To Kanter, Dokibell’s routine arrivals usually meant nothing. But this time, he was very surprised to see who was riding on the bear’s back.
Seeing Sennefer was still fine since she should totally be here. But why would Sunders stay with her?
Confused, Kanter looked further ahead and saw Sunders speaking to an apprentice.
“Wait, apprentice?”
Kanter didn’t remember seeing Sunders talking to apprentices in such a peaceful way, except for when he was together with that particular young man he couldn’t stop showing off to other people.
Kanter failed to hold back his curiosity and triggered his Bloodline power to enhance his eyesight.
His blatant move easily alerted Sunders.
When Sunders looked at Kanter, Angor also followed his lead and checked what was going on down there.
“Ah, that’s Mister Kanter. Wait, what’s that in his hand? Isn’t that—”
“The Monument Loop,” Sunders deadpanned.
Angor instantly realized what was going on. He knew his professor must have taken the “toy” to others and showed it off to people.
“No, that isn’t worth my time.” Sunders read Angor’s mind. “I left in a hurry when I detected my blood sphere and didn’t lock my room, giving Kanter a chance to slip inside.”
“I see, sir.” Angor clearly didn’t mean those words.
Sunders humphed, embarrassed.
“There’s some extra content to Monument Valley. Maybe we won’t need them...” Angor mumbled in a loud voice to let Sunders hear him.
“Ahem. Show me, so that I can evaluate your illusion studies again. But remember, use your precious time on something more... productive, if you can.”
“Of course, sir.” Angor faked an honest smile.
Meanwhile, Kanter was really shocked to see Angor showing up here. He couldn’t understand how Mister Rein would allow such an important resource of Brute Cavern to dive straight into danger.
“Wait a second... According to Sunders, it was Angor who made this Monument Loop thing. I can ask for another one from the boy so that I don’t have to beg it from Sunders’ stingy hands! Nice. And I can tell Angor to replace Ida with my dear Keely. That would be better!”
Several apprentices showed up around him and interrupted his fantasies.
He saw Bobota among the coming group too. He had been assisting Bobota occasionally because Bobota was a talented apprentice of Brute Cavern. Besides, Bobota helped him greatly when solving the puzzles of Monument Valley.
“You want to get chosen as their trainer, I take it?”
The fat apprentice beside Bobota quickly nodded. “Yes, sir. I promise I can get them into shape as fast as possible!”
“Fast, huh?” Kanter smiled. “Just before the deadline?”
“Heh heh... No, sir. But it can’t be helped if, you know, the new arrivals are too dumb to learn.”
“Humph. I know what you’re thinking. And it’s fine, giving you a few days to rest.”
“Thank you very much, Mister Kanter!”
When Kanter proceeded to assign them new jobs, Bobota was looking at a bright-haired woman on top of Dokibell with an anxious expression.
“Witch of Wasteland” Sennefer.
“If Sennefer is here, then that guy will come soon after... That will be my chance.”
Bobota grasped the crimson chain he carried on his body with a cruel look.
“Oi, you alright, Bobota?” His fat partner nudged him. “Mister Kanter just gave us the roster. We’re going to brief the new workers in a minute.”
Bobota woke up from his thoughts and saw the apprentices on Dokibell flying down.
“Okay, I’ll be there right away.” Bobota sighed. He didn’t want to draw any attention right now, which meant he had to accept the arrangement and go with the flow, even though he didn’t want this new job.
“Only sixteen?” The fat apprentice complained while reading the file he just obtained, “I wish they could bring us more.”
“That’s because we’re talking about the Overwatch Base.” Bobota went to Dokibell to inspect the new apprentices.
Soon, the three of them gathered up all sixteen new workers and were going to take them to check out the other parts of the base.
The child with braided hair suddenly stopped moving and pointed to Dokibell again. “Hey, there’s another apprentice up there. Isn’t he going to come with us?”
Bobota looked that way and widened his eyes in shock.
“Angor came as well??”
“You know him, Bobota?”
“Yeah. He’s Mister Phantom’s student. He probably is not with the new guys. Let’s leave him be.”
He turned away and headed to the base first.
“Don’t you get in my way...” Bobota cursed when no one was looking.
...
Angor, on the other hand, did not notice that one of his former customers was here. He was embarrassingly waiting for Sunders and Kanter, who were arguing over the Monument Loop.
“You shamelessly stole it from my room, and now you want Angor to make you a new one? Really?” Sunders pointed at Kanter’s nose.
“That’s two different matters!”
“Either way, this is not happening. I will not agree.”
“I’m not asking you!” Kanter glared at Sunders, before throwing Angor an amiable smile. “Angor, my friend, while Keely did not mention your name much, I know she likes you. Come on. Help this old man out and I’ll help you leave her some good impression in return.”
Angor frowned. What’s this to do with Keely all of a sudden?
Since Kanter was Sunders’ good friend, Angor did not want to reject the request directly and appear rude. He could only look at his professor, hoping for suggestions.
“I said no. You have an urgent project to work on recently; you don’t have time to do random business with others,” said Sunders.
“Erm, urgent project, sir?” What project??
“You told me yourself, no? You need to show me your illusion studies.”
“I—I see. Ahem.” Angor gave Kanter an apologetic look. “Mister Kanter, I came to the Abyss because I have something very important to discuss with my professor. I’m about to challenge the wizard level soon. I’m afraid everything else must wait.”
“Hold it, you’re about to hit the wizard level?” Kanter showed a look of disbelief.
Didn’t he just reach level-3 last time we met? What the heck did he do??
Kanter found it impossible to persuade Angor now. As an elderly wizard, it would be way too shameless for him to hinder Angor’s progress just because he wanted a plaything.
“Hey, hey... Sunders? Can I borrow this Monument Loop for a little longer? I’m about to reach the end. I can’t sleep well again if I don’t finish it.”
Sunders scoffed, “You’ve been playing it for a full year, and you still haven’t done it?”
“But I didn’t actually get to keep it for a year! You just won’t give it to me, as if it’s some kind of cherished heirloom.”
“Fine. Take it and be on your way, I still have other business to do.” Sunders took Angor and walked away. “You only have two weeks, by the way. After that, give it back whether you like it or not.”