Dungeon Miner Slave

David, Arcios, Keero, and Violet returned after showering in their rooms inside the tower. The moment they emerged, all four children ran straight toward Pondy and leaped into the water.

Selena watched in surprise.

Because Pondy’s water was crystal clear, she could see that the man-made pond was surprisingly deep. Schools of jewel-like fish swam gracefully beneath the surface, their scales shimmering brilliantly.

For some reason, the water itself also glowed with a gentle light, making every corner of the pond clearly visible.

Her eyes widened further when she realized that the children were not swimming.

They were floating effortlessly on the surface.

”The pond is looked after by a powerful water elemental that I summoned,” Flinx explained.

Selena stared at him with her mouth hanging open.

Realizing how improper she must have looked in front of a powerful wizard, she quickly closed her mouth and blushed before turning her attention back to the children.

”Violet!” Flinx called. ”Come here. Take your teacher to your room so she can change into a swimsuit.”

”N-No, sir... I couldn’t possibly...” Selena said hesitantly.

”You should experience swimming in Pondy at least once,” Flinx replied with a smile. ”Since a water elemental manages it, it’s unlike any ordinary pond. As a wizard, you should welcome experiences that broaden your horizons.”

His words convinced her.

”Violet, borrow a swimsuit from Olivia’s room.”

With Violet happily pulling her along, Selena reluctantly followed her into the tower.

Once everyone else was occupied, the cook approached Flinx.

”Should we prepare food for everyone, sir?”

Flinx had initially considered ordering a meal from the System Shopping Site.

However, he quickly dismissed the idea.

If he constantly relied on his system, the servants might begin believing they were no longer needed. That would only make them anxious about losing their jobs.

Instead, he handed the cook enough money to prepare a lavish dinner.

The cook and several assistants immediately hurried into town to purchase fresh ingredients.

Judging by the grateful expressions on their faces, Flinx knew he had made the right decision.

Before long, everyone was enjoying themselves in Pondy.

The children enthusiastically demonstrated all of the pond’s unusual abilities for Selena.

It could let people float effortlessly.

It could launch swimmers gently into the air.

It could even massage tired muscles.

After several hours of energetic play, everyone became hungry.

Fortunately, the servants had already prepared a variety of snacks.

Meanwhile, the cook and the remaining kitchen staff continued working on the grand dinner Flinx had requested.

Flinx, the children, and Selena happily enjoyed the refreshments before returning to the water for another hour of swimming.

Eventually, the children asked if they could watch a movie.

After showering and changing into dry clothes, everyone gathered in the tower’s living room, with Violet helping Selena find a comfortable seat.

Flinx chose Toy Story.

Thanks to the Tongues spell, the children and Selena could understand every word.

To his surprise, several scenes made them visibly emotional.

Flinx couldn’t help finding that amusing.

He had never remembered the first Toy Story being much of a tearjerker.

When the movie ended, the children immediately turned toward him.

”Can we have toys like those?”

Before Flinx could answer, Selena politely intervened.

”I don’t think that’s a good idea. Apprentice mages are expected to focus entirely on their studies. Toys are generally considered distractions.”

Flinx nodded.

”You heard your teacher. I’ll buy them for you—but they’ll have to stay in your rooms at the Mage Guild.”

Opening the System Shopping Site, he was pleasantly surprised to find complete collections of toys based on not only the first Toy Story film but the entire franchise.

He spent three hundred dollars purchasing the full collection.

He then asked the children to spread a large blanket beside Pondy.

Once they had done so, Flinx unloaded dozens of toys onto it.

The collection was enormous.

”You may each choose whatever you like,” he said. ”Just remember to take turns and be generous with your brothers and sister.”

The children cheered excitedly.

Although a few disagreements almost broke out, they quickly glanced toward Flinx.

Without him saying a word, they calmly resolved each dispute themselves.

David chose Woody.

Arcios proudly claimed Buzz Lightyear.

Keero immediately hugged Rex.

Violet happily picked Bo Peep.

”Will they come to life whenever we aren’t looking?” Violet asked hopefully.

Flinx smiled.

”I don’t think these toys work that way. But there is a spell that can temporarily bring objects to life.”

He cast the third-level transmutation spell Tiny Servant.

Woody, Buzz, Rex, and Bo Peep immediately sprang to life.

The children gasped in delight.

”They’ll stay animated for about eight hours,” Flinx explained.

”Can you teach us that spell someday?” Violet asked while happily playing with Bo Peep.

”It’s a fairly advanced spell,” Flinx replied. ”You’ll have to study very hard before you’re able to cast it.”

David turned toward Selena.

”Can you cast it?”

The young student mage blushed.

”No... not yet.”

Flinx guessed that Selena had not yet reached the level required to learn third-level spells.

While the children played happily with their animated toys, Olivia, Ambrose, and Christopher finally returned home.

They were pleasantly surprised to find Flinx and the children back at the estate.

However, Ambrose’s and Christopher’s attention immediately shifted elsewhere.

Both young men stared at Selena.

Flinx nearly burst into laughter.

Somehow, he managed to keep a straight face.

”I’ll only be staying today,” Flinx explained to Olivia. ”After I provided additional funding for the children’s studies, their instructors allowed them a few hours of leave.”

Selena looked equally surprised.

”That never happens,” she admitted. ”Students normally aren’t allowed to leave the Mage Guild.”

Olivia raised an eyebrow.

”How did you convince them?”

”I demonstrated that my Telepathy spell could bypass the Mage Guild’s protective wards. They became interested in studying it, so we reached an agreement.”

Flinx introduced Selena to everyone.

Soon afterward, everyone gathered around the dining table, where the servants had prepared an impressive feast.

During dinner, Flinx and Olivia struggled to suppress their laughter as Christopher and Ambrose competed for Selena’s attention.

The young woman ignored both of them completely.

The brothers gradually began glaring at one another across the table.

”What are you two laughing about?” Christopher finally asked.

”Oh... nothing,” Olivia replied innocently.

Flinx simply nodded in agreement.

Both of them knew nothing would ever come of either young man’s crush.

Selena was a student mage.

She rarely left the Mage Guild, and they would probably never meet again after today.

When dinner was over, it was time to return.

Flinx dispelled the Tiny Servant spell from each toy.

The children reluctantly carried their new treasures upstairs and stored them safely in their rooms.

Once everyone was ready, Flinx cast Teleport.

An instant later, they reappeared inside the same room at the Mage Guild where they had departed earlier.

The moment they arrived, Selena hurried off to report their return.

Barely two minutes later, the four elderly instructors rushed into the room.

All of them wore deeply troubled expressions.

Apparently, the Mage Guild’s wards were also supposed to prevent teleportation.

Flinx had somehow bypassed those defenses as effortlessly as he had bypassed the wards protecting against Telepathy.