Emerald Heart Tavern.
"That's what happened."
Celine drained a cup of fruit wine before speaking.
"So he refused?"
"Of course. He said there was absolutely nothing for low-level people to learn anymore. Why would he accept our proposal?"
Celine tipped the fruit wine bottle sideways and poured herself another cup before continuing.
"Then just wait. Wait until some genius really helps him compile material for the lower levels..."
"I know that. Seriously, it feels like we're pressing a warm face against a cold backside..."
Elan spoke with a trace of resentment. He had already prepared himself mentally, only for the other party to refuse him, leaving him with a sense of disappointment.
Celine knew Elan had to be dissatisfied. She did not interrupt him, allowing him to continue.
"Harbos strung us along for two years, and that damned genius still only then created low-level spells. We were practically dogs being led around on his leash..."
"Isn't that perfectly normal? Even improving existing spells takes an enormous amount of time. What he's doing has almost nothing to draw on for reference..."
Hearing Celine's words stirred Elan's contrarian streak, and he said, "What if that genius can create them in just two or three months?"
Celine smiled but did not respond, and Elan did not press the matter further.
They both knew it would be difficult for Harbos to trade with them anytime soon. Improving spells was already exceptionally difficult; where could one so easily find a so-called genius?
The two fell silent for a while before Celine spoke first.
"Thinking back to that 'genius' Harbos mentioned—didn't he say she could understand everything Harbos taught?"
Elan pondered for a moment.
He did not know how broad the range of Harbos's "nearby" was. Even now, thinking back on it, he could not settle