Chapter 3: Old Pupil
A week has passed since Grea started living with me and Theresa, now she's helping Theresa in managing the shop or finding medicinal herbs.
While I helped Theresa while doing a few small jobs like deliveries, at least I would help Theresa around.
That morning, while we three are changing damaged plants with freshly picked ones from this morning…
"Dante, I've got a delivery order, mind doing it?" Theresa while she arranged a few glass vials filled with potions to a wooden box.
I nodded lazily and quicken my cleaning.
After I'm done, I took my black cloak and went to Theresa for more details.
"Deliver this package to Black Lotus Academy… You know which one right? The big building in the middle of the city?" Theresa asked while tapping the top of a wooden box.
I nodded, took the package and turned around to leave the shop.
But just as I was about to open the door, I heard Theresa shouting behind me… "Oh, bring Grea with you… she'll need the experience…" I turned around and saw her waving at me while her body is covered with books and herbs
Grea after hearing Theresa's order walked next to me.
"Why should-" I asked back but was cut off by Theresa.
"For her experience, So stop complaining and go out there… the customer is someone important so don't be late!" Theresa argued without even bothering to look at me.
I grumpled and left the store anyway, with Grea following me.
The trip is relatively peaceful, which I'm really thankful for, at least until…
"Uhm… Mr. Dante, why are you still using your cloak?" Grea asked me innocently. I'm not in the mood for questions so I ignored her, hoping she would lost interest and shut up.
Big mistake.
Question after question flow out of her tiny mouth like a broken tap, and I'm starting to wonder if saving her is the correct decision.
After 10 minutes we arrived at the address Theresa gave us, just as my mind nearly broke. Looking around, I take in the sight of an academy—Black lotus Academy.
A prestigious academy that covers everything about combat, and I mean… EVERYTHING, Martial arts, Magic arts, Weapon usage and maintenance, etc. At least that's what I've heard from idle gossipers in a bar.
"Also, mister, when you were mixing that medicine, how did you memorize such complicated reci-" Grea babbles on until I raised my hand—signaling her to stop.
Walking to the academy gate, a guard approached us and asked a few questions. After answering them he pointed behind him, "There he is…"
I have a few inhibitions about this current request, because of his high status and my protocol when dealing with nobles are "Idiotic until proven otherwise". And this school is infested with nobles from the guards, students to the teachers. Yet my client stood up among these nobles…
The sound of gate opening caused me to automatically turned around to be greeted by one of the most obnoxious and "Grand" sight I've seen today.
The guards are standing in line and saluting while a person with a cane in hand and an overpriced-looking white robe and cloak that screams "wasted tax" on his body, walked in the middle accompanied by the teachers.
He glanced at us and kept on walking inside, without a care in the world.
Our client is no other than the Headmaster of Black Lotus Academy himself, a grand white mage, the people in the streets chanted his name "Master Leazuz" or they usually called him the White Mage
The way he moved, reminded me of something but I decided to ignore it. I have a job to do and I would be damned if I don't complete it. So without hesitation whatsoever I waved at him while holding my package.
And I screamed… boy did I scream it hard…
"A package of medicine for joint problem and revitalizations, for mister Leazuz!" I screamed while shoving the guards and arrived in front of him. "Please sign here to verify that the item has been delivered…" I said while handing him a sheet of paper.
Poor Grea looks like she just saw someone insulted the demon king while he holds a king hostage. Her face paled and her mouth moved like a drowning gold fish but doesn't produce any coherent sentences.
"Can you please don't scream the content! It's my private medicines… besides they came too fast, I thougt I would receive it tomorrow" He looks flabbergasted but still doesn't seem hostile but unfortunately the guards and teachers looks at me like I murdered their parent.
They all drew their weapon and prepared to cast a spell.
Unfazed, I received the signed document from Mister Leazuz. "Thanks for purchasing from our shop, we looks forward to your next purchase" I said flatly and bowed a little before turning around and left.
At least I hope I can leave just like that but come on… we're dealing with nobles here. There's nothing simple about dealing with those f*ckers.
"Can I at least look at the brave delivery man that broke trough my security details to deliver me these medicine?" an old man's voice rang behind me.
"Nope. Can't do. Sorry… uhm… Protocol demanded it" I said dismissively as I turned around and left.
"You think I would just take this package without checking who sent me? I'm not that careless. That's a lesson I learned from my teacher" He tried to argue.
"Then just throw it away… Or burn it maybe? I don't care… I've delivered the package it's all yours and you decide what to do with it" Arriving in front of the distraught Grea, I grabbed her hand walked out of the area.
Luckily the teachers and guards already looks at me pitifully and dropped their stance. They really trust this White Mage guy don't they?
"Guess I've got no other option… Light Arrow" He screamed while pointing his cane at me.
The edge of the cane glowed brightly before firing, well, an arrow made out of light at me.
Without turning around I said lazily "Light arrow" and kept on walking.
A light gathered to my right and formed another light arrow that flew and hit his spell.
A small explosion took place and both spell were obliterated.
"Not bad, Wind Cannon"
I could feel the air condenses around the tip of his cane, before he fired it.
Again, without turning around "Wind cannon". Grea just looks at me strangely but doesn't say anything.
Both spell collided, but the shockwave is bigger than I thought and the cloak that covered my face was unveiled.
This time, Grea looks absolutely petrified and she dropped to the ground while she's visibly shaking, tears started forming on the corner of her eyes. I stopped and turned around while trying to calm Grea.
"Can you stop this idiotic tantrum of yours… I don't mind wiping the floor with your ass… but don't involve civilians…" I glared at him then I realized his peculiar behavior, he dropped his cane and walked towards me as if I'm an oasis and he's already one foot under.
"Se… Sensei… Is that you? Sensei?... This is not an illusion is this?" The white mage asked desperately.
"There's only one person that called me that… don't tell me you're him…" I stated in disbelief
Realizing he have gathered a lot of attention he fixed his pose and declared "Ehem… Cancel all of my schedule for today,"
Everybody looks at me and then at the White Mage guy then shrugged, but they still looks confused. Oh boy, I can't wait to hear the rumors that would inevitably come.
"Both of you… follow me," His voice commanding, he twirled his cane in front of him, creating a white portal. He gestured us to go in before he step in.
I glanced at Grea, then to the portal before shrugging and step in. Grea looked around and decided to follow me sheepishly.
Passing the portal, I arrived at a flashy room with stacks of book rows on the side and an expensive-looking table in the middle of the room—filled with stacks of documents and grimoires.
The portal closed behind us after Grea went through.
"SENSEEEEEI!!!" The white mages screamed while dashing toward me.
My hand moved automatically and I dodged him before decking him using his own weight.
And boy did I deck him hard.
He fell with a sickening crunch and groan. I don't think hands are supposed to bend that way.
Please don't tell me I've just end a famous old man's career. Dealing with assassins are annoying.
But contrary to my expectation he's smiling, yep this mad old man is smiling like he has completed all of his life goals.
"I knew it, this sensations of being floored… Where have you been sensei? I've been looking for you for a long time you know?"
With his cloak unveiled he reminded me of someone.
While poking him with a pole I made with earth magic. "Alexandro, It's really you isn't it Alexandro?" I asked him, still unsure.
The white mage glowed with white light slightly and his bones returned to their original position. Then he eagerly got up and nodded at me, like a dog to it's owner.
Grea decided she want's nothing to do with this and backed off to the sofa behind us.
The white mage glanced at Grea then waved his hand, a mana energy enveloped her and she dropped to sleep immediately, like an overworked college student.
"No wait… there's no way you're Alexandro… He's my student from…" I frowned my brows while scratching the back of my head.
"from you're previous life, right?" The white mage—Alexandro? —said trying to reassure me
Things has taken a strange turn, huh? For f*ck sake I just wanted to deliver a medicine to an influential old man.
"IF you're Alexandro, that means you're what? 148 years old?" I asked curiously.
"Yep, but still healthy like the time where sensei suddenly left."
Wait… This situation sound familiar… a human living for 148 years and still being able to walk? I remembered something like that… but where?
As if he read my mind Alexandro started explaining, still eager. Well this reminded me of old times.
"Sensei, you remembered where you mentioned a curse capable of doubling someone's life span? The one where your growth would be stopped when you entered 70?" The mage asked me.
I nodded, wait, don't tell me…
"Well…" He said meekly and opened his top, revealing his chest with a black crystal-like orb on his chet.
He f*cking did it.
"I tried perfecting it but I only manage to stop my aging at the age of 37," He added while wearing his clothes again.
I nodded in understanding.
"So in summary, you used a curse that I've told you repeatedly not to use and even attempted to perfect it even though the result is… THIS…" I said while gesturing at his chest.
Alexandro tensed, feeling something bad is coming.
"Alexandro, come here…" I gestured him to get closer.
He meekly approached me, once he is in punching range, I decked him.
His bone made another sickly crunch. Some that doesn't break, bend in the wrong direction.
"Why?!" he screamed while pouring mana to his regeneration spells.
"Are you deft?! I told you not to use it! I'm fine if you're capable of reaching 25, I'll praise you even… but this is just stupid…" I walked to the bookshelf and started reading the books there.
"Wake Grea up, I'll check a few book around here," I said as I opened a 5cm thick book and started reading.
Alexandro just limp to Grea and clapped his hand, emitting a gentle pulse of mana that washed through Grea, waking her up.
"Hmm… Mister Dante? Is it morning already?" She said while rubbing her eyes cutely, like a newborn kitten. But when she looked around her eyes widen "EHH?! White Mage-sama?! Where am I?!" She stood up rapidly—to a sitting
Grea saw me reading a book and calmed down a little and realized there was an old man laying under her feet
"You didn't progress at all haven't you? You still uses the same principle I taught you like… what? 40 years ago? I commend you for documenting it in detail though…" I said as 7 books—10cm in diameter each, have been piled next to me in the span of 2 minutes
Not too long after the white mage have recovered enough to walk back to his table to finish a few stack of documents while I continues reading. Grea curiously approaches a single book and opened it. Only to close it again after a few minutes, our eyes met and she blushes a little.
"I know a few words in that book!" she exclaimed in embarrassment.
"I wrote all that I've learned from sensei and made a few book for the general public, I've divided those save for public and those I kept for me or my students. But…" He paused to take another document, he glanced at me for a few second before resuming his duties "… I haven't found a suitable successor" He added.
*THUMP!*
The book I held in one hand closed, hard. Causing it to generate a shockwave strong enough to send a few documents flying. His heart thumping the "Grand" White Mage stopped any kind of moment, like a deer caught in a streetlight he started sweating profusely.
"I DoN't HaVe aNy SuItAbLe SuCcSesSoRs" I mock imitated him, "I left you, thinking I taught you well enough… Guess I was wrong… I forgot that how much of a prideful foolish sloth you are…" I glared at him while I slowly return the surrounding documents and book to their original position. I walked slowly to his table.
"You become braver though, I could give you that… or maybe more disrespectful… You ignored my final assignment, Of all my students you really are the "Special" one aren't you?" I said while resting both of my hand on the table across him still glaring at him.
"Knew it… you really love your nickname, huh? SLOTHandro?" I asked, with a chilly tone and expressionless eyes merely inches away from his face.
*Sigh* "Maybe you're not satisfied with only me calling you that? Do you want me to go to the Bard guild and let them spread the name of SLOHTandro?"
I turned around just as the last book went back to the shelf and walked to the sofa to lay down. The stress of having a rebellious successor can take down even hero, huh.
"Anything but that teacher… please…" He whimpered while putting down his pen.
"What are you going to do now? You've met the teacher you've desperately searched… now what?" I asked while taking a stale bread from my pocket to nibble on.
The white mages looks disgusted at my food. But has enough brain power to ignore it and started searching his drawer until he pulled out a stack of documents.
He delivered the documents to me.
Reading it, I realized it's a sign-up documents for new teachers in this academy. "You want me… ME… to taught at an academy? Did I hurt your head too badly you lost the ability to think?"
Grea eyes shone and she timidly approached me and read the document from behind me. I passed the document to her and pulled out another bread to nibble on.
"Hmm… Yhou Khnow I ahm nhot the thype toh theah ih clahsheh" (you know I'm not the type to teach in clases)
The white mage without any inhabitation whatsoever just straight out kneeled in front of me.
"PLEASE SENSEI! Even though I am the headmaster I can't control every single one of the students her! I need your help once again! Please help your desperate and shameful student!" The Honorable White Mage just threw away his pride for a commoner… this is a surreal sight.
While considering the pros and cons, Grea stared at me intensely as if daring me—the one who made the famous white mage kneel, mind you—to reject the offer.
*Sigh* "Fine… I have a few conditions though" Taking the documents from Grea I lift up my pointing finger "First, I don't want to wear uniforms, that's a pain in the a*s"
Holding up two fingers "Two, Don't blame me if you've got a lot of complaints from other teachers."
Holding up three fingers "Lastly, I want Grea to be my private assistant be it for teaching or for my extra activities."
Hearing my last condition Grea has the audacity to look shocked.
"You want me in, you've got it… but you're in with me…" I answered before she's able to protest.
I returned my document, already filled.
"I'll take care of the rest… yo-sensei starts tomorrow"
That's quick… He's the headmaster and an influential person.. guess it makes sense.
I created a similar portal like Alexandro made, I linked the direction to arrive near the atelier. Me and Grea were walking to the portal. As soon as Grea passed through Alexandro called me.
"Teach! Before you go, there's something I want to give you" He said while combing his drawer.
Stopping in front of the portal, I turned around in intrigue.
"Here! I'll return this like I promised if I found you…" He tossed a silver ring at me. "OH! And one more thing… Call me Master Leazuz here… that's what everybody else called me…"
I wore the ring on my left ring finger and turned around.
"See you tomorrow… sir Dante…"
I waved at him without looking back as I left through the portal.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone