I walked through the streets of the slums with Dalia and Wrench by my side.
The usual thugs and urchins seemed to avoid us like the plague as we cut through corners and narrow alleys.
The morning air was rather cold with a slightly chilly breeze sweeping through the empty streets.
Eventually, after walking for a few more minutes, we arrived at our destination.
A nice little herbal shop nestled within the cleanest alley you'd ever see in the slums.
"What is this place?"
Dalia frowned as she asked.
Despite having lived longer than me, it seemed that even she had not explored this narrow corner of the slums.
"It's the shop of a friend. You two wait outside while I talk to her." I stepped up to the door and was about to knock when I recalled something.
Turning back to Dalia and Wrench, I gave an additional command, "And try not to scare off any customers. The store gets as little business as it is."
Knock. Knock.
I slammed two heavy knocks on the door.
'It's still quite early—she'd usually still be sleeping by now—'
I was about to knock on the door again, knowing that Ave usually woke up later than usual, but before I could even properly raise my hand, the door opened with the soft chimes of a bell.
...Crystal blue eyes stared into mine with almost piercing clarity. No signs of her usual tired expression could be spotted on her unreadable face.
"...Kayle, what brings you here so early?"
Ave's voice was colder than usual, leaving me feeling somewhat puzzled.
Lowering my half-raised hand, I spoke while trying to mask my confusion.
"...I came to visit. I'm sorry if my sudden appearance bothered you."
I bowed slightly, an act that caused Ave to release a sigh.
"...Come in."
She stepped aside, giving me space to enter as her eyes scanned Dalia and Wrench behind me. Her gaze was somewhat unfriendly, allowing me to roughly figure out why she was acting like this.
"...Both of you will remain outside."
I reminded them once more before entering the shop, Ave gently shutting the door behind me.
"..."
The smell of herbs and alchemic materials assaulted my nose, calming my nerves with their familiar scent.
My eyes scanned the room, finding the place had gotten a little bit messier since I last came here.
"How have you been?"
I asked, trying to lighten the strangely heavy mood.
"I've been fine. What about you?"
She said as she walked past me, stepping behind the counter before turning to face me.
"It must not be easy, you know? Being the new boss of the inn and all that."
Ave's voice was casual but her words were chilling.
I smiled awkwardly, unable to immediately respond.
"...You knew?"
"Word travels fast in the slums."
Ave sighed again as she shook her head.
"I never thought the little kid who cleaned my shop would become a member of a crime syndicate."
I didn't respond to her words. Although I wasn't technically an official member of the guild, I could at least understand how she felt.
"...Anyway, what are you here for?"
"Didn't I say? I'm just visiting."
I smiled as Ave rolled her eyes.
"Is that really all?"
"That depends."
My smirk deepened as I stepped closer to the counter.
"Since you already know my new identity, we can skip a few of the pleasantries, but first, would you mind if I clean up a bit?"
"...?"
Ave blinked, clearly not following my thought process.
"You...want to...clean?"
"Yep. I can't let you continue to work in this mess, now can I?"
My smile was pure and innocent, a trick I had somewhat mastered as of late. But compared to my previous uses, this one had a hint of genuineness to it.
"...What mess? It's not like I didn't clean..."
Ave grumbled slightly but didn't try to stop me as I walked behind the counter.
Taking off my waistcoat, I placed it aside, rolled up my sleeves, and grabbed the cleaning supplies from the closet, all while Ave watched with curious eyes.
Soon, half an hour passed as I swept through both the back and front of the store.
At first, Ave spent the first few minutes watching my movements in a trance, but eventually snapped out of it and began doing her own work.
Like that, time continued to flow as the morning trickled away, both Ave and I entering a comfortable state, almost as if nothing had changed from when I cleaned here before.
After two hours, I finished cleaning the first floor, while Ave continued to work in the back.
Putting away the cleaning supplies, I wiped the sweat off my face with a rag as I glanced toward Ave, who was currently swirling the cauldron.
Watching her slim back figure, I could feel my heart beat loudly in my chest but kept my expression calm as I quietly walked up behind her.
Glancing around her shoulders, I stared in a daze as she skillfully controlled the flames while adding various ingredients with one hand and continuing to stir with the other.
I stayed like that for five minutes, neither moving nor speaking, careful not to disturb Ave's work until she finished.
Clenching her fist, the flames magically died out beneath the cauldron as she removed the ladle.
"...Are you willing to tell me the real reason why you're here now?"
Ave's voice came out much softer than before, an almost relaxed yet knowing tone to it.
It seemed she had roughly guessed my intention during these last two hours.
"Yes."
Ave turned around, her expression unreadable.
"You once promised me the opportunity to work here. Do you still remember?"
"...I do. But you can't exactly work here while running the inn, can you?"
"Indeed. That's why I came here with a new proposition."
This time I didn't smile or give any suggestive glances. Putting on the most genuine and serious expression I could muster, I offered my proposition.
"Please accept me as your apprentice!"
I bowed deeply as I asked.
I had realized this a while ago, but I truly did find alchemy fascinating. It was to the point that my heart would beat and my mind would go numb whenever I saw Ave work, or I would fall into a trance whenever she taught something new to me.
This feeling was so addicting that I didn't want to give it up, even after becoming the boss of the Midnight Inn. That was why I came back here despite having no real reason to.
"...."
Ave stared at me in silence, not responding even after a long time had passed.
Still, I kept my head down as I awaited her reply.
"...Are you truly serious about learning alchemy?"
"Yes. I fell in love with it the moment I saw you perform it."
I saw Ave's feet shift a bit as a sigh escaped her.
"You can get up."
Hearing Ave's words, I slowly raised my head, a feeling of anxiety building in me.
Meeting Ave's gaze through her glasses, I saw the complicated look in her eyes as she looked at me.
Her thoughts seemed to be clashing in her head, but one eventually gave out as a somewhat resigned expression appeared on her face.
"...Fine. I'll accept you under my mentorship."
Ave's words caused my emotions to soar through the roof. I felt like jumping up like a little kid hearing her agree to my request, but I strongly resisted the urge.
"But, there will be some conditions."
Ave raised a finger, as if to silence my excitement as she continued.
"Since this is no longer work but an apprenticeship, there will be a fee. Additionally, if I sense that you don't meet my expectations, the apprenticeship will be over."
"Yes. I can agree to those terms." I said after contemplating briefly in my mind, "How much will you charge?"
"100 crowns a week."
My pupils slightly trembled at the sky-high price she had quoted, but I didn't hesitate to agree.
"Good. There are still a few more things I'll have to prepare before you can start, but from now on, you will be my apprentice and I your master. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
I bowed once more, showing the utmost respect.
Ave nodded in approval as a subtle smile appeared on her face.
"To think I'd get an apprentice after all this time..."
I briefly heard her murmur something under her breath before stepping aside.
"I'll need some time to get everything ready, so you'll return next week Monday to officially start."
"Yes, Master."
"Oh, and Kayle." Ave paused for a moment before turning to face me with a wide smile, repeating the exact same phrase I heard weeks ago. "Don't be late."