"Oh no."
The black-eyed boy, who'd been having the time of his life playing the market-square hero, let out a long sigh. His smug expression faded the moment the mustached man declared his rank.
Three star magician.
Up until now, the boy had only jumped in because it looked like nothing serious some angry weirdo causing a scene. He figured it'd be a quick save the kid stunt, earn some claps, maybe a few admirers, and then slip away before the authorities showed up like a legend.
But this? This was spiraling.
Without a word, he adjusted his stance. Gone was the lazy swagger. He gripped his wand with both hands now, palms spaced wide, holding it near the end like a makeshift spear. His posture wasn't casual anymore it was guarded, bracing for a fight.
Yeah, the pressure was on.
He'd never faced a Three star mage before. Or maybe he had. Maybe he ran too fast to remember. Either way, he knew one thing for sure he wasn't built for head-on confrontations with heavy hitters. But… he was confident he could at least save his own skin. Worst case? He'd run. Or trick the guy. That was his specialty anyway.
He forced a weak smile and threw out a line.
"Hey, beautiful old man, how about we just apologize and forget this ever happened?" he said with a cheeky grin, voice as smooth as butter left out in the sun. "I was only joking around. No need to turn me into spaghetti, yeah?"
He'd heard stories Theee star mages were no joke. Definitely not someone you could handle in a street brawl.
But the man with the mustache didn't even flinch. His glare sharpened, teeth gritting through the pain of his injured shoulder.
"You're dead, you little goblin shit," he hissed. "I'll give you one last chance. Pluck out the blue eye of the brat behind you and hand it to me. Do that, and I'll let you both walk away after a small apology. If not" He cracked his neck and raised his wand. "you both pay the consequences."
The boy's cocky grin twitched slightly.
He glanced back over his shoulder.
Max was standing there silent, unmoving, expression twisted in something complicated.
Max didn't understand what "third-rank" meant, but judging by the way the crowd had gasped by the flicker of hesitation in the boy's body he knew it wasn't good.
Even the black eyed boy hesitated.
Max saw it.
And yet, he didn't hold it against him.
He stood there for few moments before walking up silently.
The black-eyed boy was startled. He hadn't expected Max to move especially not toward him.
Max didn't know what choice the boy would make. Whether he'd fight for him, or back down, or maybe even offer him up to save himself. Honestly, Max wouldn't blame him either way. The boy had stepped up when no one else did. That already meant more than he could say.
If the kid wanted to walk away now? That was fair.
Max didn't understand why that man wanted his eye so badly. But he sure as hell wasn't giving it up. Why should he?
Max walked up and rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Thanks dude," he said, voice raw and honest. "For saving my life. If I make it through this, I'll pay you back. Promise."
He gave a small, crooked grin. "You can go now. No need to risk your neck for me."
Their eyes met. Blue to black. Sincere to stunned.
"You know magic?" the boy asked, eyebrow raised genuinely puzzled.
Max chuckled bitter and a little sad. "Not a clue."
Black-eyes stared at him like he'd grown a second head. "Then why the hell did you just walk up here are you not afraid you'll be deep fried and that too alive?"
Max shrugged, gripping his own wrist to hide the tremble. "I dunno Just felt like the right thing to do."
And the market held its breath.
"Go on, Hairnest," Max chuckled softly, patting the black-eyed boy's back. "I really wouldn't want to see the guy who saved me... asking me for my eyes."
He tried to play it off as a joke, but his voice Low. A quiet understanding and sad acceptance.
"Who, me?" the boy asked, pointing dramatically at his own face, like Max had just accused him of murder. "You think I'd change my stance just 'cause the situation got a little hot?"
His tone dripped with mock-offense. Then he paused, squinting. "And wait... did you just call me Hairnest again? I swear I'll~"
Max scratched the back of his head with a helpless laugh, his smile a little crooked, a little sad. He liked this idiot.
"Actually..." the black-eyed boy trailed off, shrugging. "Yeah, you're right. I do change my stance depending on the situation. Survival instincts"
He leaned in slightly, his face shifting into a wide grin... a grin that he clearly thought was charming, confident, even heroic.
Max, on the other hand, almost flinched. Dear gods, what is that smile? It was like watching a toddler trying to flirt with death itself.
But the boy straightened up, proud as a peacock, and raised a finger to his own chin like he was about to recite ancient wisdom.
"Let me tell you something about me. There's a Great saying back in the streets of Klandrosa.." He paused for dramatic effect, then pointed at himself with both thumbs. "Never trust a smile... unless it's mine."
He said it like it was gospel. Like his smile could rewrite fate itself.
Max just stared at the boy in silence. He didn't know why, but a strange feeling stirred in his chest something warm, foolish and oddly comforting.
A hug. That's what he wanted to give this dude no he isn't gay beleive me.
And that was insane.
Max had never felt anything like that before. The concept of a "friend"that silly label kids tossed around for people they laughed and cried with had always felt distant to him. Like something from a different world.
But with this guy…?
Yeah. Max had a feeling that if there was anyone he could call that friend it should be someone like him loud-mouthed fool standing in front of him.
Maybe Maybe but then remembering who he is ...he just sighed cursed people like him don't deserves happyness afterall.
"Is that so?" Max said, smiling genuinely for the first time in a long while. He reached out again and patted the boy's back. This time not to tell him to leave but simply because he wanted to.
"Just step back, dude," Max said gently. "You've done enough. Don't get hurt over me."
The boy froze.
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