"Mine? You mean to become your disciple, Old man??" Nagao confirmed.
"Looks like the greenhorn boy already understood. So, I didn't need to say anything," he replied with a sigh.
"I don't know what's on your mind. However, forcing your will without reason is a strange, Old man!" Nagao said firmly.
Even so, as if he didn't care, Mr. Schmidt silenced himself and stared at Nagao. Feeling uncomfortable, Nagao reacted,
"Ah! This must be just a joke, huh? Sometimes, you've done a lot to annoy other people with your jokes, Old man!" Nagao laughed after that.
With the same attitude, Mr. Schmidt kept silent and stared at Nagao. Noticing his unchanged behavior, Nagao spoke,
"Fine! If you insist, give three reasons why I should become your disciple. If you don't, I'll continue to refuse your invitation!" He spoke strictly.
Hearing this, Mr. Schmidt looked for something. He looked for something for a long time. Seeing Mr. Schmidt didn't find what he was searching for, Nagao commented,
"If you still search it, I'll be back first. We'll discuss it tomorrow if you find it!" Nagao intended to return to his inn.
However, before Nagao opened the exit door, from behind, Mr. Schmidt called,
"This!" while putting some stuff on his desk. "These were my reasons. So, take a look!"
Seeing Mr. Schmidt had found what he searched for, inevitably, Nagao was forced to take a look at those things.
*Stap* *Stap* *Stap*
From what Nagao had seen, there were three items. Among these items were a teddy bear, a dagger, and a pendant necklace.
Nagao observed while holding each item carefully.
First, it's a teddy bear. The teddy bear had a dull brown color. It was like something did not hold by the owner for a long time ...
(From what I know, a teddy bear is related to babies, toddlers, or small children.) Nagao guessed it within himself.
Next, Nagao saw a dagger. This dagger's size is about the from the hand to the forearm of an adult's male version. This dagger got a protective sheath with white flower patterns blended with gold color as the dominant color ...
(Holy shit! This dagger is awesome. As if this dagger belongs to royalty or above of it!) I thought in awe while looking at it.
Finally, the pendant necklace. This necklace was similar to a pendant necklace in general based on color. However, the difference lied in the circular pendant. Upon inspection, there was an inscription ...
'For my dearest daughter.'
Not only that, Nagao found a small mark in the center of the pendant. The sign had an initial A. Seeing this discovery, Nagao asked,
"This initial ... refer to whom?"
Mr. Schmidt replied,
"Remember what you said before. I'm just giving these. Not a detailed explanation!" he answered firmly.
"Shit! You a selfish Old man!" Nagao said upsetly.
After observing these items, Nagao remembered a way ...
(Hehehe, just use that way!) He decided to do something.
"A teddy bear, a dagger, and a pendant necklace ... these all ... where did you steal from?"
"Hell no! These belong to the wife—" Before he could finish speaking, he seemed to remember something—"From a relative of mine. Ya good at trapping, huh?!" he slightly changed his tone.
"Hmmm~!" Nagao showed a doubtful expression.
(Well! Let's say if what he said may be true. But what did the interrelationship with the previous statement? Strange!) My mind was filling in inquisitive.
"Then what did relate with the topic we're talking about??" I asked confusedly.
Mr. Schmid then walked in front of Nagao. When they were facing each other, Mr. Schmidt made an unexpected move. Even Nagao, who saw it, reacted,
"Old man, you—!"
***
During the past few days, even while at work, I've always thought of a way or —at least— a reason to make him become my disciple. Moreover, I didn't give a real reason to him before.
To be honest, it ain't that I didn't want to. I wanted to tell him instead, especially since he saved Emilia. He gave a "huge debt" ... and that was priceless.
At least, making a petty story with "spice" of sadness will make others feel sorry for it. Or, ya could say, a "fastest" way to get the sympathy of others.
But, it wasn't my way to tell my cards, especially to people ya just met. Perhaps he also had his own cards that were carried until now.
In the end, these cards already clung tightly. Yet, the "promise" and Emilia's genuine smile that was the manifestation of "her" made these burdens feel light.
These cards also gave a "sadness" like a coin with two sides.
Still, if death wanted to pick me up ...
Who will help Emilia ...?
Who will look after Emilia ...?
Who ... will protect Emilia from the cruel world ...?
Pain ... only unbearable pain appeared within. I couldn't even imagine how painful it would be to leave such a cherished daughter.
With all these that came through my mind ...
(No matter how much the price for her safety, Imma give everything!) Thought a father who had made up his mind.
***
"Old man, you—!"
I didn't think that Mr. Schmidt would do that. I increasingly didn't understand why Mr. Schmidt must do that. Various questions appeared until those filled my mind.
Mr. Schmidt struck a prostration pose before me. That even made it more awkward for me to react ...
(This Old man ... why did he behave like this?! Is it really because of what he said before??!) I thought with mixed feelings.
Hearing this, I commented,
"Honestly, you've made all of this preposterous!" I talked with an annoyed tone.
Mr. Schmidt stayed silent in that position for a while instead. I, who saw his action, sat in front of him and asked,
"Is that really hard for you to say the real reason, Old man?"
There was a moment of silence. Afterward, Mr. Schmidt started to speak,
"Please ... give me a chance to train you. I'm ... begging you!" Mr. Schmidt spoke with holding back tears.
Hearing what he said, I started to reply,
"Old man, you're a selfish person!" while looking at him. "You even didn't give a reason why you did this and forced your will on me!" I said honestly.
Suddenly, Mr. Schmidt uttered what he wanted to say,
"Two years ... give me ... two years ... to train you ... and after that... I'll tell you everything!"
I was silent after hearing his words. While contemplating, I thought ...
(Well, actually, it's a good chance for me. Step aside his selfish will. If I get that ability, it may become my self-advantage. However, he didn't say what training he wanted to do before. Huh! So dilemma hearing that!) I weighed many things in my mind.
Unexpectedly, a notification appeared in front of me ...
[Important! You have the rare chance to achieve the ability from an expert. This ability can help you in the next mission in the future.
Note: If you get the ability, it will synchronize until weaks the other skill & ability.
Are you willing to accept it?
Yes (X) / No (X) ]
(Well, I barely found out that feature like this! Frankly, I would also accept him to be my teacher even if this thing didn't appear. But, after seeing this, what kind of ability or skill did I receive from him???! Wait, if that's so, I've got a chance to obtain the ability from others, too! This gonna be awesome!) I was surprised and blended in inquisitive.
Eventually, I pressed the button ...
*Click!*
[A rare chance has been accepted. The skill will be given after the training period ends or when the terms and conditions have met.]
(Hmmm. What a mysterious!) I thought while looking at Mr. Schmidt.
After what had happened, I gave my response,
"Alright, you won! I'll be your disciple!" I said while raising both of my hands.
Mr. Schmidt, who heard that, raised his head from his position. I saw the expression he was showing right now clearly ...
A happy expression ...
"I owe you!" He replied with a happy smile.
Then, from the direction of the exit door, I saw Emilia entering the shop while carrying some food. Seeing both of us sitting on the floor, Emilia questioned it,
"What are you guys doing under the floor!" she replied annoyedly. "Moreover, Dad, why are you crying???" She automatically worried to see that.
Mr. Schmidt didn't answer after the previous incident. Realizing that, I replied to her,
"Your daddy cried because I made a dirty joke before! So, he cried as a reflex to that. Isn't that right, Old man?"
As if aware of what I was doing, Mr. Schmidt laughed and said,
"Not gonna lie, Emilia! Daddy's stomach hurts to hear that!"
"Oh my, you two! Only makes me worried!" She replied with a sigh.
Finally, we ate some bread at Mr. Schmidt's shop before returning to the inn. After getting the practice schedule, I muttered to myself,
(What kind of skill I'll get from him, huh?) My inner self was filled with curiosity.