Chapter 103 Twilight
For Adam, this was way too good of a deal. He also got to study the magical texts that Berger had acquired throughout his lifetime. Moreover, having a mentor to guide him along the way wasn't bad either.
It had been more than a year since then, and it could be said that both Adam and Berger had benefited greatly from the deal.
"Not bad." Elrod chuckled. "He seems like a hardworking young man."
"He is." Berger nodded as he filled tobacco inside his smoking pipe. "Not only is he a genius at Herbalism, but he's also very diligent."
He then recalled something and helplessly sighed. "His only shortcoming is his lack of etiquettes."
"Oh, would you look at that?" Elrod teased his old friend. "Who would have thought that such words could come out of your mouth?"
Berger simply rolled his eyes and started smoking. He glanced at the twin elves standing behind Elrod and asked, "Your apprentices?"
"Yes," Elrod said with pride. "Kids, introduce yourselves."
The twins stepped forward with slight nervousness. This was their Teacher's friend after all, and possibly someone who was on the same level as him.
They respectfully bowed with their right hand on their chest.
"My name is Daneli Ambermind."
"And I'm Atiel Ambermind."
"It's an honor to meet you, sir." The twins spoke in unison.
"Hmm…" Berger deeply looked at them for a few moments and then nodded. "They're good."
"Hahaha!" Elrod was very proud. He knew Berger very well. If his apprentices managed to catch his attention, they were surely more than 'good'.
The next moment, Adam came downstairs with a tray carrying a pot of tea and two cups. He had already freshened up and looked decent now. He placed the tray on the table and began pouring the tea.
Daneli and Atiel were stunned seeing Adam's appearance. It's not that he was good-looking. His looks were mediocre, but what stunned the twins was the way he carried himself.
Adam's entire aura had changed. If earlier he looked like a beggar, now he looked like a dignified Magus. The twins couldn't comprehend the fact that someone could pull off something that was on two opposite ends of the spectrum.
Is this the same homeless beggar from before? The twins couldn't help but wonder.
Elrod also noticed this and faintly smiled. But suddenly, he inhaled the aroma of the tea and was surprised. He took a sip of the tea and was greatly taken aback. "Good tea!"
"Huhu, of course it is." Adam smirked. "I grew them myself."
"Now leave us alone." Berger impatiently waved his hand and shooed Adam away, "Take these two and give them a tour of the city."
Adam pursed his lips. "Fine…" He looked at the twins and gestured. "Let's go."
"Okay~" Atiel cheerfully followed him, meanwhile Daneli found Adam's behavior annoying, making him think that the youth was being forced to hang out with them.
After the kids left, the elf and the gnome chatted with each other for a long time. There was a lot to catch up on after all. Moreover, this was a good change of scene for Berger who was used to living like a recluse.
Then, the topic shifted to their apprentices.
Elrod looked at the empty tea cup and smiled. "Fine lad, that one." He raised his head and asked, "And surprisingly strong spiritual power for someone his age."
Berger nodded. "He's indeed born with a strong soul."
Elrod slightly hesitated for a moment, then finally asked. "Are you going to introduce Adam to the Brotherhood?"
Berger turned silent. After a long time, he replied, "Although the kid is a bit greedy and uncouth, his heart is in the right place. He has a good character. When he's old enough, I'll ask him. Whether he wishes to join or not will be up to him."
"Hmm." Elrod nodded. "He's a talented kid, and if he wants to grow as a Magus, one day he'll have to cross the mountains and go to the other side."
Berger completely agreed with his friend. The Southern Federation would never be able to provide him with the opportunities to grow when compared to the Acadian Empire and the rest of the world.
"What about Daneli?" Berger asked, "Are you going to induct him into the Brotherhood?"
Elrod chuckled. "All in due time, my friend. We both know how beneficial joining the organization would be for young men like Adam and Daneli."
"Well, I can't argue with that." Berger exhaled a puff of smoke.
After another brief period of silence, Berger asked, "How are those guys?"
Hearing this, Elrod smiled. "Some have retired, while others continue to guard the realms of men."
"We are the Lord Guardians of the Realms…" Berger repeated the words that he once lived by for most of his life. But somewhere down the line, he lost his way.
Recalling that dreadful incident still grieved his heart even though so many years had passed. It was true what they said: wounds fade away but scars remain.
In the end, the old gnome simply sighed.
Elrod asked, "Do you have any plans of returning?"
Berger shrugged. "Who knows?"
"Anyway, what brings you to this side of the continent?" The gnome changed subjects, not wanting to talk about it anymore.
"Ah, the kids have just gone through their coming-of-age ceremony. I'm going to take them across the continent. It'll help broaden their horizons," Elrod replied with a warm smile.
"Still as fancy as ever, eh?" Berger smirked. "Those little shits from the Baja High Forest usually explore the surrounding lands after their ceremony. And here you are giving them a tour of the whole damn continent."
"Huhuhu, you know me." Elrod laughed. "Anyway, I'll be in Moon City for the foreseeable future. So expect to see a lot of me."
The elf got up and he walked to the door. Berger followed him out. "You came at the right time. Coincidentally, that thing should also open sometime this year. I'll tell you more about it later. It'll be a good opportunity for the twins to gain experience."
"Oh? Beneficial for the kids, is it?" Elrod replied as he thought of Daneli and Atiel. "Very well, tell me about it tomorrow."
"Oh, that's right." Berger suddenly recalled something and went back in toward the counter. He grabbed a ceramic gourd from underneath and handed it to Elrod. "Take this with you. The kid brewed it himself. It's pretty good if I say so myself."
"Is that so?" Elrod was curious.
"He calls it Adam's Tears." Berger chuckled in amusement.
"Haha, why is that?" Elrod asked as he kept away the gourd.
"Because, in his words, the wine tastes so good that it'll bring you to tears," Berger explained, and then both of them laughed heartily.
Elrod bade the gnome farewell and went on his way. But after taking a few steps, he turned around and smiled.
"Berger, no matter what the circumstances, if there's anything you ever need, you can tell us. The Twilight Brotherhood will never forsake one of its own."
With that, he turned around and left.
Berger looked at his old friend's departing back for a very long time. In the end, his lips curled up into a smile and he nodded.
"I know."
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