Chapter 9 Moonlit Orchid

Huin town inn have become full as of late and people who are not a resident of Huin town started to flock around the town.

"They came for the Moonlit Orchid that was about to bloom as well as the high grade beast that was going to be attracted by the scent of Moonlit Orchid, as you know, beast core is a valuable objects"

"Are you also here for the Orchid?"

Yuna asked after getting an explanation from the Apothecary about the sudden influx of people in Huin town.

The apothecary who was verifying Yuna potion pause before nodding her head

"I have an information early and the apothecary seat happen to be vacant on Huin town so I came earlier, after obtaining the Moonlit Orchid, I will leave"

"...Oh"

The apothecary put down the potion and looks up at Yuna from her seat who's have an impassive expression and is not surprised or showing more of an excessive emotion after hearing that she will leave.

"I live in the capital, as my disciple, you can leave with me. I'm sure your grandfather will agreed if he consider about your future"

Yuna tuck her black hair that had not been cut short and was letting to grow freely for a year.

"He will agree but I don't want to, I will come to the capital after three years to register myself at one of the academy in the capital"

"Do you have the confidence that you can get application of acceptance? The competition to enter the capital academy is fierce"

"….well, I can just go back and open a small bakery shop. My aspiration is not that high"

The apothecary have an exasperate expression after hearing the low aspirant exclamation of Yuna

"Why do I accept a hapless person as my disciple again?"

"Because of my 100% purity" Yuna state in a matter-of-fact tone

The apothecary gave a snort but does not comment on it.

"Here"

Yuna caught a medallion that the apothecary flicks towards her.

"How can I lose face when my one and only disciple could not even get an application at one of the best academy? Just used that to enter through the back door"

Yuna gave a clear look at the medallion, the size comparable to the Olympic gold medal size.

"Zahia Elliohart" Yuna read out the name that was carved on the medallion "Is this your name?"

"Hmm…"

"Ohh...thank you Sensei, I'll make sure to used this and surely enter the academy"

If there is an easy way, Yuna will not say No to it. She does not have the strong mentality and self pride of 'I will achieve it with my own ability' in the first place.

"Not curious about my identity?"

"Who cares..." its' not like I will ascend to immortality if I know, Yuna thought dismissively.

The apothecary smile at the answer "I am the high elder of the Mage Tower at the capital as well as the guild master of the Apothecary Guild stationed at the Capital"

"…Oh…Cool"

Yuna expression remains nonchalant. Well, novels always have hidden dragons and crouching tigers and those of them seems to always have an unassuming appearance.

Status and such have always been an uninteresting topic for her.

After years of interacting with Yuna, the apothecary whose name is Zahia Elliohart has understand some temperament of her hapless, unmotivated and lazy disciple and she knows just what will attract her curiosity.

"My current appearance is fake"

That finally elicits a surprise reaction from Yuna.

"….You mean you're not an old hag?"

Speechless, Zahia scold "What old hag, mages age hardly. I'm only 45 years old"

45 yrs old as a mage will look no more than 20-25 years old.

"Then that appearance is a disguise?....wait is this some sort of hiding one's identity to not be discovered by people?"

Yuna guess wildly.

"In some way" Zahia look at Yuna increasing interest expression and Zahia enjoy the attention immensely "…I won't show you my real appearance, come to the capital and I will show you"

Yuna eyes dim "Oh….. I'll see your true appearance three years later than"

"Or you can come to the capital with me and you can see" Zahia tempt again. She really wants to show off her disciple to her peers as soon as possible ah.

"Forget it"

"This brat… what's so good about this town" Zahia carefully scrutinize her disciple and seem to thought of something "…Is it because of that kid…Austin?"

"Mind your own business old hag Ouch—"

Yuna cover her forehead that was knocks hard and glare at her Sensei

"Call me old hag again…" Zahia threatens.

Yuna just purse her lips and stays silent.

Just not Austin, Yuna also want to save more money so that she and her grandfather could move to the capital and open a shop in the capital.

Her only family member, Yuna does not want to leave him behind at all. Her grandfather who lost his children and wife? will be too lonely if even Yuna leave him.

His expectation was that Yuna could attend a more prestigious academy and Yuna wish is for her grandfather to accompany her everywhere.

….

"I won't be attending school for a week, I take an escort job" Austin informed Yuna who was sitting in front of him eating her lunch.

"To guide those outsiders inside the forest?"

"Umm… they seem to be looking for a type of flower that blooms only once after every fifty years"

"Moonlit Orchid, sensei told me about it" Yuna look at Austin who was listening quietly "There is going to be high level beast that will get attracted by the scent of the flower that blooms"

"….Umm… they guarantee my safety"

"…..Come to the Apothecary store before the departure"

Yuna feel that she should not interfere in the decision making of Austin.

Everyone have their own consideration and it was not in her place to stop them when she cannot help them to attain the things that they seek and jump into dangerous situation for.

The plants that will bloom beside the Moonlit orchid will be influenced by the flower and gains a property which can enhance a potion to a greater degree.

Austin must've aim for those plants to enhance the potion of her mother and get rid of the ailments for good.

In the novels, because Austin have to earn a daily income to purchase just one potion, he could not partake in the expedition of obtaining the Moonlit Orchid and the expedition was only mention in passing in the novels.

That was what Yuna thought because she don't actually remember the contents of the novel well anymore but her hypothesis seems to be the most likely. Now that Austin has a week worth of potion that his mother can consume, he can leave with ease of heart.

The day of the expedition came faster than expected.

"These are potions that can treat wounds, don't lose them"

Yuna pack the potion neatly and instruct Austin to keep them in a safe place.

"…..Thank you"

"Just come back safely"

Austin takes a step forward and hugs the fussy girl

"Don't worry, I will come back" for you and for my mother.

For the two most important persons in his life, he will make sure to return to them.

A sweet feeling well up inside Austin when he thought of the people he will be eager to return to, someone waiting eagerly for him, a place where he feel home.