'Why is Dr. Sebastian's face like that?'
'Could something have happened?'
Lucas lingered behind Sebastian, unsure if he should interrupt. The older man sat on the couch, shoulders slumped and gaze fixed on the floor, clearly absorbed in his thoughts.
For a moment, Lucas debated whether to approach him. He hesitated, considering that whatever troubled Sebastian might be personal. But then, his curiosity and concern got the better of him.
"Excuse me, Dr. Sebastian," Lucas said softly, breaking the silence.
Sebastian looked up, his expression shifting as he turned to face Lucas. "Oh, Lucas. How are you? Do you feel better now?" he asked, his voice warm despite the weight on his mind.
Lucas studied Sebastian for a moment, noticing how quickly he shifted his focus. 'Even when he's clearly troubled, he still worries about me,' Lucas thought. 'What a great guy you are, Dr. Sebastian.'
"I'm alright now, Dr. Sebastian," Lucas replied with a small smile. "Thanks to you, I recovered really fast."
Sebastian nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "I'm glad to hear that, Lucas."
Encouraged by Sebastian's response, Lucas hesitated for only a second before speaking again. "If you don't mind me asking, Dr. Sebastian, is something bothering you? You seemed deep in thought just now."
Sebastian sighed deeply, leaning back against the couch. "Was I that obvious?" he asked, a weak smile playing on his lips.
Lucas nodded slightly, waiting patiently as Sebastian gathered his thoughts.
"It's my grandson," Sebastian began. "I keep telling him to stop being an adventurer, but he just won't listen to me."
Lucas blinked in surprise. 'Grandson? Wait, is he talking about Eldric?' The revelation caught him off guard, but it also sparked more questions. 'Why does he want Eldric to stop being an adventurer? And what exactly is an adventurer in this world? Ahh, could it be like in those stories I used to read?'
"Uhm, Dr. Sebastian," Lucas said tentatively, "are you talking about Eldric?"
Sebastian's eyes widened slightly, and he straightened. "You've met him?" he asked, his tone sharper now, laced with curiosity.
Lucas flinched slightly at the sudden intensity but quickly nodded. "Well... yes. I was out for a walk earlier to get some fresh air, and I ran into him."
"I see," Sebastian murmured, his gaze dropping again as his shoulders sagged.
After a moment, Lucas ventured further. "Why do you want him to stop being an adventurer? From what I saw, he seems pretty capable. He even saved me when I was in bad shape after... well, after those goblins." His voice faltered slightly as the memory of the attack resurfaced.
Sebastian exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "While he may seem capable, he's only been learning magic for two years. He knows only simple spells, yet he still registered as an adventurer. I can't understand why the guild would even allow a fourteen-year-old boy with such limited training to join." His voice carried a mix of frustration and worry.
Lucas tilted his head, processing the information. 'Two years? That doesn't seem too short. How long does it usually take to become a full-fledged mage?' The question formed in his mind, and he voiced it without thinking. "Uhm, Dr. Sebastian, how long does it usually take to become a full-fledged mage?"
Sebastian's frown deepened, and he rubbed his temple as he answered. "Typically, it takes five years or more of rigorous training to master the basics of magic. And Eldric has only trained for two years. That's why I'm so worried about him. If only..." He trailed off, his voice tinged with regret.
Lucas leaned forward slightly, sensing the depth of Sebastian's emotions. "If only what?" he asked gently.
Sebastian sighed again, his eyes clouding with distant memories. "If only that incident hadn't happened. Back then, Eldric was a different child—full of joy, always smiling. But ever since... he's changed." He fell silent, lost in thought.
Lucas felt his curiosity deepen. 'An incident? Is that why Eldric is so cold now? Just what could have happened to him?' Questions swirled in his mind as he observed the older man's somber expression, realizing that there was far more to Eldric's story than he had initially assumed.