Alice couldn’t have been clearer. Hearing her words, Walker was petrified. Although he wasn’t entirely sure about Nelson’s skill level, one thing was certain: there wasn’t a weak mage within the Arcane Society.
From the way Nelson easily overpowered Walker, his strength was evident.
If he got angry, the consequences would be dire.
“If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave now,” Nelson said, reasonable enough not to lash out in anger.
“Please, don’t,” Walker, seizing this golden opportunity, quickly pulled Alice aside and whispered, “Alice, do me a favor and let the Master stay. You have no idea how many people wish for a visit from Nelson and never get the chance. He’s truly a master!”
“Wait for William to come. Discuss it with him. If he agrees, then it’s settled,” Alice wasn’t one for prolonged discussions. If William gave his consent, she would consider the matter forgotten.
“Why involve William? He’s your younger brother. You should make the call.”
“I said what I said. Discuss it with William later. For now, I’m taking my things downstairs.” Alice gathered up her medical manuscripts and headed downstairs. Before leaving, she shot Nelson a pointed look. “You’re a great mage, aren’t you? If you wish to stay here, let Walker talk to my cousin. If he agrees, you can stay.”
Though Nelson looked young, Alice assumed he had fallen on hard times to be seeking shelter from others. As a favor to Walker, she was willing to accommodate. Alice was not a petty person. If William didn’t want Nelson staying there, she could provide money for Walker to rent another place.
Had Nelson known Alice’s thoughts, he would have been livid. The idea that someone perceived him—a top Soulmancer and one of the three strongest members of the Arcane Society—as a washed-up charlatan was infuriating.
As Alice loaded her belongings into the car, she spotted William leisurely approaching the bookstore.
“Master, you’re here!” Upon putting her things away, Alice greeted him with a beaming smile. She wasn’t entirely sure of William’s capabilities, but since he had taught her about mysterious powers the day before, she had felt stronger in many ways. 𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐
It was as if she had suddenly gained superpowers. Just for fun, she had tested her breath-holding capacity during her evening shower and astonishingly held her breath for half an hour submerged. If that wasn’t a superpower, what was?
“Yes, I’ve arrived,” William nodded, asking, “Did you try out what you learned yesterday?”
“I did!” Alice’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. She felt as though she had unlocked a door to a new world, and now saw William as a true master.
She finally understood why her grandfather wanted her to apprentice under William.
“Keep practicing,” William advised. “Are you confident about treating Nathaniel now?”
“Yes!” Alice had been proactive that morning. She visited Nathaniel at East 62nd Street around 9 a.m., assessed his condition, and considering the advanced medical techniques taught by William, she felt she had a plan.
William nodded and glanced inside the bookstore. “Do we have a guest?”
From hundreds of meters away, he sensed Nelson’s presence. He was surprised that the mage managed to find this place, probably guided by Walker.
“Walker brought someone, suggesting he stay on the second floor,” Alice quickly explained. “I thought it wasn’t a good idea and asked Walker to make other arrangements.”
“I’ll handle it,” Seeing Alice’s discomfort, William decided to step in.
What’s there to feel awkward about? If they didn’t want him to stay, then he shouldn’t.
Alice followed William into the bookstore.
Upon seeing William, Nelson’s expression shifted to one of surprise. As their eyes met, Nelson found himself at a loss for words.
Should he bow in greeting?
What if William was simply traveling the mortal realm as an ordinary person?
Before Nelson could speak, Walker strode forward, announcing, “Cousin, allow me to introduce the great magician, Nelson Reed. You can respectfully refer to him as Master. Nelson wishes to stay in our bookstore for a while. You have no objections, right?”
Upon hearing this, Nelson nearly yanked off his own goatee in shock.
Was he expecting him to respectfully call him “Master”?
The last time Nelson had a confrontation with William, the spirit of the legendary magician Merlin was so startled that even he addressed William as “Master”. And now Walker wanted William to refer to Nelson in the same manner?
Also, was Walker really William’s cousin?
“I do object,” William said with a faint smile. “This bookstore isn’t a place for people to reside. Since he is a magician Master, let my cousin Alice arrange proper accommodations for him. And one more thing, please refrain from calling me ‘cousin’ in the future. Simply addressing me as William will suffice.”
Feeling that Alice had already taken advantage of him, and now this audacious newcomer was doing the same, Walker felt this was a bit much.
“He’s Alice’s cousin, so there’s no issue in me addressing him as such,” Walker replied, his brow furrowed. “If Master prefers staying here, then shouldn’t we let him?”
Feeling slighted by William’s lack of regard for him, Walker contemplated a time when he would show William just how powerful he was, ensuring William’s compliance.
“Oh? Do you really wish to stay here?” William’s gaze turned to Nelson.
Nelson, so tense he dared not breathe, had deduced after a night of analysis that William could possibly be a god that had lived for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years. Given that even divine magical artifacts were in William’s possession, Nelson knew he was not someone to be trifled with.
“I… I’d rather not… Perhaps it’s best if I find another place to stay,” Nelson stammered, hardly daring to express any preference.
Did the exact location matter as long as he knew William was around?
He had probably figured out who Alice’s master was by now. It was likely that only a deity like William could produce an apprentice like Alice.
“Then find another place,” William said, paying them no more mind. He went into the store, picked up the book he hadn’t finished the previous night, and settled into a chair to read, clearly indifferent to the “esteemed” Master’s presence.
Walker’s emotions were tumultuous. He feared that Nelson might take offense and was also wondering if, in anger, Nelson might lash out. If that happened, would William even know what hit him? Daring to offend an advanced Soulmancer, such audacity must come from ignorance!