"No," Hemlock shook his head. "She went out to the market a while ago. Visiting her cousin. Probably won't be back until late afternoon."
"I see," Nael said, a genuine note of regret in his voice. "Well, I think I'll make another visit later tonight, then. I really should see her before I go."
The old man nodded slowly, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "Why don't you just come for dinner? She was planning to make your favorite today - herbed roast and honey-glazed roots."
A real, eager grin spread across Nael's face at the mention of the meal. "Oh, in that case, I'll definitely be there."
A knowing smile touched Hemlock's lips. "Bring your 'girlfriend', too. That Mireille. I remember she also quite liked the meal."
Nael chuckled, shaking his head at the 'girlfriend' comment but not bothering to correct him. "Alright, I'll ask her if she wants to come."
They continued talking for a while, the conversation meandering through casual topics. Eventually, it circled back to the siblings, who were now quietly organizing dried herbs in the corner.
"Was Lia's condition serious in the end?" Nael asked, his tone lowering.
"Thankfully, no. The fever broke after the healing. She was just weak from malnutrition and exposure. She's hardy, that one. Bounced back quickly with proper food and a warm bed."
"That's good to hear," Nael said. Then, he voiced the thought that had been forming in his mind. "You know... they should study at the Lyceum. Both of them. It would give them a real foundation, whatever they choose to do later." He met Hemlock's gaze. "I will handle the tuition and enrollment myself."
The old man's bushy eyebrows drew together. He agreed with the first part wholeheartedly. "They indeed should. In this world, it's only right to pursue the path of Awakened." But he firmly shook his head at the second. "But it isn't your burden to carry, boy. You've done more than enough. You gave them a chance. This," he said, gesturing around the shop that was becoming a home, "is our responsibility now. You save your coins for your own path. That's the best help you can give us."
Nael felt a flicker of frustration. 'Why does he have to be so... stubborn?' But the thought died as quickly as it came. He looked at the situation from Hemlock's perspective: he was just a graduate, an orphan with no family backing. Of course, the old man would assume he had little to his name and wanted to protect him from financial strain.
'Alright, a little bragging won't do any harm~'
Without a word, he raised his wrist and tapped the screen of his arcometer. The balance glowed clearly between them: 200.065.
He watched as Hemlock's eyes, previously set with paternal firmness, widened in sheer disbelief. The old man stared at the number, then back at Nael, his jaw slightly slack with shock. It was a sum that could buy a decent house even in the central district.
Nael let the number hang in the stunned silence for a moment before he continued, his voice calm but leaving no room for argument. "I will also cover their Awakening fees."
And before the old man could muster another argument, Nael cut him off, his tone softening but no less resolute. "Please, let me do this. It's... important. For myself, and for my Class."
Hemlock stared at him for a long second, searching his face. He saw no youthful extravagance, only a deep, serious conviction. Finally, he let out a long, slow sigh of defeat. "Alright," he conceded, his voice rough with reluctant acceptance. "Suit yourself."
Nael gave a satisfied nod and tapped his arcometer again. A transfer screen materialized. He input the amount and confirmed the transaction to Hemlock's account.
The old man flinched as his own device chimed. He looked down at the notification, and his breath caught. "Ten... thousand?" he whispered, staring at the number in pure disbelief and renewed reluctance. "Nael, this is far too much—"
"Some of it is for you and Aunty," Nael interjected gently, anticipating his protest. He met the old man's stunned gaze with a sincere, warm smile. "Consider it my thanks. For everything. For giving a chance to a scrawny orphan all those years ago. For the meals, the lessons, and... for being there. Thank you, Master Hemlock."
Hemlock opened his mouth, then closed it again, utterly speechless. He looked from the staggering number on his screen to the young man standing before him, his eyes shimmering with a profound mix of pride and emotion. He could only mutter, his voice thick, "You've... you've truly grown up, huh..."
After a moment of heavy, meaningful silence, they fell into easier conversation, the tension broken.
Eventually, Nael decided it was time to go. He stood and walked over to where Kael and Lia were watching him with wide, curious eyes.
He looked down at them, a fondness swelling in his chest, and couldn't help but reach out and gently ruffle both of their heads.
They didn't show any resistance at all; the little girl even liked it, although her brother seemed a bit embarrassed. Then the brother whispered something to his little sister. Lia nodded in understanding.
"Thank you, Big Brother Nael!"
They said in unison, their voices filled with a bright, unburdened gratitude that only children could muster.
Nael's smile widened.
"As you may have heard," he said, his tone taking on a gently authoritative note, "I will enroll you both in the Lyceum. You can learn everything there — not just reading or writing, but about the world." He met each of their gazes, making a promise. "And when you graduate, I will come to check up on you myself. So study well, make sure not to cause trouble for Master Hemlock and Aunty Mila..." His voice softened with genuine care. "...and above all, stay safe."
With a final, reassuring pat on their heads, he turned.
"See you tonight," he said to Hemlock, who gave him a slow, proud nod.
And with that, Nael stepped out of the apothecary, the bell chiming softly behind him, leaving a quiet sense of promise and a secured future in his wake.
'The second investment is done too...'
He had only walked a few minutes from the apothecary when a figure detached itself from the shadow of a nearby building and fell into step beside him.
Nael froze mid-stride. 'Is my luck that good today? Or this bad?'
It was none other than their class representative, Brennon. The very same Brennon whose lies had sent Mira on the wrong track, deepening the misunderstanding and indirectly leading to Nael nearly dying in the dungeon.
And from the purposeful way he stood there, his expression a mix of grim determination and unease, it was clear he hadn't just happened by.
"So," Nael said, his voice flat and devoid of its earlier warmth. "I was tailed, huh?"