Thief Mage

18

Arriving at the door of Stone's dorm, it was ajar, suggesting someone was inside. Knocking wasn't Jack's style, so he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Is Kate there?"

At that moment, Kate's helpless voice echoed from inside: "Alas! It's you again, Jack. Can you be more gentle and just push the door open yourself?"

Pushing open the ajar door, I saw Kate standing at a table, her head bent over something, while a group of people sat at the table, fascinated by the sight. "Ahem!" Jack, standing in front of me, feigned a cough. The group looked over. Kate, facing me, looked up. Seeing it was me, she turned to Jack in surprise and said, "Ah! Jack, I heard Richie was assigned to your class. So it's true!"

Having experienced Kate's gossip, I knew this kind of news would be a sure thing for him. There was no need to bother explaining my disappearance these past few days.

Jack said righteously, "Yes, he's been assigned to our dorm. I've got your back. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."

So he decided to change the subject. Through the gaps between the people, I noticed a table covered in a jumble of tools and a black wooden box the size of a brick. As soon as I entered, I saw them fiddling around with something at the table, and I asked, perplexed, "What are you all doing here?"

Kate picked up the black wooden box and turned it towards me. An exceptionally delicate brass lock caught my eye. He replied, "Well, the school's Thieves Club is selecting a team leader. He's announced that whoever can get his signature inside will receive this coveted position."

He glanced at the lock, then a look of frustration crossed his face. He continued, "Don't be fooled by its brass appearance. It's made of incredibly hard King Gold." This metal is produced in a small country called Loy. Although reserves are plentiful, its hardness limits its production. Ordinary hoes and pickaxes are insufficient for mining it, so a harder material, black stone, is required. Of course, tools made from black stone are also required to craft this lock. Since there are only five sets of lockmaking tools made from black stone in the world, the annual production of this type of lock is only about 1,500. The locks currently used in bank vaults are of this type. I wonder where the minister got them. No wonder he's so arrogant. "Alas, this box will be handed over to someone else tomorrow. Anyway, I've been racking my brains all day and still can't open this lock. It seems I'll have to give up this easy job." Kate said, looking even more frustrated.

Kate's explanation was absolutely top-notch, truly a gossipmonger. But I knew everything he was talking about the lock from the moment I first laid eyes on it. Turning to Jack, I said, "Go and help me pack my things. I'll help Kate check!" With that, I walked towards the table.

Kate cast a look of deep distrust. As I walked toward the table, he said incredulously, "You? No way! I've been in the club for so long, and my lockpicking skills are top-notch. Even I can't open this lock."

"Yeah, Kate's been in the Thieves Club for quite some time, and if he can't, how can you, an amateur, open it?" Jack said casually as he helped me pack my things.

Haha! Back when I stole the Wind Wand, I took down the world-renowned locksmith, Krams, and the Dark Lock, known as the best in the world, in just fifteen minutes. Just getting the autograph from the box? That's child's play! Forget using tools, I could use my feet. So, as I walked, I smiled and said, "I'm just taking a look!" I snapped my fingers eagerly.

As I walked over, the crowd involuntarily made room for me. Under everyone's surprised gazes, I approached the table. I saw all sorts of professional lockpicking tools scattered across it. Wow! No way, there's even a key-making machine. Next to it was a pile of saw blades with their teeth smoothed out. It looked like Kate had already used force on this lock.

Under the gaze of the crowd, I leisurely picked up a five-inch-long iron needle with my left hand and expertly danced it. Suddenly, the needle, gleaming with a white metallic sheen, swirled around my left hand in a series of motions, as if possessed.

"Wow!" everyone exclaimed. This technique must have astounded them. Kate was now silent, only staring in amazement at my superior skill.

"Wow!" Another exclamation rang out. It was Jack, who had heard the crowd and looked over, exclaiming in amazement.

"Give it to me!" I stared at Kate, stunned for a moment before she reacted and handed the box to me.

Out of the corner of my eye, they were staring intently at my next move.

I took the box and suddenly stopped spinning my left hand. In a cool gesture, the needle shot out of my hand. Boom! A needle thumped against the table, its tail trembling and humming. Everyone around me was already paying close attention.

A heavy atmosphere enveloped every corner of the dormitory. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. With a sharp click, I placed the box on the floor. The sound tugged at everyone's heartstrings. "Let's show them the power of the world's greatest thief!" I suddenly jumped up and stomped down hard. With a snap, the box shattered.

Everyone's jaws nearly dropped, their expressions frozen in a mixture of disappointment and confusion.

I squatted down and pulled a piece of paper from the block of wood. This must be the minister's signature Kate had mentioned! There were only a few words written on the paper. Hmm? The handwriting looked familiar. I felt like I'd seen it somewhere. Just as I was searching through my memories, Kate managed a puzzled look, "You..."

Kate's voice brought me back from my memories. Who cares who wrote it? I gritted my teeth and handed Kate the signature, saying, "Here! This is the signature you asked for!"

"Ah!" Kate suddenly realized. He happily took the signature and exclaimed, "Haha, my goodness, why didn't I think of that?"

Jack also came to his senses and agreed, "Yeah! Richie, your method is really perverse, but it's also the most effective. You've earned Kate a great benefit." "The team leader's life is full of complications, and the most important thing is that power allows him to embezzle." Jack chuckled, then turned to Kate and said, "No, Kate!"

"Hey! It seems like you're incredibly well-informed, Jack! Of course, that's for sure. Rich people don't necessarily have power, but powerful people definitely have money. Okay, when I get promoted, I'll treat you all to a feast!"

Jack looked outside at the sky and said to me, "Rich, we have to go! I think you need to buy some groceries! You're not planning on living on just a mat and a sack!" He shook the large sack I kept my money in.

It's getting late, and it seems like it's time to say goodbye. While I'm deeply saddened to leave, there's nothing I can do about it. We only spent a short time together, after all, we drank and chatted, and it was a long time before we finally met. With some reluctance, I said, "Alas! The truth is cruel. I'm sorry, comrades. I've done my best. Now I've been assigned to the first grade, and I have to move out!"

As if my emotions were infecting everyone in the dorm, a touch of sadness crossed their faces. After a while of farewell, Kate finally said sadly, "Alas! Life is full of separations. Nothing lasts forever. If fate allows, we'll meet again. Go with peace of mind!"

Shoot! I'm not dead yet. How can I say go with peace of mind? Besides, the two dormitories weren't far apart, so a visit would only take twenty minutes. This guy even scrambled some sentences from a book to get me off my feet, but I didn't intend to expose him. He politely said, "Future team leader! I really have to go. Take care!"

After parting, Jack and I ended up at the only grocery store near the west gate. The woman there warmly welcomed us and we bought some daily necessities before returning to the dorms, of course, to eat.

Back at Dormitory 15, I showed my warmth and offered delicious food. I quickly became part of their conversation. I proved to them that I wasn't mentally ill, and though I might be a bit clueless, I was incredibly knowledgeable. Of course, I wasn't just a thief in this world. After hanging out for so long, I was bound to know some strange things. I quickly became familiar with them. After a day of interacting with them, they also found me quite good. After a satisfying meal, they took me on a tour to familiarize me with the area, showed me where to shop, where to eat, and even pointed me in the direction of the women's bathhouse.