using.
’How do I even ask...?’
His eyes narrowed slightly beneath the mask.
The question wasn’t as simple as it seed.
Because the situation he had created—
The identity he was maintaining ca with expectations.
If he asked directly, or showed interest in basic weapons, it might not align with the image of an arch magus.
And Yuan might notice sothing was wrong.
That was the problem.
’He’ll definitely recomnd high-level weapons...’
Noah’s thoughts sharpened.
Things that without a doubt would cost far more than what he currently had, five gold coins.
And if he couldn’t purchase them, Yuan would start to suspect him even more.
Because to his perspective, an arch magus should be able to manage costs like that.
The silence stretched for a brief mont longer as Noah remained seated, the pouch resting in his hand while his thoughts continued to turn.
Then—
Yuan suddenly spoke.
"Mr. White..." he began, his tone careful, almost asured in a way that suggested he had been considering his words for a while.
Noah’s gaze lifted slightly.
"...would you, by chance, be interested in joining the adventurer guild?"
The question hung in the air between them.
But carrying a weight that was anything but casual.
Behind the mask, Noah’s lips curled up slightly.
’Finally...’ he thought. ’He asked.’
This—
This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
From the mont he stepped into the guild—
From the mont he began building this persona—
He had anticipated this outco.
And now that it had co—
He did not rush.
He did not respond imdiately.
Instead, he leaned back slightly into the sofa, allowing a brief pause to form, as though he was genuinely considering the offer.
His fingers tapped lightly against the pouch in his hand.
Then he spoke.
"I’m not really a fan of adventurer guilds," Noah said calmly.
His made his tone seem as neutral as possible, so he wouldn’t co off as too eager to join the adventurer guild.
Across from him, Yuan’s eyes lit up.
A faint glimr appeared within them, quickly hidden beneath his composed exterior.
But internally, histhoughts surged.
’Given how he ca here today...’ He analyzed quickly. ’I doubt he is part of the Grand Magus Order.’
The conclusion ford almost instantly.
And with it—
An opportunity.
A massive one.
’Then this...’
His focus sharpened.
’This is a huge chance.’
Because if Noah was not affiliated with the Grand Magus Order, that that ant he was free.
Just a powerful individual with no clear allegiance, and that was sothing the adventurer guild desperately needed.
Especially now.
’Our guild is already on bad terms with the Grand Magus Order...’
The tension between the two factions had been growing steadily.
Subtle clashes that had not yet erupted into sothing larger, but were clearly heading in that direction.
And if they managed to bring in an arch magus at a ti like this, everything would change.
’The scales would tip in our favor.’ he thought.
Because an arch magus, even if it was only a single one, would shift the balance entirely.
Yuan’s breathing remained steady, but his mind was already racing ahead.
If he succeeded in this—
If he managed to recruit him—
Then the benefits would not stop at the guild level.
The higher-ups would take notice.
Without a doubt.
And when they did, he would certainly gain recognition.
Perhaps even a promotion, a transfer from this small branch to sothing far greater.
The opportunity was too important to miss.
Yuan leaned forward slightly, his expression becoming more earnest, though still respectful.
"For soone of your status," he began, his tone carrying a hint more confidence now, "you can directly register as an S-rank adventurer."
He paused briefly, allowing the words to settle before continuing.
"It cos with a lot of benefits."
His gaze remained focused, carefully observing Noah’s reaction.
When Noah didn’t seem against what he was saying, he added more.
"Each month," Yuan said, "you would receive one million gold coins in your guild account."
"And you would have the choice to pick one weapon or artifact of any rank from the guild’s inventory." he paused for a while before continuing. "And there are many more benefits beyond that."
The room fell quiet again.
But this ti—
The silence felt different.
Heavier.
Because across from him—
Noah’s eyes had widened behind the mask.
’O-one million gold coins...?!’
The number hit him like a wave, or rather, like a blow.
His mind reeled for a mont, struggling to process it.
Just monts ago, he had been stunned by a re five gold coins.
And now, he was being told that he could earn one million gold coins every single month!
’This...’ His thoughts trembled slightly. ’This has to be a joke...’
The comparison alone was overwhelming.
Five gold coins had already felt like a huge amount to him, but compared to a million gold coins... it was absolutely nothing.
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