Chapter 108 Chapter 108-Briar & Agave
Noticing Abby's hesitation, a surge of curiosity welled up in Howard.
"Is there something else?" he inquired.
Biting her lip, Abby whispered, "Howard, you won't leave me alone, will you?"
"Of course I won't." Howard affectionately tousled Abby's hair, chuckling, "Don't let your mind wander. Just remember one thing."
"We are meant for each other, always. Never believe otherwise."
Hearing those words, a flutter ran through Abby's heart, and she clung tighter to Howard's arm.
"My love," she said, a serious look in her eyes, "What do you say we don't return to the academy tonight? Perhaps we could find a hotel to rest?"
The implication in Abby's voice was not lost on Howard, causing him to swallow hard.
While Abby might not possess Margaret's figure, her youthful vibrancy exuded a charm of its own.
However, having experienced such intimacy before and no longer the impassioned youth, Howard didn't immediately give in.
He sensed that Abby's proposal was driven by insecurity, a stark contrast to his experiences with Margaret.
Moved by Abby's vulnerability and cherishing her deeply, he couldn't bear to let her first time be driven by such concerns.
Stroking Abby's head gently, Howard responded with a serious tone, "Silly girl, don't overthink things. I'll never leave you. Right now, you seem quite emotional. Let's head back and get some rest."
At his words, Abby puffed up her cheeks in a semblance of petulance.
Yet internally, she brimmed with happiness, perceiving Howard's tender protectiveness toward her.
This tender interlude drew Howard and Abby even closer.
Previously, it had always been Abby ardently pursuing Howard.
Even after affirming their relationship, she never truly felt secure.
However, their recent exchange assuaged many of her anxieties.
Returning to the academy, Howard escorted Abby to her dormitory and then headed to his mentor's residence.
Following Tana's guidance, he knocked on her door.
When Tana opened it, Howard's pupils contracted sharply.
At that moment, she was draped only in a white towel, her hair damp and fragrant, the scent wafting toward him.
A cursory glance revealed the towel tightly embracing her prominent curves.
Howard quickly averted his gaze, maintaining eye contact with Tana.
"You're here quite early," Tana remarked, seemingly oblivious to her appearance.
Flicking her wet hair back, she teased, "It seems money's allure holds strong sway over you."
Howard responded with a noncommittal smile.
It wasn't so much the allure of money, but rather of Wales.
He was eager to find Wales and understand the reasons behind certain matters.
"Come in. Once I'm dressed, I'll take you to Wales," she said, turning to change.
However, Howard interjected, "Ms. Tana, please take your time to dress. I'll wait outside."
Tana didn't respond.
After a while, she emerged, fully dressed.
Perhaps because Howard's mind hadn't completely settled, a quick glance at her quickened his heartbeat.
Tana, with a hint of moisture still clinging to her, looked ethereal, much like a celestial nymph.
Black stockings highlighted her shapely legs, and her short leather shorts emphasized her perky posterior.
A leather jacket draped her upper body, revealing a pristine midriff devoid of any excess.
It was a sight tempting enough to make one wish to get closer and savor the view.
Even if Howard wasn't the lascivious type, his heart raced uncontrollably.
Yet, on the surface, Howard remained impassive, every inch the gentleman.
"Kudos, young man, for your composure!" Tana complimented with a chuckle, proceeding to say, "Come, I'll take you to Wales."
At her words, any fleeting thoughts in Howard's mind evaporated. His foremost concern was making contact with Wales.
Following Tana, Howard quickly exited the Holy Abyss Academy.
However, he astutely noted that Tana wasn't headed towards the heart of Adia City or even any urban districts.
Instead, she was leading him into a more remote, secluded corner.
This realization sent a chill through Howard. Such secluded areas typically weren't associated with wholesome activities.
Holy Abyss Academy was among the elite institutions within the Alliance.
Surely its mentors wouldn't be of ill repute?
After what felt like a long trek, having left the bustling main streets with their many academies and guilds, the thoroughfare became more populated.
Throughout the journey, passersby were invariably drawn to Tana's alluring figure.
Fortunately, none were brazen enough to approach and strike up a conversation.
Amidst Howard's growing bewilderment, Tana led him to a decidedly unremarkable storefront.
Outside the shop was a table where an elderly man with a grizzled beard was hunched over, seemingly dozing off with his eyes half-closed.
Upon closer inspection, Howard noticed only a sign reading "Open for Business", with no other identifying markers.
"Ah, the old gambler himself. Why am I not surprised to see you guarding this place today?" Tana approached familiarly, her delicate, crystal-like fingers tapping the table.
Hearing the sound, the old man opened his eyes, which were murky with age.
At first glance, he looked like any other elderly person.
His gaze settled on Howard, and with a cough, he chuckled, "Quite the handsome lad you've got there. What's this? Planning on indulging in a bit of cradle-robbing, are we? Didn't you once vow never to marry until you've obtained the Power of Law?"
"You old lecher, he's my student!" Tana retorted, exasperated. "Is Ravenous Wolf inside?"
Instead of answering Tana directly, the old man teased, "A student-teacher romance? Now that's even more intriguing! If you two ever decide on a wedding, I'd refrain from gambling for a month just to save up for a fitting gift."
"Tch!"
Tana uttered a sound of contempt, not wanting to waste more words on the man.
She turned to Howard, "Kid, now think of a pseudonym for yourself to register."
Grasping the situation, Howard quickly deduced this was undoubtedly a concealed organization.
Why not call it mysterious?
From Tana and the old man's blatant jesting, it was apparent that many were aware of the enigmatic nature of this place.
They just couldn't access it.
It seemed like a membership-exclusive organization, requiring an existing member's endorsement to join.
However, Howard was confident that the Alliance was surely aware of this organization's existence.
Their inaction towards it signified that it wasn't an inherently malevolent group.
Having understood this, Howard harbored no reservations.
He stepped forward, greeting with a smile, "Elder, kindly register me under the name Briar."
Howard wasn't naive.
Anyone trusted with gatekeeping duties, like the old man, wouldn't be ordinary.
Even if he wasn't exceptionally powerful, his capabilities would surely be above average.
After all, the countless tales and novels he'd read hadn't been for naught!
The old man chuckled, "A polite lad indeed, much more courteous than your teacher. Keep it up, young man. The day you lay claim to a bottle of Agave, I'll have a special gift for you."
While speaking, the elder noted down 'Briar' and 'Agave' on the registry.
It was evident that 'Agave' was Tana's pseudonym.
Witnessing this, Tana didn't engage further with the old man and, leading Howard, stepped through the grand entrance.
As they entered, a vast and seemingly endless corridor stretched out before them.
Following behind Tana, Howard suddenly queried, "Given that pseudonyms don't truly hide one's identity, why not wear a mask instead?"
At this, Tana chuckled softly. "Who told you that we use pseudonyms to conceal our identity?"
Shaking her head and not waiting for Howard's response, she continued, "This isn't some assassin's guild. It's an exchange organization! We don't need to hide our identities; pseudonyms simply ensure that others don't know too much about us."
"..."
Howard looked genuinely puzzled, "Exchange? What kind of exchange? Information or treasures?"
"Both," Tana replied with a smile. "As for making money, that's something that Wales will teach you. His starting fee for any task? A hundred gold coins. And that doesn't even include any share of the profits."
At this, Howard's pupils contracted sharply.
He had fought tooth and nail for days on end and had barely managed to earn a few dozen gold coins.
Yet Wales, with just one assignment, starts at a hundred?
Including his share of profits, the earnings would undoubtedly be astronomical!
As they conversed, Howard, led by Tana, strolled down a long corridor and entered a bustling hall.
Casting his gaze around, Howard realized the place was strikingly similar to a tavern, complete with background music, though it was divided into several zones.
Numerous individuals had set up makeshift stalls, but unlike the typical offerings of skill books and equipment, these stalls displayed an array of worn, ancient scrolls and blueprints.
Others had peculiar assortments of fruits on display, each more unique than the last.
"Don't get fooled by these trinkets," Tana warned, sensing Howard's lingering gaze. "The real treasures only appear during auctions. These items on display have been researched for ages, deemed to contain no hidden mysteries or inaccessible secrets."
Seemingly perceiving where Howard's attention lay, Tana cautioned, "Don't get your hopes up about stumbling on a hidden gem. Fortune doesn't often favor the ordinary."
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