"So, who is she?" Sera asked after a silence. This might have actually been the main question she wanted to ask.
Lyren was surprised by her question and this was interesting. He placed his hands on the table and intertwined his fingers together in front of his face.
"She is the one who has been with me through thick and thin," Lyren's voice came behind his hidden face but one could not miss the smirk on his face as he watched the changes in Sera's face.
"Oh… Is that a way of saying that she is your paid for maid?" Sera asked and Lyren rubbed his nose as he leaned on his back on the chair. There was no healing from that as he looked away then licked his lips.
"We've been through thick and thin though," Lyren spoke as he whistled.
"I know your thoughts are not shrouded by her charms so I will just warn you about these girls. I hear they have no hearts at all…"
Sera did not overexplain and she left the rest hanging. If he was smart as she thought he was, he was going to understand her immediately.
"She is different…" Lyren replied with a frown as the matters Sera was speaking about were definitely not just random. She had her own reasons.
"Yeah. I know she is different. She is good… "
"Well, you are right. She is good."
Another moment of silence ensued and only their eyes meeting each other. She was obviously wearing her veil so as not to give away her identity but it appeared that the veil was her identity.
She finally broke the silence and spoke.
"How are you able to afford this lifestyle? A commoner like you should not have been able to enter the gate. Yet, here you are as a young master. I was shocked when I found out it was you. Always seeking trouble," Sera had many things she wanted to ask and this was another she could not keep in.
"Talk about lucky," Lyren winked as he continued.
"It's your fault but I guess that it was because of that that I was able to gain this chance. I would have been begging at the gate for you to come and rescue me." Lyren knew he was lucky he had met the two fools who had given him a headstart.
"That would have been fun, I guess. Your aloofness really does fit a useless young master," Sera replied and he grunted.
She had purposefully called him a useless young master. Calling him a young master was already grating enough but then adding useless was an even bitter pill to swallow.
"I have been accepted as an inner disciple of the academy. You still dare call me a useless young master?" Lyren asked defensively.
"young master, do not forget our deal. You have done me a huge favor by agreeing to join my faction. Having you around is really going to be of great importance. Don't think that you can go back on your word," Sera said with narrowed eyes but Lyren raised his hands as he defended himself.
"I am a man of my word. I am definitely going to join your faction. I can't wait to join it," Lyren said fast and Sera's smile gave him a bad feeling. Was she planning on overworking him?
Well, there was only one way to find out and that was by joining he academy.
"I thought so. You are such a good boy and having you around will save us much trouble. Especially with your cultivation," Sera said with her hands placed on her chest.
An evil smile Lyren could not see forming on her lips but her eyes showed that whatever was in store, he was not going to like it. Lyren could only brace for impact as he had walked into this on his own.
"Also, have you heard of the five prodigies? I hear that the mayor's son is the one with the most prospect of being number one this time. But there is a problem…"
Sera started and when Lyren heard the trail the story was picking, he looked away and started whistling before replying.
"Oh, is he a talent who can compete with me?" Lyren asked and Sera facepalmed.
"I hear that he was beaten up yesterday in the market. He happened to cross a young master and his escort has been in critical condition since yesterday."
Sera spoke with more emphasis on young master and Lyren sat cross legged as he shook the leg on top.
"People out there are actually ignorant. They even dare to beat up a mayor's son. I wonder which that young master is.
He must come from a high background to be able to ignore the threat that the mayor poses. Have you found out where that young master comes from?"
Lyren asked fully concerned. Someone who could beat up the mayor's son and escape unscathed really had to be daring.
Sera was flabbergasted. She knew of actors but this kid was actually too good. She shook her head as she continued.
"I hear that the mayor's son was exploited by this young master. The city has been in an uproar since yesterday…"
Lyren pushed the seat behind him as he stood up angrily. He clenched his fists as he fumed.
"Did that actually happen? That takes some gut and also stupidity. Extorting the mayor's son? I think we have to find that young master and hand him over to the authorities. Did you say that you have no leads about the young master yet?" Lyren asked.
"I hear there was also an incident two days ago. A commoner was able to enter the city but do you know what happened?" Sera asked and the look on the kid was that of curiosity and shock.
"What happened?"
Sera sighed for the hundredth time that day.
"Those two academy students lost the entrance fee they had collected. They are now under punishment in the academy premises for losing a hundred silver each.
"They say they were conned by that person and that was how they lost it."
Lyren was shocked further and Sera thought there was supposed to be a limit to how many times one could be shocked.
Lyren was too shocked!
"Tell me you have identified who the culprit is. It would be a shame if the academy and the local authorities have been unable to find him. I personally want to find him," Lyren said righteously without missing a beat.
"I hear that there is connection between the two. It appears that the culprit carried a sword. He has white hair and he is not that tall. Anyone come to your mind?" Sera asked as she waited to see his next move.
"That is actually a good lead. So have you been able to identify him?" Lyren asked. Sera was frustrated now.
"In this city, we have no people with white hair at all. White hair is just, rare." Sera replied.
"Now that makes thing more complicated. I really wanted to help you but I don't think I can. If there is no one in the city with white hair, I guess it's a fruitless endeavor then…"
Lyren had a plain face as he sighed. It was impossible to find the culprit then.
Sera felt her jaw drop on the table when she saw the righteous look on the kid.
She was speechless that someone could lie with such a straight face and even after he was caught, he was still acting like he did not know who the culprit was.
After all, Lyren was the only person she had ever seen who had white hair!
"I think the culprit is here in this room…" She said without averting her gaze but who could have thought!
Lyren looked around and even looked in all rooms and then came back with a long face.
"I don't think there is anyone like that in this room." Lyren said panting and his hands on his knees. Sera had had enough as she ended the act.
"Drop the act already. We both know that you are the culprit. You really deserve an award. Have a seat already," Sera said and Lyren's face turned serious as he sat down. He sighed before speaking.
"You don't beat around the bush with me or we will beat around it the whole day…"