Almost like he guessed what Claire was thinking, Walter immediately added, âDonât ask me, I donât know either. I only do things for money.â But, this mission sure was costly, he paid with his life and didnât even touch a corner of his targetâs clothes. All because of that wretched Holy Divine Prince, who has nothing better to do than to come to Gale Gorge for medicinal herbs. It would be fine if it was anyone else from the Temple of Light, but it had to be that overpowered Holy Divine Prince! Walter still felt scared every time he thought about that one-sided defeat.
Claire didnât ask anymore, knowing it would be useless.
âClaire, letâs return together.â Princess Maurice happily walked over. She had already safely stored the beast core that Claire gave her away.
Claire accepted Mauriceâs invitation and after resting for a while, the group returned back to the city.
âClaire, next weekend is my birthday, and my father, the King, has prepared a birthday banquet. You must come.â Princess Maurice invited Claire on the way. Of course, a formal invitation card would also be sent to the Hill castle.
âSure.â Claire agreed with a smile.
On the road, Maurice clung to Claire and made Claire tell her everything that happened in Gale Gorge. Jean and Nancy walked in the front, Maurice and Claire were in the middle, and the three warriors walked in the back.
Maurice was so brisk and lively right now, completely different from how solemn she was at the Institute. This must be her true personality.
The group traveled to Berthe without a hitch. At the city gates, they parted ways. Maurice was reluctant to leave and only left after reminding Claire she must be present at her birthday banquet.
After Claire went to the Mercenary Guild to turn in her task, she went back to the Dukeâs castle.
âMiss, youâve come back. The Duke wants you to go to the study as soon as you arrive.â The housekeeper at the door respectfully passed on the message. The stiff housekeeperâs attitude towards Claire had totally changed. It wasnât because of the Dukeâs doting on Claire, but because he wasnât an ordinary man. He was an unusually powerful person. He felt Claireâs changes and also believed that she was the Hill clanâs future hope.
âOkay.â Claire indifferently replied. She went to the study without even changing her clothes. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
She knocked on the study door lightly, and Gordanâs dignified voice replied, âCome in.â
Claire entered the study through the door and Jean waited outside.
âGrandfather, Iâm back.â Claire said quietly, looking at the dignified old man sitting behind the study desk. Emery stood aside, wearing a brown robe.
âYes, being back is good.â Gordan nodded. He got up, smiling. âHow did it go?â
âNot bad. I killed some third grade and fourth grade magic beasts.â Claire reported seriously. Then she glanced at Emery. Emery already understood from Claireâs gaze that everything must have gone successfully, so his heart settled down.
âGood. Did you get injured?â Gordan walked up to her, concerned.
âNo.â Claire shook her head.
âHaha, not bad, not bad. This is how a member of the Hill clan should be.â Gordan happily nodded.
âAlso, Grandfather, I met the wizard sage Cliff.â Claire suddenly changed the topic.
âOh? And then?â Gordan asked eagerly.
âHeâs a perverted old man.â Claire said solemnly.
Gordanâs face twitched and he didnât know what to say. Cliff, that wizard sage, was definitely a huge pervert. All the beautiful female teachers of the Sunrise Institute had been molested by him before, either by trying to touch their chests or lifting their dresses.
Emery had an odd expression on his face, like he wanted to laugh, but this wasnât the right time to.
âHe forced me to become his disciple and gave me a Transportation Bracelet, Invisiblility Cloak, and stuff like that.â This additional sentence made Gordan go wild with joy.
âReally? Youâre sure? Itâs like this? Haha, this is too good.â Gordan slightly convulsed, his words stumbling over one another. Then he became pleased with himself, âI just knew my darling Claire would be chosen by him.â
Although Gordan was exceptionally happy, Claire looked towards Emery. Emeryâs expression was a bit complicated. He was both happy for Claire but also slightly dejected.
âIt was Cliff who forced me to become his disciple, so he had to agree with a condition that I brought up.â Claire saw Emeryâs expression and unexpectedly said these sentences.
âWhat?â Gordan came back to his senses. Hearing that his darling granddaughter was so arrogant, he was a bit worried if this would anger the impressive Cliff.
âI only had one condition. I already had a master, so he could only be my second master, and if he couldnât accept it, then he forget could about it. He agreed.â Claire stated flatly.
As soon as Claire finished saying this, Gordanâs mouth hung open and was speechless for a long time.
Throughout the whole world, Claire must be the only person to negotiate when becoming a disciple, and to a wizard sage, and with such a harsh condition!
But Emery was completely frozen. He of course understood the meaning of Claireâs words, of course knew who she meant when she was talking about her first master. For many years he had thought his tear glands were dry, but today, he felt them getting moist.
âGrandfather, you donât need to worry, I know my boundaries. Also, things that I decide will never change.â Claire said seriously.
Gordan was shocked, and it took him a while to come back to his senses. He then roared with laughter, âGood! Worthy of being my granddaughter. Exactly how I was like when I was young. I wonât worry, I believe you will deal with this properly.â
âThank you for understanding, Grandfather.â Claire smiled faintly.
âYou must be tired, so you should go wash and change your clothes and then visit your mother.â Gordan was obviously very pleased and happy. He thought of how to spread out that Cliff had accepted Claire as his disciple as fast as possible, and he also wanted to ask Jean about the details.
After Claire left, Gordan turned towards Emery, a complex expression in his eyes.
âEmery, you can see that Claire, that child, has made up her mind already.â Gordan sighed heavily.
âYes, your Grace, I... â Emery didnât know what to say. His heart was so warmed and touched that it was about to melt completely.
âI just hope you donât let down Claireâs kind intentions.â Gordan let out a long sigh.
âYour Grace, donât worry. I understand.â Emery said emotionally. At this moment, he had already fully given his heart to Claire.
âThen thatâs good. Hehe, you can go now. I imagine you have a lot of things to say to that child. I need to find Jean to learn about some things, you can leave.â Gordan nodded his head with a smile.
âYes.â Emery bowed and also left.
That night, no one knew what Gordan and Jean discussed in the study.
After showering and changing clothes, Claire went to meet Katherine. Seeing Claire return safe and sound, Katherine was extremely happy. Only after eating dinner with Katherine did Claire go rest. Lashia never showed up; Katherine said Lashia went to the principalâs to study.
Not long after Claire returned to her room did she hear a tap on her window. Claire naturally knew who it was, opening the window and moving out of the way for Emery to enter.
âTeacher, you came just at the right time. I have some things to consult with you.â When Claire saw Emery, her mood was quite happy.
Emery smiled while looking at the girl in front of him profoundly. After setting up a magic hood with a wave of his hand he asked, âClaire, did everything go smoothly this time?â
âYes, it was successful. I learned the arcanum, itâs just that thereâs a lot of information to digest. I wanted to ask teacher about this.â Claire brought out the Spiritual Stone she had been carrying.
âSpiritual Stone!â Emery was hugely surprised. Looking at the valuable treasure in Claireâs hand, he couldnât help but exclaim.
Claire handed the stone over to Emery and Emery inspected it carefully. âAh! Thereâs something inside.â
âAn idiot couldnât win against someone and lost his body, then attached his soul to this. Itâs a dark magician called Walter Simon,â Claire replied indifferently.
âWalter Simon?!â Emery exclaimed again.
âWhat is it? Teacher, is this guy famous?â Claire was doubtful.
âHeâs a genius, the genius of dark magicians. Sinister, crafty, cunning, and shameless, heâs wanted by the Temple of Light. But he escaped safely every time. But this time... â Emery looked at the Spiritual Stone in his hand curiously, as if doubting if the soul inside was the Walter he knew.
âIs he really that clever?â Claire smirked and then said lightly, âHe met the Holy Divine Prince of the Temple of Light.â
âAh! Then itâs not strange at all.â Now Emery didnât find the situation weird any more.
âWalter, come out! Otherwise Iâll make you wish you were dead.â Claire coldly commanded.
The next moment, smoke spiraled out from the small stone in Emeryâs hand and a human image instantly formed.
âIt really is the dark magician genius Walter Simon!â Emery looked at the figure and stated certainly.
âThatâs me,â Walter said haughtily.
âDo you want a beating? Speaking to my teacher in such a manner!â Claireâs eyes shot out an icy light.
âOh, exalted magician, I am the Walter Simon. What is your command?â Walter immediately switched to a flattering tone.
Emery blinked. Why did he feel that the aura between his darling disciple and this guy was so complex?
âHey, I know.â Emery raised his eyebrows, a bold idea forming in his head.
This was the first time Claire saw the normally expressionless Emery grinning evilly.
For no reason at all, Walterâs whole body suddenly felt cold.
Something bad was going to happen!