Chapter 64: Chapter 64

Professor Burns began hesitantly.

"I'm also aware of some small gatherings of unregistered Enchanters, and the local Enchanter black market. Should these things be reported to the Church?"

Papa Oliver tapped his finger on the arm of his chair and answered crisply.

"As long as they aren't doing anything illegal or actively provoking the Church, there's no need to waste effort investigating them."

Jenkins chimed in, "Exactly. Water that's too pure has no fish."

The moment the words left his mouth, both old men turned to look at him with peculiar expressions.

Jenkins asked with an awkward smile.

Papa Oliver's shop still had business to attend to, and the professor had a class to teach, so after a few pleasantries and a shared word of praise for the Sage, the professor took his leave.

Jenkins offered to see the professor out, and Papa Oliver, after sizing him up for a moment, didn't object.

The bell on the door jingled as Professor Burns and Jenkins stepped out of Pops Antique Shop.

As they walked along the stone-paved surface of Fifth Queen's Avenue, a newsboy darted past them. Seeing no other pedestrians around, Jenkins quickly moved closer to the professor. Huddled against the wall, he whispered, "You said you know about some Enchanter gatherings?"

The professor, who was adjusting his hat, looked a little surprised, but he understood immediately.

"You want to go with me."

Jenkins put on a bashful expression. "I'd like to get to know some Enchanters outside the Church..."

Professor Burns hesitated for a moment, then shielded his face with his gray top hat, which was adorned with a silk ribbon. "Next Monday evening," he responded. "I'll come find you here at Papa Oliver's."

"Why do you call him Papa Oliver too? Just how old is he?"

Jenkins wondered internally, though he was verbally expressing his gratitude.

Just before boarding his carriage, Professor Burns remembered something else. But the carriage's large wheels were already in motion, so he had to lean his head out and call back to Jenkins, "My students are absolutely fascinated by the fairy tales you've written! They're calling you the best storyteller of our time. Congratulations in advance on your book's success!"

Jenkins stood by a steam pipe valve on the street corner, waving goodbye to the departing professor, an irrepressible smile spreading across his face.

He grinned, lowered his head to run a hand through his hair, smoothed the wrinkles on his coat, and walked back toward his workplace with his chest puffed out.

Jenkins was filled with anticipation for the coming Monday, when he would join Professor Burns to witness another gathering of Enchanters. But an event on Saturday evening threw his plans into disarray.

The day had been quite lucky. Not only had Papa Oliver acquired several stones engraved with ancient script for a very low price, but the two of them had also received a special item that looked like a piece of white gauze.

It had originally been just a tattered cloth used by an old woman to wrap a pickle jar she was trying to pass off as a relic from the defunct Palans Empire. But Papa Oliver had spotted its true nature at a glance.

Papa Oliver was in a good mood and was about to let Jenkins head home early. But just as he and Jenkins were analyzing the origins of the stone, an unexpected visitor arrived at the shop.

The shop door was pushed open, and the hanging bell chimed. The two of them turned to look.

"Miss Mikhail?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ nοvelfire.net

Papa Oliver straightened up, patting his lower back. "Well now, have you bought something interesting that needs my appraisal?"

"No, I'm here to see Mr. Williams."

She had arrived by carriage again, but this time the red-haired Hathaway Hersha was not with her.

After greeting them both gracefully, the girl offered Jenkins a proper smile.

"Excuse me, is there a problem with the badge from the other day?"

Jenkins could feel his face flush.

"No, it's not that. Did you write this book?"

Hearing the respectful tone in her voice, Papa Oliver's lips quirked. He took a few steps back to tidy up the merchandise in the shop, leaving the two young people to their conversation.

The book the girl was holding was none other than the "Stranger's Story Collection." Jenkins nodded hesitantly.

"Yes, I did. Is there a problem?"

"I never would have guessed that the apprentice Papa Oliver hired would be a famous author."

The elegant noble lady did not skimp on her praise.

"My friends and classmates have been discussing this book for the past few days, and Hathaway recommended it to me. Before I opened it, I thought it was just a childish storybook. My apologies, I shouldn't have used that word. But I was so surprised by how fascinating the stories inside are."

"A famous author, huh..."

Jenkins was once again reminded that he was a fraud, and his face immediately turned red.

But the girl across from him seemed to assume his reaction was a sign of being flustered by her charm.

Which wasn't entirely wrong, either.

"Hathaway loves the romance stories—the prince who wakes Princess Talia with a kiss, the tragic but ultimately happy Snow White, Katerina... but I'm more interested in the marvelous objects in the stories."

She smiled gently, her fair face radiant with a unique light.

"The tinderbox that summons magical beasts, the matches that grant wishes but bring death... Mr. Williams, have you seen these things with your own eyes?"

"Just as Papa Oliver said, this girl's thirst for the supernatural is a bit obsessive."

Jenkins thought to himself, shaking his head quickly.

"They're just stories. How could such strange things possibly exist?"

The young lady looked somewhat disappointed, but as she stared into Jenkins's eyes, nothing unusual happened.

"Gods, so emerald-green eyes really do exist. J.K. Rowling wasn't lying."

Jenkins, ever the country bumpkin, thought to himself that this was the first time he had seen eyes of that color.

"Actually, I've come to trouble you today because I have a favor to ask."

Briny Mikhail sighed in front of Jenkins, gently letting the previous topic go.

"Me? Please, go ahead."

"I would like to invite you to our reading salon this weekend. It's just a small gathering with my friends and a few other invited authors. I was wondering if you might have the time?"

Jenkins answered without a second thought; he had already used up his days off for the week.

"My work here with Papa Oliver..."

"Sunday evening, from six to nine. I can arrange a carriage to pick you up and take you home."

The noble girl cut Jenkins off, her tone sincere. But considering his recent run of bad luck and the fact that he didn't know the girl before him very well, Jenkins was hesitant. Besides, he had planned on finishing Papa Oliver's books, brushing up on his grammar, and if there was time...