This time, when Xu Yi left Great Mage Camilla's private laboratory, he was no longer as crestfallen as he had been last time. Instead, he held his head high, his chest out, and wore a thoroughly pleased smile.
Stille had been waiting outside for a full two hours and had long since grown anxious. When she saw Xu Yi emerge, she immediately rushed over and asked expectantly, "How did it go? How did it go? What did Grandma say?"
Smiling, Xu Yi raised his right index and middle fingers to give Stille a V sign for victory. Then he remembered that she had no idea what the gesture meant and quickly said, "Don't worry. Her Excellency the Great Mage agreed."
"She agreed?" Stille exclaimed in surprise. She looked Xu Yi up and down, curiosity written all over her face. "Grandma actually agreed! Tell me, Xu Yi, how on earth did you convince her? Don't tell me you used that legendary dark charm magic on her?"
"How would I possibly know anything like that?" Xu Yi gave Stille an exasperated look. "Besides, your grandma is a great mage. If someone like me, who hasn't even passed the mage certification exam, tried using magic on her, wouldn't that just be asking to die?"
"Then how did you get Grandma to agree? She hates merchants more than anything, let alone working with them," Stille continued, puzzled.
"Well..." Xu Yi paused and sighed helplessly. "Her Excellency the Great Mage didn't have much choice either. When it comes down to it, mages still need to eat. The problem your grandma faces right now is a very practical one: she has no money. She may be stubborn, but that stubbornness means little compared with this Magic Tower, into which she's poured her heart and soul. Besides,