"That teacher of yours really pulled it off..."
Those were old Lunse's first words when he returned to the shop and met Ruger's gaze.
Ruger blinked, then understood. The Wizard Apprentice who had extended the invitation really had become a Wizard, and from the sound of it, no ordinary One-Ring Wizard, either.
"I haven't decided yet," Ruger said. "Aunt Jenny won't be coming anytime soon, after all."
Uncle and nephew chatted as they began preparing to close the shop.
Old Lunse raised no objection to the latter half of Ruger's remark. His large, drooping ears seemed not to have heard it at all. Jenny's early arrival had shown her urgency, while her decision to toss Ruger straight into the Nightmare World last time had made her approach to the matter clear. If Jenny appeared again, they would be better off doing what Ruger's words implied: finding somewhere to go beforehand.
"That fellow really has made something of himself, so the news was easier to dig up than I expected." Old Lunse curled his lip, his mood seemingly rather complicated. "Someone who advanced and then reached Two-Ring Wizard in such a short time would have a hard time keeping his reputation from spreading, especially among those ignorant low-level fools. Hmph. As for the rest of the information on him, that'll take a few more days. I've already made the arrangements. Remember to pay me the magic stones later, brat."
Ruger curled his lip in imitation. The mention of magic stones reminded him of that battered Storage Pocket, and of the reward they had discussed at the end of breakfast.
As he worked, he couldn't help turning to study old Lunse.
Just as the shop door closed, a stumbling figure came running over.
The sky outside was already darkening, and the stingy