NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter 6 : Former Capitan
[ mission is Completed, You will be rewarded with 100 points, one random draw, and one universal fusion worm. ]
Leo looked at the old man with surprise. His arrival marked the mission's completion, suggesting he had come to the rescue. But Leo couldn't see what was so remarkable about him.
Loose, coarse clothes, a pair of deformed cloth shoes, half-black and half-white hair, and a slow gait—his frail appearance gave no indication of strength or power. He looked like any elderly man one might find on the streets, devoid of any imposing presence.
"Who are you?"
One of the city guards barked impatiently.
Hearing this, the captain's face turned pale as he barked back, "Shut up! This is Augustus, the former Chief Captain of the Clearhaven City Guard!"
"Don't you have eyes?"
The guards' eyes widened in disbelief as they turned to the old man. Leo and Lia immediately tensed up, recognizing who he was. Augustus, a ninth-level ability user ranked third on the ability list, stood before them.
The atmosphere froze. Nearly all top-ranked ability users were elderly and rarely made public appearances. Yet, knowing his identity, no one could avoid feeling uneasy.
Augustus spoke calmly to the captain. "I know everything about them leaving the hospital. Go back and accept your punishment. According to the rules I established, colluding with evil forces means immediate dismissal."
His voice was steady and composed, as though discussing a trivial matter. The captain nodded, utterly dejected, and led his men away without uttering another word. Augustus' authority within the city guard was absolute, extending even to the current leadership.
After the guards left, Augustus turned to Leo with a faint smile. "Benjamin mentioned you have a very magical medicine?"
Leo had already anticipated Augustus' interest when he came to their aid. With a nod, he produced the white jade snail's saliva.
"For helping us out, I can give you one drop for free," Leo said quietly.
Augustus smiled. "If others were in my place, they would probably take as much as they wanted and then use it as leverage to forge connections."
His tone was slow, his demeanor curious—intrigued by how someone so young could remain so composed in his presence.
Leo chuckled. "I'm not one to curry favor. And what's mine can't be taken for free, can it?"
His smile was unwavering, though Lia, standing beside him, felt beads of sweat forming on her brow.
This was Augustus, after all. At the Academy, Lia's combat instructors had all been trained by him. They were fierce and powerful, leaving no doubt about his legendary status. Now, facing him, she trembled, unable to comprehend Leo's calm demeanor.
"Hahaha…"
Augustus laughed heartily, clapping Leo on the shoulder. "I like kids like you—much more entertaining than the ones who freeze up at the sight of me."
Then his gaze shifted to the jade vial.
"I won't take advantage of you. Give me one drop, and I'll pay for a few more myself. And for the drop you offered, I'll make sure your sister has my family's protection when she joins one of the top ten academies. No one will dare bully her."
Hearing this, Lia's excitement was palpable. Life in the top academies was vastly different with a backer.
"Deal," Leo agreed with a smile, handing over the bottle.
"It's only three drops per day. I'm not sure what happens if you exceed that," Leo cautioned as Augustus measured out three drops and consumed them.
Augustus' body trembled violently, his face briefly contorted in pain. Leo's heart skipped a beat. If something went wrong here, he'd be in serious trouble.
Fortunately, Augustus' expression soon relaxed, and a newfound vitality lit up his face.
"Not enough. I'll need at least three more drops," Augustus muttered, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Leo's heart sank. The greater the dose, the graver the injuries he must have been hiding. Even the strongest weren't as untouchable as they seemed.
Augustus laughed heartily, clapping Leo on the shoulder. "I like kids like you—much more entertaining than the ones who freeze up at the sight of me."
Then his gaze shifted to the jade vial.
"I won't take advantage of you. Give me one drop, and I'll pay for a few more myself. And for the drop you offered, I'll make sure your sister has my family's protection when she joins one of the top ten academies. No one will dare bully her."
Hearing this, Lia's excitement was palpable. Life in the top academies was vastly different with a backer.
"Deal," Leo agreed with a smile, handing over the bottle.
"It's only three drops per day. I'm not sure what happens if you exceed that," Leo cautioned as Augustus measured out three drops and consumed them.
Augustus' body trembled violently, his face briefly contorted in pain. Leo's heart skipped a beat. If something went wrong here, he'd be in serious trouble.
Fortunately, Augustus' expression soon relaxed, and a newfound vitality lit up his face.
"Not enough. I'll need at least three more drops," Augustus muttered, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Leo's heart sank. The greater the dose, the graver the injuries he must have been hiding. Even the strongest weren't as untouchable as they seemed.
Returning the vial to Leo, Augustus remarked, "This is extraordinary. I'll return tomorrow, and the payment will be sent to your account."
Leo realized Benjamin had already spread word of the medicine. Thinking it over, he spoke boldly.
"Take the vial with you. If others want to use it, let them come to you. They can transfer the payment, but I can't have my time wasted by visitors."
Not wanting to offend, Leo added with a smile, "And maybe I'll develop some potions to enhance strength and extend life in the future. You'll be the first to try them."
Augustus studied him for a moment, then nodded with a grin. "Fair enough."
Relief washed over Leo. For a moment, he'd feared Augustus might try to seize the medicine.
"I'll leave now. Don't worry, no one else will disturb you. I'll find you once this batch runs out," Augustus promised, humming a cheerful tune as he walked away, his step lighter than before.
Finally, Leo exhaled deeply. Lia stared at him incredulously.
"You… Are you really my brother?" she asked, still struggling to reconcile this confident young man with the quiet, reserved Leo she once knew.
Leo grinned. "Oh, sister, don't worry. I'm still Leo. No replacements here!"
Lia smiled, shaking her head. This was undeniably her brother—but his transformation was nothing short of astonishing.
Relaxed at last, the siblings returned to Finn's home.