Thankfully, their later conversations went off without a hitch. Overall, Locke was a young high-rank Knecht with great character and as a multi-centenarian, Grandisterin Parlina could tell that he had a bright future ahead.
Three sets of cutlery were placed on the dining table. While Locke could be oblivious to it, it was clear that he had the grandisterins approval for the ti being. The dishes presented for lunch were absolutely delectable; there were pink clams, fluorescent vegetables and so major monsters roasted leg. It looked scrumptious, an obvious indication of the grandisterin's gastronomic proficiency. Though the pots and pans were unmanned, how the dishes turned out was highly dependent on Parlinas ntal ability. After all, a Magisters ntal abilities were strong enough to achieve object shape and movent manipulation.
Thank you for the al! Locke expressed his gratitude and reached for a pink clam. As he pried the shell open for its flesh, a childs shrill scream, which greatly startled Locke. Upon inspection, it appeared that the scream had co from a mouth-like organ on its inner wall.
Lockes fright earned a light giggle from Angelina. These are wailing clams harvested from the lakes of eastern Baikal. Its one of Grandmother Parlinas treasures!
The old lady wasnt fazed by Angelinas comnt. She calmly pried the pink shell open, lined her lips at its edge and ingested the soft invertebrate flesh with a soft slurp. The bizarre scream petered out as it ventured further down her stomach.
Angelina mirrored her grandisterin. She had stayed at Parlina's often, so the wailing clams were no stranger to her palate. Locke stared at them blankly before finally deciding to mimic them. He brought the clam closer to his lips and sucked its flesh in. Frankly, the feeling of having a childs scream disappear in the pit of his stomach was uncanny; it was a foreign sensation that Locke wasnt used to. Though he had his fair share of experience with unconventional foods like centipedes, lizards, spiders and so on during his military days, this was the first ti he had encountered such a peculiar dish.
This is the only thing Aomar has that attracts us, Grandisterin Parlina remarked as she dabbed her lips sophisticatedly. Despite the vagueness, Locke could tell that she ant Magisters in general.
This is a prized ingredient that improves resistance to flas. Angelina offered so explanation. Indeed, pyromancy was the most destructive magic Locke had ever encountered. He quickly grabbed a second wailing clam.
Apart from the wailing clams, the other dishes too consisted of priceless ingredients that offered a unique taste and diverse effects. The fluorescent vegetables would help counteract a few types of toxins and even increase immunity against them. When consud in larger quantities, the major monster ribs would encourage improvents to ones capabilities. It was already highly effective for a high-rank Knecht like him, not to ntion casters with a weaker physique.
Locke was glad that the servings were plentiful. Knights were notorious for their huge appetites, so Parlina prepared more dishes than usual. However, it resulted in a lot of leftovers, which Locke looked on pitifully as Parlina threw them out. She was probably soone with high living standards that refused to eat leftovers.
After lunch, Angelina showed Locke around the tower while Parlina returned to the upper floors to tend to her experints. Interestingly, Locke noticed that Parlina had never once taken off her glasses throughout the al. Despite the grandisterins permission, they werent exactly allowed to go anywhere they pleased. There were a few restricted areas like the storeroom, alchemy laboratory, elent pool and control room, which Angelina avoided.
Sure enough, the magic tower was much more advanced than the ones Locke had visited before. The six-storey tower was not only spacious but also had extensive features. Angelina ntioned that there were tower spirits here that were as intelligent as ordinary humans which Locke, unfortunately, couldnt encounter; he wasnt allowed to enter the control room on the sixth floor.
Angelina was given an alchemy laboratory in the magic tower. While Locke wasnt allowed to enter the other laboratories, hers wasnt off-limits and she was here to retrieve her belongings anyway. With pure white walls, the equipnt on the alchemy bench was far more varied than the one at ho. Test tubes containing mysterious colourful liquid stood in the test tube rack quietly while an alcohol lamp heated a crucible with its yellow flas. The furnishing of an alchemy laboratory would require at least ten thousand gold moores, and while alchemists made lots of money, their expenditures were extravagant. Every caster would have to be ntally prepared for bankruptcy before dabbling in alchemy.
Id like to buy a new alchemy bench set soon, said Angelina as she packed her belongings.
Locke replied, Sure. The Knecht stood at a corner; he was better off staying out of her way. All the test tubes and equipnt in their vicinity belonged to Parlina and breaking any one of them was enough to drain his pockets dry. Speaking of which, Angelina was now a mid-rank Lehrling. The simple alchemy bench at ho was no longer suitable for her experints.
Should I ask Billie for one? When it ca to buying and trading things, Locke would always be reminded of Billie; she certainly had cented her impression as a capable businesswoman.
Theres no need to trouble her! Angelina continued, I could just buy one from Grandmother Parlina.
Money was sothing casters regarded with importance. Though Angelina was on very good terms with Parlina, she would have to finance the alchemy bench herself. Parlina would probably offer her a discount at most. To a caster, knowledge was the most precious and priceless wealth one could ever possess and of course, the Sanctum was a mass gathering of intellectuals. This was the main drive behind Angelinas desire to further her studies there.
Once Angelina was done shoving her belongings into the black pearl, she cast a spell on the towers wall, and out erged a water ball from between its gaps. Grandmother, well be leaving now, inford Angelina respectfully.
Parlinas acknowledgent ca through the water ball. Occupied with her experint, the Magister wasnt able to see them off at the door. Dont forget to et here in a month, she reminded. Angelina was scheduled to depart for the Sanctum then.
Will do.
The conversation would have ended here but the water ball didnt disappear. Parlina was looking rather hesitant. Locke, I heard that youre planning to send Angelina off at the Sanctum, right?
Yes, Locke replied. He did have plans to travel to the Sanctum through the Hall of Knights. The journey would take longer but he didnt mind it, hed just make sure to inform everyone back ho about his prolonged absence. Anyhow, hed be back as soon as Angelina was all settled there.
You should co with us. Im sure thatll be less troubleso for you. The grandisterin had planned to let Locke hitch a ride.
Thank you so much, Grandisterin Parlina! Locke hurriedly thanked. Heading to the Sanctum through the halls channel would certainly take a longer ti and a good portion of his fortune. Getting offered a ride with them was definitely ideal.
As soon as his words fell, the water ball burst into little crystals and was reabsorbed by the tower. Grandisterin Parlina was a skilled hydromancer; water transmission was just childs play to her but it had greatly impressed Angelina. While she studied elent magic and alchemy at the sa ti, Angelinas elental affinity had more of an inclination towards the more aggressive pyromancy. However, the most she could relay through fla transmission was text. Her magic reserve was enough for image and sound transmission over a short distance but she lacked theoretical knowledge; she had yet to dabble into more advanced magic. For now, Angelina was more focused on accumulating fundantal knowledge rather than flashy high-level spells.
As soon as they left the magic tower, Locke drawled a sigh of relief. The presence of a Magister was stronger than a Ritter; Parlinas presence was trendously overwhelming and Locke was constantly worried about offending the grandisterin. Fortunately, the al turned out alright. He had managed to complete the visit and scored a ride to the Sanctum to boot.
They walked out of the academys entrance to where their carriage awaited. The coachman was the captain of a smaller scout team whose capabilities were comparable to a mid-rank Knecht.
Ill be ho later, Ive got sothing to tend to at the Hall of Knights, said Locke as he helped Angelina up the carriage.
Alright. Do co back as soon as possible. Angelina didnt question why he was heading to the Hall of Knights, rely reminding him to co ho early.
Dont worry, Ill see you soon. Locke nodded.
Once her carriage went out of sight, he waved at another carriage by the road. Many Princeton peasants who worked as coachn tend to wait around the academys gates for potential custors.
Constantine Avenue, please, Locke told the driver.
Very well, Herr. Is forty silver moores alright? The coachman seed to be approaching his thirties. Having older people greet him like that was sothing Locke had gotten used to over the years. Princeton was a huge city; forty silver moores was a reasonable price to get to the northwest from the south. Locke raised a brow with no intention to haggle. Sure. If youre fast enough, Ill add another ten silver moores!
Alright! The coachman answered. Swiftly, he whipped the horse and brought the carriage to a lurch.
The coachn gathered outside the academy were mostly first-class citizens. While the job didnt necessarily pay well, the nobles attending the academy had made it a pleasant exception for they rarely haggled with the peasants.
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