Atiel was stupefied as she stared at the youth comfortably sleeping on the couch. She turned to look at her Teacher and asked, "D-Did he break in?"
Even the elven man was confused. "I… think so?"
But he greatly doubted it. He knew that considering Berger's power and status, no one in the city would dare to break into his store. So he carefully observed the youth.
The boy was of medium build, and his muscles were very toned and refined. Scars and callouses filled the youth's palms, a direct reflection of his hard work.
Suddenly, the man was slightly taken aback. Oh? A Bone Stage Magus? And he looks to be the same age as Atiel and Daneli.
He previously thought that the youth must be a shopkeeper, but considering his level given his age, the man couldn't help but think, Did Berger finally take in an apprentice?
Daneli looked at his teacher and hesitated. "Teacher, what should we do?"
If this were anywhere else, he would have dragged this homeless man out. But this was his Teacher's friend's store. He didn't want to do anything out of line. At least not before getting permission.
The man walked toward the youth and spoke loudly in his ear, "HELLO!"
"Uwahhh!" Adam fell off the couch and landed on his bum. "Who the hell—"
He was about to hurl insults but when his gaze landed on the elves, he swallowed his words. He got to his feet, as he wiped the saliva off his lips. Right, I shouldn't yell at customers.
Then, he yawned like there was no tomorrow and casually asked, "What do you want?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Looking at Adam's lackadaisical attitude and posture, the elf's eyebrows twitched. Meanwhile, Daneli who was standing behind, bit his lips in anger. This bastard! Where the hell are his manners?!
Even Atiel was flabbergasted. W-Who is this hooligan?
The elf was also taken aback at Adam's lack of honorifics while talking, but he still spoke calmly, "I'm looking for the owner of the store."
Adam turned serious. He observed the man, wondering who he was. "You're looking for the old man? If there's anything you wish to buy, I can help you. The old man's busy right now."
The elf chuckled. "No, I don't wish to buy anything. I'm just here to meet a friend."
Now, Adam turned very serious, but at the same time, he was also slightly suspicious. A friend of the old man? He doesn't have any friends!
Despite his suspicions, his behavior turned respectful as he asked, "Sir, may I know your name?"
Seeing the sudden change in the youth's behavior, the elf was very amused. "Tell him it's Elrod."
"Alright." Adam nodded. He then pointed at the seating area and gestured. "Please wait here a moment, I'll let him know."
He then hurriedly ran toward the spiral staircase and yelled. "Old man, you have a visitor!"
"Tell them to get lost!"
Hearing the annoyed voice come from upstairs, Elrod chuckled. Yup, he's still the same.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"He says his name is Elrod!" Adam screamed back.
"…"
There was a moment of silence, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps coming from upstairs. Adam was shocked as he thought to himself, He's… actually hurrying down?!
He then looked at the elven man who was smiling at him and thought with slight shock, So these guys really are friends!
Berger walked down the stairs and when his gaze finally landed on the middle-aged elf, he was first stunned, but then a faint smile blossomed on his face. "It really is you, Elrod."
"Hahaha, Berger!" Elrod walked to him and firmly shook his hands. "How long has it been? More than fifty years?"
"Yes, something like that." Berger nodded while stroking his white beard.
"Haha, time sure flies!" Elrod was very happy to reunite with his old friend.
Meanwhile, Adam who was standing at the side was frozen in complete shock. His eyes threatened to pop out of his eyesockets any moment now.
Did the old man just smile?! I-Impossible!
He had known Berger for slightly more than two years now, but this was the first time he'd seen the grumpy old gnome smile. He was flabbergasted!
"Adam, brew some tea for us," Berger instructed the youth. But when he looked at him, his pleasant mood instantly crumbled. "You good for nothing brat!"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"W-What?!" Adam snapped out of his daze and retreated a step. He asked with a wronged expression, "What did I do? Why are you scolding me again?"
"You idiot!" Berger roared. "How many times have I told you to wash yourself after you're done experimenting?"
"Huh?" Adam was taken aback. He looked at his clothes, only to see that it was damaged due to his experiment failure earlier this morning. Then, he ran his fingers across his face and grimaced seeing the soot on his fingertips.
He looked at the two elven kids who were looking at him and giggling, and his face turned red from embarrassment.
"Damn it!" He rushed up the stairs. "I'll be back in a minute."
Berger shook his head in exasperation as he sat down on the couch. Elrod sat across from him and asked curiously, "Did you finally take in an apprentice?"
"Apprentice?" Berger raised his eyebrows. He faintly smiled. "Well, I guess so."
After Adam graduated to his second year at the academy, Berger offered him the job of a research assistant as well as a shopkeeper, which the youth gladly accepted.
Adam would get to borrow Berger's lab from time to time and carry out his experiments. Moreover, all the ingredients required for said experiments would be given free of cost by the old gnome.
In return, Adam would have to work part-time at the store and help manage it. Moreover, he would also have to share some of the knowledge that he'd learned from that wandering Magus who had taught him Herbalism.
What knowledge Adam chose to disclose was completely up to him, Berger wouldn't force it. As long as the gnome learned something new and improved his own studies, he would be more than satisfied.
At the time, Adam had thought in amusement, Share some knowledge from the wandering Magus who taught me Herbalism? Kekeke, sure, sure. That expert is long dead anyway. I'm sure he won't mind.
