Chapter 132 - 128. Seven Ether
"Isn’t it weird?" Zein frowned as they get out of the car. "You buy something from me to give it...to me..."
Zein had argued that Bassena should have just told him to reserve a portion of the aetherite for him, and only paid for the artisan and enchanter service. But the esper just laughed at that and argued back.
"Then it wouldn’t be a present," Bassena said. "Especially with what happened this week, I want to give you some protection."
"Then I should pay for it myself,"
Bassena turned to look at the guide, giving the man an exasperated smile. "I told you I want to gift you a present. Can you just let a man do his courting?"
Zein...had no argument for that.
So he just begrudgingly followed the courting man into what appeared to be an ordinary house. It was quite an ordinary residence, with a simple lawn and minimalistic exterior, despite being spacious. The spacious aspect being the existence of a long building that seemed to be a workshop.
Bassena knocked on the door once and someone opened the door readily, a teenage boy of fifteen or sixteen that got Zein frozen for a bit. The boy told them to enter after greeting Bassena timidly, and Zein exhaled unconsciously, feeling relieved that the boy was very different from the twins.
Following Bassena further, they arrived at what seemed to be a living room. But one side of the wall had an open window and a counter that made it look like a store instead. A store with a very homey and cozy waiting room.
"Don’t you know people had been looking for you? What are you doing suddenly coming here?" a stern voice greeted them behind that counter-like window, and Zein could see an old man, older than old man Dan, standing with crossed arms.
Despite his age, however, the old man had a bulking physique and sturdy arms, with a face covered in a thick mustache and beard. At a glance, he seemed to be irritated, but there was no malice in his voice or his gaze. Actually, he looked like he was quite glad to see them--or rather, seeing Bassena.