The cunning NPC and the heroine who misread the situation (part 3)

"Thank you for your help, young Miss. I've heard a lot about you! I would be honored if you would be so gracious as to discuss the topic of medicine with me – of course, at a time, date, and place that you would find comfortable!"

The black-haired boy's voice changed from the voice of a serious individual to the happy-go-lucky tone of a carefree youngster.

"Ahaha! That's our Medea! He could never let a chance like that slip by!"

The fruit stall owner backed him up – whether it was intentional or not – but now Ava really wanted to learn more about him – if possible, as much as possible, including the very likely possibility of him being a reincarnation.

"Just Ava is fine. As a way to apologize for my guard's terrible behavior towards you, I will grant that request. I will send a messenger your way once all the details are worked out... where do you live, mister Medea?"

The girl decided to put herself in a better light and soften the black-haired boy with the sudden familiarity – although she realized a second too late that she wasn't the first one to do that...

"Alright, Ava~! I live with my master – a potion master called Gerard. We moved into Startinton a few years ago. I've heard a lot about you, so I look forward to your message! Here, this one is for you~!"

Medea didn't even blink and picked the girl on her offer, jumping right to the first name basis and even pushing one of his fruits into her hands without waiting for her approval.

"I have to go now. Ava, master Gerard isn't very patient when it comes to food and people. Have a good day!"

The black-haired boy added and left, disappearing into the crowd of people that gathered to enjoy the show.

"Thank you for your patience. Let's go."

The pixie-cut girl turned around and nodded at the soldiers even livelier than usual – and this time, it wasn't just an act! She really was excited about the meeting with another reincarnation.

"Young Miss! You can't be serious about meeting him later! You don't know what he is capable of!"

"Stop causing a scene..."

But then, as if wanting to sour her mood, Theo howled, causing the soldiers holding him down to shake their heads in disappointment.

With that, the whole group returned to the renovated mansion that initially belonged to the lower noble who owned that land but died without anyone to inherit it.

Being able to live there was de facto the first telltale sign that Ava and her uncle Benjamin would be granted the noble title sooner rather than later.

The rest of the day passed peacefully and without much changes to the normality.

Once again, the captain of the soldiers dispatched to keep an eye on Ava and Benjamin's safety was joining them for an evening meal.

"...young Miss, I don't want to say I told you – but let's be honest, I clearly did tell you that Theodore alone can't provide you safety. It was reported to me how much of an embarrassment he was – and not only that, even though mister Medea didn't lodge an official complaint, Jacob, the fruit stall owner, did so on his behalf."

Hector finished his food and said, after putting down the cutlery.

"...what can I say to that? Apparently, both Medea and Theo have some kind of history together."

Ava shrugged her shoulders and said, making sure that Hector would not notice how tense she became because of the subject.

"It would be nice if Theodore actually spoke up about it and not just claimed that mister Medea is a terrible person. Because from my personal experience, that is very far from the truth."

"Really? What do you know about Medea?"

The captain of the soldiers sighed and declared with a grim face causing Ava to stop worrying and ask with interest.

"Mister Medea moved to this town more or less four years ago. He is a stay-in apprentice of an eccentric healer, Gerard, who originally wanted to learn the secret of the miraculous tonic but ended up settling here for good because of the peace and quiet that allows him to brew potions in peace."

Since the topic was about Medea and not Theo, Hector began to speak without much encouragement at all.

"Putting Gerard aside, mister Medea is a very competent young man who has more knack for business than for making potions. He is capable and quick-witted and enjoys helping others when it involves haggling – in his own words, it keeps his wits sharp."

Hector added, and one didn't have to be particularly observant to notice the overwhelmingly favorable opinion the captain had about the black-haired boy just from the tone of voice he was using.

"By any chance, did Medea help you buy something, sir Hector?"

"Yes, he did, indeed."

Benjamin, who still wasn't done with his food, took a sip of mead from his cup and asked, to which Hector nodded and proudly tapped the sword at his side.

"Two years ago, one of the traveling merchants passing Startinton on his way to the capital had this peculiar weapon and a few other accessories that all had one thing in common – they were binding items."

The officer explained, caressing the handle of the weapon that, upon closer look at the shape of the sheath, was more of a saber than a regular shortsword.

"I'm ashamed to say that the original weapon I received upon advancing in ranks was stolen from me... an officer sword is bestowed upon the soldier for the rest of his days, so of course, I couldn't ask for a new one."

For a moment, Hector's face turned grim.

"So you could probably understand that chancing upon the weapon that was the same design as my old saber while also being a binding item – meaning that it is impossible to be stolen – was not something I could forgo."

But then the man's face lighted up again as he continued his story.