"Lord Miles was very busy. Once he found out you were all right, he took Melva back to headquarters for questioning. Melva was the female rogue who tried to assassinate you last night," Roand said expressionlessly.
Jiang Jie froze, then hurriedly asked, "Melva? You know her? Is she with the Assassins' Order?"
Roand nodded. "An official member of the Assassins' Order, a junior rogue. You were lucky. Melva is a subtlety rogue responsible for intelligence work, not an assassin responsible for killing. Her daggers were coated with numbing poison, not deadly poison."
A wave of fear washed over Jiang Jie at the thought of what could have happened.
But no matter how Jiang Jie looked at Roand's eyes, he seemed a little disappointed. Disappointed that it hadn't been deadly poison?
Good heavens, all I did was sell a pair of daggers Master Onias gave me! Was this really necessary? Was I going to be treated like a rat in the street, with everyone baying for my blood?
"Here are your daggers back. Remember, you owe me ten gold coins. You have to pay me back within ten days!" Roand took out the Blade of Cunning and handed the pair to Jiang Jie, a trace of reluctance on his face.
Jiang Jie's sharp eyes caught it, and he instantly filled in the blanks. Could this fellow Roand actually have a crush on Master Onias?
That makes sense. They're about the same age, and Master Onias is powerful, young, and beautiful. Who wouldn't like her?
But Roand is only an intermediate rogue, while Onias is the most powerful master assassin in Lordaeron. The gap between them...
They're worlds apart, okay?
And isn't Onias Prince Arthas's follower? Could she be in love with Arthas?
Thanks to the countless soap operas he had watched in his previous life, Jiang Jie dreamed up a melodramatic love triangle in just a few seconds. Then he hurriedly pushed the Blade of Cunning back, his face earnest. "Instructor Roand, the deal is already done. This pair of daggers belongs to you! If you give them back to me, you'll really be making me lose face!"
A look of wild delight appeared on Roand's face!
But he hesitated before saying, "This... wouldn't be right, would it? Onias gave these to you. If I took them, would it... would it anger Onias..."
"No!" Jiang Jie said firmly. "If Master Onias asks, I'll explain! Well, look, I can't scrape together ten gold coins anyway. Since I can't pay you, let this pair of daggers cover the debt! Once I've saved enough, I'll ask you for them back. But with the way I spend money like water, I doubt I'll save up ten gold coins in my entire life!"
"This... really isn't quite right... oh, fine. I'll hold on to them for you and give them back once you've saved enough." Roand fiddled with the Blade of Cunning, unable to put the pair down, as he said rather sheepishly, "Well... back then, for this pair of Blades of Cunning... I paid seven gold coins..."
What the fuck! Jiang Jie shouted inwardly. You're a proper intermediate rogue, and you actually resorted to such a despicable trick to swindle me? Was that fun?
Seeing Jiang Jie and the little maid looking at him as though he were some rare animal, he probably did feel rather embarrassed. Besides, they had already given him the Blade of Cunning, and he had to remember that favor. Surely he couldn't let two fifteen-year-old children look down on him?
So Roand fished another five gold coins from inside his clothes and forcibly stuffed them into Jiang Jie's hand, saying just as earnestly, "Nicholas, I know you're short on money right now. Your big brother here is pretty poor too, but I can still spare a few gold coins! Take these five and spend them for now. If they're not enough, ask me for more! If you keep refusing, you'll be making me lose face!"
This time, it was Jiang Jie's turn to feel embarrassed. He declined repeatedly, but under Roand's insistence, he finally accepted them.
Five gold coins gained!
The two ninth-rate actors exchanged smiles, forging a deep revolutionary friendship. In an instant, they felt considerably closer.
"Nicholas, I have things to do, so I'll be off. Remember to come to headquarters after breakfast. Your class training is about to begin!" Having obtained the objects of his affection, Roand
was no longer in the mood to stay and hurriedly took his leave. After watching Roand go, the little maid quickly shut the door, then held out her soft, fair little hand. "I lent you three gold coins yesterday. With interest, that makes exactly five. Pay up!"
The gold coins hadn't even had time to grow warm in his hand. Jiang Jie smiled helplessly. What could he do? She was his creditor!
But isn't the interest on this loan a little too steep? We clearly agreed on one gold coin a month, didn't we?
"All right, little Nicholas, I don't have to worry about food or clothes, and I have nowhere to spend money anyway. Keep it for now and pay me back when you have more to spare." The little maid burst out laughing, then added, "Little fellow, Her Highness wants to see you. She might come over later, so prepare yourself."
Her Highness? Princess Calia? Arthas's older sister? That poor, poor, pitiful princess who almost married Lord Prestor, Deathwing's disguise? The second in line to Lordaeron's throne?
She wanted to see me? Why?
Was it because of Arthas, or because of the little maid in front of me? Or because I'd been targeted for assassination twice in a row?
Jiang Jie didn't know.
Nor did he care.
After eating, Jiang Jie arrived at the training grounds at the Assassins' Order headquarters.
"Hmph! Nicholas, you're late! Late on your very first day of training. Do you really think placing first in the trial makes you so great? A real rogue proves himself with strength! Not with some game of house like the rogue trial!" A certain young genius stood ramrod straight, holding two daggers that looked quite good. The moment he opened his mouth, he was irritating.
"Which one are you?" Jiang Jie still had a bit of a headache. The potent numbing poison had severe effects. Although it had already been neutralized, he still felt weak all over, dizzy, and bleary-eyed. Looking at the boy before him, who was about his age, Jiang Jie found him somewhat familiar but simply couldn't remember who he was.
There was nothing he could do. The potent numbing poison had impaired his memory, and he would only recover completely once its effects had fully worn off.
"Nicholas! I'm Ivan Coleman! First in line to inherit the Coleman Family! My father is a knight of the kingdom! I already introduced myself yesterday!" Young Ivan clearly thought Jiang Jie was doing it deliberately, looking down on him, and intense resentment welled up within him.
But Jiang Jie genuinely couldn't remember. It really wasn't his fault. Blame that assassin from yesterday! Why coat your weapons with potent numbing poison for no reason? That stuff is expensive, okay? A perfectly good bottle of potent numbing poison, and now only half was left!
"Nicholas! If you've got what it takes, face me head-on! I challenge you! Let's duel! Whoever wins is the number one genius!" Ivan pulled off his white glove and threw it in front of Jiang Jie.
"Not interested!" Jiang Jie felt utterly helpless and yawned.
He really was a little sleepy.
Although he had slept all night, the potent numbing poison was too troublesome, and he couldn't muster any energy at all. Forget fighting. Just barely managing to stay awake was good enough!
Besides, isn't dueling a little childish? Even if you're not an adult yet, you're not a little kid anymore, okay?
You want the title of number one genius? Take it!
What number one genius? You can only show off in Lordaeron. Try taking those results to Silvermoon City! See if those elven rangers don't beat the shit out of you!