Aizel noticed Alora sitting quietly with her eyes closed as if she were deep in meditation. She stayed silent for a long time after learning everything available on the internet regarding gods and devils.
Her eyes were closed for what seemed like an eternity as she absorbed herself in her thoughts. Aizel sat alongside her, patiently waiting for her to finish her thought.
After what seemed like an eternity, Alora's eyes fluttered open, and she turned to look at Aizel.
"Why are you still here wasting time? Go back already," she said.
"You should have told me sooner..."
Aizel got up from the couch and walked into his room. He closed his eyes and focused his mind as he lay down on his bed, transporting himself back to Xelgar and his humble inn.
He got out of bed and walked over to the common area where the kids were hanging out. To his surprise, the room was devoid of any activity.
He decided to go check on them in their rooms. As he peeked into each room, he found that the children had already fallen asleep.
As Aizel was making his way towards his room, he suddenly halted in his tracks.
"I clearly remember the kids saying Vespara can sense them and even protect them from far away.
"Even I have heard her saying that. Does that mean she would have known that I suddenly vanished and reappeared in the world?"
"Don't worry about that, she can't," Alora's voice rang into his mind.
Aizel sighed in relief.
He believed Alora might have deliberately blocked her ability to sense him.
As he entered his room, Aizel leaped onto his bed and surrendered himself to a peaceful slumber.
The next morning...
Aizel's peaceful slumber was disturbed by the sound of chatter and commotion echoing through the hall. He stretched his limbs groggily before heading to the restroom to freshen up.
As he emerged from the bathroom and went towards the hall, he was greeted by the sight of the children already seated and enjoying their breakfast.
Daisy was hurrying around the table, serving them as usual, but Aizel's attention was drawn to the presence of a new guest.
"My pretty boy, here I thought that I had to come to your room to wake you up."
Vespara playfully winked at the children, causing them to burst into a fit of giggles.
Aizel joined the kids at the breakfast table and pulled up a chair. Vespara's gaze caught the bracelet on his wrist.
"So… how do you like the artifact?"
"The shit I went through to get this was worth it," Aizel replied.
"Hehe... but I didn't know Oldie would give you the test. It seems like he is feeling alone down in the hole."
"Why is he living alone there?"
"It's not the right time for you to know,"
"Tsk. This thing again, I can't wait to restore my core and slap their butts." He thought.
"And listen, after three days, the Royal Gala will be held in Felgura Palace."
"Yes, I know. The headmaster already conveyed this through the crystal ball,"
"So have you bought the clothes you are going to wear?" She asked.
"Fuck!
"I don't even have any money left."
In frustration, Aizel's hands flew up to hide his face. How could he have forgotten about the approaching gala's dress code? He lacked appropriate apparel and couldn't possibly show up in his assassin or magic institute robes.
"Hehe, don't worry, my pretty boy; I have already taken care of that," she said ruffling his hair.
"Lilly, your mom has a competition, I think," Oliver whispered quietly in Lilly's ears.
Lilly's eyes lingered on Vespara's big bosom, which she couldn't help but compare to the size of her own mother's.
"I think you are right; that is some serious competition she got."
"Thanks! I will pay you for it afterward. How much does it cost?"
"For you, my pretty boy, it's free."
"Oh, is that so? Then how about giving me some mind potions for free?"
"Now don't get ahead of yourself. I would have already given it to you if I had enough stock. But I am running out.
"I am already making them for you for free; all you have to do is bring me the ingredients."
Suddenly, his eyes darted between Daisy and Emma, his mind racing with thoughts.
"What about Daisy's eyes and Emma's voice? Do you have any potion that can heal that?"
Aizel was curious to test the limits of Vespara's willingness to help him.
He was well aware that the old man had used a rare and legendary-grade potion to heal him, which would be difficult to obtain. Aizel wondered what type of favor Vespara would expect in exchange for curing both him and Emma.
"I don't have anything like that,"
"Really?"
"To heal Daisy's eyes, there is a drop potion that can heal. It is known as the Fairydust potion. It's an epic-grade potion that is only available in the Beast Kingdom.
"And to bring back Emma's voice, we need Siren's Requiem, which is another epic-grade potion that is only available in the Theodora Kingdom."
"So, what's the problem? Do you not have any connections there? Or can't they be made here?"
"We don't have the materials needed to brew them. And to bring them from there to here is sort of playing with death."
"So that means I have to go there personally and find a way to get that potion," Aizel said.
"Are you really going to risk your life for others?" Vespara's question startled everyone.
Daisy's face was filled with concern as she looked at Aizel. She couldn't bear the thought of him risking his life to obtain an epic-grade potion for her.
Despite her own problems, she was happy and didn't want anyone else to suffer or endanger their life for her sake.
"What's the issue? I have already thought to travel to every place in Xelgar. Collecting a few potions during my journey is just a small thing," Aizel replied.
"Hahahaha...…." Vespara began to laugh after hearing his answer.
"That's why I like you, my pretty boy. Don't worry, you can find a way to get the Siren Requiems in a few months pretty easily."
"How?"
"There is an interkingdom tournament held every five years. Mages all around every kingdom and institute come to participate. It's held in the central Kingdom of Zulivan.
"There are many rewards, artifacts, and potions given as rewards. Your institute will participate. I am sure you will be included in that."
"Oi, oi, oi, a tournament arc." Aizel thought.
"And about the Fairydust potion, we will find some other way to acquire it. I am sure Oldie can help us with that. He has many connections in the Beast Kingdom."
"Awesome!"
