“What is the meaning of this?!” The official’s first words instantly downplayed the importance of the shrine. Staring down at the wooden building with a critical eye while noting something on a board he held in his right hand, the official proved that no matter the world, a certain group of people would look, think and act exactly the same.

“Meaning of what? Life?” Not allowing the man to gain momentum, Layn smiled. “I’m sorry, but while this shrine is aimed at helping others to grow, we cannot really answer such meaningful questions.”

Spreading his arms out in the gesture of powerlessness, Layn managed to gain the little yet insanely important advantage. Now he was on the attack, with the official forced into defense.

“That’s not what I…” Attempting to clarify what did he came here for, the middle-aged man wasn’t annoyed, but stunned instead.

“Ah, so a coercion it is!” Exclaiming as if he just understood the crux of the universe at large, Layn winked to Irea. Standing just a few steps to the side, the girl didn’t dare to utter a word, passively observing archmage’s exploits. Yet, Layn had absolutely nothing against it.

‘Well, she said she was a teacher at this academy, it’s understandable she’s not happy to stand against its authorities…’ Figuring the situation of the girl out in his mind, Layn’s smile widened even further.

“What? No, I came here…” The official attempted to clarify the situation once again, only to be stopped by a suddenly raised Layn’s hand. “Sir, I understand. I truly do. But no matter what, the academy has yet to come to a rental agreement, so I have no other choice but to ask for a grade-one stone in exchange for four entry tickets.”

Shaking his head with faked uneasiness, Layn continued the great fight within his soul not to allow his smile to appear on his face.

“Agreement? Grade one stone?” Listening to the archmage’s words, the official’s eyes widened. A few paces to the side, Irea’s lips curved up. ‘That’s a proper reaction… At least now I know I’m not the weird one.’ For a moment, all three of them started or continued to shake their heads. Layn in pretended uneasiness, the official in shock and Irea with acceptance of her situation.

“Wait a moment.” Feeling that he baited the official for long enough, Layn finally allowed the middle-aged man to finish his words. On the other hand, seeing how the intruder wasn’t going to interrupt him this time, the official cleared his throat before raising his eyes on the wooden building.

“I’m an elder in charge with the outer academy development. Sir, even if you made some kind of deal with the brass…” As eager as Layn was to let the man speak his bit, just his introduction made most of Layn’s schemes pointless.

‘Who would’ve thought that the man I wanted would appear here out of his own volition?’ Rejoicing at the rare stroke of luck, Layn smiled. “Sir, it’s my fault here. I didn’t waste my time on contacting each and every person on the chain, so it’s understandable that you knew nothing about this project.”

Lowering his head, Layn angled his head towards the girl only to put a wide smile on his face. “Sir, please forgive me for my earlier attitude. And obviously…” Straightening his back, Layn reached out towards the girl with his hand. Due to the distance, he didn’t aim to pull her close but rather to invite her to come closer herself. Once Irea let go of her reluctance and approached the archmage with an uneasy step, Layn turned his head back to the official. “Sir, it would be an honor to have you experience the benefits of this ‘Shrine of Humbleness’ as our first customer!”

Pointing his hand towards the entrance of the shrine, Layn smiled. With Irea finally reaching his side, he used his left arm to grab her waist and pull her directly to his body so that he could feel her warmth with his waist.

“Sir?” For a moment, the official failed to say anything or to even react in any way or form. For a moment, he just continued to stare at the building, before muttering something along the lines of “Fuck it, might as well give it a try” and stepping forward.

“Sir, standard session lasts roughly an hour, but I believe you will be able to understand the value of this building in just a few moments.” Advising the middle-aged man as he was about to step inside, Layn reluctantly let go of Irea’s side, following after the man into the shrine.

“A shrine of humbleness… That’s quite a… provocative term, isn’t it?” As the two men moved around the circumvention of the building, they quickly reached the very last of the spots.

“Sir, I’m here just to manage this object, not to make any decisions about it.” Responding with an uneasy smile, Layn reached up for the hook of the mobile curtain. Lowering it to the point just above his head, Layn threw one last look towards the official inside before smiling. “Sir, one important thing. As this object is sponsored and backed by the third prince, it would put me in quite a… pinch, if something were to happen to it.”

Rather than waiting for the man’s reaction, Layn simply pulled the curtain down. As it was made with a completely magic-devoid material, it could serve as a separator for the slots within the shrine pretty well. And while magic could still freely pass through any matter, cloth and wood included, a simple veil of cloth at least allowed the future guests of the shrine to cultivate in peace.

“How did it go?” As soon as Layn stepped outside, Irea rushed to his side. Speaking in a low voice, wary of letting the official hear her worries, she unknowingly pressed Layn’s buttons by squirming to his side.

“I don’t know yet. He just entered…” Sending a single look towards the fake sanctuary behind his back, Layn finally allowed his true smile to appear on his face. Enclosing his embrace on the girl, he pulled Irea closer to his heart before enjoying this intimate moment for a moment. Yet, before long, a rustling noise could be heard from within the temple, putting an end to this pleasurable moment of leisure.

“I guess we are about to find out soon.” Distancing himself from the girl for a single step, Layn turned his face towards the entrance of the shrine. And just a moment later, the official rushed outside with a flustered look on his face.

“What is this place again?!”