Cedric Gray was about to leave.
The rat Abner had thrown into the corner suddenly spoke up.
"Mr. Cecil!" Skeg called out. "You're Mr. Cecil, aren't you?"
Cedric Gray stopped and turned toward the rat. "You know me?"
"Come on, who doesn't know you?" Skeg chuckled as he scrambled up and blocked the door. "Did you know the price on your head has shot up to fifty thousand Galleons on the Black Market?"
Fifty thousand Galleons?
Abner jerked his head up and stared at Cedric Gray as if he had seen a ghost.
"Skeg, have you lost your mind? Why would anyone pay that much for some kid? What shady business has he been mixed up in to make someone want him dead?" Abner demanded.
"Heh, you've got it wrong." Skeg swallowed hard, his whole body buzzing with excitement. "Those people wouldn't dream of letting Mr. Cecil die. They want him alive and without a scratch. What do you say, Abner? Fifty thousand Galleons! Not five hundred or five thousand—the full fifty thousand! Pull this off and you'll be set for life!"
Cedric Gray said nothing. He merely glanced back at Abner.
Conflict churned in Abner's eyes. He stayed silent for a long while, plainly wrestling with himself.
Even Cedric Gray hadn't seen this coming.
He had only cooked a few dishes, yet somehow he had ended up with a price on his head on the Black Market.
It seemed the special effects of those dishes had stirred up certain people's greed.
Now he finally understood why he had kept feeling watched while wandering through the alley earlier.
The passive effect of [Aura Concealment] had been active the whole time.
Thinking back, he had probably looked like a walking pile of gold coins to those wizards.
The price was even more frightening than the bounty on Sirius Black. Powerful as [Aura Concealment] was, its passive effect couldn't keep people from thinking about fifty thousand Galleons.
By that measure, security in Diagon Alley was surprisingly good. No one had rushed out to abduct him.
Once Skeg finished speaking, everything clicked for Cedric Gray. His gaze settled on Abner again.
Fifty thousand Galleons was no small sum. It was enough to make someone take a desperate gamble.
So what would Abner choose? The man certainly looked short of money.
Cedric Gray quietly watched the expressions shift across Abner's face, then glanced back at Skeg, who was itching to make a move.
He had to be ready in case Abner turned on him.
That would leave him facing enemies on both sides, but he knew what the rat behind him was capable of. Dealing with Skeg would be easy.
As long as he guarded against Abner's magic...
"Go!" Abner said through gritted teeth, breathing hard.
His eyes were bloodshot. He waved Cedric Gray away. "Now that you know how much you're worth, stop wandering around carelessly."
Cedric Gray hardly knew what to make of that kind of integrity.
It was enough to make him feel ashamed of himself.
But Abner's principles didn't mean Skeg had any.
The moment Skeg heard him, he sprang up and whipped out his Wand.
"Fine, Abner. If you don't want it, I'll take the windfall. Don't worry, I'll pay you a finder's fee afterward." With a vicious grin, Skeg reached for Cedric Gray while gripping his Wand in his other hand, ready to cast a spell.
After so many years in Knockturn Alley, Skeg knew exactly where he stood.
Ten of him together couldn't beat Abner, who killed Fire-Dragons as easily as chickens. Skeg had no intention of fighting him head-on.
He just wanted to get the walking golden pig out of there.
His Apparition wasn't very good, so the trip might be rough, but the golden pig wouldn't lose a single hair.
"Damn it!" Abner cursed. It was already too late to reach for his Wand.
Skeg's hand was almost on Cedric Gray's shoulder.
Xuanling the Crow let out an uneasy caw and beat its wings, ready to dive at Skeg.
But Cedric Gray wasn't in much danger.
He tilted his head and gave Skeg a disdainful look.
What a joke. D-rank [Neural Reflex Enhancement] gave me nearly twice the reaction speed of an ordinary person. Did this malnourished rat really think he could catch me?
Cedric Gray took one light step back, avoiding Skeg's filthy hand. He caught the agitated Xuanling and swung his other hand across Skeg's face.
Smack!
The sound rang out, sharp and clear.
Skeg spun halfway around. When his face came back into view, a bright red handprint marked his cheek.
The print was remarkably neat: five fingers and half a palm, all perfectly clear.
Skeg was too stunned to think straight.
He knew he'd been slapped. What he couldn't understand was how the kid's soft, pale hand could hit so hard.
Was the little bastard a Troll in disguise?
Skeg sank to his knees, dazed.
Cedric Gray withdrew his hand, took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped it, and tossed the cloth onto Skeg's face.
"Sorry I hit your friend, but he was getting out of hand," Cedric Gray said. "You don't mind, do you?"
Abner stood there with his mouth hanging open. Only when Cedric Gray spoke did he come back to his senses.
"He's not my friend," Abner explained. He glanced at Cedric Gray's slender arms. "You're awfully strong."
"Born that way." Cedric Gray picked up the glass bottle of Dragon Blood and waved it in front of Abner. "Then it's settled: ninety Galleons a pint. And this doesn't have to be a one-time deal. You seem decent enough; we could work together long-term."
He swept Skeg with a look of disgust. "Use people like that if you must, but don't sink to their level by getting too involved. Use your judgment."
"You..." Abner's expression turned complicated.
He would never again think Cedric Gray was just a reckless child.
Fifty thousand Galleons... even the Minister for Magic's son might not fetch that much.
Skeg's rash move had instead shown Abner just how much Cedric Gray was worth.
Add to that his composure under pressure, his clear head, and his proud bearing, and Abner's doubts dwindled further.
"Is there a problem?" Cedric Gray raised an eyebrow.
"Ninety Galleons is too low. Would you consider raising it a little?" Abner asked, his tone almost deferential.
That was better. At least he wasn't treating Cedric Gray like an ordinary child anymore.
Cedric Gray chuckled, pleased, and replied with perfect politeness, "Dream on."
Before you continue