088 LICENSE TO MAKE DRUGS
Kasshyek's expression darkened, troubled by something unspoken.
"What's the matter?" Leo asked, noticing his father's unease.
"I'm tied up with family matters," Kasshyek admitted, his regret clear. "I can't go with you."
Kasshyek was a busy fella now. He had to manage the Gullee family business and the security of Court la Mood, he didn't have time to be an escort for Leo.
Leo offered a reassuring smile. "It's fine. I'm just attending potion classes. I don't need a bodyguard."
But Kasshyek wasn't convinced.
After a moment's thought, his eyes lit up with an idea. "Wait—I have a solution. I'll find someone loyal to accompany you as your bodyguard."
Leo sighed, his voice tinged with reluctant amusement. "Well, suit yourself, though I really don't need a bodyguard."
Kasshyek's expression softened, but his resolve remained firm. "It's our duty to protect you, young master. You may not think you need it, but I won't take chances with your safety."
-----
Leo made his way to the Pharmaceutical Association of Sodom to enroll in a course on medicine.
The Association was a sprawling complex, with towering buildings and magic towers marking its boundaries—a hub for licensed pharmacists to share their knowledge and train aspiring newcomers.
"What do you mean the beginner's class is full?" Grammers asked the registrar, his voice edged with impatience.
Grammers was Leo's newest bodyguard assigned to him by Kasshyek. Kasshyek was busy now having to manage the Gullee House and the security of Court la Mood, so he couldn't follow Leo around.
He entrusted the job to Grammers, his nephew.
"All seats were reserved over a year ago," the registrar replied, stroking his mustache dismissively. "We can't simply let someone cut in."
The registrar's expression was one of practiced indifference, though Leo suspected he might be open to negotiation. But before Leo would make a bargain, Grammers made his move first to Leo's surprise.
"Here," Grammers said to the registrar, pulling him aside. Then he showed the registrar something- a card.
"What's this? I don't accept bribes," the registrar muttered, though his gaze lingered on the card.
"Take a closer look," Grammers urged. "It's a signed invitation from Miss Rosa da Amber of Court la Mood. An exclusive pass."
The registrar's eyes gleamed at the card, which promised him a rare, queue-free visit to Dame Rosa da Amber.
Grammers offered, "How about we trade? Your year-long waitlist for our long waiting list."
The registrar hesitated but, lured by the offer, finally nodded. "Alright, but he'll be a standby student. He'll have to pass an assessment first."
"Fine by me," Leo replied as he gave Grammers a thumbs up, appreciating his resourcefulness.
Grammers merely beat his chest in return, a sign of pledging his loyalty to his young master.
-----
Soon, Leo was escorted to the beginner's class. As he entered, murmurs erupted among the students.
"Who's this guy skipping the line?"
"Must be some nouveau riche…"
Unfazed, Leo introduced himself, "Name's Lilleo Money."
The instructor walked in, noticing the unfamiliar face. The registrar quickly explained the situation to him, but he wasn't agreeable to the new arrangement.
"Lilleo Money, is it?" the instructor said, frowning. "This class is already at capacity. I don't teach more than six at a time. If you want to stay, someone else has to leave."
Grammers scanned the room, then smirked. "Alright, who's leaving?"
The class fell silent, shocked by Leo's guard's audacity.
"The hell will we give our seat."
Before anyone could protest, Grammers closed in on a nearby student, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground.
"Put him down!" the teacher commanded, summoning a spell.
A towering, ethereal bear shimmered into existence, its fur a mix of deep midnight blue and glowing silver streaks. Its eyes blaze like twin orbs of molten gold, exuding an ancient, primal power.
Wisps of arcane energy trail from its massive paws, leaving a faint, glowing imprint on the ground. As it moves, the air crackles with magic, gathering pace to charge at Grammers.
"What the hell?" Leo asked, shocked by Grammers' initiatives and also amused by it.
Usually, Leo's guards were rather passive, following orders strictly. Few guards in the household would show this kind of initiative to assist his lord.
"A fucking bear summon?", Grammers screamed as he dodged the charging bear easily while still holding the student.
"Drop that student or my bear will rip you apart", the teacher warned Grammers.
"To rip me apart, you'll need a bigger pet", Grammers replied as he leaped around evading the bear.
The other students ran for cover, hiding behind the walls of the hall and began gossiping. The summoned bear though was not a match for Grammer's speed and strength.
"Is he fighting the bear or is he doing some kind of weird dance?"
"He's not tired at all with all the running."
"Come on, we are wasting time here waiting for the fight to end."
"Stop your guard now, we have a class to run", the teacher told Leo sternly.
"Okay, if you say so", Leo said as he signaled to Grammers to drop the student.
The student was shocked by the experience and quickly ran off leaving the spot in the class for Leo to fill.
The teacher wanted to retrieve his bear summon because it was no longer needed.
"Don't bother with recalling the fucking bear, I'll end it for you", Leo told the teacher suddenly.
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a magic pellet that shot forward, obliterating the bear immediately. The teacher stared at his destroyed bear, stunned.
"How dare you…", the teacher protested.
"You should stick to your fucking cooking. We can take down crap like you by the dozen anytime," Grammers sneered at the teacher.
Leo was stunned by Grammer's attitude. He was the perfect companion for a bully. "Well done, Grammers. Well done."
"Who is this guy?"
"His magic is so strong he doesn't need his guard to run around the summoned bear in the first place."
The teacher was paled and looked at his class, frightened by the new student both for his arrogance and his strength. He wouldn't know what this monster would do to him if the monster didn't have his way, either in the class or outside when he least expected it.