{Edited} A Merchant's Odyssey - Chapter 19: The Grand Tour (Patreon)

AN: Edited chapters do not count toward monthly quota's.

Chapter 19: The Grand Tour / Ohoho

“Hello, I’d like to join Spirit Hall.” Sebastian smiled brightly at the armored security standing guard in front of Nuoding City's Spirit Hall branch.

A grand temple sat at the city's center, raised above its surroundings on a mound of hardened earth.

The two guards blinked and looked at each other before the one on the right spoke up. “We don’t usually get recruits at this time of the year.”

“Is there a time when people are supposed to show up?” Sebastian raised a brow in question.

“…” The guard raised a finger, paused, and considered it.

"He has a point." The one on the left commented. "Typically, we get a wave of recruits when the Academies end, but we're open year-round."

“Perfect.” Sebastian clapped his hands. “So, where do I go?”

The guard to the right shrugged and waved him to follow. "Administration deals with new recruits. You got a license?"

“No.” Sebastian’s face twitched as he stepped inside, taking in the grand architecture with an appreciative glance. “Never had the chance.”

People of all shapes and sizes passed through the grand hall beyond the gates, each dressed in fine greyish-white robes fitted to their frames.

“They can take care of that then.” The guard stopped at an intersection and pointed to a specific door. “Just head in there and talk to whoever is available.”

“Thanks for the help.” Sebastian flicked the guy a small gold piece. “Directions aren’t my strong suit.”

“Heh.” The guard caught it with a smirk. “Just helping out a new brother.” The guy waved over his shoulder and headed back to the front.

‘A little gold never hurts to form favorable opinions.’ Sebastian brushed off his coat and knocked on the door, then heard a call to enter.

Inside, four young workers in robes sat at desks piled with paperwork.

"I was told to come here if I wanted to join Spirit Hall." Sebastian spoke from the door and got a wave from the male on the far left.

“Over here.”

Sebastian shut the door and walked over. “Can I also get a license done?”

"Yeah, no worries." The guy finished writing something, stood up with a groan, and shot Sebastian a friendly smile. "Came to join the winning team?"

“Something like that.” Sebastian chuckled. “The name is White.”

"Hao." The guy pulled out some pages from a cabinet and held them up. "You know how to read and write?"

“I think I can handle it.” Sebastian accepted the paperwork and noticed Hao’s sigh of relief. “It’s that bad?”

"It's gotten better." Hao answered carefully, as if he didn't want to insult anyone. "Ever since the new Supreme Pontiff pushed for widespread education, literacy has been improving; it’s just not improving as fast as we would hope.”

Hao scratched his cheek with a light laugh.

“He must be a capable ruler then.” Sebastian idly commented while looking over the paperwork.

“She is.” Hao gently corrected.

“Ah, meant nothing by it.” Sebastian waved a hand distractedly.

"Don't worry; we get it a lot." Hao stepped back behind his desk and passed over a pen. “You can fill that out over in the corner. Just bring it back when you're done, and I'll sort it out."

“About that.” Sebastian stopped him. “I had a request before signing up.”

“Oh? Is it help with your village or something?” The guy looked pained. “We can issue a mission, but I can’t make promises.”

“No, no, nothing like that.” Sebastian assured. “I was hoping to get a tour of the temple before joining.”

“A tour?” Hao was taken aback.

“Yes.” Sebastian nodded seriously.

“…”

“…”

“You want…” Hao cleared his throat and asked for clarity. “A tour of the temple?”

“Yes.” Sebastian confirmed it a second time with a straight face.

"Uh." Hao scratched his head and looked over to the second male in the room. "Hey, Tabu?"

“Yeah?” Tabu didn’t look up from his work.

“Do we do tours?” Hao asked.

“Tours?” Tabu blinked and looked over.

“Yeah.” Hao pointed at Sebastian. “He wants one.”

“Um…” Tabu turned to the two women on the other side. “Mei, Jing.”

““Yeah?”” Neither looked up.

“Do we do tours?” Tabu asked.

“Tours?”

"Wait, what?"

The two women looked over and joined Tabu in staring at Hao. “This guy wants a tour of the temple.” He hooked a thumb at Sebastian.

Everyone turned to Sebastian, who met their gaze with a bright, friendly smile. "I'd appreciate it."

“…”

“…”

“…”

Hao cleared his throat and gave him an odd look. “Why do you want a tour?”

“Wouldn’t you want to take a look at a house before you buy it?” Sebastian asked. “If I’m going to live here, I’d want to be comfortable.”

"That's…" Hao tried to find an issue, but came up empty. "I can't argue with that. Guys?"

He looked over at the other three, who equally shared the same look.

“I mean, it’s a fair request.” Tabu shrugged.

“I wonder why I didn’t think of that.” Mei was thoughtful. “The showers on the second floor are awful.”

“Yeah, but are we allowed to do tours?” Jing piped in. “The seniors might get mad if we interrupt a class.”

The other three processed Jing’s point before coming up blank.

“I guess.” Hao didn’t really know what to say. “I’ll go ask Senior Su?”

The others shrugged, and Sebastian remained standing with the same smile. "Thanks for the help."

“Yeah, uh, don't mention it." Hao chuckled awkwardly and left the room, leaving Sebastian standing there with three far too curious pairs of eyes to return to their own work.

“Senior sister?” Hao’s voice echoed in from down the hall. “Do we do tours for new recruits?”

“Tours?” A baffled voice called back.

The same conversation repeated several times, each time sending a larger wave of honest curiosity up the ladder until the man at the peak of the branch had a knock on his door.

“Elder Lu?” The vice-head of the branch gently called, the scent of incense and tea filling the man’s nose as he carefully slid open the grand door. “Do you have a moment?”

“Yes?” Elder Lu’s brush flowed elegantly across his paperwork, his smooth baritone voice answering. “What can I do for you, Wen?”

“We have an odd request coming up from the administration office.” Vice-Head Wen seemed hesitant.

“Go on.” Elder Lu waved his hand calmly, his flowing robes following the movement.

“Well, Sir.” The vice-head coughed into his fist. “Do we offer tours for new recruits?”

Elder Lu’s brush paused. “Pardon?”

“We’d all very much like to know.” The Vice-Head added.

"We?" Elder Lu finally looked up in confusion as the Vice-Head pushed the office door fully open, revealing a hall filled with staff from various levels of his temple.

 “…”

0000

Elder Lu entered the administration office to an odd sight.

“Oh! You almost had it that time, Jing.” Tabu cheered.

"Come on, Jing, avenge me!" Mei shouted.

Sebastian and Jing sat on either side of a pair of desks pushed together; the paperwork that used to sit on them tossed aside.

Between them, a deck of cards shuffled itself on its own, turning a single card face up at a time at a steadily increasing speed.

Sebastian and Jing kept their eyes glued to the deck, their hands glowing with a delicate, thin layer of Soul Power.

Suddenly, a new card appeared atop the old one with the same image, and Jing’s hand shot forward to tap it. “Point!”

"Too slow." Sebastian smirked as the card under her hand popped with a display of sparks. "You lost a point."

"Damn it!" Jing growled and focused back on the cards, eyes narrowed, her hands twitching in anticipation.

Elder Lu walked up beside Tabu and Mei, watching the game happen in bemusement. “An interesting game.”

“I know, right?” Tabu commented without turning.

“It’s surprisingly addicting.” Mei added.

“Hm.” Elder Lu watched the two contestants move with precision and precise control of Soul Power. “It seems to require finesse.”

"Oh yeah." Tabu pointed at the cards. "If you use too much Soul Power, the card pops, and you lose a point."

“The card also pops if you guess the pattern wrong.” Mei added once more.

“And how does one win this game?” Elder Lu asked, intrigued.

“You need to match pairs of cards. The new one that appears needs to be the same as the one that appeared before it." Tabu explained.

“But the longer the game goes, the faster the cards get.” Mei cheered as Jing got another point. “It’s 8 to 9 in White’s favor.”

“I see.” Elder Lu’s eyes panned over to the new addition. “And this White is the interested recruit.”

"Yeah, we're just waiting for someone to get back to us about whether he can have a tour." Tabu explained while still engrossed in the match.

Mei turned with something on her lips, then froze at the sight of the elder, who simply smiled at the younger girl.

“Ah, so that’s how things made their way to me.” Elder Lu ran a hand through his beard.

“To you?” Tabu blinked and turned his head before he rapidly paled. “Holy Sh-?!”

Mei squeaked by his side, but Tabu’s exclamation came just as Jing got her final point and won the game.

“Victory!” Jing jumped to her feet and thrust her hips in Sebastian's direction. "Suck it! Your reign of terror ends!"

A cough from the side made Jing turn, her bright smile instantly vanishing as she realized who was standing next to her, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Elder Lu?!”

The three employees immediately bowed their heads, but Elder Lu just chuckled and held up a hand, a wave of gentle Soul Power keeping them from bowing lower. "No need to be concerned, children. I was simply watching this ingenious game." His aged eyes slid to Sebastian, who stood there sizing him up. "I assume we have you to thank for it?"

"It's just something from my travels." Sebastian smiled politely. "It's a fun way to pass the time."

“And quite a fascinating training tool at that.” Elder Lu scanned the cards with his Soul Power. “A Spirit Artifact?”

“Just a small game.” Sebastian shrugged as if he wasn’t sure. “Nothing too special.”

"Perhaps." Elder Lu waved Jing over to take her place at the table. "I assume you are recruit White, young man?”

“That’s me.” Sebastian put on his best political smile. “I like your beard, Elder.”

The watching employees shot him incredulous looks, but Elder Lu just laughed warmly.

“Why thank you, I take good care of it.” Elder Lu ran a hand through it with pride. “I am Elder Lu, but you may call me Elder if you wish.” The old man took the seat and peered down at the shuffling cards. "Would you care to indulge an old man's curiosity?”

“Oh, you want a play?” Sebastian asked in surprise. “It can be a bit challenging to get the hang of." He pointed at the frozen, stiff employees. "It took them a few tries to figure it out.”

“I’m sure I’ll manage.” Elder Lu chuckled with an odd twinkle in his eyes. “The goal is the journey, rather than the destination.”

“Alright.” Sebastian wasn't shy about schooling an old man and took the opposite seat. “I’ll take it easy for the first game.”

0000

“10-0, Elder Lu wins again.” Tabu stiffly announced from the side to a deadpan Sebastian staring at the old man across from him.

“Oho, what fun.” Elder Lu seemed incredibly amused.

“Yes.” Sebastian dryly replied with carefully controlled politeness. “Very fun.” Yet his inner thoughts were far from calm. ‘Fun my ass! I couldn’t even touch a bloody card!’

"Would you like to go again?" Elder Lu suggested, and Sebastian quickly vacated his seat.

“I was wondering about the tour I asked for?” He flatly changed the subject.

"Ah, yes." Elder Lu stood and smiled. "I came here to speak with you about your request.”

Only when they were both standing did Sebastian realize how much taller the man was than he was.

Wearing the same grey-white robes as everyone else, but in a far grander design that seemed to flow on an invisible wind. He stood nearly seven feet tall, with long white hair tied in a bun above his head and an equally white, long, pointed beard stretching down to his chest. The elder's eyes were sharp yet kind, wrinkled from long years of smiling.

“Is there an issue with it?” Sebastian tried not to stare at the beard with a sense of disturbing nostalgia. ‘This is what I’d imagine a taller and buffer Dumbledore would look like.’

Even by cultivation standards, the man was clearly old, but his shoulders were broad and his back straight with aged authority.

“I wouldn’t say there is an issue.” Elder Lu noticed Sebastian’s focus on his beard with bemusement. “I was simply wondering if you came with any references.”

“References?” Sebastian raised a brow.

"Yes, such as a tablet or symbol of sorts." Elder Lu asked leadingly and saw recognition flicker in Sebastian's eyes.

“Ah, yeah, I think I do.” Sebastian reached into his pouch and removed the tablet he got from Bibi. “I forgot I had this thing. Is this what you meant?”

“Yes, exactly that.” A flash of interest crossed Elder Lu’s gaze, but he was quick to wave a flowing sleeve toward the door. “I believe we can begin the tour.”

"You're going to guide me?" Sebastian looked at the deer-in-the-headlights employees, seemingly watching a train wreck in motion. “You seem a bit important around here.”

“Just a bit.” Elder Lu chuckled and gestured for him to follow. “Shall we?”

“Thank you.” Sebastian smiled and bowed his head slightly. “You know, your hands are fast for an old man.”

“Haha, I’ve picked up a few things over the years.” Elder Lu laughed warmly.

Tabu, Mei, and Jing watched the two leave in utter silence, none moving for a long few minutes until Hao opened the door.

"Hey guys, I finally got an answer. Senior sister Su said one of the senior members would handle…" Hao paused, taking in the sight of his frozen friends. “Guys?”

The three Spirit Masters looked at Hao and silently turned away to return to their work.

“What did I miss?” Hao scratched his head.

0000

“Was it really that odd to ask for a tour?” Sebastian couldn’t help but ask as Elder Lu led him through the halls.

“It’s assuredly uncommon.” Elder Lu answered in amusement. “Most of our applicants are more interested in what we can offer for their cultivation, rather than an interest in the place they will be staying.”

"So, I'm the weird one then?" Sebastian considered that and shrugged.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Elder Lu paused before a statue of an angelic figure. “There is wisdom in wanting to be comfortable. It shows caution and patience, a trait many young recruits sadly don’t learn for long years.”

“Life has a funny way of teaching us patience.” Sebastian commented as he stared up at the statue. “This is the divine figure Spirit Hall worships?”

“Indeed, the Angelic Lord.” A hint of reverence entered Elder Lu’s eyes. “A figure of compassion and justice.”

“Commendable domains, yet difficult aspects.” Sebastian hummed.

“You are wise for your age, White.” Elder Lu sent him a fond look. “But something tells me you didn't ask for a tour to hear me preach our religious doctrine."

“Should a priest be saying that?” Sebastian asked skeptically.

“Haha, we don’t preach in Spirit Hall.” Elder Lu chuckled at some old joke. “Compassion is not spread by enforcing our message. If one wishes to join a mass, that is their choice.” 

“I keep thinking this, but this is a weird Theocracy.”

“How so?”

“It’s a very peaceful approach to religion.”

“Ah, a historian, are you?”

“A Scholar, actually.”

"Hm, well, to answer you." Elder Lu considered it. "We weren't always like this. The previous Supreme Pontiff had a more… extreme view on religion." Something dark crossed Elder Lu's gaze. "But when he was deposed, our doctrine was altered to a more friendly approach with the populace."

“I keep hearing nice things about this new Pontiff.” Sebastian observed. “She seems to really care for the people.”

“Oh, undoubtedly.” A genuine smile crossed the older man’s face. “She had a troubled journey but rose to prominence as if she was always meant to rule."

“You know her personally?” Sebastian noted his familiarity.

“To a degree.” The elder laughed and gave Sebastian an amused glance. “But that is a talk for another time.” His eyes seemed to shine with an inner light of mischief. “For now, I believe I know exactly what part of the temple a scholar like yourself would enjoy most."

Sebastian’s eyes glowed with excitement at finally getting to his goal. The library. “I knew I liked you, old man.”

“Hoho, please, I’m a bit too old for such pursuits.”

“Not like that!”

“It never fails to be sure.”

“I can’t deny that wisdom.”

“That shows inner wisdom.”

“Can we get on with the tour?”

“Oh, certainly.”

0000

“And here we have a wonderful example of second-era architecture." Elder Lu stopped by the twenty-seventh random pillar in the temple. “You don’t see these marks often, but if you take a deeper look at the grain of the material, you can see how…”

Sebastian stared on with dead eyes. ‘Why is it so hard to get to a library?’

Everything he was doing here in this bloody world was for a single goal. Yet for some reason, he was eternally cursed to never find his goal, despite being so close.

‘First Beacon, and now this. Hell, I even got stuck on moving staircases back in Hogwarts every time I wanted to get to the library.’ Sebastian blinked as the thoughts aligned. ‘Am I cursed? Did my ancestors piss off a Fae or something?’

“And this window here was replaced in the year…”

“Elder.” Sebastian gritted out the word with veins popping on his neck. "Perhaps we can move on to the amenities offered to temple members?"

"Ah. A splendid idea." Elder Lu smiled warmly and waved him off to the leftmost path. "I think I know exactly what you are looking for."

“Thank you.” Sebastian internally sighed in relief, completely missing Elder Lu’s curved eyes.

0000

"This fountain was built in the post-Heaven Dou era and predates the common piping technology we use today.” Elder Lu explained happily in the gardens of the temple. “Older scholars had to think hard about how to get the water up the incline of elevation, and it's a fascinating look at…"

‘I wonder if I can drown myself in there.’ Sebastian seriously considered going for it, even if the water was only three feet deep. ‘I can make it work; I just have to swallow the water quickly.’

“Now, if we turn our attention to the stonework of this pathway here, you'll notice…"

“Elder.” Sebastian’s neck veins were joined by their forehead brethren. “Perhaps we can look at an amenity offered inside the temple?”

“Oh, of course.” Elder Lu looked up at the noon sun and nodded. “I know just where we should go.”

‘If this is another trick, I’m going to find a way to stab you.’ Sebastian’s eyes seemed to say as he forced a smile. “Thank you.”

0000

The two approached a pair of grand wooden doors, and Sebastian's hopes rose. 'Finally.'

“I think you’ll be particularly tickled by this one.” Elder Lu smiled knowingly and reached forward to push the door open. “After you.”

“Thank you.” Sebastian muttered and rushed inside, briefly blinded by a bright light before a wave of heat and sound slammed into him.

“Order up!”

“I need more sauce over here!”

“Where is that rice?! Lin! Get the rice!"

"It's fucking RAW!"

Sebastian's hope died a brutal death in the flames of war that were the kitchens.

“I thought we could use lunch.” Elder Lu stepped up beside him. “I know it must have been an exciting morning, but we must keep our energy up.”

Sebastian's eyes fell to a cleaver. 'I can do it. I can fucking do it, and no one would find the bloody body.'

The scent of freshly grilled fish entered his nose, and Sebastian’s stomach growled.

“Oh, it seems your stomach is honest.” Elder Lu chuckled. “Shall we?”

“…” Sebastian deadpanned at him with a sigh. “Yeah, alright.”

“Splendid.”

0000

The following hours were absolute hell for Sebastian’s patience as he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

He didn’t dare offend the obviously strong old guy, yet he was too stubborn to walk away without reaching his goal.

It took a trip through the training grounds, the observation deck, the member-exclusive swimming pool, the armory, the exchange hall, and a discussion on proper wood maintenance before he flipped the board.

In the end, he chose honesty.

“You’re fucking with me.” Sebastian tiredly commented as they walked down another hall, his eyes bloodshot and his teeth aching from restraint.

"Ohoho, you finally cracked." Elder Lu chuckled mischievously. “I wondered how long you would last.”

“Why?” The one word held all of his grievances.

“A test of character.” Elder Lu said simply, nodding to a passing member who stopped to bow. “The one who gave you that tablet has some status, and I wished to know who they would sponsor.”

"Damn it, Bibi." Sebastian sagged with exhaustion and completely missed the spit take of a passing gruff man drinking from a canteen when he heard his comment. “I knew she was messing with me. I shouldn’t have used it.”

“On the contrary.” Elder Lu seemed highly amused for some reason. “If you hadn’t used it, you would not have received the courtesy of a tour.”

"Ah." Sebastian realized his request was more uncommon than he'd thought. "I was wondering why everyone was so polite."

“You came at a good time; Academy graduation season is in a month from now.” Elder Lu seemed equal parts dreading and excited. “A fresh wave of recruits is always an interesting experience.”

“You mean a fresh wave of innocent souls for you to screw with?”

“I do not see the difference in our statements.”

“Of course you don’t.” Sebastian rolled his eyes in grudging amusement and fished out the tablet, staring down at it curiously. “So, Bibi’s a big deal?”

“In a manner of speaking.” Elder Lu considered his words. “That tablet has some weight to it.”

“So, could I use it to ask specific questions?” Sebastian sent the man a challenging look.

"By all means. I'd be happy to respond if it's within my power." Elder Lu met the look evenly.

A dust bunny flew by as a pair of female Spirit Masters passed them at an intersection.

A certain gleam entered Sebastian’s eyes. “Where’s the female bathing area?”

The women froze and sent him disgusting looks.

“Oho.” Elder Lu seemed amused.

“Can’t answer?” Sebastian challenged.

The women scoffed as if Sebastian were mentally challenged and kept walking.

Elder Lu pointed to the left hall. "Head down there, take two flights of stairs up, and it's on your right."

The women’s faces hit the floor. ““Elder?!””

“Damn.” Sebastian nodded in respect. “You got balls.”

“One doesn’t make it to my age and position without them.” Elder Lu ran a hand through his beard without an ounce of remorse.

“Alright.” Sebastian laughed and put the tablet away. “Where is it?”

“Behind you.” Elder Lu said simply.

"I'm being serious; don't make me use the tablet." Sebastian warned.

“It’s behind you.” Elder Lu repeated with twinkling eyes.

Sebastian paused and took a deep breath, gripping the bridge of his nose in the most outstanding example of patience he had shown in years. “If there is anything but a doorway to the one place you know I want behind me, I’m leaving.”

“Then turn around and find out for yourself.” Elder Lu stood patiently, wisdom exuding from his flowing robes. “Only you can seize your future, young man.”

“Don’t get cute.” Sebastian grunted and turned around, finding a simple iron door. “This looks like a storage closet.”

“Who knows?”

“I think I might hate you.”

“That’s odd, I’m quite fond of you.”

“You need a hobby.”

“I have one.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Sebastian grabbed the handle and ripped open the door, immediately being hit in the face with the scent of aged parchment and ink. “Oh, thank Merlin.”

A spiral staircase led downward, and Sebastian damn near skipped down to the entrance of a grand underground library.

Lanterns filled the space, glowing with soul-powered lights.

“Welcome, White.” Elder Lu grandly spread out a flowing sleeve. “To one of the greatest accumulations of knowledge in the land.”

Rows of scrolls spread into the distance, aligned on shelves stacked five sections high.

Light glowed off the railings, casting a golden sheen across the room in Sebastian's eyes.

A tear rolled down Sebastian’s cheek at the sight. “It’s beautiful.”

“Indeed.” Elder Lu seemed proud. “Spirit Hall has five main branches outside of the main temple in Spirit City, and this one is among the three oldest libraries in our territory.”

"And members can use it freely?" Sebastian asked, dazed, as he stepped forward.

“I wouldn’t say freely.” Elder Lu smirked at his back. “You need clearance to use it.”

Sebastian’s feet froze like someone poured liquid nitrogen on them. “And who has clearance?”

The elder pointed at himself. “Me, of course.”

“I’m going home.” Sebastian turned around without an ounce of hesitation and headed for the door.

Elder Lu sweatdropped and called out after him. “Wait, young man, it was just a joke!”

“I’m going home!” Sebastian shouted from the stairs. “I’ll come back tomorrow with my answer about joining.”

Elder Lu stopped and stared at the fact that Sebastian actually left just like that.

His shock soon turned to realization, and then to amusement, and his amusement to laughter. ‘Oh dear, perhaps I pushed too far.’

He wiped his eyes and smiled fondly at the thought of the tablet Sebastian showed. ‘You finally came out of your shell, little Bibi. And for such an interesting boy.’

Elder Lu pulled the deck of Snap cards from his pocket, his Soul Power scanning the interesting runes engraved in the corners. ‘A Spirit Crafter, and at his age? The future should be interesting.’

Putting the cards away, the elder left the library with a jaunty whistle. ‘I wonder if I can convince Vice-Head Wen to play a round of Snap with me.’

0000

Later that night, in the same place Sebastian had left from in the library, a soft pop of displaced air rang out as an invisible figure apparated inside.

‘Want to be an old troll, do you?’ Sebastian spitefully grinned. ‘I never wanted to join a group in the first place! You just had to make a recon mission so much more frustrating.’

Vowing to get back at the old troll later, Sebastian grinned widely at the sight of a massive library all to himself.

'I don't even know where to begin.' He silently and invisibly made his way to the first shelf, not seeing any signs denoting a category, and just opened the first scroll.

The second he did, though, the hair on the back of Sebastian’s neck rose as an ominous chuckle rang out.

“Ohoho.”

Sebastian didn't even blink as he vanished in another apparation, the scroll he had just picked up dropping to the ground and rolling to Elder Lu's feet.

“Trying to get one over me, child?” The elder picked up the scroll and dusted it off. “I’ve been handling Spirit Masters for a hundred and thirty-four years."

He put the scroll back and eyed the spot Sebastian had left from. "Teleportation abilities are so very rare. He'll be a fine addition to Spirit Hall."

Elder Lu adjusted his sleeping cap and walked off again, whistling.

Not ten minutes later, an invisible gate opened midair, and a hand reached for a scroll.

“Ohoho.”

The gate shut without a single word.

0000

With dark bags under his eyes and a severe twitch on his brow, Sebastian climbed the stairs to the temple the next morning, where a pristine Elder Lu stood outside with a bright smile, robes billowing grandly in the breeze.

“…”

“…”

Sebastian glared. “I’m here to join Spirit Hall.”

“Splendid.” Elder Lu smiled winningly. “Uniform in size twelve?”

Chapter End.

AN: Hope you enjoyed! In the words of my Beta reader: "Elder Lu is the Dumbledore we always wanted, yet never deserved."