An unlikely alliance formed between the two young men who came from very different backgrounds. One was the grandson of a former member of the Hero and the other just knew that his father had gone to war against the Beastkins and never returned ever since that day.
But both of them shared one thing in common that might just bring them together.
A passion for alchemy.
One might say that Owen was only chasing the dreams of his father in the past, and that Tobias only wanted to earn enough money for his family—but it still stood. The both of them sat together and discussed potions and equipment during lunch.
They were concentrating on their current conversation and there was absolutely nothing that could stop two young men who put their heads together for their own good.
"Would you like a second filling, Owen?" The Innkeeper Therese smiled at him.
The young man looked up from his half-eaten bowl and only nodded. "Thank you, but—"
"Eat up." The older woman smiled and poured another fresh batch of her stew. Only someone like the Innkeeper could cut into the conversation and forced what she deemed to be a thin boy to eat up.
Owen Liddell looked into his bowl and tried to find space for another serving. It was mostly a thick soup of potatoes and vegetables locally grown, and with just a bit of—
"Why does he get to have some of the beef?" Tobias groused.
"Now, now you only have to ask." The Innkeeper rolled her eyes at her son and refilled his bow with a laden of their meat stew. "Besides, it's not that often that we have a guest. Hah, maybe next time when the Farmer from Rockfall Village drops by, we'll be able to get good beef."
"Rockfall Village?" Owen raised a brow. It was a peculiar name, but sure enough, it was envisioning the place more that made him more curious.
The idea of cows and rocks didn't actually fit well in his mind.
Tobias shrugged and continued eating without batting an eye. The young man could have gone away without explaining a word, but he did it.
"It's a village that's practically at the edge of the continent, near the Rocky Cliffs. How cows survive there, don't ask me though. Must be some variant of rock cows who chew rocks maybe? Beats me."
"Yeah, I think I can tell that much from the name… but I haven't seen it on the map before," Owen said. He slurped some of the soup in his bowl. The taste was actually good after he got used to the fatty sauces and he made sure to compliment the Innkeeper. "This is quite appetizing, thank you."
"Well, it's not like you remember every detail on a map can you?" Tobias gave him a stink eye.
Owen shrugged. "What if I can?"
"Now that's just bull crap."
"Toby!" The harassed voice of his mother sounded behind them.
"Bull crap!" Nire giggled from another table and waved her spoon. "Can I have beef too, Mama?"
The Innkeeper shot Tobias and even Owen a withering look as she stepped towards her youngest child and taught her about the proper use of language. It was the first time that he gained the ire of the naturally friendly and cheerful Innkeeper.
Strange as it seems, somehow it felt like he was included in this even though he was an outsider. Regardless, he paid attention elsewhere. "Such a fast learner, isn't she?" Owen chuckled.
"Just shut it. We still haven't discussed how we'll convince Alchemist Mossblossom—"
"I thought you had that one figured out already." Owen glanced at him with a small frown. "You are her Apprentice, aren't you? Make some excuse that you have something to discover and share."
"Here's the thing…" Tobias scratched the back of his head. "I think I only got it by accident."
"What?"
"The Class I mean—tried to ask her if she minded, but she was too busy to notice and said yes and told me to move on. She accidentally helped me get a Class. Which is kinda funny now that you can wonder how many people might have ended up getting classes from Master Professionals just saying yes while they're distracted."
Owen stared at him.
Getting a Class by accident?
Owen sighed and finished his lunch. "You just decided to say that now?"
Tobias slammed his empty bowl on the table. "Oi! I still level up from the Class regardless. It's probably a bit slow considering that all she asks me to do is gather ingredients from her."
"Naturally, there's not much apprentice work there. You might end up leveling up if she asks you to clean her laboratory and familiarize yourself with the equipment."
"Wait, seriously? You're pulling my leg aren't you."
Owen Liddell wanted to point out that this was something that one might learn if they attended Kraelonia Academy or had talked with people well-versed in leveling, but decided not to say anything. He'd be given a tepid look by said guy which will probably confirm how stupid it was to expect Tobias to know it.
And yet there was another thing he needed to ascertain.
"Have you lied about seeing her in the flesh? Haven't you told me that she makes potions for export to other cities once every blue moon?" Owen started churning the numbers in his head. It was quite possible to live on one's earnings from potions if the Alchemist got an advance.
But that wasn't their problem was it?
It was about the Alchemist actually leaving their house.
"Well, she does make a box or two… but ah, she usually leaves it outside of her house. Nobody really takes it or steals it as common as that probably is in the city." Tobias shrugged with a sense of self-satisfaction.
"Have you or anyone else seen her in broad daylight?" Owen gave him a serious look.
"I guess so? There was that one time she came out heavily cloaked to buy groceries, but I'm the one who delivers it to her now. I think since she's so used to being indoors, the sensation of being outside doesn't feel comfortable now."
"Is that so?"