Chapter 69: The Offer.

Chapter 69: The Offer.

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[Adam C. POV]

I gasped, my lungs seizing as I awoke.

My mind swam in a foggy haze of misdirection, unable to recall for the briefest of moments where I was or why I felt so much pain.

My body hurts.

A lot.

It was a dull ache, throbbing throughout my entire body, but despite how terrible it felt, it was nothing compared to the searing pain I remembered experiencing before.

That's good.

That means I'm healing.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to open my eyes, but only one seemed to respond.

Had I lost an eye?

Or was I too injured to fully function?

Panic washed over me, and I forced myself to remain calm as I slowly took in my surroundings.

Within my limited mobility, I managed to scan what I could of my body.

Noticing the layers of bandages that swaddled me like a mummy.

Working through the pain, I gingerly touched my face, only to find it also wrapped in the same gauzy material.

I guess that explains why only one eye works.

I tried to move my legs, but they barely reacted to my commands, leaving me feeling like a prisoner in my own body.

I sighed.

I guess it was to be expected.

I survived and that's what it matters.

Turning my attention to the room, I noticed I found myself in a humble, quaint space. N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

It seemed to be a bedroom of some sort, with a small window letting in the warm sunlight that danced across the wooden floor. The air was filled with the delicate scent of flowers, and I couldn't help but feel soothed by their presence.

Taking in the various bouquets of flowers and roses that seemed to occupy every corner, I started to wonder who had brought me here.

A million questions swirled through my head, but no answers presented themselves. But despite the pain and confusion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of serenity in this room.

I smiled.

I really needed to train more, I can't do this again... using more power than my body can handle.

I might not survive next time.

I don't remember the last time I felt as weak as I do right now.

I could hardly move.

Breathing seemed to take most of my energy.

Taking a deep breath, my gaze drifted to one corner of the room, and I blinked in surprise.

Standing in a corner, there was an old man wearing green robes decorated with golden laces around the edges, tending to the plants around the room with a gentle kind touch, watering each one slowly.

I couldn't believe I hadn't seen him before, especially with the absurd amount of magic power I could feel within him. It was strange, he seemed to blend in with the foliage as if he were a part of the natural landscape.

I had trouble making out who he was, though that was mostly because it seemed my one working eye was determined not to cooperate with me.

As if sensing my gaze, the old man looked up and caught my eye. A mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes as he chuckled, "Ah, I see you've caught me in the act. I must apologize, but I was peeing in the plants, it's good for them!"

Now that I think about it... his watering tool was suspiciously low in terms of position...

Gross.

For a brief moment considering all of the facts, I believed him, my expression a mixture of shock and disbelief, but not really caring seeing he had treated my wounds.

However, his laughter quickly dispelled that idea, as he turned around, holding up a small watering can with a sheepish grin.

"Just a joke, my friend," He said, his voice warm and full of life. "I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing to these beauties, while there are people watching."

I couldn't help but chuckle at this, despite the pain it caused. The old man's humor brought a spark of light to my otherwise dim situation.

He approached my bedside, setting the watering can down on a small table.

The thing was, this... level of self-injury wasn't a normal occurrence to me.

"Oh, I see," I smiled at him. "Don't worry though, I won't use that again. The reason I got this... hurt was because I let out more power than I could handle, it won't happen again."

Warrod sighed, shaking his head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. While it is true that you seem to have a way to... contain your power within yourself, the magnitude behind your power is immense, and if left unchecked, it's only a matter of time before it consumes you from within."

I furrowed my brows. "And you think you can help me with that?"

I didn't doubt his capabilities, after all, those who reach their old age in this career are worthy of respect, especially when so high in the rankings, but the thing was... I wasn't one to take on a master, all I have ever needed was Zanryuzuki.

Warrod nodded. "Yes, I can. Look I might be wrong, and you might be okay without my help, but... I might be right, and that chance is more than enough for me to know I have to help."

I considered his words for a moment. The thought of having a mentor was daunting.

But then again, it couldn't hurt to learn from someone else.

"And you hired me... for that, to train me?" I asked, tilting my head slightly to the side, feeling nothing but pain...

Note to self, limit your body language and expressions to Vin Diesel levels, aka zero.

Warrod chuckled, giving me a small nod. "If you're wondering about whether or not there is a monetary reward, there is 15,000,000. Jewels."

Holy fuck, that's a lot of money.

"That's... too much, especially considering I would be doing nothing really, just... training with you," I said, wondering if he was joking or not.

I mean, I didn't mind getting some easy money, but this felt like I was scamming him...

If anything, I should be paying him for "training" me, not the other way around.

Warrod shrugged, rolling his eyes. "Ah, relax! I have the funds, and I think your potential is worth the investment. But it's up to you, of course. You can walk away from this offer if you want."

"I really wanna say no... but...." I muttered, talking mostly about the money, not the offer to train me.

"Excellent! I knew you would say yes!" Warrod grinned, not even letting me finish my sentence.

I...

Fine, if he wants to give his retirement fund, I won't complain.

God knows I need the money with the destructive family I was gifted with.

Gildarts alone represents a black hole in my pocket.

"I still think it's... too much money though," I sighed, smiling at the old man.

"Not really," Warrod replied, grinning at me. "As one of the Wizard Saints, I get a sizable monthly stipend from the Kingdom."

Wait...

They get paid!?!

...

Hm...

That explains how the old man pays for half of the destruction the Guild causes.

"Very well then," I replied, taking a deep breath. "I accept your offer, though I would still like to... visit the Guild, or... to be precise, Porlyusica..."

"Oh, about that-" Warrod began, however before he could finish, the door to the room burst open with a resounding thud as a woman with a fierce expression stormed in, her glare fixed on me.

Porlyusica.

I gulped, my heart pounding in my chest as she approached the bed.

I have no idea why she scared me so much.

Her eyes narrowed as she began inspecting my bandaged body, her touch clinical and efficient. "You absolute moron," she muttered under her breath, her tone a mixture of exasperation and concern. "How could you possibly manage to get yourself this injured?! Are you suicidal?! You know what?! Forget I asked that, of course, you are, like every moron in the Guild!"

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, I winced as she prodded a particularly tender spot. Warrod, who had been watching the exchange with a bemused expression, cleared his throat.

"Young lady, give the poor lad a break," Warrod chided gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He's only just woken up."

The woman, Porlyusica, huffed and stepped back, her gaze never leaving mine. "Get lost before I make a nightstand out of you," she growled, crossing her arms. "Founder or not, this moron of a kid deserves an earful, especially because he made me travel two weeks to get here to treat him! So I won't tolerate any nonsense, either from him or from you!"

I made the reclusive nomad travel... two weeks to get here... oh god... she will broom me to death.

I swallowed hard, my eye wide. "I'm sorry... It... won't happen again?"

Porlyusica's expression softened ever so slightly. "Not even Makarov would believe that," she murmured, her voice almost tender. "Considering the alternative was death, I suppose you did well... Just don't make a habit of this, or I will finish what the other party didn't, okay?"

I nodded, my throat dry.

"I will start preparing my lab, don't move," Porlyusica gave me one last stern look before turning on her heel, and walking out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Warrod chuckled softly, shaking his head. "She may be rough around the edges, but she has a good heart."

Rough around the edges was an... understatement, but yeah, he was right.

"Yeah," I replied with a smile.