Chapter 367: Arriving at River Bend, Acting Separately (2/2)

The aura of burning youth contrasted starkly with the forbidding moss covered buildings.

Although River Bend Academy’s most famous figure was without a doubt the “Fire Witch” Donna, the academy was mainly based in skills which manipulated water. As a result, the air was filled with water vapor and the buildings were covered with dew like a forest in the early morning.

Meadows covered with mushrooms surrounded the road in and out of the academy.

The old building Stingham stood before was also covered with a variety of mushrooms.

At the moment, Stingham was contemplating how so many mushrooms had managed to grow atop the stone surface of the building before him.

Meanwhile, Liszt and Ciaran were standing nearby at the building’s entrance and talking to a gray robe wearing old man in hushed tones. They seemed to be bargaining.

The old man had a long and narrow face reminiscent of a mountain goat. His hair was rather dry and greasy, giving off the impression of a slob, yet his robes were sparkling with cleanliness.

Likely due to some disagreement, the voices of the three people abruptly increased slightly, allowing Stingham to faintly hear some of what they were saying.

“Stop joking you two. Although Professor Plum is my good friend, even I am not willing to…”

“Professor Kennedy let me say one more thing. As long as you hear this, you will definitely change your mind.”

“What?! He is silver…”

The conversation came to an abrupt stop.

The eyes of the old man seemed to be on the verge of falling out as they fixated upon Stingham, whom he had originally ignored.

“What is it?” Stingham shouted as he felt his hairs stand up on end.

He suddenly felt as if Liszt and Ciaran had sold him off without him knowing.

“No! Not possible!”

The old man’s expression abruptly sank as he violently shook his head and said, “It’s not possible, even if he is the inheritor of that kind of bloodline. Just by looking at him, I can tell that he is a complete idiot. It would be an absolute waste!”

“What?!”

Stingham’s eyes widened as he shouted frustratedly, “How could you tell that I am an idiot?!”

“Wait! That’s not what I mean! How do I look like an idiot?!” Tears gathered at the corners of Stingham’s eyes. After being called an idiot by Rinloran on a daily basis, he himself had become confused.

“See!” The old man’s face darkened as he looked triumphantly at Liszt and Ciaran.

“Ah, I see. Professor Kennedy, you thought he was the one. But he is Stingham. He is not Ayrin. He was supposed to go with Rui, but Rui had other matters, so we just let him follow us.” Liszt and Ciaran both chuckled as they waved at Stingham, “Stingham, move out of the way. Stop covering Ayrin.”

“……” Stingham was so infuriated that he almost fainted.

He moved, revealing Ayrin, who was quite a bit shorter, behind him.

Beside Ayrin stood Merlin, still carrying its massive metal case of parts.

The look in the old man’s eyes immediately changed.

For a long time, his gaze remained fixated upon Ayrin and the clockwork puppet standing beside him, as if he was seeing through him and their abilities.

“This is more like it. A true battlemaster.”

The old man sighed softly as he turned around and said, “Come with me.”

Smiles appeared on the face of Liszt and Ciaran.

“Hey! Just who are you? I’m so handsome, how could you mistake me for an idiot?!” Stingham shouted grumpily.

“Ignore it… it is only another proof of the laws of the world… every strong person will always have a couple idiot friends,” the old man muttered in a voice which was not soft as he walked forward.