Hearing what Mr. Leo said I wanted to retort but just as I opened my mouth I saw something fly and hit him square in the face.
Mr. Leo fell to the floor with a pained yet joyful face and next to him is a book with the title "how to make alchemy wirings & diagrams" which presumably is the unknown flying object a moment ago.
"Would you please not talk about such nonsense in front of guests, master?" The clerk lady's voice still sounds gentle like before but somehow it sends a chill down my spine.
"Ahaha indeed it is a bit shameful for me to be like this in front of my apprentice." Slowly getting up he dusted himself before turning to the boy at the other corner.
"So would you be so kind as to introduce yourself, young man?"
Hearing himself being mentioned the golden-haired boy stood up and displayed a composed smile.
"Greetings great alchemist Leonardo Varius, I am Mahatma Burkan, son of Maharashtra Burkan owner of Soaring Swallow." With that, he gave a polite bow.
"Ah so you are Maharashtra's child, well then boy tell me what is it that the old fellow wants." Mr. Leo seems delighted hearing that name and there's a kind of glitter in his eyes.
"So, is the old guy the one you were waiting for?" Asked a soft voice beside me.
Startled I remove my attention from their conversation and look into the clerk lady's face beside me that is a little bit too close and nod my head stiffly.
"You don't have to be so tense talking to me, just be natural." Smiling, she pats my head. "So what's your relationship with the old man?"
'How am I supposed to relax after seeing how ferocious you "greeted" the guy?' I wryly smile in my heart. "Although I'm still inexperienced I am his apprentice," I said before taking a few steps to the side and give her a polite bow.
She looks at me with the same smile as before but I could feel her gazing me from up to bottom.
"What can you do kid?" She asked after a few seconds of awkward silence.
"...Excuse me?"
"I said what can you do? Potion making? Magic circuitry? Golem assembly?"
"Uh... Potion making I guess?"
She then nods her head and glances at Mr. Leo before picking up the book she threw and went back behind the desk.
I wanted to follow her but someone suddenly grabs my hand and dragged me.
"Now that you have finished talking with my daughter let us proceed to our next destination, Mr. Burkan please guide us to Soaring Swallow." Mr. Leo said as we exited the store and replied "with pleasure" by the golden-haired boy, from the sound of it he seems to be ahead of Mr. Leo.
As I'm helplessly being dragged off I couldn't help but tear up a bit.
'I didn't get the chance to borrow the book...'
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Fiona watched the three left her store with complicated emotions, first, she felt disappointed that her father didn't say anything about her store and second relief because her father is still the same even after many years.
Sitting behind the counter she couldn't help but close her eyes and smile as memories flash in her mind, then her expression turns into a frown as she remembered the other boy.
'A new apprentice huh... I hope you don't repeat your mistake dad.'
Turning her head she stares at a book at the counter with the title "how to make alchemy wirings & diagrams" and muttered.
"That reminds me... Why does that kid stare longingly at this cheap book?"