Read ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01
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Putting aside the restaurant incident where Florent was nearly mistaken for a dine-and-dasher, he left the restaurant with a slightly full stomach and an empty wallet, heading toward his original destination: the Trier National Library.
By now, it was past 11 a.m., and time was running out for Florent. Something potentially significant was about to happen, and whether it would be good or bad was beyond his control. All he could do was leave it to fate.
The family gathering hosted by Levi Crow, the head of the Abraham family in Trier, was set to take place in Hodgson District, an upscale area where the Crow family resided.
However, the gathering wasn't held at the Crow family's main estate, but at a large property Levi had secretly acquired through a series of transactions.
The gathering was scheduled for around 6 p.m...
Originally, Florent could have stayed at the library until 4 p.m. before leaving, but his indulgence in food had left him with no choice but to walk to the gathering. This meant he had to set off by 3 p.m. to make it on time.
Fortunately, he had memorized the route from the Trier National Library to the gathering location...
Walking directly there would take less time than taking a carriage... thanks to Trier's underdeveloped road system, carriages had to take many detours, while pedestrians could navigate through narrow alleys barely wide enough for one person.
This time, Florent's reading took place on the second floor of the library, but with one key difference: he now had a notebook to jot down what he learned. For Florent, this method was both efficient and conducive to later review.
Studying philosophy required deep thought, and time flew by as Florent immersed himself in the material. It wasn't until his stiff body reminded him to check the time that he realized it was already past 3 p.m.
Florent's face froze for a moment. After rubbing the stiff parts of his body and confirming that no one was around, he stood up and stretched, forcing himself to stifle a yawn.
Seeing nearly ten pages of densely and sparsely written notes in his notebook, Florent didn't rush off to Hodgson District immediately...
Instead, he sat back down, reviewing his notes and recalling what he had learned that day. By the time he finished his quick review, it was already around 3:30 p.m.
He couldn't help but mock himself a little, 'It's time to show what I'm made of,ʼ he thought.
Still, he dutifully packed up his notebook and returned the books to their shelves...
Florent firmly believed that respecting books was a form of self-respect, especially when they came from a public library.
By the time he stood at the foot of the library, he calmly began doing warm-up exercises in the square in front of the building. After all, he had to face the consequences of his actions, and Florent's chosen method of reaching the gathering was jogging, a skill he felt somewhat confident in.
Thankfully, he wasn't wearing an overly elaborate suit or formal attire. His clothes were a middle ground between a suit and casual wear, allowing him to move freely without looking out of place.
Doing these strange exercises in front of the library didn't go unnoticed. Some people stopped to watch, as if observing a circus act, while others glanced briefly before hurrying away or cheering mockingly before leaving.
Though inwardly embarrassed, Florent didn't let it stop him from completing his warm-up. After all, he had some experience with jogging and knew the importance of preparation.
Soon, he set off on his journey...
Fortunately, his route planning was solid, and the map he had consulted was the most up-to-date and detailed, even marking small alleys and narrow paths. Of course, Florent had to take a few detours, navigating such a long route without missing a turn was no easy feat.
The 'Apprentice' potion undoubtedly enhanced memory, and Florent could vouch for that. Memorizing the route in just half an hour was no small feat, and even now, he could vividly recall the map's details, including the length of each segment and the characteristics of every turn.
Soon, Florent reached the first turn, using it as a reference point. It felt as though the potion had unlocked a new mental space for him, allowing him to recall images and details with ease, something that would have been unimaginable before.
By the time Florent arrived in Hodgson District, he 'woke up' from his mental map review, only to realize he was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
Wiping his sweaty forehead with an equally sweaty sleeve, he felt as though his entire body was leaking water...
When he pulled out his pocket watch, its surface was warm and damp with sweat. Seeing that it was just before 5:30 p.m., Florent breathed a sigh of relief.
He decided to ask a passerby if there was a park nearby where he could cool off.
Unfortunately, Florent didn't encounter anyone to ask. He tried to recall the map from memory, but to his dismay, he realized he hadn't memorized the specifics of Hodgson District.
Florent felt a pang of frustration but reminded himself that the 'Apprentice' potion had enhanced his memory, physical abilities, and even granted him the power to 'Open Doors'...
Compared to the 'Savant' or 'Reader' Pathways, which focused heavily on memory, Florent told himself he had no reason to feel inadequate, though he couldn't deny a hint of envy.
No matter what thoughts swirled in his mind, his current situation remained unchanged: he had to drag himself step by step toward Melanie Villa on Pence Street in Hodgson District, the designated location for the family gathering.
As he trudged forward, Florent finally felt the full extent of his muscle soreness. The cool breeze provided some relief, but the discomfort of his sweat-soaked clothes clinging to his skin was unbearable.
'If I ever buy food without checking the price again, I'm a dog,' he cursed himself inwardly.
And so, Florent made his way to Melanie Villa, a place he sensed might have a significant impact on his future...