So, Joey, what do you think? Julia asks with a hopeful smile.
You want to help Domitilla improve her magic so she can enter the Nine Towers Academy? I state out the terms with a frown.
You owe us, Agostina remarks from the side.
Agostina! Julia slaps her sisters shoulder.
No, no. Its true. Im just not sure why you would send her there. [Archmages] and all that business stink to high heaven. Why dont you just let tutor her?
Isnt that what we just asked? Julia says.
No, I an, like, let tutor her. Indefinitely. If she wants to learn magic, I can probably teach her more than those [Archmages]. Plus, I think I might need sothing like my personal clique of [Mages] and soldiers for the war. It would be a nice starting point.
All three won look at as if I just spoke Arabic.
The war? Julia asks with a frown.
The sa idiot who almost blinded himself with a [Light] spell wants to teach my niece, claiming that hes better than an [Archmage]?
anwhile, Lucillus and Antoninus have made their way back with Master Lakaris.
Joey, the usually taciturn guard intercepts . Do they know why Lucinda ran away?
The three won stare at , even more confused.
Raising my hands and sighing, I surrender myself to explaining everything.
I taught Lucinda so of my insights into magic. She thought they would be valuable enough to run away and get an [Archmage] apprenticeship or sothing like that. The thing I taught her was the most basic among the things I know. I would teach Domitilla, no problemas long as she signs a magical contract with , guaranteeing the safety of my knowledge.
Dont be nave, student. Even if you want to share your knowledge, which is admirable, you should take asures to protect it. In the wrong hands, it could do a lot of harm.
Why dont you duel , then. If you can show
Nah, I interrupt Agostina imdiately. I agree with Lord Juler, but Im not dueling anyone just to prove my capabilities. My father used to say that so opportunities are based on faith. So, if you believe in what Ive shown you so far, Ill take Domitilla as an apprentice and teach her better than any stupid [Archmage]. I can swear on a truth-stone that my current knowledge and resources can probably give her the most solid magic foundations on the continent. As long as she swears it on her magic not to reveal my secrets, Ill not bind her in any other way. She wont have to do any nial tasks for , by the way. I have Lucillus and Antoninus for that.
Two pairs of eyes look murderously at , but we both know they make a bunch of gold every day by just walking around, fetching people, and chatting them up.
I agree! Domitilla jumps to her feet, making her massive front jiggle perilously.
Domitilla! her aunt looks ready to smack her.
Co on, Agostina! Joey has been praised by many Gold-rank adventurers so far. I think the boys hiding big secrets. If hes that strong, it will definitely benefit Domitilla. If he isnt, its not like she was going to the Nine Towers Academy anyway. Her talent sucks.
Wow, thats so maternal love.
Stanimal, can you help with the
Ask your [Druid] instead of , and Ill have your soul ripped to pieces, Joey Luciani.
Nah, on second thought, Ill just draft the contract myself, and then we can all take a look at it together.
Man, this place is getting crowded, by the way! Lakaris, my man! Lets go chat about this architecture stuff that you like so much! I add right after.
Where? We already ate
The pet store! I pump my fist in the air triumphantly.
The pet store? the great Goblin [Architect] asks.
The pet store! I reply.
Yeah, he wants to go the pet store to pick an animal, Stan adds.
You want to discuss it while we are in the pet store? Lakaris looks ready to have a stroke.
On the way there, too! Im feeling good today! Co on, giddy up!
I look at the procession of people starting to follow , and I take a note of a big absence.
Yo, Princess Laura, are you coming?
I see her hesitating before crossing gazes with Stanimal and reluctantly stepping forward.
I dont like animals, she adorably twists her nose.
I have at least three very dirty cobacks that I shall keep to myself.
As we are all going out, I hear Agostina speaking to her sister in the distance.
Didnt he ntion a war?
So, I want it white; jot it down, I tell Lakaris as soon as we are out of the bakery.
What, pray tell, would you like to be white?
The thing! I gesture in the direction of the bakery.
What thing?
God, the thing. What did you co to build? A bakery, a district, a castle? Whatever it is, I want it white.
Lakaris keeps up a surprisingly fast pace, despite his shorter legs. Among the Elves, Lakaris looks like a dwarf. Even I have problems with most people around , and Im very tall by Earths standards.
Do you realize I have a waiting list that goes on for years? That people bid for my ti, hoping that I wont die too soon? So of my patrons send tonics of incredible value to keep healthy. And you have been wasting my ti longer than any other employer I have ever had!
Yo, man. Im sorry. I didnt want to be disrespectful. Im sure your work is the finest on the continent. I just wanted to start sowhere. If soone told that they wanted a white cake, I would suggest an array of cakes that go best with the color white. For example, you cant have a white tiramis, can you? In the sa way, Id like the bakery and whatever adjacent building to reflect the idea of cleanliness and order that a bakery has. All in white. That would also give us the opportunity to work with so colorful additions to our uniforms.
My words leave Lakaris stumped.
Yeah, little green friend, Im not underestimating your job. And you better not be so smug with . Theres a new Joey Luciani in front of you. I respect what you do, but you better respect what I say.
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