Earl Ster spoke with a note of caution. "First, have Ellie take those notebooks to Mr. Belfran and ask him.
"Don't we have that Complete Guide to Alchemy Basics at home?
"Have her take that along too.
"If all she wants is some basic knowledge rather than his legacy, those books should be enough to make Mr. Belfran willing to help.
"After all, he does occasionally teach Ellie a thing or two in passing... though perhaps that's only because he never imagined no one would know even that much.
"But at least it shows he thinks well of Ellie, and that he really is kind and tolerant.
"Heh, it's not as if you've never dealt with that lot from the Alchemy Association... Those bastards wouldn't even tell us whether a certain herb was meant for horses or people!"
Joshua couldn't help whipping around in outrage. "When you asked that, you should've realized the only reason that alchemist didn't hit us was because he knew he couldn't win!"
Earl Ster kicked the chair Joshua was sitting in again. "Who asked you to butt in?"
Joshua gave a cold laugh before turning back. "If you leave me out of it next time, I won't care what you ask!
"Just don't take that same question to Mr. Belfran!
"Embarrassing yourself is one thing. Don't ruin everything Ellie's worked for these past few days!"
Then he glanced at Linde and said to Helena in all seriousness, "I think so too... He doesn't seem particularly bound by the Damboro Mage Pact. It's quite possible he was living in seclusion before it existed."
"Then wouldn't he be over a hundred?" Linde asked, looking up. "But he looks so young!
"He always looks at Ellie like a fond elder... almost the way the butler looks at her...