Chapter 302: The Dignity of an Astrologer

"Uh, n-no need. It's just a little hunger; I can hold on. Let's not waste any time," Mona said, her expression a bit awkward.

It wasn't that she didn't want to eat, but her wallet was in no condition to allow it.

"Don't worry; you don't have to pay. I'll treat you. After all, it's only fair for an 'apprentice' to help out a mentor in a financial pinch, right?" Nolan said with a grin.

"Ridiculous! I am not in any financial crisis! But…since you insist, I-I suppose I'll allow it this once," Mona replied, turning her slightly flushed face away and speaking in a tone of forced bravado.

Her cloak fluttered behind her, revealing glimpses of her pale back beneath.

[Mona Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 260 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.3 (160/300)]

Seeing the affection points pop up on his character panel, Nolan guessed that Mona must be really hungry. Otherwise, she wouldn't be this grateful over a simple meal offer.

"Miss Mona, do you know of any restaurants nearby? We can head there now," he said with amusement.

"Of course, I do. Just east of here, there's Wangshu Inn, though it's a bit of a distance away," Mona replied, adjusting the brim of her hat.

"Wangshu Inn? Right, I've been there before. If we move quickly, it won't take long," Nolan nodded.

With that, he intensified his wind-element powers, carrying them swiftly toward Wangshu Inn.

"By the way, as such a talented astrologer, how could you be short of Mora for food? Couldn't you just do a quick fortune-telling on the street for some lost coins? You'd never need to worry about money then," Nolan asked, curious.

"Hmph, that's out of the question. Astrology is a serious discipline, not something to be used for such mundane purposes.

"If an astrologer believes every issue can be solved with astrology, they're not far from being abandoned by the stars.

"Fortunes would lose their guiding light, and the astrologer's sight would become clouded by mist, forever obstructing their ability to perceive truth or foresee fate!"

Mona's tone conveyed that she saw herself as a dignified, principled astrologer—even if she was starving, she would never stoop so low.

"That makes sense. If astrologers could use their skills freely like that, the wealthiest person in Teyvat wouldn't be Lady Tianquan," Nolan nodded in understanding.

If astrology could be used without limitation, someone could just predict when prices would rise and fall, making a fortune with minimal effort! Clearly, that would be too good to be true.

Even the most gifted astrologer couldn't handle the consequences of such reckless causality.

"Exactly. Suppressing desires is part of an astrologer's training. Only by living simply can one perceive the world's truths!" Mona stated her long-held beliefs firmly.

"Still, you shouldn't go hungry. Without a healthy body and sound mind, your studies in astrology would be far less effective," Nolan countered with a different perspective.

"Alright, alright! You sound just like that old woman, nagging at me. I don't want to listen to you anymore!" Mona huffed and turned her head away in irritation.

When she'd left that old woman's place, she had brought a bit of money with her, but who could have predicted it would run out so fast?

The last bit of money Mona had left was reserved as travel funds to return after completing her master's task.

If she spent it, she'd have to walk back!

"Sigh, I was actually considering supporting you a bit before you reach your goal, so you wouldn't go hungry every day. But since you don't seem interested in talking to me, maybe it's not needed," Nolan said, feigning disappointment with a sigh.

"What?! You're offering to help me?" Mona's eyes lit up as she whipped her head around in surprise.

She coughed a couple of times to hide her embarrassment. "Ahem, well, I suppose you're right. Studying astrology isn't something achieved overnight, and one does need a strong body to keep at it. So, about that support..."

Mona looked at Nolan expectantly, her left earring shaped like a star glittering in the sunlight. Who would want to go hungry if they could avoid it? After all, the journey to deliver the box would only take a few days, and freeloading meals wasn't so shameful if temporary.

"Heh, don't worry. It's just a bit of food money. From now on, it's on…ahem, on me," Nolan said, patting his chest, relieved he managed not to say, "I'd support you fully if I had to."

After all, saying something like that would have been a bit over-the-top, given his assets of over five million Mora.

He knew, from the game's storyline, that one of Mona's astrology research books left casually in her room cost about 900,000 Mora. How many could he realistically afford? Supporting her fully would be impossible.

As for how she could afford it…

Apparently, Mona had taken up a commercial gig to escape poverty, writing horoscopes for the Steambird as a columnist, which earned her a decent income each month. It was why she could afford such an expensive book.

But even so, Mona was undoubtedly broke now.

"Phew, I knew you'd make a great apprentice! You're so thoughtful!" Mona relaxed a bit as Nolan agreed, even attempting to squeeze out a tear to show how "moved" she was.

[Mona Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 200 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (60/400)]

"Of course," Nolan responded with a nod, glancing at the affection notification that had popped up again.

It seemed getting on Mona's good side was easier than expected—his natural talent for winning over people definitely played a part.

---

Wangshu Inn

After half a day of flying at full speed, Nolan and Mona finally arrived just before sunset.

The scene was just as he remembered from his last visit with Lumine and the others.

Merchants from various guilds had their carts parked outside, pausing to eat and rest up before continuing their journeys into the night.

As the two of them descended and put away their gliders, a server approached and asked:

"Hello, are you here for a meal or to rent a room?"

"We're here for dinner," Nolan answered with a nod, noticing that Mona was too hungry to even speak.

"Right this way, please."

The server led them to an empty table, and Nolan placed his order first. "I'll have the squirrel fish, crispy fried chicken, and crab tofu." Then he handed the menu to Mona with a playful smile. "Master, order anything you'd like; don't worry about me."

"Really? I can order whatever I want?"

Mona took the menu, dazzled by the vast array of dishes. She glanced at the items Nolan had just ordered and noticed the total was already over 10,000 Mora.

Expensive.

After a moment's hesitation, she didn't want to burden Nolan too much, so she said to the server, "I'll just have the Mountain Delicacies Hotpot Noodles and…uh, one serving of Tianshu Pork."

(End of Chapter)

T/N: Don't forget to read lemons from aux volume!

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