CHAPTER 23
Pan removed his gloves and stepped forward to speak with Yankeller.
“Is that so? What are you curious about? Please, ask me anything.”
“Do you happen to know anything about a tavern called Kuna?”
A pleased smile appeared on Pan’s face.
“Of course. That place is very dear to us—it’s where one of our most valued regulars frequents, someone we hope to serve for a long time.”
‘…A regular customer.’
That gave Yankeller a sense that things might go smoothly.
“Are you interested in the tavern itself?”
“Not the tavern, but the fortune-teller inside. I’ve heard they’re quite famous.”
“That’s true. There’s a long line of people wanting to meet them. But… do you want a reading? Aren’t you… a priest?”
His confusion was understandable.
Yankeller wasn’t just any priest—he served the goddess of prophecy, Anish.
A priest of the goddess of foresight being curious about a street fortune-teller? It sounded odd.
Yankeller scratched his head sheepishly.
“Yes, I’m a priest. But as you know, Pan, I’ve always had a deep interest in magic.”
“Not just interest—you’ve got serious talent, too.”
Pan had once dreamed of becoming a magician himself.
Though he loved magic deeply, he had no aptitude for crafting mana-based tools.
Still, he had extensive knowledge of magic and unmatched passion.
When Yankeller first started studying magic on his own, it was Pan who helped him.
Aside from Kyle, Pan was the one who understood Yankeller’s magical talent and enthusiasm best.
And so he always pitied Yankeller, who had to study magic in hiding, unable to spread his wings.
‘Pan thinks I’m pitiful. If I push that just a little more…’
A shadow fell over Yankeller’s bright, sunny expression.
“Though I’m a priest, there’s something I want to ask the fortune-teller.”
“What is it…?”
“I want to know if I can really become a magician. Or if I’ll have to live my life in hiding, making small magical tools just to get by.”
As expected, Pan’s face quickly filled with sympathy.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Yankeller. I’ll look into it for you.”
“Truly? I heard the waiting list is incredibly long. And as a priest, I can’t exactly show up myself. I’d hate to impose on you, Pan…”
“Not at all. Just as the owner of Kuna is a valued client, you are one of our top customers too.”
“Customer? Please think of me as your student. You were my first magic teacher, Pan.”
“You’d say that…?”
Pan’s eyes welled up with emotion.
“Please, wait. I’ll do this much for my first student.”
“Thank you, Pan. When do you think it’ll be possible? As you know, I can’t move freely…”
“Fortunately, the shop is quiet right now. I’ll go to Kuna right away.”
Before Yankeller could even say thank you, Pan had rushed out of the store.
“Marsha, please. Just once. Just this once.”
Pan arrived at Kuna and followed Marsha around, pleading.
He always felt sorry for Yankeller, whose talent was never fully recognized.
Whenever Yankeller visited less frequently, Pan worried he had given up on magic.
If a fortune-teller’s words could help him keep going, Pan was willing to ask a hundred times over.
“Pan, stop. You know Madam Naz only works by appointment. Not even nobles get special treatment.”
Pan, who had boldly promised Yankeller, bowed his head deeply before Marsha.
“Please… Marsha, the most generous and magnificent regular customer in the world. I’ll always prioritize your orders, I swear. Just this once.”
At that moment, Everett returned from the square with Daisy.
“Oh, Pan. What brings you here? Did you come to drink Kuna?”
“Hello, Miss Everett. Not exactly…”
Pan’s shoulders slumped.
Everett gave Marsha a look that asked what was going on.
“One of Pan’s regulars is in a bind and he’s begging me to let them see Madam Naz.”
Everett sat at the bar near the kitchen.
“You must be hungry, Miss. I’ll make you some toast right away,” said Daisy.
After thanking Daisy, Everett turned to Pan, who was still begging pitifully.
“Pan, just how important is this customer that you’re asking during business hours?”
“Well, Miss… they’re someone I really care about. So talented—truly someone who could become great in that field.”
“And?”
“But their family is strongly against it. They’re expected to take over the family business. They’re torn—should they keep going, or give up? I just want to help.”
“I see, that’s a tough situation.”
Everett made an “O” with her fingers toward Marsha.
‘Miss Everett might seem bold, but sometimes she’s surprisingly soft when it comes to emotional appeals. Maybe because she’s still young.’
Marsha sighed.
“Alright, Pan. But no more sudden requests like this. This is the last time.”
“Of course. Thank you, Marsha!”
Marsha flipped through the appointment book.
“Tell them to come in two hours.”
“Wow, that soon? Thank you so much!”
Marsha gave Pan a light smack on the arm.
“Seriously, you’re too nice for your own good…”
Pan ran all the way back to the shop to share the good news.
“Mr. Yankeller! Mr. Yankeller!”
Panting, he arrived, and Yankeller handed him a glass of water.
“Phew… I need to work out. I ran a bit and thought my heart would stop.”
His face lit up as he caught his breath.
‘He did it.’
“Mr. Yankeller, go to Kuna in two hours. I got you an appointment with the fortune-teller.”
Yankeller grabbed Pan’s hand. He had hoped, but with how hard it was to book, he was prepared for failure.
Kyle hadn’t even told him to hurry.
But just like Pan had done this for Yankeller’s sake, Yankeller also wanted to fulfill Kyle’s request as soon as possible.
“I’m just glad I could help, Mr. Yankeller. So please… don’t ever give up on becoming a magician. With your talent, you could be the greatest archmage in the capital—no, the whole continent.”
Yankeller was touched by Pan’s sincerity—and for a moment, he felt guilty for deceiving him.
“I understand. If I become an archmage, it will all be thanks to my first teacher, Pan.”
A tear rolled down Pan’s cheek once again.
“Welcome.”
Yankeller carefully opened the door and stepped into the tavern.
He’d never been in one before. Just hearing Marsha’s gruff voice made him shrink back.
‘Where should I sit? I’m not here to drink—can I sit at a table?’
He stood awkwardly at the entrance, unsure of what to do.
Marsha immediately recognized him as the one Pan had mentioned.
“You’re the one Pan referred, right?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
Yankeller nodded quickly.
“Madam Naz is waiting. Head through there.”
He approached the door she indicated and read the beautiful carved nameplate.
“Tarot Card Master, Naz.”
He whispered the name softly before turning the doorknob.
Inside, Everett heard the door creak open.
‘He’s being so careful. Is he cautious by nature? Or just scared?’
Everett dimmed the lights inside the tarot room a bit more.
She adjusted the angle of the lighting so the guest’s gaze would be drawn upward, toward the ceiling.
As she prepared, Yankeller walked quietly, minimizing his footsteps.
A sheer curtain glowed with soft light ahead.
‘I thought someone would be waiting behind the door, but this setup is unexpectedly… secretive. It creates a sense of tension and excitement. Whoever designed this really understands human psychology.’
A narrow, dark hallway with no markings or decorations.
A faint light and soothing scent lured him toward the deepest part.
He gently pulled back the curtain—
“Wow.”
Instead of a fortune-teller, he was greeted first by what looked like the starry night sky.
Even Yankeller couldn’t hide his amazement at the unfamiliar yet beautiful ceiling.
“This place… What is this…?”
He chuckled in awe.
Everett had used a magical device to embed lights in the ceiling of the shop.
The lights disappeared in bright conditions, just like real stars.
While ordinary people were merely impressed, Yankeller immediately recognized it as magic.
And at that moment, Everett was just as surprised as he was.
‘Yann?’
Her eyes widened.
‘The person Pan sent… was Yann? No way—did he figure out I’m Naz?’
Yankeller, who had been staring at the ceiling, finally noticed Everett seated across the table.
“Ah, sorry. This place is just… amazing.”
Everett remained silent, wary that Yankeller might recognize her.
‘It’s okay. Yann thinks I can’t speak. And I’m wearing a mask.’
As Everett continued to say nothing and just looked at him, Yankeller cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Welcome, guest. I am Tarot Card Master Naz. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
Even after sitting, Yankeller looked around, unsure where to rest his gaze.
Everett’s lips curled slightly.
‘Doing a tarot reading for Yankeller? I wonder what kind of cards will appear.’
