Rebirth Of The Bastard Spirit Summoner

The door to the servant's rest area creaked open, causing Stark to jolt awake.

For the past two days, he had been spending all his free time training in his mind space, honing his abilities as he endlessly fought with Caylus.

As a result, he was almost always exhausted. He would have probably been hospitalised by now just from blood loss alone if not for Chubby.

The chief maid stepped into the room and gave him an exasperated look before walking towards the workers.

"I need a pair of two to get something from the market." She glanced at Eva before she continued. "Eva, you're obviously going since you know all our regulars. Who wants to volunteer?"

No one answered. Some began to whistle while others avoided eye contact with the woman. It was not that the task was particularly difficult, it was just that the weather was terrible.

It had rained throughout the night and even now it was still drizzling. No one wanted to go out in the cold and muddy environment.

Well, no one except for Stark.

Although Eva only played a minor part in his plans, it was a crucial one nonetheless, and he needed some alone time with her to make it possible.

But he could not be too obvious, which was why he waited, edging them on until he finally raised his hand.

"I guess I'll go."

The maid nodded. "You guys should leave at once. Make sure you get everything on the list."

Eva, who had been sitting next to Stark, stood up and walked up to him, but paused, her eyes widening slightly.

"My goodness, are you alright?" she asked, reaching into her pocket to pull out a handkerchief.

Stark leaned back slightly as she gently brought the fabric to his nose. "You have a nosebleed…"

"Oh, it happens all the time, it's nothing serious."

Eva frowned and placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you sure? You're not sick or anything?"

Stark shook his head, and although Eva still looked unconvinced, she picked up a bag and pulled him by the arm.

"Let's get going then…"

Even with the constant drizzle, muddy floor, and freezing cold winds, the market was still crowded.

There were multiple stalls on both sides of the streets, and although the city guard did their best to maintain order, most of the market still spilled onto the road, causing slow progression of the carriages.

Stark and Eva weaved through the countless bodies, moving from shop to shop to gather everything they needed, up until there were only a few items left.

"So what made you visit Sandhill? Or are you a local here?" Eva asked as they left the busier parts of the market.

"I owe a friend of mine. I owe him a whole lot, so I came to the city to pay him back."

Eva was walking on some cobblestone kerbs like a child, her hands raised at her sides to keep her balance. "Oh, that is why you got a job."

Stark nodded.

She glanced at him for a brief moment before focusing on the road ahead of her. "You're a really nice person, you know."

"Why do you say so?"

"Coming back to repay a friend… most people would just run off and never come back, but you got a job instead."

"Hahaha," Stark laughed, bringing his free hand to his face as the light rain bathed his entire body.

Eva's brows perked up in confusion. "Did I say something funny?"

"Ohh, no—the thought of running never really occurred to me." He looked at her, showing a jovial side that she rarely got to see.

"I guess I really am a nice guy… By the way, the stone is wet, you're going to fall pretty soon."

Eva scoffed. "I'm an expert at this, I'm not going to—Ehhh?!"

Stark immediately rushed to her side, holding her by the hand just as her head was a few inches away from the muddy street.

He sighed tiredly. "See?"

Eva scratched her head while laughing nervously. "Pull me up, would ya?"

When she got back to her feet, she placed her hand on her head and then began worriedly looking around them.

"What is it?"

"My hairpin, I can't find it. I think it came off when I almost fell."

Stark sighed and joined her search, but no matter how much they looked, Eva could not find it.

"Is it that important?" he asked, doing another check.

"It's not too expensive, but my dad bought it for me on my last birthday. I haven't even used it much."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll understand. We need to get going, it looks like the rain is about to intensify."

Upset, Eva stood up and sighed deeply. "You're right, let's go."

As Eva began walking a step ahead of him, Stark glanced at her coldly as he placed his hands in his pocket, feeling the cold metal of the hairpin against his palm.

'I'll just be borrowing it for a little bit…'

•••

It was midnight, the time when most merchants had closed their shops for the night, favouring their homes and the bosoms of their wives to the cold, unsafe night.

And yet, on a lonely street in the corner of town, there was one shop that remained open.

It was an old, run-down building that looked like it had been here even before the city was founded. With misty windows and a hazy roof, it was the strangest structure in the city.

It was a place thieves would not dare step a foot into, talk less of robbing it…

It was a witch's hut, a practitioner of the dark arts.

Even during the day, people avoided this place like the plague. Only a desperate few, with issues far too great to care, ever bothered to visit.

And now, standing in front of her door was none other than Kiera, her blonde hair let down to obscure her ears.

Knock Knock

Her knuckles bounced against the aging wood, producing a dull sound, and after a few seconds the door swung open and a whisper's voice reached her from within.

"Enter."

Kaeri took a deep breath and stepped in.