Chapter 107 - 106: Departure

Chapter 107: Chapter 106: Departure

"Ms. Jelica, here is the thing..." Gaode felt the same way, thinking there was no need to beat around the bush with her.

When you showed up at someone’s door with a "business card" in hand, who wouldn’t know you were there to ask for a favor? Since that was the case, it was better to be straightforward with the request. If she was willing to help, great; if not, it was perfectly understandable, and he would simply think of another way. Acting coy and beating around the bush would only make him look petty.

"I heard that you will soon leave Bremen, taking an airship to follow the mage from Saint Sean City back there...

"Actually, I have always wanted to go to Saint Sean City, and I have been looking for a way.

"But as you know, Miss, for commoners like us, traveling from Bremen to Saint Sean City is extremely difficult."

Gaode took a small sip of his black tea, paying no mind to the specific taste of the premium brew, and continued, "So, Ms. Jelica, I would like to take the liberty of asking if you could bring me along when you head to Saint Sean City?

"I can pay the corresponding fees for this."

Gaode set down his teacup, quietly waiting for Jelica’s reply.

Hearing this, Ms. Jelica paused slightly. Gaode’s request was clearly out of her expectations. She gently stirred the black tea in her cup, a thoughtful glint flickering in her eyes. A moment later, she spoke slowly, "It makes sense. Being so young and possessing such craftsmanship, you naturally want to go out and make a name for yourself. Even if you don’t achieve greatness, it’s good to learn something new..."

Jelica didn’t ask about Gaode’s purpose for going to Saint Sean City; instead, she filled in the blanks herself. This made Gaode breathe a sigh of relief. If Jelica had actually questioned his motives, he wouldn’t have known how to answer.

He could have just made up an excuse... but his destination happened to be exactly the same as Jelica’s: the Cyrus Magic Academy. If they bumped into each other at the academy, even if she didn’t mind his lie, it would still be incredibly awkward. Yet, if he told the truth, it would make him seem too ambitious—a completely ordinary Repair Craftsman daring to dream of the "Cyrus Magic Academy." Furthermore, he couldn’t expose the matter of the recommendation letter, at least not until he had used it. After all, Mage Seda’s tragic precedent lay before him. Gaode didn’t want to gamble on Jelica’s character.

"It’s not impossible. For my trip to Saint Sean City, my father arranged for a butler and two maids to accompany me." Finally, Jelica smiled faintly and nodded. "To be honest, I’m going there to study, not to vacation. One maid is enough; two is a bit much.

"I can leave one maid behind and give her spot to you.

"As for the fees, there’s no need. I don’t have to pay anything to take the airship anyway."

Upon hearing this, joy and gratitude welled up in Gaode’s heart. He took a deep breath and said with utmost sincerity, "Thank you for your generosity, Ms. Jelica. I will remember your help."

"You’re welcome. It’s no big deal," Jelica’s tone remained very gentle. "I also look forward to the day you become a true master.

"As soon as Mage Frey resolves the issue with the Earth Vein, we should be setting off.

"I’ll send someone to notify you the day before we leave. You can pack your bags early these next few days and be ready to go at any time."

...

Leaving the City Lord’s Mansion, Gaode still felt a sense of unreality. He hadn’t expected the problem that had troubled him for so long to be solved this easily. He also hadn’t anticipated that Ms. Jelica would be so accommodating. Gaode sighed with emotion. She had agreed to take him along without even asking too many questions.

However, it was somewhat to be expected. With Gaode’s current status and strength, he was essentially a nobody in front of the prominent and highly talented eldest daughter of the City Lord’s Mansion. Jelica truly had neither the need nor the inclination to interrogate him. Still, taking him along was a tremendous favor no matter how you looked at it. It was just that the current Gaode really had no ability to repay her, so he could only silently keep it in his heart.

Returning to his home at 237 Camond, Gaode immediately began packing his luggage. He didn’t actually have much to bring because he didn’t possess many assets to begin with. Magic Formulas, potion recipes, a change of clothes, the Hidden Mist Fang, Magic Potions, and his savings of 222 gold coins—these were all his belongings.

While packing, Gaode caught sight of the two wooden water barrels he had set aside. It suddenly occurred to him that he hadn’t done his "daily draw" yet.

"Bought these for nothing," Gaode muttered, feeling a pang of regret. He had just spent a hefty sum of 10 silver coins on these barrels yesterday. But he couldn’t possibly drag two wooden barrels all the way to Saint Sean City. That would be a complete joke! ℯ

Thinking about this, Gaode walked over to one of the wooden barrels. Physical Strength and Mana flowed as the Magic Model for [Water Creation Skill+] in his Magic Star Sea was triggered. Magic Spirit Light coalesced at his fingertips. With the fluctuation of Magic Power, a fresh and moist aura began to permeate the air.

Gaode willed it into action. The next moment, ripples began to form in the previously empty space inside the wooden barrel. Water molecules, seemingly alive, rapidly gathered and condensed. As the Magic continued, the water level inside the barrel rose higher and higher.

By the time the Magic Spirit Light in Gaode’s hand dissipated, a quarter of the 8-gallon barrel was filled with a golden, translucent liquid. Fine ripples danced on the surface, and the distinct sweet aroma of honey slowly drifted from the barrel into the air. At the same time, a piece of information surfaced in Gaode’s mind like a flash of inspiration.

"Premium honey water." This was the random liquid "drawn" by the [Water Creation Skill+] this time.

"At least it’s not sewage..." Gaode thought as he scooped a cup of honey water from the barrel and gulped it down. The rich flavor of honey and the crispness of the water mingled in his mouth to create an exquisite taste, while the silky texture was incredibly refreshing.

He couldn’t help but calculate the business prospects in his mind, "No wonder it’s called premium honey water... It’s a pity it only lasts for a day, otherwise selling this big barrel of honey water would probably fetch a good price..."

In the following days, Gaode mainly focused on four things: eating, sleeping, cultivating, and waiting. He didn’t even have the heart for his work as a Repair Craftsman, leaving the "closed for rest" sign hanging day after day. During this time, he paid another visit to Pierre to inform the little old man of his decision to leave Bremen and head to Saint Sean City. Pierre offered nothing but his blessings.

"Keep it up, kid. I think you’re very likely to become a powerful Mage in the future."

"Not likely, definitely!" Gaode smiled, speaking with confidence.

Pierre burst into loud laughter.

...

Over these few days, Gaode routinely cast [Water Creation Skill+] once a day for his "first daily draw." After multiple castings, he gradually discovered some patterns to the [Water Creation Skill+].

For instance, although the description stated, "For the first Casting of this Magic each day, you can create other random liquids to replace water," it wasn’t actually completely random. There seemed to be a so-called "pity" mechanism. In his recent attempts, the random liquids Gaode obtained from [Water Creation Skill+] were always just "honey water," except for the first time which was "premium honey water." It seemed that standard "honey water" was the baseline. Drawing any other random liquid would mean he had struck it lucky.

On the 30th of the Harvest Month, the last day of the month, Gaode finally received a message from someone Jelica had sent: Mage Frey had completed his task and would set off back to Saint Sean City at nine o’clock tomorrow. Don’t be late.