Tullia knew that her husband and she were arguably two of the strongest Named Adventurers on the continent. They had to participate in several missions with the Royal Guards or in joint operations of the Watch too. By virtue of their classes and names, the Dancing Vanguard, her Named Adventurer title, and the Singing Blade, her husband’s, they were experts on fighting and terpsichorean deeds. In theory, this should have made them both peerless professionals in dealing with people—something that Tullia did indeed believe.

But then, how come she did not understand anything about her own son?

“We’ll all take the Ethereal Cattle steak,” Chrysantus's warm and inviting voice rang out in the hushed atmosphere. He directed his order towards the [Waiter] at Greener, whose eyes betrayed an evident unease while serving the patrons of such an esteemed reputation. Out of the corner of his eye, Chrysantus noticed Truffles, who appeared only barely aware of the [Waiter]'s presence or the conversation taking place.

“Sir, I recommend a vintage we recently acquired through—”

“A pitcher of water is fine,” Chrysantus interjected curtly, shooting a playful wink at the [Waiter].

“Aye,” the [Waiter] bowed slightly.

“Tell Felix we appreciate the last-minute table,” Chrysantus dug a gold coin from his pouch and flicked it at the [Waiter]. “I would like some time with my family now. And bring us some of that famous bread too.”

With a flurry of thanks, the [Waiter] retreated, leaving the family alone among the wines and greenery typical for the restaurant.

Tullia had raised an eyebrow when Chrysantus, of all people, refused wine, but she also knew how little it took for Truffles to become eccentric after a few drinks. She observed the decorations inside the pretentious restaurant that Truffles had recommended they visit—somewhere much fancier than he had ever asked for. Greener was a high-end restaurant with verdant vegetation running through the whole theme of the restaurant, with vines climbing up the walls and between tables. Several small trees are dotted around like columns, stretching up to the ceiling with their long branches.

Could he have finally caved? Tullia asked herself. Could it be that he will finally ask us for money or for us to find him a job?

She didn’t want to dream too much, but she would just love to finally teach her son their job. He didn’t have a natural talent for singing, but he could definitely learn—especially from two Named Adventurers.

She looked at Chrysantus, and they exchanged a poignant glance, both thinking the same thing…

Why had Truffles brought them here?

Their son had decided to live like a homeless—even when they sent him money, he either sent it back or it devolved into something inane. It had infuriated Tullia at the beginning; she had lectured her son endlessly on how hard making money was and that he should have more respect for it.

However, Truffles had always been different. He had no regard for coin nor for fame. Both parents had offered to train him, teach him things, get him apprenticed to famous people—but nothing had interested him. One day, he told them that he wanted to be an [Alchemist] like his late grandfather – Chrysantus’s father – and that had been it.

Since that day, their son had refused any help or any recommendation they had tried to use to get him a real apprenticeship. Truffles had decided to pursue his dream alone, with his own strengths.

Tullia thought that if her son had been less… particular, then it would have been fine. If anything, she would have otherwise encouraged that behavior. Sadly, her son had blossomed into a very special flower. He did not move like all the others, and that made it much harder for him to function like all the others.

“Truffles,” Chrysantus spoke slowly, “are you eating?”

Tullia tensed at the question. Truffles had refused to eat expensive food in the past when they had invited him out, saying that he would only eat what he could afford with his own money… which had made for some very miserable dinners. Now, though, their son had not said anything about that.

Truffles nodded, not speaking.

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“Good, good,” Chrysantus said, letting a tinge of excitement transpire in his voice. “So, what have you been up to, son?”

“I can read better.”

That was it—that was all that Truffles said.

“Really? I read in the letters about this friend of yours making letters out of [Light] spells. That is quite impressive for someone who just got the [Mage] class.”

“Joey is very good at magic,” Truffles said absently.

“Truffles, dear,” Tullia extended a hand and firmly clutched her son’s, “tell us more about reading. Has it landed you a class yet?”

The ash-blond guy looked at his mother and shook his head.

Tullia felt a pang of disappointment at that but didn’t let it show on her face. Both her husband and she had perfect control of their mannerism.

“Do you think you will get one?” Tullia pressed her son.

“Darling,” Chrysantus spoke in a slightly exasperated tone before changing topic, “son, we are happy that you have been improving your reading skills and making new friends. You know, our trip…”

Tullia slightly zoned out while her husband started telling Truffles about their trip. Sometimes, she didn’t even understand why he did that: Truffles barely seemed to listen to anything they told him. And he seemed even less interested in what he was hearing.

The thing that really got her going at the moment, though, was the fact that he had called them to this restaurant. There was a chance, though small, that he might have finally come around from his silly dream of becoming an [Alchemist] on his own.

“Dear,” Tullia spoke to Truffles in her softest [Suave Voice], “can you tell us why you wanted to see us in this restaurant?”

Truffles looked at the table and fidgeted with his hand as he replied.

“Joey says that you need to talk business in a good restaurant, in front of a good meal. We need to wait for the steak,” the blond explained.

Chrysantus eyed his wife and wetted his lips.

They awkwardly waited for the [Waiter] to come with the food—as soon as the steak landed on the table, Truffles cleared his throat but was interrupted by the [Waiter] trying to explain something about the food.

“This is a special cut that has been kept in a blend of—”

Truffles’s hands sped up, and his face twitched a couple of times. Chrysantus, not missing a single of his son’s movements, gave an imperceptible headshake in the direction of his wife, signaling to her not to do anything; he wanted to see what Truffles wanted and how he would deal with the [Waiter].

“I—I need to talk to my parents. Can you leave us alone?” Truffles spoke extremely fast and with a weird intonation, slightly flustered. The [Waiter] was stumped by the young man interrupting his explanation but seeing both parents not interested in what he had to say, he immediately retreated.

Tullia waited for a couple of minutes, starting to lose patience as the steaks were getting cold, and Truffles had not yet spoken a single word.

“Dear, I’ve been thinking about giving you some private singing lessons,” Tullia spoke with a smile. “Your father could pitch in too. What do you think about that? [Singers] are always requested at a noble’s court, and we could find you—”

Truffles’s frown was so deep his mother immediately regretted opening her mouth. It appeared she had grossly miscalculated what her son had wanted to talk about.

“I am an [Alchemist],” Truffles said without stumbling on any of those words. “[Bumbling Alchemist],” he added.

“Yes,” Chrysantus sighed, looking obliquely at his wife.

“I don’t want a job. I need to learn how to make soap from Joey.”

“You mentioned that a month ago, Truffles,” Tullia quipped, already losing her patience, “has this Human taught you anything yet?”

Truffles turned to her and, to her surprise, nodded.

“He explained the general process. I know what to do, but I need his help with some materials. I will also keep practicing reading while he trains for the duel.”

“Why did you call us here if you don’t want our help, then? You said that you had to ‘do business’ in front of a meal. What business?” Tullia asked.

Truffles started fidgeting more than usual, almost crushing his fingers against each other. He opened his mouth a few times but failed to speak. His green eyes were glued to the table.

Tullia hunched forward, ready to speak again, but Chrysantus extended his hand and stopped her, shaking his head.

Truffles clearly struggled to speak, having trouble voicing his thoughts.

It was clear that something weighed on his mind.

But what is it that he has to tell us, then? Tullia wondered.

“I want you to help Joey,” Truffles finally spoke amidst the silence and the rapidly cooling steaks.

Chrysantus angled his head, curious to hear more of what Truffles had to say.

“Joey accepted a duel. He said he was going to be fine. But even after he wins, the [Soldiers] will keep bothering him.”

Tullia exchanged yet another glance with Chrysantus and agreed with her son for once.

“They will never let a Human be, Truffles.”

“They beat me up when I was with Joey and Stan. They provoked me and beat all of us up.”

Chrysantus straightened in his chair, Tullia staring daggers at him.

“Did you know about this?” She spat the words out in anger.

“It’s part of growing up,” Chrysantus nodded.

“Chrysantus,” Tullia spelled out his name one syllable at a time.

“Mom,” Truffles interrupted her thoughts. “I am not afraid of [Soldiers]. But I don’t want them to kill Joey.”

“Truffles,” his father said, “are you trying to tell us that the first time you ask for our help, it has nothing to do with you? That you are worried about your friend and that you would like us to… look after him?”

Truffles nodded and then frowned.

“I—I am not asking you to look after him.”

“But you are asking for help,” his mother clarified.

“Yes.”

“Help with what, then?” Chrysantus feared he knew where this was going.

“I think all the [Soldiers] in Amorium should die,” Truffles stated casually.