"Thanks for the story, mister. Goodbye!"
Adrian walked beside his parents and freed one hand to wave at Jiang Hao.
"Goodbye, Adrian. I hope you'll stand up and save the world, just like you did in the story." Jiang Hao put away his quill and notebook and smiled at the boy.
"Little Adrian can be quite clingy. Sorry for the trouble he caused you on the way. Please accept this gift." Adrian's mother apologetically took out a large piece of meat still stained with dark red blood.
It was Magic Beast meat.
For people living near the Iberian Route, eating raw, unprocessed Magic Beast meat was customary. They believed it made their bodies stronger.
And in fact, people near the Iberian Route tended to be larger than those in other kingdoms.
"Thank you for the gift, ma'am." Smiling, Jiang Hao reached into his pocket, took out a silver coin, and tossed it gently into the air. "Fate will bless you, and good luck will stay by your side."
"For three years."
"Thank you for the blessing." Adrian's mother thought Jiang Hao was merely being polite. Though she did not understand why he had set a three-year limit, she thanked him courteously all the same.
The Steam Train's whistle sounded. It was about to depart.
Adrian's parents hurriedly led him off the platform and headed home.
They lived in Urli City and had taken the train back after bringing their son to visit his maternal grandmother.
On the way home, countless acquaintances greeted them with smiles.
"Adrian and his family are back!"
"Did you have fun on your trip?"
"Little Adrian, did your little sister play with you?"
"..."
Greetings and good-natured teasing came from neighbors and acquaintances alike.
"Oh, little Adrian, I've just gotten a new batch of Magic Beast