CHAPTER 29: NO MEANS NO

"Captain, how dare he speak to you like that and just walk away?" Seraphina snapped, her hand flying to her sword. The steel rang as she pulled it half from its sheath. "Would you like me to teach him a lesson right now? I’ll cut him down this instant!"

Alaric raised his hand, palm firm in the air. "No."

She froze, frowning.

"What he said... it isn’t wrong," Alaric admitted. His gaze didn’t waver from Nolan’s back as the young man walked away. "But even if you were to attack him, it would be bad for you."

Seraphina scowled. "What do you mean by that?"

"You wouldn’t understand," Alaric murmured, his eyes narrowing.

He studied Nolan carefully. As a sword master, he was trained to read every twitch, every breath, every shift of weight that revealed an opening. But Nolan—standing so casually, even lifting a hand to brush at his own face—left nothing. Not a single weakness to exploit.

Alaric’s gift of foresight stirred. He tried to glimpse the outcome of a battle between them. Normally, he could see the clash, the strikes, the victor. But now... nothing. No thread of fate, no future where he stood victorious. Just emptiness.

His jaw tightened. Impossible.

"Don’t let him fool you with that performance," Alaric muttered.

"It doesn’t matter to me," Seraphina said sharply. "If it comes to it, I’ll cut him down myself."

"Fine, fine—whatever." Alaric waved her words aside, though his eyes never lost their focus. He turned to Nymera. "What do you think of him?"

Nymera’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "I think... he’s interesting."

Alaric smirked. "So you can also tell."

Nymera gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable.

Alaric clenched his fist, his voice hardening. "I’m not giving up. He will join our party. This is the first time anyone has ever rejected my invitation. Do you understand? It’s everyone’s dream to fight at my side. And he dared to say no."

His companions shifted uneasily, but none dared to argue.

"Enough," Alaric declared, turning sharply. "We’re returning to the training camp. At my castle."

With that, Alaric, Seraphina, Nymera, and the other women at his side strode out of the Adventurers’ Guild, their departure leaving behind a heavy silence—and the lingering impression of an obsession that had just begun.

"Today was a tough day, but at least we made some money. Let’s go to the inn," Nolan said, stretching his shoulders.

Linda suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes shifting toward him. Nolan turned back, raising a brow. "Is something wrong?"

She hesitated, then shook her head. "No... but me and Celia—we wanted to take you shopping."

"Shopping?" Nolan tilted his head.

"Yes," Linda continued, her voice steady but softer than usual. "You’ve already taken us shopping before, and you gave us so much money. I even overheard you talking to yourself once, saying the money you gave us could last for months. But no... that wasn’t true." She met his gaze with rare firmness. "Six hundred thousand gold coins is more than just ’months.’ For me... that’s enough to last ten years."

Celia nodded, stepping forward beside Linda. "We’d like to show you our token of appreciation this time."

Nolan blinked, taken aback. He couldn’t hide his surprise. Linda hardly ever talks this much... and Celia too. Usually, they’re so quiet when I’m around. When did the two of them even plan this together?

Slowly, his lips curved into a smile. "I accept. You’re right. I don’t even have proper clothes—just this same suit I’ve been wearing for as long as I can remember."

Both girls smiled faintly, relief and excitement flickering in their eyes.

And so, instead of heading toward the inn, the three of them turned down the lantern-lit street, making their way toward Cedric’s shop.

I wonder how they even planned to tell me... Nolan thought as they walked. Maybe it’s true—I did too much by giving them six hundred thousand gold coins. But still... I was the one who defeated the bandits. I was happy to give it away. For an average person, that kind of money could last ten years easily. It really is a lot.

After a few minutes, they finally arrived at a shop. The sign above read

Cedric’s Tailoring & Fine Wear

The letters were big, bold, and even outlined in gold paint. At the very bottom, Cedric had added a line in flamboyant handwriting: "Perfection has a name—and it’s Cedric."

Nolan stared at it for a moment, blinking. Did he seriously write his own name on the signboard twice?

The moment they stepped inside, a flamboyant voice echoed through the room.

"Well, well! If it isn’t the boy with the angry face!" Cedric, a slim man with sharp features and a flowing scarf, greeted them in a feminine tone.

"Angry face—?! Hey, who are you calling angry face?" Nolan snapped, frowning.

Linda quickly waved her hand. "Ignore him... he’s always like this."

But Cedric wasn’t done. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the girls. "Ah, but look at my two gems—the diamonds of beauty, glowing with health and elegance. I’m sure you’re having fun with them, aren’t you, boy?"

Nolan’s face heated instantly. "H-Hey, what are you even saying? It’s not like that!"

"Oh my eye..." Cedric dramatically fanned himself. "So you’re not even a man yet, if you blush from just hearing the word fun."

"That’s enough!" Nolan barked, glaring at him.

"Alright, alright!" Cedric chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "So then—what do you want today? Clothes for these two lovely ladies?"

"No," Celia and Linda said in unison, stepping forward. "We’re here to get clothes for him."

Cedric froze. "For... him?" Slowly, he turned his gaze toward Nolan, his eyes narrowing like a craftsman inspecting fine material. He walked around Nolan once, then again, scanning his body from head to toe.

"Hmm..." Cedric hummed, fingers on his chin. "This will be... interesting."

"Why are you staring so hard...?" Nolan muttered, his brows furrowing.

"Because, my dear angry face," Cedric said, flicking his scarf dramatically, "you are drowning in that dull, lifeless suit. It’s a crime against fashion! Now—take it off."

Nolan stiffened. "What?"

"Take off the suit," Cedric repeated, his tone sharp but playful. "How do you expect me to create perfection.

Linda covered her mouth to hide a laugh, while Celia blushed, stealing quick glances at Nolan.