Isekai Adventure in the Dimensional Cube

The market Aquil was referring to was naturally not the kind where one could buy vegetables, meats, and various miscellaneous daily necessities that was open for anyone to browse.

Such a place did exist in Yalefu, but the market Aquil spoke of was exclusive to nobles and wealthy merchants.

Its function wasn't much different from an ordinary market, but the goods for sale were completely different.

There, one could find all sorts of magic items, magic weapons, books of magic and sword techniques, and even slaves for sale.

Many nobles and wealthy merchants liked to stroll through that market in their leisure to see if there was anything valuable to procure. The idle young nobles enjoyed spending time there too. And women, creatures fond of shopping by nature, had a special fondness for such a place.

Therefore, the two female nobles were satisfied with Aquil's suggestion, and no one else had any objections.

Of course, Reiger knew this was also due to everyone giving face to the red-haired miss present.

As mentioned before, in this small group, everyone else was a child from a lesser noble family of Viscounts and Barons, with only two originating from the influential Earl families.

Aquil was one of them, and the other was the red-haired miss—Kaliya Liat.

The Liat family, just like the Rein family, were Earls. Kaliya, the eldest daughter of the Liat family, was 19 years old, of the same age as Aquil, and considered one of the seniors in this small group.

In this circle, Aquil's leadership was almost unshakeable, but he couldn't ignore Kaliya's opinions. If Kaliya was present, he would often accommodate her and visit places that she liked.

Honestly, Reiger was somewhat puzzled why a young lady like Kaliya would mingle with this small group, seeking fun like a mischievous girl.

Especially Kaliya, according to the original host's memories, she seemed to have joined voluntarily, unlike the others who were brought in by Aquil or sought to get close to the Rein family intentionally.

The seemingly naive young girl who joined the group with Kaliya was named Shafni Roks. She was the youngest of all present, just 15 years old, always trailing behind Kaliya like a shadow. Reiger believed that without Kaliya, this girl certainly would not have joined the group on her own.

Kaliya's motives were unknown to everyone except perhaps Aquil. Even the original host was not clear on the matter and had never pondered this question.

For the original host, the desire to join this small group stemmed from both Aquil's and Kaliya's influences.

If one were to ask why...

"He actually likes Kaliya?"

In the luxurious carriage, as Reiger was recalling various information about the small group, he suddenly uncovered this surprising detail.

"What?"

Ian, who heard Reiger's unintentional mumble, didn't quite catch it and looked over with some curiosity.

Ai En also glanced in their direction.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it," Reiger quickly remembered that Ai En and Ian were in the carriage protecting him and shook his head to deflect.

Although Ian frowned slightly, displeased with Reiger's evasion, she did not mind elaborating since she had already brought it up.

"Forgive my bluntness, Mr. Reiger," Ian said, looking directly at Reiger, "I think that second young master of the Rein family is somewhat unscrupulous in his intentions, and I would advise against getting too close to him."

"Oh?" Reiger's attention was diverted by Ian's comment, and he turned to the female knight, asking, "What do you mean?"

It wasn't Ian who answered Reiger, but Ai En.

"His eyes harbor ambition."

Ai En stated this calmly, prompting a sardonic smile from Reiger.

"Ambition, huh?" Reiger murmured, "That's true."

If he weren't ambitious, why would an Earl's son bother to pull Reiger, a country boy, into a small group of noble scions?

The group totaled nine; besides Reiger as the sole commoner, all were nobles. What did that indicate?

It showed that before Reiger's arrival, Aquil and the others were not willing to welcome any commoners into their midst.

So why was Reiger the exception?

Because he was of use.

A talent capable of becoming a Tactical Level Magician, perhaps even with a slight chance of becoming a Strategic Level Magician – who wouldn't want to woo him?

But upon reflection, Reiger found something curious.

Aside from Aquil, no one else at Spellera Academy had ever approached the original host with friendliness or offered an olive branch.

This was obviously unusual; Reiger didn't believe there was no machination involved.

"Those people, surely must've been blocked by Aquil Rein, right?"

It seemed that Aquil intended to lock the promising original host in tight.

Adding to that, he was gathering children from other noble families, and in Reiger's view, it was a clear display of Aquil continuously trying to recruit other nobles to form his own base of power.

Why did Sena have such delicate hostility towards the original host?

Wasn't it because he felt Aquil valued the original host more, cherished Reiger as a future asset, and thus was envious?

Kaliya bringing Shafni into the group might also have been the result of Aquil's efforts, otherwise, he wouldn't be so compliant with her, obviously seeking to curry favor.

All of this had a purpose.

"That fellow, he can't truly believe I'd buy into his nonsense, that he's been worried about me all this time, right?"

Reiger chuckled to himself.

If he really cared, why was there no word from Aquil during the month Reiger was recovering from his injuries?

Yuri had sent someone to Spellera Academy to get leave on his behalf. If Aquil really worried, then surely the messenger Yuri sent would have brought back some word, like Aquil looking for him or such.

Unfortunately, there was nothing at all.

However, the news that his "Gate" was damaged and he could no longer be a magician had already been quietly leaked by Yuri before Reiger's recovery, in an attempt to circumvent the actions of the Heretic Assassins.

This was quite thought-provoking.

Could it be that Aquil had heard some rumors about this, which was why he had ignored Reiger?

Why did he suddenly seek him out now, neither earlier nor later, but precisely after the news that Reiger had switched to swordsmanship and been taken in by the Franzel family had spread?

Was there really no special reason for Sena's constant sourness, clearly jealous of the relationship Reiger and Yuri had forged?

Ai En and Ian, the two competent attendants, had noticed some signs and thus gave Reiger a warning.

After all, if Reiger didn't handle the situation well, it might affect Yuri, as well as the masters of Ai En and Ian.

That's why they both took it upon themselves to say a little more.

"Do you know something?"

Reiger turned to Ai En and Ian and asked.

The two female knights looked at each other for a moment.

Then, Ian spoke.

"There are rumors that the Earl of the Rein Family is planning to officially designate an heir soon."

Having said this, Ian fell silent.

But that was enough.

"I see."

Reiger realized, and then his expression returned to calm.

"Let's see what he really intends to do, then."

...

Yalev, the Royal Market.

This upscale market, open only to nobility and wealthy merchants, was situated in the city center near the royal palace.

Carriages escorted by guards were arriving in succession, stopping at the entrance of the market to let off persons of extraordinary attire before moving on to park on the adjacent grounds.

Reiger's party, too, alighted from their carriages and entered the Royal Market at Aquil's invitation.

At the entrance of the market, staff members specifically assigned to the task were standing guard.

They checked the identities of those entering, allowing only nobility and merchants through while commoners were stopped at the gate, even their guards were not permitted to enter.

With Aquil and others present, Reiger naturally wasn't stopped and could enter with them, but Ai En and Ian were held back.

However, Ai En and Ian did not stay with the other guards but were promptly let through after showing a token engraved with a snowflake pattern to the person at the gate.

This scene attracted the attention of many, causing Aquil and the others to exchange glances, their eyes flickering, wondering what it was all about.

The group then made their way into the Royal Market and stopped in the plaza at the market's entrance.

"Do you have anything particular you want to buy?"

Aquil was holding a piece of sheepskin on which were written various commodities' names.

It was handed to them upon entering.

Some of the items listed were specially marked, some very precious, others were new arrivals that had caught many people's interest.

"I want to go to the slave quarter."

Sena, who had just been eyeing a batch of newly arrived female slaves noted for their beauty in the specially marked commodities, raised his hand.

"We'd like to go too!"

A group of varied statures and builds echoed with one voice, obviously sharing Sena's interest.

Upon closer observation, many of the male nobles and merchants were also heading towards the slave quarter, as indicated by the signs.

Only Kaliya and Shafni slightly frowned.

"I'd like to buy some magic tools."

Kaliya said this.

"I'm kind of interested in the new accessories that have come in," Shafni expressed her different opinion.

"What about you, Reiger?"

Aquil, seemingly anticipating such a scenario, wasn't surprised, merely turning to Reiger to ask.

"I'm fine with anything," Reiger answered impassively, "but if possible, I would like to look at the swords skills being sold here."

Upon hearing Reiger's words, everyone was inwardly stirred.

"You're not really starting to switch to swordsmanship, are you?"

Sena looked at Reiger with an expression that was a mix of schadenfreude.