Kieran got out of the car and slowly approached the armed figure at the entrance .
It was an extremely buff elderly man of average height with a long white beard . If he had been holding a battle axe, he would have looked like a dwarf from a medieval tale .
Although he was not holding such a weapon, the dagger at his waist was not to be underestimated . The dagger reeked of a hidden, faint smell of danger that faded one moment and then appeared again at the next one .
Kieran's Intuition had gotten higher, so he trusted it with his life . He was still more vigilant than ever though .
As he was scanning the elderly man, the man scanned him back . Then he grinned .
"2567?" the old man asked .
"Who's asking?" Kieran replied . He was not surprised that the man knew his name .
If he had gone there with malicious intent, then it made sense that he would be prepared . Kieran's nickname was a basic piece of information .
"I'm Charles, your armor specialist and Simones' good friend . "
As he introduced himself, Charles extended his hand for a friendly handshake .
Kieran raised an eyebrow . Simones had said that he would introduce him to a master of alchemy and a craftsman that would repair his armor, but he hadn't described the person in detail . Kieran didn't know whether Charles was telling the truth, so he didn't take his hand .
"A vigilant young man!" Charles commented on Kieran's attitude . Before Kieran could answer, he said loudly, "Did Raul come with you? Raul? Raul!"
Raul instantly replied from behind them .
"Master Charles?" she asked as she approached Kieran . When she saw the elderly man, she gave him a happy hug .
"Master, it's been a while! What are you doing here in Johnny Town? I thought I'd have to go back to the West Coast to see you!" Raul greeted Charles in confusion .
"That old fella Simones called me, so I had to rush to meet you people . He was worried about 2567 not having proper armor and thought I might be of use on this trip . I came here earlier to wait for you, but it seems like you guys were late . Ran into some big trouble, did you?" Charles laughed as he took a look at the wrecked Picard .
"Yes, master! We were in a big pinch!" Raul nodded repeatedly, explaining about the earlier ambush .
Kieran glanced at Raul in surprise .
Maybe it was because of her scars and misfortune, but Raul had always been a quiet person . Most of the time she'd rely on her husband to communicate with others . She would only speak to a few acquaintances she was familiar with, but that was pretty much it .
This was the first time Kieran had seen Raul talk to someone like that .
"Strange, right? Truth be told, I am curious myself, but that's a good thing, right? Although Master Charles won't admit it, Raul treats him like a mentor," Cidney explained softly as he walked over .
Kieran and Schmidt nodded in realization .
Raul's explanation was very detailed . She actually went on for about 10 minutes . Charles asked a question from time to time as she elaborated even further .
"So this is really ancient alchemy!" Charles sighed .
"Ancient alchemy?" Schmidt muttered . This was not the first time he had come across the term .
"You must be the Chief Officer of the West Coast, Schmidt!"
Instead of answering Schmidt's question, Charles asked one of his own, trying to guess Schmidt's identity .
"Yes, that's me . Pleasure to meet you, Master Charles!" Schmidt nodded, greeting the elderly man politely .
"What about now?" Charles turned back to Kieran, extending his hand again with an amused expression in his eyes .
"Nice to meet you too, Master Charles . "
Kieran's face was calm and still . He only smiled faintly as he shook Charles' hand, which surprised Charles .
"Don't you feel awkward?" he asked .
"I didn't know who you were, so I had to be vigilant . Now that I know, my vigilance is not needed anymore . Why would I feel awkward?" Kieran replied with a question himself .
He was a young man who had grown up in a foster house and had been working to make a living ever since he was 14 . He had been through too many embarrassing situations . This was actually nothing in comparison .
"It seems like you are worthy of Rei's prophecy!" Charles praised Kieran . "Wait, are you feeling awkward now?" he asked when he noticed the unusual look on Kieran's face .
"2567 still won't accept his identity . He always feels embarrassed! I'm not laughing on purpose, 2567! I just can't help it every time you pull that face!" Schmidt said, laughing outrageously as he tapped the hood of the Picard .
The Picard was on the verge of breaking down after all that heavy tapping . It was completely wrecked now .
Not only had its engine died, but black smoke had also started to escape from the hood .
Kieran rolled his eyes at Schmidt . It was Schmidt's turn to feel awkward now .
"I bet there's a car mechanic in town!" Schmidt pointed out, trying to cover up his awkwardness .
"I'll save you the trouble! Come with me! Back when I was young, I had to use a couple of horses to carry all my things every time I went out! Now one car is enough for everything!" Charles said, leading the group into Johnny Town .
The group reached a garage, dragging the Picard with a limo before they stopped there .
The limo was pale blue in color . The car roof formed an arc, and clouds were drawn on the car doors . The rear of the car had a picture of a sun wearing sunglasses and chewing a cigar . It looked as if it had been drawn by a child .
Anyone who saw the limo would think that the owner was a fun person .
"If it's not a problem, I would suggest that we hit the road tonight . What do you say?" Charles suggested .
"That would be great!"
No one objected to his suggestion, as everyone was eager to reach Forende Town .
Raul and Cidney were itching to locate their friend Rukie, and Kieran wanted to discover Nikorei's whereabouts .
Schmidt was just tagging along with the group .
After moving all the stuff of the Picard into Charles' car, the group continued its journey .
Kieran wanted to fix his armor, so he went to the back of the limo .
"I can fix it before we reach Forende Town . "
Charles' words made Kieran feel relieved . Although [Paul's Camouflage] was not some magnificent defensive gear, Kieran would not let it go before he had a better replacement for it .
Having some armor on when facing a group of enemies was a lot better than exposing his bare flesh . Even more so when said enemies ganged up on him .
Kieran unconsciously recalled the Black Knights .
"Master Charles, were the Black Knights created by ancient alchemy as well?" Kieran asked .
"Their creation was based on ancient alchemy and some other hidden knowledge . I never would've thought that such knowledge would be preserved . . . " Charles corrected Kieran .
"What kind of knowledge?" Kieran asked .
Charles just smiled in reply .
The average-height elderly man took a pipe out of the limo's glove compartment and slowly stuffed it with tobacco .
He didn't look around for a lighter . Instead, he just snapped his fingers and the tobacco was lighted .
Kieran squinted his eyes .
Was Charles not relying on Magical items, but magic itself? There had been no incantation or gesture . Just a snap of his fingers and a fire had appeared .
Even though the fire was as small as a lighter's flame, the [Mystical Knowledge] involved had made quite an impact on Kieran's mind .
According to his understanding, this was not possible .
Charles, who was looking at Kieran's puzzled face, took a puff and produced a couple of smoke rings . Then he looped the smoke rings around his hand and dissipated them himself .
His childish behavior might have made people laugh or cry .
Kieran was still recalling the previous scene though .
"Is this the hidden knowledge that you spoke of?" he asked after a while .
"Maybe . . . " Charles said ambiguously . Before Kieran could ask any more questions, the alchemy master added, "Simones was hoping that I could teach you a little about alchemy . I want to educate the king of Rei's prophecy myself . It's just that . . . "
"You need to answer a question for me first . What do you think alchemy is? Think before you answer . I am fair with everyone! You will only get one chance . If your answer doesn't satisfy me, I don't care if Simones begged me, I still won't teach you a thing!"
Kieran shivered silently at the test .
He was not sure if Raul had gone through the same test before getting taught by Charles, but he was sure that Charles was not joking .
If his answer didn't satisfy him, he would lose this opportunity .
After giving it some thought, Kieran said, "Alchemy is…"
Just as he was about to spit out an answer, he held back his tongue .
Swallowing his noble, gracious words, he looked at Charles judgmentally . Charles was smiling . He had set up a trap for Kieran right from the beginning .
A word trap!
Everything had been meant to mess with Kieran's way of thinking and make him anxious about the things he would gain .
Charles had obviously succeeded . His lightning-fast move with his pipe and the snap of his fingers had broken Kieran's concentration completely .
Kieran's curiosity climaxed, making him almost lose his usual cool judgement .
If it wasn't for the mocking expression on his face, Charles might have succeeded in trapping Kieran .
He did not look like he was anticipating a serious answer though . His expression was that of someone about to make a joke!
Kieran drew in a deep breath, forgetting all the answers he had come up with .
He had come up with a new answer .
"Alchemy is…"
Kieran got out of the car and slowly approached the armed figure at the entrance . It was an extremely buff elderly man of average height with a long white beard . If he had been holding a battle axe, he would have looked like a dwarf from a medieval tale . Although he was not holding such a weapon, the dagger at his waist was not to be underestimated . The dagger reeked of a hidden, faint smell of danger that faded one moment and then appeared again at the next one . Kieran 39 s Intuition had gotten higher, so he trusted it with his life . He was still more vigilant than ever though . As he was scanning the elderly man, the man scanned him back . Then he grinned . 2567 the old man asked . Who 39 s asking Kieran replied . He was not surprised that the man knew his name . If he had gone there with malicious intent, then it made sense that he would be prepared . Kieran 39 s nickname was a basic piece of information . I 39 m Charles, your armor specialist and Simones 39 good friend . As he introduced himself, Charles extended his hand for a friendly handshake . Kieran raised an eyebrow . Simones had said that he would introduce him to a master of alchemy and a craftsman that would repair his armor, but he hadn 39 t described the person in detail . Kieran didn 39 t know whether Charles was telling the truth, so he didn 39 t take his hand . A vigilant young man Charles commented on Kieran 39 s attitude . Before Kieran could answer, he said loudly, Did Raul come with you Raul Raul Raul instantly replied from behind them . Master Charles she asked as she approached Kieran . When she saw the elderly man, she gave him a happy hug . Master, it 39 s been a while What are you doing here in Johnny Town I thought I 39 d have to go back to the West Coast to see you Raul greeted Charles in confusion . That old fella Simones called me, so I had to rush to meet you people . He was worried about 2567 not having proper armor and thought I might be of use on this trip . I came here earlier to wait for you, but it seems like you guys were late . Ran into some big trouble, did you Charles laughed as he took a look at the wrecked Picard . Yes, master We were in a big pinch Raul nodded repeatedly, explaining about the earlier ambush . Kieran glanced at Raul in surprise . Maybe it was because of her scars and misfortune, but Raul had always been a quiet person . Most of the time she 39 d rely on her husband to communicate with others . She would only speak to a few acquaintances she was familiar with, but that was pretty much it . This was the first time Kieran had seen Raul talk to someone like that . Strange, right Truth be told, I am curious myself, but that 39 s a good thing, right Although Master Charles won 39 t admit it, Raul treats him like a mentor, Cidney explained softly as he walked over . Kieran and Schmidt nodded in realization . Raul 39 s explanation was very detailed . She actually went on for about 10 minutes . Charles asked a question from time to time as she elaborated even further . So this is really ancient alchemy Charles sighed . Ancient alchemy Schmidt muttered . This was not the first time he had come across the term . You must be the Chief Officer of the West Coast, Schmidt Instead of answering Schmidt 39 s question, Charles asked one of his own, trying to guess Schmidt 39 s identity . Yes, that 39 s me . Pleasure to meet you, Master Charles Schmidt nodded, greeting the elderly man politely . What about now Charles turned back to Kieran, extending his hand again with an amused expression in his eyes . Nice to meet you too, Master Charles . Kieran 39 s face was calm and still . He only smiled faintly as he shook Charles 39 hand, which surprised Charles . Don 39 t you feel awkward he asked . I didn 39 t know who you were, so I had to be vigilant . Now that I know, my vigilance is not needed anymore . Why would I feel awkward Kieran replied with a question himself . He was a young man who had grown up in a foster house and had been working to make a living ever since he was 14 . He had been through too many embarrassing situations . This was actually nothing in comparison . It seems like you are worthy of Rei 39 s prophecy Charles praised Kieran . Wait, are you feeling awkward now he asked when he noticed the unusual look on Kieran 39 s face . 2567 still won 39 t accept his identity . He always feels embarrassed I 39 m not laughing on purpose, 2567 I just can 39 t help it every time you pull that face Schmidt said, laughing outrageously as he tapped the hood of the Picard . The Picard was on the verge of breaking down after all that heavy tapping . It was completely wrecked now . Not only had its engine died, but black smoke had also started to escape from the hood . Kieran rolled his eyes at Schmidt . It was Schmidt 39 s turn to feel awkward now . I bet there 39 s a car mechanic in town Schmidt pointed out, trying to cover up his awkwardness . I 39 ll save you the trouble Come with me Back when I was young, I had to use a couple of horses to carry all my things every time I went out Now one car is enough for everything Charles said, leading the group into Johnny Town . The group reached a garage, dragging the Picard with a limo before they stopped there . The limo was pale blue in color . The car roof formed an arc, and clouds were drawn on the car doors . The rear of the car had a picture of a sun wearing sunglasses and chewing a cigar . It looked as if it had been drawn by a child . Anyone who saw the limo would think that the owner was a fun person . If it 39 s not a problem, I would suggest that we hit the road tonight . What do you say Charles suggested . That would be great No one objected to his suggestion, as everyone was eager to reach Forende Town . Raul and Cidney were itching to locate their friend Rukie, and Kieran wanted to discover Nikorei 39 s whereabouts . Schmidt was just tagging along with the group . After moving all the stuff of the Picard into Charles 39 car, the group continued its journey . Kieran wanted to fix his armor, so he went to the back of the limo . I can fix it before we reach Forende Town . Charles 39 words made Kieran feel relieved . Although Paul 39 s Camouflage was not some magnificent defensive gear, Kieran would not let it go before he had a better replacement for it . Having some armor on when facing a group of enemies was a lot better than exposing his bare flesh . Even more so when said enemies ganged up on him . Kieran unconsciously recalled the Black Knights . Master Charles, were the Black Knights created by ancient alchemy as well Kieran asked . Their creation was based on ancient alchemy and some other hidden knowledge . I never would 39 ve thought that such knowledge would be preserved . . . Charles corrected Kieran . What kind of knowledge Kieran asked . Charles just smiled in reply . The average height elderly man took a pipe out of the limo 39 s glove compartment and slowly stuffed it with tobacco . He didn 39 t look around for a lighter . Instead, he just snapped his fingers and the tobacco was lighted . Kieran squinted his eyes . Was Charles not relying on Magical items, but magic itself There had been no incantation or gesture . Just a snap of his fingers and a fire had appeared . Even though the fire was as small as a lighter 39 s flame, the Mystical Knowledge involved had made quite an impact on Kieran 39 s mind . According to his understanding, this was not possible . Charles, who was looking at Kieran 39 s puzzled face, took a puff and produced a couple of smoke rings . Then he looped the smoke rings around his hand and dissipated them himself . His childish behavior might have made people laugh or cry . Kieran was still recalling the previous scene though . Is this the hidden knowledge that you spoke of he asked after a while . Maybe . . . Charles said ambiguously . Before Kieran could ask any more questions, the alchemy master added, Simones was hoping that I could teach you a little about alchemy . I want to educate the king of Rei 39 s prophecy myself . It 39 s just that . . . You need to answer a question for me first . What do you think alchemy is Think before you answer . I am fair with everyone You will only get one chance . If your answer doesn 39 t satisfy me, I don 39 t care if Simones begged me, I still won 39 t teach you a thing Kieran shivered silently at the test . He was not sure if Raul had gone through the same test before getting taught by Charles, but he was sure that Charles was not joking . If his answer didn 39 t satisfy him, he would lose this opportunity . After giving it some thought, Kieran said, Alchemy is Just as he was about to spit out an answer, he held back his tongue . Swallowing his noble, gracious words, he looked at Charles judgmentally . Charles was smiling . He had set up a trap for Kieran right from the beginning . A word trap Everything had been meant to mess with Kieran 39 s way of thinking and make him anxious about the things he would gain . Charles had obviously succeeded . His lightning fast move with his pipe and the snap of his fingers had broken Kieran 39 s concentration completely . Kieran 39 s curiosity climaxed, making him almost lose his usual cool judgement . If it wasn 39 t for the mocking expression on his face, Charles might have succeeded in trapping Kieran . He did not look like he was anticipating a serious answer though . His expression was that of someone about to make a joke Kieran drew in a deep breath, forgetting all the answers he had come up with . He had come up with a new answer . Alchemy is
Chapter end
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