50 Old Neils Method of Repaymen (1/2)
Half past seven in the evening, around the Moretti family's dining table.
”Klein, why do you need to be at work so early as a consultant? Would emergency matters at the security company be more dangerous?” Benson forked a potato from a dish of potato-stewed beef as he raised the matter in concern.
Klein carefully spat out the bones from a pan-fried dish and gave his prepared answer.
”A batch of historical documents needed immediate shipping to Backlund. I had to be present to handle the handover and make sure there was nothing missing. As you can guess, the bunch of fist-swinging bastards don't know any Feysac.”
Upon hearing his answer, Benson, who had finished chewing his food, could not help but sigh.
”Knowledge is truly important.”
Making use of this opportunity, Klein took out the remaining five-pound note and handed it to Benson.
”This is my additional payment I received today. It's time you get some decent clothes too.”
”Five pounds?” Benson and Melissa said in unison.
Benson took the note and looked at it repeatedly. He said in both shock and doubt, ”This security company sure is generous...”
His weekly salary was one pound ten soli, which meant six pounds exactly every four weeks. He only earned one additional pound from this additional payment!
And with that salary, he had managed to support his siblings, giving them a decent place to stay and allowing them to eat meat two to three times a week. Every year, they could get a few new clothes!
”Are you doubting me?” Klein deliberately returned with a question.
Benson chuckled. ”I doubt you have the ability nor the guts to rob a bank.”
”You aren't someone who can lie,” Melissa answered seriously after lowering her fork and knife.
I-I'm now someone used to lying... Klein immediately felt a little ashamed.
Although it was a result of the circumstances of his reality, his sister's belief in him left him melancholic.
”It was relatively urgent and important today. I also played a crucial role... which is the reason for the five pounds,” Klein explained.
In a way, what he said was the truth.
As for the five pounds that he would be reimbursed with—the one he would use to join the Divination Club—he planned on concealing it. Firstly, if he brought five pounds home again, he would truly scare his siblings, making them suspect he was doing something illegal. Secondly, he had to save to buy additional materials to practice being a Seer and to grasp more mysticism knowledge.
Benson bit off a mouthful of wheat bread in satisfaction and thought for more than ten seconds.
”The work I'm at doesn't need any decent clothes. Well, to be precise, the clothes at home are sufficient.”
Without waiting for Klein to persuade him, he suggested, ”With this additional income, we would truly have savings. I plan on buying a few books on accountancy and studying. Klein, Melissa, I do not wish that my weekly salary remain below two pounds in five years. Heh, as you know, my boss and manager have shit for brains. Their mouths stink the moment they open them.”
”Excellent idea,” agreed Klein. He also took the opportunity to steer the conversation. ”Why don't you read some of the grammar books in my room? To be truly dignified and to earn a handsome pay, that's something rather critical.”
Perhaps, in the times to come, the civil servant examinations will appear in Loen Kingdom. Preparing ahead of time would give him the advantage...
Benson's eyes lit up when he heard that.
”I've indeed forgotten about that. Here, let's toast to a beautiful future.”
He did not drink rye beer. Instead, he poured clear oyster soup into three cups and clinked his cup with his siblings'.
After drinking the clear soup, he looked at his sister who was wrestling with the pan-fried fish. He chuckled and said, ”Aside from Benson's books, I think Melissa needs a new dress too.”
Melissa looked up and shook her head incessantly.
”No, I think it's best...”
”To save it up.” Klein finished the sentence for her.
”Yeah.” Melissa nodded in agreement.
”In fact, if you do not seek the best fabrics and the newest designs, it would not be too expensive. We can save up the remaining money,” said Klein in a manner which did not allow for disagreement.
Benson added, ”Melissa, are you planning on wearing the old dress again to Selena's sixteenth birthday bash?”
Selena Wood was Melissa's classmate and good friend. She came from quite a good family background. Her elder brother was a practicing solicitor and her father was a senior employee of Backlund Bank's Tingen branch.
However, the so-called bash was only a dinner invitation to friends where they chatted and played cards.
”Alright.” Melissa lowered her head and mumbled a response. Then, she ruthlessly forked a piece of stewed beef.
After a short silence, she suddenly recalled something and looked up abruptly.
”Mrs. Shaud from next door got her maidservant to send a calling card over. She wishes to make a formal visit on Sunday, at four in the afternoon tomorrow. She wants to get to know her new neighbors.”
”Mrs. Shaud?” Klein looked at his siblings, confounded.
Benson rapped the side of the table with his fingers and appeared to be thinking.
”Mrs. Shaud from 4 Daffodil Street? I met her husband before. He's a senior solicitor.”
”Senior solicitor... Perhaps he knows Selena's brother,” said Melissa with some hints of delight.