Max and others also entered the house. Max and the boy didn't seem to mind that inn which girl described as a very good place to stay was this old wooden house. However the driver didn't seem satisfied being tricked by a child but he didn't say anything seeing Max was silent.
Max looked around and found that this house was almost same as those old Japanese houses. There were four rooms, two on each side of the small corridor. At the end of the corridor was a wooden staircase leading to the first floor. From outside the house seemed as if it would collapse any minute but interior was comparatively in good condition.
"Rou, How many times I told you not to go to the market?" An aged voice rebuked the little girl. Then the door of the first room on the right side opened and a feeble old man walked out with a walking stick.
He looked at Max and others warily. He bowed slightly in greeting as said "Noble lords, I hope you forgive my little granddaughter for bringing your noble selves to this old house. If this house isn't to your liking, I'm willing to compensate for wasting your time. I just hope you would be magnanimous enough and forgive this child. Cough Cough!"
Max looked at him oddly and understood that this old man seemed to assume that they would want to cause trouble after being tricked by the girl to come to this house as no noble would want to spend their time in such poor accommodation.
However, the old man wasn't being overly cautious because the same has happened a few times before. His naive granddaughter would bring guests to stay in hope to earn some money but everyone would get angry after seeing their low class house and wouldn't let them off before receiving some kind of compensation.
Initially, he had some savings and could afford pay them some silver but after a few times, he only had around ten silver coins left which wouldn't be enough for them to eat two times a day for a few months. However, he has to give that money to Max and others so that they would forgive them. If not, who knows they might kill them in anger.
He wasn't afraid of dying as he has lived enough already. But if something happened to his granddaughter, he wouldn't be able to die in peace.
"Do you think we need your money?" The driver felt unpleasant hearing old man's words and just as he wanted to continue, Max patted on his shoulder ti stop him from speaking.
"It's fine old man. I like your house. It's indeed as she said, we can live here without any disturbance." Max smiled while looking around and continued "But as we were indeed tricked to come here I will decide how much rent I would pay."
Hearing his words, old man seemed a bit relieved and thought 'It's all good if you let us live in peace.' However, the girl didn't like the idea. Who knows if he only pays one bronze coin. She walked up to him and pleaded in panic with her slightly misty eyes,
"No, young master! I didn't trick you. Our house is really very comfortable to live and the food I would make will be very delicious. My grandpa often praise my cooking and says that I make world's best food. Please don't lower the rent."
Max looked at the little girl alomost begging him. He could tell that they were very poor and by their skinny bodies, they must not have enough money to eat some nutritious food.
Max smiled bitterly. He said that because he wanted to give them some money so that they could eat properly at least until the girl is old enough but his words weren't clear so they misunderstood.
The old man was given a fright by his granddaughter's actions. He knew that people like Max wouldn't like their bland food. But before he could say anything Max patted her head and said "Okay, If I like the food here, I will more than the rent. How about it?"
The girl seemed happy and patted her non-existent chest "Don't worry young master. You'll definitely like it." She then ran upstairs to make food for them.
The old man was relieved seeing Max was a good person and didn't have any intention to cause them trouble said politely "Young masters, you can choose whichever room you like. Please rest until Rou makes your meal."
...
Knock! Knock!
Someone knocked on the door of Max's room. He knew this must the boy. He told him to come to his room after resting a bit.
"Come in. It's open." Max said as he sat on the wooden bed.
Creak!
Door was slided to the sides and the boy came inside. Without waiting for Max to say anything, he kneeled on one knee and said "Young master, Thank you for helping me. I'm very grateful to you. If you want I, Neer, will join the same academy as you and serve you as your servant.
"Oh! And how are you so sure that you can enter any academy you want? You should know that rarely any one-star mage gets selected by the academies right?" Max asked, he had heard his conversation with the guard and that chubby guy. He showed the same certainty as he did now which piqued his curiosity. That's why he called him here.
The boy thought for a while and said "Young master I'm certain because I've awakened two elements, Water and shadow."
Max looked at him in surprise and understood why he was being confident about it. Dual elemental mages are very rare and hold a much higher value than average three or sometimes ever four star mages. If one appears, then every academy no matter if it is royal academy or some other, they would let him join without any requirements. It is said that, every dual elemental mage has potential to surpass the mortal boundary, the four star realm.
