SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant Chapter 548: Coins and Questions

Upon their arrival in the northern district of Velkaris, the city's appearance had transformed around the trio.

The streets here were wider, impeccably clean, bordered by pale stone and sophisticated lamp posts emitting a gentler radiance compared to those in the lower sectors. The architecture also ascended higher, not with the ostentatious flair of competing merchant towers, but with the serene assurance of establishments catering to individuals who never needed to consider cost.

Even the ambient sounds of the district conveyed a different atmosphere. Less clamor, less urgency, replaced by the rhythmic passage of carriages on polished stone and the subdued hum of conversations taking place behind exquisite glass panes.

Xavier, as might be expected, had been the primary conversationalist throughout their journey.

He revisited the duel, elaborating on how narrowly he had averted defeat with a defensive maneuver, how Trafalgar had clearly benefited from luck in two distinct exchanges, and how he was certain of victory in their next encounter once minor adjustments were made. Bartholomew listened with the resignation of someone who understood the futility of attempting to silence Xavier. Trafalgar's reticence only seemed to embolden Xavier further.

Eventually, their path led them to a café nestled on the corner of a bustling street, affording a view of a district plaza. The establishment featured white stone walls, bronze window frames, and ivy cascading down one side, artfully arranged by a well-compensated gardener to appear spontaneous.

Xavier held the door open and entered first.

Inside, an immediate wave of warmth enveloped them, mingled with the aromas of roasted coffee beans, fragrant tea leaves, rich butter, and a freshly baked sweet confection. A hostess guided them to the upper level after Xavier, with the practiced confidence of a regular patron, requested a table on the balcony.

A few moments later, they were comfortably seated on the elevated terrace.

From their vantage point, the plaza below unfolded in clear view. At its heart lay a grand fountain, encircled by intricately carved statues resembling mythical beasts, from whose mouths water flowed into the central basin. Children, under the watchful eyes of their guardians, peered over the edge. Couples strolled by at a leisurely pace. Periodically, individuals paused, clasped a coin, and cast it into the water.

Trafalgar's gaze momentarily settled upon the scene.

Bartholomew was the first to remark on it.

"T-technically," he stated, delicately adjusting his spectacles with two fingers, "people make wishes at that fountain. They hold the belief that it can grant their desires."

Xavier followed Bartholomew's line of sight and reclined in his chair.

"Yes, I've heard the legend," he responded. "Some ancient story about a water spirit heeding the wishes of those foolish enough to discard their money." He glanced back at the fountain. "I'm uncertain about the part where wishes actually come true, however. What do you two think? Do you subscribe to that sort of thing?"

Trafalgar casually rested an arm along the back of his chair.

"I'm not quite sure," he replied. "I've learned not to dismiss the unconventional too readily. So... perhaps."

Bartholomew lowered his voice, as if confessing something private.

"I-I believe it might be possible."

A familiar grin instantly reappeared on Xavier's face.

"Oh? Has anything like that ever happened to you?"

Bartholomew quickly shook his head.

"N-no. But... it could, couldn't it?"

Trafalgar offered him a subtle nod.

"Certainly. It could."

This seemed to satisfy Bartholomew. He visibly relaxed, his attention returning to the fountain just as an elven waitress arrived with their drinks. She placed two coffees before Xavier and Bartholomew, then set a cup of tea in front of Trafalgar. Wisps of steam ascended vertically between them.

After expressing their thanks, she departed, leaving them to their conversation.

Xavier wrapped his hand around his cup, took a sip, and almost immediately concluded that he had devoted sufficient contemplation to fountains and superstitions.

"I have a question," he announced. "Actually, it's directed more towards you, Barth."

Bartholomew blinked. "M-me?"

"Yes. Has anything been occurring with your sister recently?" Xavier gave his coffee a single stir. "She's been exhibiting peculiar behavior, a touch of irritability. You can discern it in her tone when she speaks."

Bartholomew froze, his fingers once again making contact with the frame of his glasses. He emitted a soft, delayed utterance: "Oh."

It was the kind of sound that signified a sudden realization.

Trafalgar had an immediate premonition of the conversation's direction.

Bartholomew turned his head towards Trafalgar. Xavier followed this movement, redirecting his focus as well. After a moment of apparent internal deliberation, Bartholomew stated, "I-I believe Trafalgar is better equipped to explain."

Trafalgar released a quiet sigh.

"Must I really?" he inquired. "I would prefer not to."

Xavier immediately sat upright.

"Now you absolutely must tell me. If you are involved, this situation has just become significantly more intriguing."

more interesting than I expected.

Trafalgar cast a prolonged, unimpressed gaze at him, which Xavier disregarded with blatant ease. Ultimately, Trafalgar raised his teacup, took a slow sip, and relented.

"I went to collect Barth from his room," he stated. "I intended to bother him a little before escorting him out."

"That sounds precisely like something you'd do," Xavier remarked.

Trafalgar continued, unfazed by the interjection.

"He wasn't there. Or at least, that's what I initially assumed. I had barely entered when the bathroom door swung open." He paused, clearly regretting having proceeded too far into the narrative to halt now. "It was Cynthia. She had just emerged from her shower, clad only in a towel."

Xavier remained utterly silent.

Bartholomew, too, offered no sound.

Trafalgar gently placed the teacup back down.

"You can likely surmise the remainder of the events."

Xavier continued to fix him with his stare, absorbing every detail without missing a beat. His blinks were infrequent as he sat absorbing the entire account until Trafalgar concluded his story.

And then, he erupted in laughter.

It was a boisterous sound, like laughter that had been suppressed for an eternity, as if Director Althea herself had forbidden such an outburst throughout his life, and he had finally discovered a compelling reason to defy the prohibition. The laughter burst forth without any trace of shame, sharp and bright enough to draw the attention of two nearby tables simultaneously. Even a couple of older patrons inside glanced towards the balcony through the partially open glass doors.

Bartholomew's face instantly flushed crimson merely from the sudden attention.

Trafalgar observed Xavier with mounting annoyance.

"I fail to comprehend what possesses such amusement."

Xavier needed to dab beneath one eye before he could respond.

"Oh, it's immensely amusing. You have absolutely no conception." He leaned back, a low chuckle still rumbling within him. "This surpasses any paid comedy performance. Truly, the sting of losing to you in sparring doesn't carry nearly the same weight anymore."

Bartholomew turned towards them, a look of surprise on his face.

"Y-you engaged in a sparring match?"

Trafalgar immediately seized the opportunity.

"Indeed," he confirmed. "And I defeated him soundly before an audience."

Xavier gestured towards him with his teacup.

"Hold on. No. Don't attempt to evade the actual discussion by attacking my personal honor."

He leaned forward once more, the smile fully returning. "Let us revisit the crucial aspect. So?"

Trafalgar frowned.

"So what?"

"Come now, don't feign ignorance with me." Xavier's tone grew lighter, almost playful. "What are your thoughts on Cynthia?"

Trafalgar glanced at Bartholomew, then back at Xavier.

"You do realize Barth is seated right here, don't you?"

Xavier offered a shrug. "And? You already have two young ladies gravitating towards you. I imagine Barth would be overjoyed to welcome you as a brother-in-law."

This remark caused Trafalgar to turn his attention back to Bartholomew.

To his considerable dismay, Xavier had not been exaggerating in the slightest. Bartholomew appeared as though he had just been presented with an unbelievably fortunate future, and he hadn't yet mastered the art of concealing his elation. His entire countenance had brightened considerably. Even his inherent awkwardness seemed to have momentarily receded.

Trafalgar regarded him intently.

"That could indeed be an effective method to solidify Barth's connection with me..."

He abruptly halted his own train of thought. 'What in the world am I contemplating? My mind is straying far too drastically!'

The issue was that once Xavier voiced the possibility, the question didn't dissipate easily. Trafalgar fell silent, his fingers resting against the comforting warmth of the teacup's porcelain. Cynthia presented one potential avenue, certainly, and her demeanor towards him had altered significantly of late, a fact even he couldn't deny. However, if he were to be entirely truthful with himself, the roster of possibilities in his mind didn't conclude with her. There was also Garrika. And Zafira, though that particular path appeared considerably less defined from his current vantage point.

At least, for the present moment.

Xavier perceived the silence and grinned wickedly, like a scoundrel who had finally stumbled upon the precise conversation he desired, while Bartholomew waited with an expression brimming with far too much hopeful anticipation.