"Nope, not gonna tell," he answered while pushing Koiren away.
Koiren did not let Kayne overpower him and pressed his body closer to his ex-classmate. He's enjoying the annoyance in his face and how he struggles. "Come on, I'll tell you mine and you tell me yours. To make this trade easier, I'll go first. I only need one word, right?" Koiren paused and leaned closer to Kayne to reveal his intentions in joining the workshop. "Duane," he said in the lowest possible volume for an audible whisper.
Like what's written on the primary reports, the Venalis family is really affiliated on the illegal Duane route.
Koiren laughed and let Kayne go. "Look at that, Kayne," he said, laughing at Kayne's bewildered expression. "I just said a word and you turned into a stone. Now, tell me why you are here?" Koiren asked seriously this time. "I am fine if you also want to confess with a single word."
Kayne hesitated and bit his lower lip. Koiren is clearly trying to get information from him and he has no idea on Koiren's position regarding the issue. "D-duane," he said. The word almost choked him.
Amused, Koiren smirked at him. "So, we're meeting at some point," he said dryly. "Ahhh... Kayne." He sensed Kayne's suspicion on him. He's wary enough to avoid Koiren's touch and took a few steps back when he tried to get closer. "I have my reasons but it is not like what you are thinking," Koiren said apologetically.
Thinking that he's up for another trick, Kayne paid no attention to Koiren and turned his back at him. He left the warehouse with heavy steps and shut the door quite forcefully.
Dust from the harsh movement flew inside the warehouse making Koiren cough. Hoping that Kayne can still hear him outside, he released his outrage. "Kayne! I'll remember this. I won't help you do the weekly reports. You, cold blooded bastard. Why won't you listen to me?!" Koiren kicked a box out of raging fury but regretted it too when he recalled that Lucian will make them pay blood.
Kayne let his feet decide where he's going next when he left. Before he knew it, he's in an unfamiliar street, walking alone with no money and way to go back home. To make it worse, he's in the slum area. The houses are built close to each other and kids are running on the streets. Clothes are also left hanging to dry and piles of trash can be seen from both sides of the road, giving off an odor that could make someone throw up. His instinct is telling him to get out of the place quickly and find someone he knows to take him back home but a hooded kid bumped into him. He tried to help the kid stand up and asked, "Are you fine?"
"Are you blind? Am I that too small to notice?," the kid grumbled.
Kayne feels like he already encountered the kid somewhere. Her voice is somewhat nostalgic and the vibe she's giving off is really familiar for him. He confirmed his suspicions when the kid took off the hood. He sighed on his first impression. It is not a she but a he and not a kid but a student of Yothopyia Institute. "Mallory?"
"Yes, it's me. How did you — ah! Regulus! Kayne Fenriz Regulus!," Mallory shouted in surprise.
Mallory's loud voice drew attention from the people. This caused Kayne to be alarmed and covered Mallory's mouth to shut him up. "Shhh," he hissed. "Why are you here?"
Mallory removed Kayne's hand angrily and rolled his eyes. He crossed his arms and had his eyebrows meet in the middle to threaten the person in front of him, refusing to answer Kayne's question. He put back his hood and tried to walk away from the curious Regulus.
Kayne stopped Mallory as soon as he took the first step. He gave him a smile that didn't reach his eyes, giving chills to the person trapped on his hard grip. "Mal-lo-ry. Can. You. Tell. Me. Why? Please?" The level of pressure is high. Mallory can't decline the scary human being forcing him to speak.
"Fine, I'll speak. I'll speak," he gave in.
Delighted by Mallory's cooperation, Kayne patted his head, turning Mallory red in rage and embarrassment. He smiled happily this time and let Mallory start his story.
Rather than explaining everything from the start. Mallory showed a small black cartridge. "I bought this," he said shyly.
Kayne took the item and examined its content by pouring a small amount on his palm. It's a white powder similar to Duane. On a closer look, it is really Duane. He furiously grabbed Mallory's collar upon confirmation. "Do you know what this is?," he asked.
Mallory nodded, trying to free himself from Kayne. "It enhances magic and physical abilities. I need it in the upcoming reassessment," he answered.
Kayne removed his grip and confiscated the Duane, putting it inside his pocket. "Tell me where you obtained this?"
"Hey, even if you're the Professor's son, you should know your limits. Do you know, that small cartridge cost me a month of allowance?," Mallory protested.
"I'll pay you." Kayne declared confidently. "I'll pay you double."
"Really?," Mallory's eyes sparkled at the generous offer. "That's 200 golds, double it and 400 golds." He counted.
"That's no problem for me. Now, speak where did you purchase this," Kayne demanded.
Mallory shook his head on Kayne's persistence. "Nuh-uh," he said. "If you want me to talk, pay me first, else you're the one in the wrong here for robbing me of my personal things," he asserted, looking forward to the amount of gold that will fall into his hands.
Kayne, realizing that he's broke right at the moment, looked away from Mallory. There's no way he can sneeze out the promised price right now. If only Peony accompanied him today and did not listen to his request to stay behind at the mansion. He's regretting it now. Kayne resolved himself to hide his current financial condition and the fact that he's lost. He acted as usual and inserted his hands in his pocket for additional confidence. "That's easy, come to the mansion with me and I'll pay you there. Of course this is to ensure that you won't back away from our deal. We need to sign some papers before I can give you the money." His goal is to let Mallory find a ride for them back at Lucian's mansion and let him pay the fare. But don't get it wrong, he will pay him later after he gets the total amount of gold he owes him.
"But this isn't the main road. You need to walk at least a kilometer to reach the main road and grab a ride."
In a flash, Kayne could hear his heart breaking into tiny pieces. He really regrets his decisions today. All of them.