35

"Wait, Your Grace? Other disciples, what does that mean?" When Arthur could hear his own voice, he knew he had been kicked out from the Voice Library. The news Aoide dropped at the very last moment was too explosive that Arthur had a hard time maintaining a meditative state.

Unfortunately, this meant that he did not get a reply to his answer. Arthur did not know about the competitiveness between the divine beings and they had the hobby of pitting their disciples against one another. Arthur sighed. He dreaded the extra trouble but at the very least, his patroness did warn him about it first lest he got ambushed by others.

Realizing there was nothing else he could do other than be careful and always make sure to have an eye behind his back, Arthur stood up to prepare for lunch. Then, he realized the pipe that was supposed to be sitting before him had disappeared. The goddess really had taken it as a sacrifice. After he heard the pipe's full potential in the Voice Library, Arthur had the thought to cultivate the hypnotic magic for his own use but since the pipe was gone, that was nothing but a failed dream.

Arthur grabbed some money that was left behind from his previous quest and exited his home to go to the market to buy some food. When he left his house, Arthur realized the sun had sunk lower than he expected.

The visit to the Voice Library had taken a much longer time than he expected. Arthur wondered if it was related to the surrender of the musical instrument because the last time he entered this meditative state, it did not take that long. Arthur was placed under the pipe's hypnosis for longer than he thought, that was the explanation that the young man came up with.

No wonder his stomach had been grumbling so noisily, he had missed one whole meal. Arthur ran to Ol' Smith because he remembered he was supposed to meet Felicia at the tavern that night. He would also settle his dinner there.

When Arthur arrived, Felicia was already there and she had a friend with her. They were chatting amiably at one of the tables. It was Felicia who spotted Arthur first, she waved for him to join them at their table.

As Arthur walked over, Billy yelled in that signature boisterous voice of his, "Arthur, my man. Come on, let me treat you for a job well done! Your very first quest, how does it feel?!"

Arthur slid into the seat next to Billy. The atmosphere at the table was friendly and nice. Arthur ordered a healthy meal from Ol' Smith before turning to ask for updates from Billy and Felicia. The last time Arthur talked to Billy, he was on his way to take over the instructor post from Emile.

"Actually, the job is more fulfilling than I thought. I might enjoy it more than adventuring. It's a nice feeling teaching young kids the ways of adventuring and that glow in their eyes when they are asked to put on their very first set of armour and sword. I don't know, I might consider doing this permanently." Billy said after he had a big gulp of the ale. This honestly came as a surprise to Arthur because he never once considered Billy the type to want to settle down. It appeared like he had never really known his friend well.

Arthur thought that was a good thing if Billy was really interested in the job, after all, it was much safer than adventuring, however, there was a question that was on his mind, "But if you are going to do this permanently, what about Emile? I remember there is only one post open for instructor at Armana."

Emile was previously the assigned instructor at Armana. Arthur could not see the man willingly surrendering his post to Billy without raising a fuss.

Billy answered, "Emile woke up while you guys were still out completing the quest. The villagers were afraid that he might go look for you to take revenge so they quickly told him you were currently away from the village...

"But Arthur, you seem to have done the man in. According to some village rumours, the man visibly flinched when your name was brought up. After that, I hear Emile handed in his resignation from his post and left the village with his little brother who was still unconscious. Based on what he told the others, he was going to travel the world to search for someone who could cure his little brother but from how I see it, he's just afraid of you and wants to run away before you return."

Arthur felt like Billy had given him too much credit and had underestimated Emile's love and concern for his little brother. Regardless, since the man had already left the village, there was no reason to dwell on him anymore. Therefore, Arthur merely nodded along to what Billy had to say.

Felicia suddenly chimed in to ask, "By the way, Billy, how is your leg injury? Are you feeling better?"

Billy bumped himself on his chest and said, "Of course, who do you think you're talking to? I've never been better! A little injury is not going to slow me down!" Then, he reached across the table to pull the mug of ale away from Felicia. "However, you shouldn't be drinking since you're injured. Why didn't you take better care of yourself? You were always so cautious."

"Hey!" Felicia countered, "But you have been drinking when you were injured as well so you have no right to lecture me! Plus, this is only my first glass, I'll know when to stop."

"That's different, I have the physical training to stomach the alcohol even in a state of injury..."

"That's just a load of nonsense! I paid for the drinks already, give it back to me..."

"No way..."

Suddenly, Arthur felt like he was third-wheeling...