Throughout their journey, Walker continuously questioned Nelson. It was only at the end that he discovered that Nelson was actually a senior Soulmancer.
At this moment, Walker felt a mix of retrospective fear and relief.
He was relieved that Nelson had not made a move to harm him.
Simply put, if Nelson had wanted to kill him, it would have been as easy as turning his hand.
Additionally, now that Nelson was living with him, did this mean he might learn something valuable from him?
“Sir, did you manage to retrieve everything from the cave? I must congratulate you. With those magical artifacts to aid you, you could potentially become the first deity in thousands of years!”
Walker posed this question tentatively, trying to get on Nelson’s good side.
However, after settling down, Nelson’s complexion alternated between shades of red and white upon hearing Walker’s words.
It was as if Walker was mocking him.
Nelson hadn’t taken a single item from the cave. He was wrongfully accused of being a thief. While this might make William owe him a favor, he found Walker’s comments very irritating.
Taking a deep breath, Nelson, with a complex expression, said, “I just want some solitude right now! It would be best if you went about your own business.”
Walker quickly obliged, moving aside, thinking to himself that Nelson’s temper was quite unpredictable. Despite acquiring many treasures today, he still wore a grim expression.
Walker didn’t realize that it was Nelson’s good temperament that saved him. Had it been someone else wrongfully accused of theft, Walker’s congratulatory remark might have earned him a good beating.
The night passed without incident. During the day, Nelson secluded himself on the second floor, instructing Walker not to let anyone disturb him.
Eager to please Nelson, Walker confidently assured that he wouldn’t let anyone go upstairs.
In his view, he was still the one in charge of this establishment.
Even if Alice came to the store, he believed a simple greeting would ensure she’d respect his wishes.
Around six in the evening, Alice did come by. She had left the previous day to avoid disturbing William and Evelyn, leaving behind her transcribed copies of the Celsus medical classics. She returned, driving specifically to collect those items.
She greeted Walker briefly upon entering and made a beeline for the stairs.
Walker hurriedly intercepted her, “Alice, there’s an elder upstairs. Please don’t go up just yet.”
Alice was taken aback, “Someone’s up there?”
Walker nodded, “Yes, a very powerful Soulmancer. I’ve invited him to stay in the bookstore for a while.”
“Why would he stay in a bookstore?” Alice frowned. “If he truly doesn’t have a place to stay, I can arrange something for him.”
Walker replied, “He feels our bookstore has a pleasant atmosphere. Why not let him stay here?”
He had his own ulterior motives. Alice had invited him to stay in the bookstore, and he didn’t want to leave. Keeping Nelson close by would be ideal, though he could also find Nelson another place to stay if necessary.
“You should discuss this with William. If he agrees, it’s fine. But I need to go upstairs and retrieve some items.” Alice had initially thought no one would be upstairs, so she left her transcribed classics there without concern. Now, she realized it might be an issue.
“Alice, wait a moment. Let me inform the gentleman upstairs.”
Walker had assured Nelson he wouldn’t be disturbed. If Alice went up now, wouldn’t that make Walker look bad?
Given Alice’s upbringing, she refrained from barging in and merely nodded, saying, “Please let him know. I just need to fetch a few items. If he doesn’t have a place to stay, I can arrange it, but it might be best if he didn’t stay here.”
A powerful Soulmancer?
In Alice’s eyes, only her master was a true expert. All others were mostly charlatans.
“Hold on!”
Walker called out as he swiftly climbed the stairs. Upon reaching the top, he saw Nelson sitting there, engrossed in something.
“Sir, my friend Alice is here. She wants to come up and collect some of her things.”
“Let her come.” Nelson was currently engrossed in the medical treatises that Alice had handwritten from Celsus. As he read them, he couldn’t help but be secretly impressed by their sophistication.
With Nelson’s permission, Walker hurried back downstairs to fetch Alice. “Alice, the gentleman says you can come up.”
Alice’s expression was far from pleased.
What?
Wasn’t this her place?
Why was she being treated like a guest?
She hoped he hadn’t tampered with her things.
Ascending slowly, Alice’s irritation grew when she saw the mage, Nelson, holding the very medical treatises she’d written. His audacity in acting like the host and going through her belongings without permission was a clear breach of etiquette.
“Young lady, what are your elder’s names?” Nelson inquired, setting down the paper he was reading. “These notes on the table, you wrote them, right? This medical text is quite remarkable…” He paused, looking up at Alice. His eyes widened, and he was momentarily lost for words.
Could this young woman also be a Soulmancer? 𝗼𝘃𝗹.𝗼𝐫𝗴
The most astonishing aspect was her restrained, inconspicuous aura. If he wasn’t far more advanced than her, he might not have detected it at all!
It’s worth noting that modern-day Soulmancers are extremely rare. Many of their texts have been lost. Even the Arcane Society’s methods of enhancing magical abilities have flaws. A regular boost in ability would involve many detours, and the resulting energy aura wouldn’t be this pure.
“My elders?” Alice was fuming. “Don’t you know it’s incredibly rude to go through someone’s belongings without their permission?”
“I…” Nelson was at a loss for words. In his mind, his actions were driven by innocent curiosity. He had briefly glanced at the items on the table without much thought. He had intended to offer her guidance in return for his stay, but he hadn’t expected such a reaction. Alice, however, was spot on.
Going through someone’s belongings without permission is indeed a breach of etiquette.
Walker was taken aback by Alice’s rebuke and quickly interjected, “Alice! This gentleman is a mage from the Arcane Society…”
Nelson hastily intervened, “Young lady, I admit my mistake. If I may ask, who is your mentor?”
Alice brushed off Walker’s hand, replying, “My master is an unparalleled expert, and I won’t share his name with you. Out of respect for your seniority, I’ll let this slide. But you can’t stay here.”
She was essentially showing him the door!
Wherever Nelson had been before, he was always treated as an honored guest. Yet on his first meeting with Alice today, not only was he reproached, but he was also effectively asked to leave. This was something he never could have imagined.