Chapter 165:

Chapter 165: Chapter 165:

Chapter 165:

Osborne had gone through considerable trouble to conceal his abilities and keep his background hidden, and becoming the disciple of such a powerful mage could be useful in several situations.

Osborne looked at the old man again, feigning a contemplating look.

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" I’m eternally grateful, to think you’d see such promise in someone like me."

" I’d be honoured to become your disciple." Osborne eventually said.

" Hahaha! That’s the spirit boy!" The old man was pleased, letting out a good laugh. " I’ll take you back to my magic tower, once we’re there, I’ll open up those eyes of yours to the true wonders of magic."

The old man stroked his beard with a satisfied expression, clearly pleased with how things had turned out.

For a second there, he thought Osborne might hold a grudge and be petty rather than accepting outright.

After all, considering how he had treated the young man earlier, it wouldn’t have been particularly surprising if he had refused the offer out of spite, and although the old man wouldn’t have admitted it openly, he would have found such a response rather disappointing.

Fortunately, the young man seemed to understand the value of the opportunity being offered to him, he thought to himself.

However, just as the old man was about to say something else, Osborne’s voice suddenly interrupted him.

"But master, I’m afraid I cannot return with you."

"What? But you just accepted!" The old man said. "Is this how you intend to behave with your master?"

He raised his chin a bit, looking down at Osborne with an expression that suggested he was already beginning to regret his decision.

Osborne couldn’t help but feel a little awkward, although he had expected this reaction.

"Of course not, master, but I’m afraid there are things I still have to tend to in the outside world."

He tried to explain himself without sounding as though he was rejecting the old man’s offer, since that was certainly not what he intended.

The truth was that he still had several matters to take care of, and abandoning everything to follow the old man to his magic tower was simply out of the question.

He had only recently rescued Sasha, and although he had yet to reach Vonroth County, there were still plans he intended to carry out once they arrived.

More importantly, his current circumstances were rather complicated, and spending an unknown amount of time in a magic tower would only make it more difficult for him to pursue his own goals.

He couldn’t exactly tell the old man his vendetta against Roosevelt family as well, well at least not now.

There were simply too many things he wanted to keep private.

"If you’re worried about your family, we can simply have them move to the capital, next to the magic tower."

Osborne was momentarily speechless.

’Is this old man really that eager to take me as his disciple?’

He had only said that there were things he needed to take care of, yet the old man had already offered to move his entire family to the capital as though it were the easiest thing in the world.

It was rather generous, but unfortunately, it wasn’t going to solve his problem.

"I’m afraid it’s not a familial issue master."

Osborne answered while maintaining his respectful attitude.

"But please don’t be worried, I promise that after I’m done, I’ll be sure to meet with you at the magic tower."

He lowered his head slightly, speaking in a pleading tone as he tried to convince the old man to accept his arrangement.

He wasn’t sure how the old man would react, but he hoped that the promise of visiting the tower whenever he had free time would be enough to satisfy him.

At least, that was what Osborne wanted him to believe.

"Hmm..."

The old man stroked his beard as he pondered in silence.

He looked at Osborne for a while, seemingly trying to decide whether the young man was simply making excuses or if he genuinely had something important to take care of.

It wasn’t as though he couldn’t force the matter, considering the difference between their abilities, but doing so would probably defeat the purpose of taking him as a disciple in the first place.

Besides, the young man had already demonstrated an unusual level of talent, and the old man wasn’t particularly interested in making him resent his new master before their relationship had even begun.

"Fine then."

The old man finally agreed, although his expression suggested that he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the arrangement.

Osborne felt a little relieved, but he made sure not to show it too clearly.

The old man then waved his hand, and a token-like object appeared out of thin air.

The object was made from a beautiful azure material, with a smooth surface and several strange markings carved into it.

It was small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of a hand, and although Osborne couldn’t identify the material, he could sense a faint trace of mana coming from it.

"In case you run into trouble, use that."

The old man said as he handed the token over to Osborne.

"It’ll serve as a means of showing our affiliation."

Osborne stared at the azure token before looking back at the old man.

He hadn’t expected to receive something like this, especially when their relationship had only just begun, and although he didn’t know how useful it would be, it was certainly something worth keeping.

After all, being able to prove that he was affiliated with a powerful mage could come in handy when dealing with people who might otherwise cause him trouble.

Of course, he had no intention of using it carelessly, since doing so could also attract unwanted attention, but there was little reason to reject such a useful item.

"Thank you once again master, I promise I’ll treasure it as I do my life."

Osborne bowed his head, making sure to show the old man how grateful he was.

The old man looked satisfied after hearing that.

"Good."

He nodded, seemingly pleased with his new disciple’s attitude.