"Mhh. These books are not available on the market. It'll be hard for me to find another one." The apothecary said pensively before excitedly continuing, "As for your other conditions, I accept them!"
"Do your best. Also, what's your name?" Adam wrote, curious after two days of interactions.
"My name is Theodore, sir," Theodore answered respectfully.
"Alright, Theo. I'll help you brew medicines occasionally during the next few years." Adam wrote after some thoughts.
He couldn't expect Theodore to fork the money for all those expenses. To help finance them, he could participate in the concoction of medicines.
Moreover, it'll be a suitable manner to perform what he learned from the books. Ultimately, he could use this knowledge to earn money in the future.
He also specified the time frame to give Theodore enough time to search for the rare ingredients and the books. After all, he wasn't delusional enough to believe they would find everything in a few short days.
Finally, he decided to strike this deal after he experienced how potent the ghostly elixir of ethereal energy's effects were. Despite the risks, the effects were just too powerful, and he hoped he could make potions for his other stats as well.
"I'm grateful, sir. I'm growing old and have more and more trouble making medicines." Theodore said, nodding in gratitude and anticipating what the future would look like, accompanied by the baby and his ghostly friend.
Now that they had a mutually beneficial deal, he didn't have to fear Theodore would eventually report him to the guards.
Satisfied with his progress in this strange world, he focused on his future. He felt excitement swelling his heart and the thought of developing his mana and learning how to control it.
Slowly, days passed, then months, and then years, divided between his studies of mana, medicines, alchemy, and caring for the growing baby until seven years later...
******
"Mama, mama, hurry up! It's finally that day." A young black-haired boy jumped excitedly inside a clean living room, his hazel eyes glowing with intelligence unbefitting a child his age.
Made of clean and delicate fabric, his shirt accompanied his movements, occasionally revealing his toned abs as a small bag rebounded on his back.
"You were right, big brother. Women always take longer to get ready!" he said, facing an empty corner of the living room as if speaking with air.
Soon after, a young woman came out of her room. She looked clean, wore a beautiful beige robe and even had a light touch of make-up on.
"I know you are excited, but calm down. You shouldn't let the lord see you like that." She said with a warm smile. Today, her son will finally receive a name from the baron in person. What an exciting moment.
"Humf, My friend already gave me a name. I'm just excited to see the lord." The boy answered with contempt, unwilling to trade his name even against money.
"Yes, yes. That friend you can't speak about, and no one ever saw, right?" she answered teasingly.
"Yes! It's just... He doesn't like attention and is really busy learning cool stuff!" The boy said, feeling sad not to be trusted.
"Alright, young man. Let's head to old Theo's shop. He wanted to accompany us to the ceremony." She said while opening the door, letting the warm sunray of the morning sun illuminate the place before stepping out.
However, a hint of concern flashed through her eyes. Ever since he learned to talk, her son had been speaking alone and imagining a friend, who gave him a name and did all kinds of crazy things. At first, she thought he was imagining things. Yet after he entered into detailed battles about bears and wolves, she couldn't help but feel scared and question him.
However, his response only added to her confusion as he happily said,
"He said I should have a name because it annoyed him to call me hey or baby. So, after thinking for a bit, he said I should be named Julius because I was born in July. I don't really understand how it is related, though."
Luckily, the old apothecary, who had cared for her son, reassured her, explaining he was just repeating the story he read for him and that it was natural to have imaginary friends while growing up.
Yet, she still held some doubts... Or maybe were they hopes?
She remembered how, seven years ago, a ghost who claimed not to be a bad one appeared and changed her life's trajectory.
Thanks to him, her son was learning to read, and make medicines. He was even paid! In addition, she now had a less physically demanding job. As she lost herself in her memories, the boy let go of her hand to run to a sitting old man.
"Grandpa Theo, are you ready?" He asked with a broad smile as soon as he reached him.
"Hahaha. Of course, Julius. But why are you going? You already have such a unique name." Theodore said, smiling warmly.
The deal from seven years ago earned him enormous profits. His old, empty shop was now full of medicines and customers again as he racked money in like never before.
Everything was thanks to the ghost's advice, who taught him a thing or two about marketing and pricing.
Confronted by the growing demand and with less time to tend to customers, he found himself forced to hire a helper. And that's how Alina got a new job. He was truly grateful, as he felt he found a second family in his days of solitude.
With a shake of his head, he refocused his attention on the smiling boy he considered like his grandson.
"I don't know. Mama said it was our country's tradition, and we had to follow it," Julius answered.
"Well, we can't disobey her, right?" He said teasingly before adding with a knowing glance, "Keep her busy while we wait for the carriage."
With an OK sign, he returned to Alina's side and began a conversation, forcing her to slow her steps.
"We can obtain the last ingredient thanks to this ceremony." He said before pointing at the boy's bag and continuing, "I have put everything else in his bag."
Then, emotions took over as he sighed, his voice trembling, "I'm sad we won't see each other after this, though."
Even if he was bothered at first, after so many years, he could say without hesitation that he enjoyed the young boy and his cunning friend's presence.
He remembered how every day brought new, fun, and exciting discoveries about magic and alchemy, two fields he could never have dreamed of approaching in the past.
Then, he turned his head to read an ethereal line of letters. "Humph, Finally! I won't have to see your old dog's face daily... But be careful with the cauldron and dress warmly..."
"Hahaha. Sure, sure. I'll be careful." Theodore said in amusement. This friend of his really had trouble showing his emotions.