Scammed

“What made you think that? You're certainly not normal in any sense, but to call yourself weird- that's rather harsh, isn't it, even for your own standards."

Despite it being true, I wouldn't really want to hurt her feelings before a huge fight breaks out.

Ino just stood melted on the stall; the smell of food was starting to hit both their noses. It smelt very good for something not even done. “I feel like you and Chikaru really are starting to hate me.

“I don't agree with your chaotic mage plan. That's all, and I don't think Chikaru really wants that either. It's a difference, not a ground-breaking hate.”

But she has a point. I have been distrustful of her this entire time, but for a valid reason; I don't think that would change just like that either.

Ino then spun her finger around the metal in circles; it didn't even make a noise, but her finger spun nicely and smoothly. “I won't let you stop my goal, you know that, right. Even if you try, I would kill you then; it's that simple, but we're coworkers, and I still need you for now. But I don't want us to operate with this suspicious gaze at each other. It's tiring.”

There it is; she is willing to kill me to achieve her mage madness, and not only is she saying this out of selfish reasons. This really is tiring; she is right about that, especially knowing I could die any moment.

“Ino. I don't hate you, I don't trust you, and I don't think I ever will until I figure out how much you were behind the attack on the carriage, but Capolot made it clear that you had involvement and you killed him before he got to finish.” Sorin's arms crossed on the stall, looking over to the bulky lady; she definitely heard everything, but her acting skills were top tier.

Both of them sat silent next to each other; it wasn't the nicest silence, but it was needed, perhaps, before the next words were spoken from Ino. “Do you know my reasoning, why I want to make everyone into a mage?” she asked with a small smile.

“Chaos,” Sorin directly replied.

Ino shook her head; however, “Don't you think it's unfair that some people are born better than others or are in positions of power? But I think people shouldn't be limited by rules and laws. We haven't operated on any of them actually and look at the good we're doing!”

I mean, we don't follow any rules or laws, but that's because if we did, then nothing would be possible. Is she implying that she wants a world where people rule themselves and decide with complete freedom what to do?

“That's true, we broke every rule. But if people didn't have them and let's say everyone became a mage, I think it would lead to never-ending war, or perhaps new cities would form with rules for those who want it. It would just get rid of the huge nations.” Sorin's point highlighted the issue, and Ino just sighed out before looking towards the bulky woman.

“Hey chef, what rules and laws does this city have anyway?”

“What ya think? We got none of that garbage. We can commit crime and rob all we want, but we don't." She then flips over a piece of meat and the hersh bread that was on the grill. “I mean, if the whole world became free, maybe it would not be so bad. Having some cool mage powers would rock too!”

Why is she actually providing smart points? I mean, is she trying to make me agree with her plan? I don't want people to die, and I think rules will be the best way to prevent that.

Sorin thought for another moment before responding, “I think tons of people would suffer for another place like this to form. People died to make this city, and I want to prevent death as much as possible. So even if, in the end goal, it would be as beautiful as this city. I won't let that happen because the suffering is too great.”

“Once our operation is over, I will have no choice then. Let's have a fun time killing each other!” She said with a wider smile, now turning away from Sorin towards the arriving food.

It was a sandwich; there was tons of meat in the middle and the hersh bread was grilled too. Taking a bite, Sorin instantly felt the crispy meat and the grilled bread mix together as it burst a meaty flavour into his mouth. At the same time, his nose was completely entranced by all the fumes coming from the sandwich. It was a great meal, but his mind couldn't just ignore her words.

A fun time killing each other. Did Chikaru imply that one day I would have to kill someone? Does she mean Ino? Does she mean that I will kill my own master? That would be terrible. I would rather capture her and imprison her than kill her.

Ino looked over at Sorin with a wide smile, eating her food. The situation turned uncanny. “Enjoying the meal, Sorin?” She then took her own bite. “I really like this place. I hope we come here again some time in the future, right?”

The future, where one of us is dead.

After finishing their food, Ino got off the stall and stood up. “I have some things to do; you can head back to Chikaru. We're going to practise spells for the next two days. As your master, I won't let you slack off!” She then began walking off, leaving Sorin completely alone at the stall with the bulky woman.

“Her goals are insane, aren't they? I suppose she got a bit funny in that big head of hers and all. But whatcha know that this place was formed only because of the protests. Thousands died during that. I suppose this city is rather sad that way, but I love just selling my food to ya people and all so—”

So the sacrifices were made; Ino knows this. But the end goal justifies the actions; that's what she sees.

“I don't want that actually. I'm going to build a place where you will come to the surface as equals with the mages, but I won't do that by causing destruction and letting it sort itself out.”

The bulky woman then laughed out, “Well then, I heard only one person is helping us common folk on top. You must be that man handing out your gifts. Just save me a stall, and when I get up, I will give you a 50% discount.”

“Wait— Did Ino pay?” The realisation daunted him.

“Na, you're the one paying; she's already gone somewhere and she ain't coming back here anytime soon.” She waved her hand, gesturing to hand over some money.

Sorin reached into his pockets, taking out a silver coin. “Just take it. Damn you, Ino.” He then got up in frustration, seems he had just been scammed out of a free meal by Ino. However, he had plenty of training time to get her back on it.