Chapter 107 Drama
The Mystic Lane consisted of only one single street with shops on either side of it. The shops here sold school supplies that mostly catered to the students of the academy.
There were shops selling magical robes, shops selling artifacts, some selling potions and ointments, while others sold spell books, quills, and scrolls.
There was even a shop here that sold familiars. In this shop, one could even buy magical beast ingredients. Moreover, quite a few fancy cafes and restaurants could also be found at this place.
These, however, were the fine establishments that could afford the staggering rent of buildings on either side of the lane. For the ones that couldn't, they could set up a simple stall on the sidewalk. However, they still had to pay a small rent.
Mystic Lane was a truly magical place. And the fact that it was only accessible by a select group of people made it all the more enigmatic.
Towards the far end of the Lane was a very famous restaurant in the shape of a giant mushroom. Right outside the restaurant, on the sidewalk, there were a few chairs and tables set up, each having small mushroom umbrellas covering it.
This was Adam and his friends' usual hangout, the Shroom Curtain.
Edward, Lisa, and Johnathan were sitting in the outside seating area. When Edward saw him with the twins, he immediately called out to them.
Seeing them approach, everyone curiously looked at the unfamiliar twins. Judging by the quality of clothes they were wearing, they could tell that these twins hailed from a very wealthy background.
Johnathan looked at Atiel and couldn't help but whistle. "She's pretty!"
Edward glared at him. "Don't try anything funny with her. Adam mentioned that they're apprentices of a very close friend of Lord Berger."
Jonathan nervously gulped and then mumbled, "Relax, I was just admiring her looks."
Both Edward and Lisa rolled their eyes, thinking the same thing, Yeah right!
"Guys!" Adam finally reached the restaurant and walked toward their table with a wide smile. "These are the twins that I told you about."
He introduced the twins to his friends and then vice versa. Afterward, they all sat down and began ordering food and drinks. Lisa seemed to hit it off well with Atiel, whereas Daneli continued to act aloof. But one could tell, he was slowly beginning to get along.
With a faint smile on his lips, Adam drank wine directly from the gourd and listened to his friends talk to each other.
Daneli looked at him and slightly frowned. "Why do you always drink? Don't you know that a Magus should always be clear-headed?"
Hmph! What do you know? I can turn sober in the blink of an eye. He grumbled inwardly.
The main reason why Magi despised drinking was because the intoxication made their mind muddled. This made it difficult for them to cast spells at a moment's notice. Moreover, even with their high spiritual power, it would still take them time to sober up.
But thanks to the white lotus, this rule didn't apply to Adam.
Of course, Adam couldn't tell the elven youth about it. Thus, he simply waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. Usage of mana is forbidden within the city. Well, the only exceptions are a few places in the academy and the royal palace."
Daneli frowned even more. "You don't seem to get my point. Drinking wine will make you—"
"Shush!" Adam interrupted him. "Don't be a buzzkill. Here, drink."
He gave a gourd of Adam's Tears to the stuck-up elf. Daneli was about to scold Adam but when he sniffed the aroma drifting from the gourd, his pointy ears fluttered ever so slightly.
"Is this the one we drank the other day?"
"Yep," Adam replied smugly. "You like it, don't you?"
"Hmph!" Daneli harrumphed as he uncorked the gourd. "It's okay."
Adam chuckled at his response. "Here, cheers!"
The two lightly tapped their gourds and enjoyed the wine while listening to others' conversation.
"So this is the first time you've stepped out of Baja High Forest?" Lisa asked curiously.
"Mhm!" Atiel responed. "Elven kids, or at least the ones where we're from, aren't allowed to leave the forest until the coming-
of-age ceremony."
"Why is that?" Johnathan asked, puzzled.
"Hmm…" Atiel cutely tilted her head and spoke after a brief moment, "Traditions, maybe? I'm not too sure."
Daneli chimed in, his face flushed slightly red from the wine. "Isn't it obvious? Out in the real world, it's the survival of the fittest. Until we're deemed strong enough by the elders of the tribe, we aren't allowed to leave the forest."
"Hah? Why should that bother you when you're traveling with your teacher?" Adam asked tauntingly.
"S-Shut up!" Daneli spoke in slight embarrassment, "That's beside the point."
Adam rolled his eyes and continued to drink. "Sure, whatever you say."
"What are your plans after touring the Southern Federation?" Lisa asked.
Ateli balled her fists and replied excitedly, "After this, we're going to go to the Acadian Empire!"
"Really?!" Lisa was fascinated. She'd long since heard of the Empire and had always wanted to go there.
"Yes! Yes!" Ateli nodded. "Teacher said he's going to meet a few of his friends in the Empire. We'll return to our tribe after that."
Edward suddenly interjected excitedly, "By the way, Atiel, have you heard of the Tower of Daybreak?"
"Of course!" Atiel replied. "Although I've never visited the Empire, I've heard great things about it. It is home to many famous magic institutions, and the Tower of Daybreak is one of them."
Daneli also nodded. "It is considered one of the top organizations in the righteous faction."
Johnathan chimed in with surprise. "Wait a minute! Ed, isn't that where your sister went last year?"
"Hehe!" Edward was filled with pride. "Last year my sister graduated from the academy and was accepted into the Tower of Daybreak. I plan to go there as well after I graduate."
"Oh? Interesting." Daneli nodded. "If she got accepted into Daybreak, it means she has great potential. These top organizations will only recruit geniuses after all."
Listening to the elf praise his sister, Edward laughed triumphantly. If he had a tail, it would be vigorously wagging right now.
Adam acutely noticed that when Edward was talking about going to the Empire after graduation, Lisa's eyes flashed with complex emotions momentarily and she smiled bitterly. However, she quickly hid it.
Hmm… Adam thought to himself as he glanced at Lisa. Do I smell some drama?
He took a swig from the gourd and burped. Well, whatever, it's none of my business. Besides, the old man told me not to get involved with women and drama. They're bad for health apparently. Kekeke!
Thinking back to when Berger had lectured him about how women would come in the way of his path of magic, Adam couldn't help but chuckle. I wonder what kind of heartbreak the old man went through for him to turn out like that.
He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. Then, he got to his feet. "Alright, it's time." He looked at Edward and smirked, "You ready?"
Edward replied confidently. "You know it!"
"Hehe, that's my boy." Adam grinned.
Seeing everyone get up, Daneli asked curiously, "Where are we going?"
Adam's lips curled up into a shady grin as he rubbed his thumb against his index finger.
"To make some money, of course!"
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