Warlock Apprentice

“Here, your tea.” Iron Granny had poured a cup of her tea and handed it to Angor.

Angor took a sip and sensed bitterness reaching his tongue. As he recalled, Iron Granny was drinking something different last time.

This bitter tea tasted a little similar to Morning Dew, just more bitter and without any special properties.

“The wizard who owned Lab Thirteen grew this tea in his garden, but he left Brute Cavern and asked me to take care of his plants.” Iron Granny savored her own tea and showed a yearning look. “It tastes rather awful at the beginning, but somehow, I’m starting to like it. Maybe it’s something about getting old…”

Iron Granny began talking about insignificant stories while Angor listened quietly. The good music and hot tea helped him calm his mind extremely well.

After listening to her, Angor could tell that whoever used Lab Thirteen was someone who REALLY loved tea.

“Speaking of him…” Iron Granny continued, “That wizard is not a complete stranger to you.”

Angor tilted his head.

Also, since Iron Granny was a “professional” when it came to different teas, Angor would like to know her opinions regarding Morning Dew. And if it was good enough, he would bring the tea to Sumesh as a gift in the future.

After managing his hygienic problems, Angor left The Tributary together with Toby.

Instead of heading to Phantom Island right away, he went for the underground market first while hiding under the effect of Infinite Reticence.

He was still concerned about whoever copied his music box. Since Granny said that the music box was known by a lot of people, then Dave would know something about it too. Dave was the only friend Angor had in Brute Cavern when Nausica and Sailum were absent. He also planned to have a get-together with Dave when he had the chance.

While on his way, he heard people mentioning his name more than once, either discussing his story in the Purification Garden or his alchemy achievements. It had been two months after he returned to Brute Cavern, and the apprentices here were still talking about him.

However, none of them noticed that the “main character” of their talks were there to hear them.

Angor arrived at Prome’s Alchemy Shop and saw a big crowd gathered at the door.

This was usually the case when Prome brought new merchandise for sale, but when Angor approached the entrance, he noticed that he was wrong.

“Any left, Mister Dave?” A fat guy accepted a one-use space capsule from Dave and showed a bitter look.

Dave, who was still wearing those pair of large goggles, looked very proud for some reason. “None. I’ve been working on a new weapon model. I don’t have time making these things.”

“But Mister Dave…” Another customer pleaded, “My team depends on your supply. I can’t just return to them with three blades only.”

“That’s your problem. Three is the best I can do. Take them or leave them here so that I can sell them to someone else.”

Dave was trying to keep a straight face, but he wasn’t doing very well since the corners of his lips were twitching.

“Now off you go.” Dave waved his guests off and said, “Need to close up earlier today. I don’t have any left. Even if you stay here, you can’t magically make more stuff appear.”

People outside the shop moaned in disappointment and slowly dissipated.

When no one remained behind, Dave hummed a small melody, tidied up the shop, and prepared to treat himself something good at Bartterfly Pub.

But a familiar voice suddenly spoke to him in a mocking manner.

“Hey, Mister Dave, you’re getting really skillful at your profession, are you not?”