Episode 16
First Business Trip (Part 5)
In the end, Lerry’s master was the man standing in front of them. Temia couldn’t say a word — she just watched the scene unfold.
“Master, this really wasn’t something she could control. So… I’d be grateful if you wouldn’t be too harsh on Miss Temia. Please, just this once!”
The little blue bird, unlike his stern master, had a sweet and gentle personality. He tried his best to calm the man’s anger and defend her.
He even gave a playful wink, showing his charm.
But the man remained unmoved and simply pressed down gently — but firmly — on the bird’s head.
“That’s for me to decide. I assigned you to keep an eye on whether the assistant was doing her job, not to leave with her. Do you remember who your master is?”
“If you press like that, you’ll ruffle my feathers! I told you not to do that again and again—!”
“You told me not to, so obviously I’ll do it more. Anyway… if you’re speaking up like this, then maybe there really was a reason after all.”
Lowell pointed to the table. As he walked toward it, he raised his hand toward the ceiling, and the workshop lights turned on. He didn’t even mutter a spell — so casual and effortless.
“Sit. Let’s hear this great explanation you supposedly have.”
Only then did Temia regain her chance to speak. Holding her breath and nerves, she spoke up.
“I’ll make sure you understand — I didn’t leave without reason.”
“…That’s why I stepped away for a bit. I couldn’t just hand over materials without authorization.”
Some time passed as Temia explained the entire situation.
Finally finishing, she looked straight into Lowell’s eyes.
But he remained with his arms crossed and spoke in a dissatisfied tone.
“…Well. I get it. You had no choice. I can accept that you needed to go. You went out to help, after all. But if I remember correctly, those herbs you gave were quite expensive. And yet, you said you only accepted payment for one of them?”
“…I’m scheduled to get paid soon, right? I thought I could just deduct it from that.”
“You had enough to pay in advance? Using money you haven’t even received yet? You’ve got guts.”
“If that’s a problem, I’ll just pay for it myself. I do have a few things with me. I’ll go to the jeweler tomorrow morning and sell what I have. It should be enough to cover the cost of the fairy wing powder.”
Temia stood up suddenly, ready to head out immediately.
Lowell silently stared at her before waving his hand for her to sit back down.
“No… Money doesn’t really matter to me right now. I want to ask something else.”
“What is it?”
“Even putting price aside, that child wasn’t connected to you in any way. It wasn’t even work I assigned you. You went above that, and even treated the child personally. Why would you pay out of pocket for someone you didn’t even know?”
Why?
It was the same kind of question Lerry always asked. Or maybe Lerry had learned that from his master.
Temia was suddenly reminded that this cute, kind bird was still ultimately Lowell’s familiar.
She went quiet for a moment, lost in thought.
Was it really so strange to want to help someone in need? Did it need more explanation than that?
She had always believed that even if she only said “I just wanted to help,” others would understand. But Lowell’s expression was still unreadable — a mix of curiosity and doubt.
And so Temia gave up trying to argue, and just began to share her thoughts.
Based on what she’d seen of Lowell so far, she knew he would respond better to quiet reasoning than to defensive pride.
“If someone’s suffering and I can help, I believe I should. Of course, sometimes I can’t help. But if I can… then why not? I admit I should’ve asked before using the materials. And I told you — I’ll repay it right away.”
“Temia, I think you misunderstood something. I’m not asking you about the money.”
“In that situation, you didn’t have to act. It wasn’t something you were told to do — it was optional. So why push yourself to help, even at your own expense?”
Lowell rubbed his chin as if still unsure of something, then gave a small laugh and asked:
“Well, if you want to take the loss, I can’t stop you. But tell me — how far are you willing to go?”
“How far…?”
Temia’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean exactly what I said. How far does your sense of responsibility go? Let me be blunt — this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. If you always choose kindness over business, this workshop won’t survive.”
The logic was cold but unarguable.
Even if Temia didn’t feel like she was wrong, the way Lowell framed it hit her like a heavy truth.
For some reason, her eyes started to sting.
She bit her lips tightly, trying to suppress the emotion building inside her.
She barely felt the pain anymore.
Thankfully, Lowell seemed to notice. He sighed and didn’t press any further.
As she slowly calmed herself, Temia managed to lift her head.
She hadn’t cried, but her whole body felt damp from stress.
“Honestly… what happened today isn’t even that serious. It’s happened before, and I’ve gotten used to it. A few spoonfuls of fairy wing powder aren’t a big deal for me.”
“…Then why is today different?”
Lowell’s tone shifted again — this time, gentle and calm.
But Temia didn’t want to agree with him so easily.
This was about life philosophy.
Even if she didn’t expect him to understand her, following his method wasn’t something she could do.
“…I don’t understand.”
She forced her trembling voice to respond.
Lowell shook his head lightly.
“I mean, don’t create exceptions. If you help just because you can, others will notice. Eventually, they’ll expect even more.”
“That person didn’t expect anything.”
“I know. And I’m glad. But I’m saying — others might.”
“Are you saying… that even if you have the power to help, you should just ignore it?”
“Yes. Because that’s how order is maintained.”
His voice was steady — unwavering.
Temia clenched her fists tightly, but Lowell kept speaking.
“Temia, I’ve seen people take advantage of kindness more times than I can count.”
“You’re being too pessimistic. I don’t want to live in fear like that.”
“Have you thought about how people act when they don’t get what they’ve grown used to receiving? Some people don’t respond with gratitude — they respond with resentment.”
“You… don’t trust people.”
“Then why do you trust them? Can you guarantee no one will take advantage of your kindness?”
Temia was speechless.
Not because she didn’t know the answer — but because her entire body trembled in frustration.
Where did this man get such deep distrust of humanity?
The cold glint in his eyes resembled the eerie aura of someone on the edge of death.
Lowell continued as if her clenched fists were answer enough.
“You had no money. Yet you risked everything to save a stranger. You said you’d use your unpaid wages to cover the cost.”
“This time, you got away with it. But what about next time? Or the time after that? What if it keeps happening?”
“Kindness and generosity should stay within the bounds of what you can recover from. I’m only saying this because I hope you’ll work with me long-term.”
There was nothing she could say to that.
He wasn’t wrong.
Maybe that’s why he smiled warmly again, like he believed the matter was settled.
Temia hesitated.
Should she just let him go? Pretend she accepted everything, and move on?
But—
“What do you think you’re doing?”
She suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist as he tried to leave.
Lowell looked back at her, surprised, switching his gaze between her hand and her face.
Temia spoke with firm determination:
“Sit back down. We’re not done talking yet.”
