CHAPTER 13: A SUCCESSFUL HARVEST.

After an entire day of working at the site, it was finally nighttime for Dorian’s workers.

In a single day, all ten of the workers were able to dig up 13 dragon iron ores, filling one single container.

As it turned out, the dragon ore they dug out was purer than what Dorian had done on his own. For starters, they were dimmer and heavier.

The difference in quality was also clear at first glance.

Shockingly enough, despite working for an entire day with no single break, the workers were still energetic, as though they only went for a walk and came back.

They stood before the iron ore crate, proud expressions on their faces. As they knew with this, they were about to be rich the following day when Dorian decided to pay them.

Opposite them was Dorian, who was practically licking his lips, and beside him was his knight, Maria.

"Boss, is this enough, or do you want us to dig up more?" one of the workers uttered.

Dorian shook his head in response.

"Nah, we have enough for today. For now, you can all go home and rest. Remember to keep this a secret, and also, be up early tomorrow as well."

"Yes! Goodnight, boss."

They each said their goodbyes as they left.

Once they were gone, Dorian let out a relieved sigh.

’I’ll probably have to take this home with me before heading to Maria’s father’s place tomorrow. Still, I can’t guarantee that no one will come here, especially after many people saw us digging in this place throughout today.’

True, there were multiple holes on the ground, some of which were probably only inches away from reaching the next dragon iron ore.

Judging from the number of people who came to dump their refuse at the site, it wouldn’t be a shock if their curiosity got the better of them and they decided to sneak in at night when nobody was watching.

A dragon iron ore heist could be knocking at the front door, and Dorian wasn’t going to overlook it, even with the tiniest of possibilities.

As such, he summoned Diggy.

Golden light flashed before him, and the creature appeared.

"Fuu~"

Dorian now placed his hand on his waist.

"Diggy, I need you to do something for me."

....

Later that night, Dorian and Maria made it to the mansion, where the dragon iron ore was stored in his room.

Lying flat on the bed, Dorian gave an exhausted grunt.

"Urrgh! I am so tired."

His voice could be heard outside the room as well.

Maria, who was standing at the side, stared at him for a while.

It was clear something was eating away at her mind; still, she was hesitant. Her arms were cupped in front of her with her back resting on the wall.

Due to the moonlight glittering inside the room, her expression was hidden, showing much of nothing of her face.

As the silence grew, Dorian caught on.

"Are you still hung up on how I am able to summon a beast?" he asked, eyes drifting towards her location.

Clear signs of curiosity soon appeared on Maria’s face. One could only guess she had been waiting for the question to slap her in the face.

"Yes, Lord Dorian, I am indeed questioning that."

"Is that so?" smiled Dorian. However, it soon turned into disdain.

He wondered, ’Why can’t this girl just let me have something and not ruin it? Why do girls always have to be such busybodies.’

Being the kind of man he was, he did well making it under a simple smile.

He then deliberately sat upright on the bed, throwing his gaze towards the shade kissing the large window to his side.

"As you have said, a person cannot have more than one class. And I was in fact a mage class from birth."

Maria paid close attention, wanting to grasp every single piece of information he was about to let out.

She would be lying if she said her every thought for the past few days had always lingered on Dorian. This was a good way to justify it, as she assumed it was the reason for it all.

"I have always been unfortunate, though that might sound rather selfish, since I am one of the few people that can use magic," he looked at her. "That said, I have been stuck in the novice rank for years and never advanced forward."

The rank of each class went as follows: Novice, Amateur, Adept, Master, Grandmaster, and then finally, Lord rank.

People often climb each rank through multiple means, but the most popular one was through training and practice. The more in tune you are with your class, the more chances you have of advancing forward.

However, some people never do. They live their lives with one rank until their death.

Dorian clutched his chest, gritting his teeth at the next words coming out of his mouth.

"I couldn’t take it anymore. How can I be so weak? And so, I made a contract with a witch, and she granted me the power to make summons," he uttered boldly towards the end.

Just as he expected, Maria was shocked at what she heard.

Leaning forward, her hand pressing against the bed, she asked, "You met a witch!"

Eyes glowing with trepidation.

Of course, Dorian gave her a fitting reply. He expected this outcome after all.

If Maria were to blink for a second too long, he would make a face capable of rivaling the devil.

"Yes, by pure coincidence though," he uttered with a single finger raised, his expression fully robotic, "I didn’t see her face, but she certainly saw mine. In any case, that is how I got my added class ability."

Maria’s eyes soon drifted to the side. Her thoughts scattered. She knew all too well the lore behind witches.

They were creatures said to hate and despise the world, often hiding in an alternate universe and waiting for the right time to destroy humanity.

No one has ever dared to lay their eyes on a witch.

And yet—

"You really haven’t changed from back then. You still know how to surprise me." Maria gave a gentle smile with her comment.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing, my lord, please head to bed. We have a long day tomorrow."

Avoiding every possible question Dorian had, Maria walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

’What was that about?’

[Liar.]

’Shut up.’