Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 344

Finch was leaning over his desk, counting crystals while whistling an off-key melody that Theodore imitated with small squeaks. The bank office was delightfully empty, as was customary at this hour.

"Look at that, Theodore," Finch whispered, observing how his "performances" kept most clients away. "Just two windows open, dozens of students waiting at the other window, and here we are, alone, peaceful, and happy."

The mouse nodded enthusiastically, his whiskers twitching as he reviewed an account book with his tiny paws. His small eyes sparkled with intelligence as he calculated interest rates at speeds that would baffle most human accountants.

Finch smiled bitterly thinking about what others said about Theodore. A weak little mouse, useless in combat, barely capable of scratching a baby.

What fools!

The real utility of his companion, the way Theodore could calculate complex interest rates, detect inconsistencies in transactions, or memorize behavior patterns. His beast may have been Bronze rank, but his mind was pure platinum.

"Core size isn't everything, is it, friend?" Finch murmured, stroking the mouse's small head. "Though I suppose that's something only true geniuses understand..."

He looked up upon hearing approaching footsteps. His eyes lit up with recognition when he saw Ren approaching. Not many people came to his window, only the very patient and tolerant, or… sadly, some lunatics who enjoyed his "performances".

Ren was one of the tolerant ones, but today he looked different than other times...

The boy was one of the few who tolerated his "shenanigans", though there was something different about him today. The way he walked, his shoulders slightly slumped, the dim light in his recognizable luminous mushrooms.

Theodore advanced over the counter, sniffing the air with his nose and sensitive mana whiskers before shaking his head toward Finch. The banker understood the message immediately, his mustache twitched as he recognised the signals.

"Ah, my favorite client has returned!" Finch began his usual routine, but with a notably less theatrical tone. "What brings the luminous mushroom magnate to the bank today? More inexplicable riches? Financial secrets that even Theodore can't decipher? The emperor of crystals, the sultan of student finances, the..."

Ren barely reacted to his usual performance, simply taking some documents from his pocket with lifeless movements.

"Not today, thanks. I just need to make a deposit," the boy sighed, sliding the papers across the counter without even looking up.

Finch reached for the documents, curious despite himself, but Theodore shook his head again with more emphasis. The banker restrained his instinct to open the envelope and instead leaned over the counter, moving a bit closer to Ren.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Finch raised a finger. "One second! Theodore is doing his emotion detection routine. He's quite good at it, you know? Almost as good as I am at detecting interesting clients."

The mouse performed an elaborate gesture of placing a paw over his heart, then pointed toward Ren with the other.

"So my friend Theodore says there's something heavy in your heart," Finch leaned conspiratorially. "My joy therapy isn't working. Is it because people keep saying silly things about your mushrooms?"

Ren just sighed again, the sound heavy with unspoken burdens.

"You know what, young friend? Your beast is great," Finch said with sincerity, adjusting his glasses. "Don't let the haters make you sad. I've been in this bank for fifteen years and I've seen everything. People always underestimate the extraordinary when it doesn't fit in their little boxes."

Ren looked up for the first time, an expression of weariness crossing his youthful face.

"It's not about my mushroom," he shook his head. "Well, it kinda is… But it's much more... it's… mostly my parents really."

Finch blinked, momentarily puzzled. He didn't expect the boy to share something personal. His mustache twitched with surprise. "Parents? Are yours in trouble? Do you need a loan to get them out of jail? Or maybe to buy them nobility crowns? I can help you choose, I've seen everything!"

"No... I sent them money, remember? More money than I ever thought I could send," Ren sighed deeply. "And they returned it. They said they preferred I use it..."

Ren told him a bit about where they lived and their initial situation, his voice growing quieter with each detail shared.

"Ah," Finch nodded slowly, his theatrical expression softening into something more genuine. "A case of 'truly noble' parents! And here I thought they only existed in legends. Theodore, did you hear that? Parents who reject wealth! I understand now..."

Theodore performed an elaborate pantomime of fainting, which drew a weak smile from Ren. The mouse's performance was so detailed that he even clutched his tiny chest before dramatically slumping.

"Really?" Ren sounded skeptical, but his light veins brightened slightly with amusement.

"Look," Finch leaned forward even more, adopting a conspiratorial air, "I... well, I don't have family now," he admitted, cleaning his glasses while Theodore climbed onto his shoulder.

"But I had one once. My mother was... legendary, similar to yours it seems. And let me tell you, those women have a logic that defies all known accounting. Stubborn as a rock, obstinate as a phoenix." He let out a nostalgic laugh. "It's frustrating, isn't it? Not being able to give them what you think they need from you."

Theodore gently touched Finch's face with his small paw, as if consoling him.

"But sometimes what we want to give isn't what they need," Finch continued, his voice softer than usual. "Once I bought her a very good bed with my first savings... She always complained about her back. You know what she did? She sold it and bought me an accounting book. What a disappointment! But look at us now, Theodore and I, masters of finance!"

Theodore nodded vigorously, pulling out a small account book and pretending to read it with great seriousness.

"Look, youngster, you're a promising boy. Very promising. Continuing to work hard will make them much happier when the time comes for you to see them. And believe me, that moment will come."

Ren nodded slowly, his shoulders not as slumped as before.