Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Chapter 127 Seeking Flower

William gestured towards a nearby bench, and they both sat down. He knew some things about Lucy, but now that she was his disciple, he felt it was important to learn more.

Lucy, eager to delve into the world of magic and grow stronger, spoke rapidly, her words tumbling over each other in her excitement. She was still in a state of disbelief, unable to contain her joy. Never had she imagined William would actually accept her request.

William, too, hadn't planned on taking on a disciple anytime soon. But Asura's revelation about Lucy's demonic bloodline had piqued his interest.

"And how are you going to tell your parents?" William inquired, a hint of concern in his voice. "Aren't they going to be upset if you leave?"

Lucy's smile widened. "They already know I'm planning to leave to learn more about magic," she explained, "so it won't be that hard, I think. But you'll have to meet them, you know, so they can see you're a good person."

"Really?" William replied, considering her words. "Well, then it must be today, as I'll be embarking on a task tomorrow." He paused, gauging her reaction. "Should we go there now?"

He knew that the following day, he and the crew would venture towards the volcano in search of the fire blossom flower. It was a dangerous mission, one that would likely take some time to complete.

William felt it best to speak with Lucy's parents beforehand, eliminating one less worry from his mind.

Lucy didn't hesitate. "Sure, why not?" she chirped, a cheerful grin spreading across her face. "Come with me!"

They navigated the quaint village streets, heading towards the restaurant where William had first encountered Lucy and enjoyed that peculiar drink.

The restaurant bustled with activity—it was, after all, one of the few dining establishments on the island.

But with Lucy leading the way, they bypassed the crowded main area and entered the back of the restaurant, finding her parents hard at work in the kitchen. Her father, the restaurant's cook, stood over a steaming pot, while her mother assisted with various tasks.

They looked up in surprise as Lucy entered with an unfamiliar man in tow.

"Lucy, my dear," her father boomed, setting down his cooking utensils. "What's going on?"

William remained silent, allowing Lucy to explain the situation. It was the safest course of action, ensuring he didn't inadvertently say anything that might jeopardize his chances.

Lucy recounted her encounter with William, explaining that he was on a mission but would soon be leaving the island. She expressed her desire to accompany him and further her magical studies.

Initially, her parents were apprehensive. They didn't know William. Who in their right mind would let their daughter go off with a complete stranger?

"We'll close the restaurant soon so we can talk properly and get to know this William," Lucy's father declared, his tone firm but fair. "Is that acceptable to you?"

"Yes, Dad," Lucy replied, glancing at William with a reassuring smile.

William settled at one of the empty tables in the main dining area, patiently waiting for the restaurant to close. It didn't take long; Lucy's parents were clearly eager to have this conversation.

Once the last customer had departed and the doors were closed, they gathered around a table, Lucy's parents even bringing out a platter of freshly cooked food from the kitchen.

"So, who are you, William?" her father began, his gaze fixed on the young mage. "And what are you doing here? You'll have to be forthcoming with us, or I won't allow our daughter to go with you. I need to know she'll be safe."

William, recognizing the need for transparency, shared some details with Lucy's parents. He told them he was from a prestigious magic academy and was on a mission to obtain the fire blossom flower.

He remained vague about the flower's purpose, simply stating it was for a potion he intended to craft. Naturally, he omitted any mention of his unique abilities, such as his time-travel skill or his demonic energy, including Lucy's demonic heritage. That would be revealing far too much.

"You can speak with my captain after we complete the mission," William offered. "You can see the ship, meet the crew, and see where your daughter would be staying. But this is a temporary arrangement; we're returning to the mainland once this task is done."

William's words seemed to ease Lucy's father's concerns. He was understandably worried about his daughter, but he also recognized how important this opportunity was for Lucy. She yearned to become a powerful mage, a dream that would never materialize if she remained on the island.

"May I ask why you accepted her as your disciple?" her father inquired, his curiosity piqued.

William smiled warmly. "She told me she wanted to become a powerful mage, earn money, and allow you two to retire comfortably so you wouldn't have to work in the restaurant anymore," he explained. "I found that incredibly noble. If I still had my parents, I would do the same."

William's gaze drifted momentarily, the thought of his unknown origins surfacing. It was still a difficult reality to grapple with.

Lucy's parents were visibly touched by his words, tears welling up in their eyes. "Alright," her father said, his voice thick with emotion. "Take care of our daughter, you understand? And I'll be inspecting the ship and crew. Come talk to me when you're done."

"Of course," William assured him. "But Lucy will be staying here for now. The task is dangerous, and I don't want her to come with us."

She didn't complain about not going. In fact, Lucy wanted to play it safe now that she finally found someone to mentor her. She decided to stay in the restaurant to prepare her things for the journey ahead.

William returned to the tavern after that, walking through the empty streets.

Once there, he noticed how the tavern buzzed with the lively chatter of the crew, their voices mingling with the clinking of tankards and the boisterous laughter of locals. William found a quiet corner, nursing a drink and observing the scene unfold. He noticed Seraphina sitting with a few other crew members, but she remained unusually quiet, her gaze distant.

He wondered if she was still upset about his evasiveness, about the secrets he kept hidden. Perhaps tomorrow, after they faced the dangers of the volcano together, he could find a moment to speak with her, to try and bridge the gap that had formed between them.

But for now, he let his thoughts drift, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead and the unexpected turn his journey had taken with the addition of a new disciple. He couldn't deny the flicker of excitement that sparked within him at the prospect of mentoring Lucy, of helping her unlock her potential and perhaps, uncovering the secrets of her demonic heritage.

The tavern's raucous atmosphere gradually faded as the night wore on, and William eventually retired to his room, seeking a restful night's sleep before the daunting challenges of the following day.

But sleep eluded him. He tossed and turned, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and anxieties. The impending expedition to the volcano, the enigmatic Seraphina, and the surprising addition of Lucy as his disciple – all these elements swirled in his mind, preventing him from finding peace.

Dawn broke, casting a soft glow through the window, and William finally drifted into a restless slumber. When he awoke, the rest of the crew was already abuzz with activity, their preparations for the mission well underway.

They had gathered the necessary supplies to sustain them for several days, and they had secured the services of a local guide who knew the safest routes through the treacherous volcanic terrain.

William joined the group, his stomach churning with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. He knew the dangers they faced – not just the molten lava and scorching heat, but also the formidable Fire Elementals that inhabited the area.

These creatures, born of fire and possessing immense power, were not to be trifled with. William knew they would inevitably have to engage some of them in battle, but he hoped to minimize such encounters. Their guide, a grizzled veteran of the volcano's slopes, assured them he would lead them along the safest path, avoiding as many Fire Elementals as possible.

William strolled alongside Captain Hemlock, engaging him in conversation since Seraphina remained aloof.

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"How long do you think it will take us to obtain this flower?" William inquired, his gaze sweeping across the rugged volcanic landscape.

The captain stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Well," he mused, "with a bit of luck, a few days. If not..." He shrugged, his expression turning grim. "It's hard to say."

There were many variables to consider in this mission. The flower itself was extremely rare. There were times when the volcano was abundant with blossoms, and other times when only a single flower bloomed.

And searching for a single flower on that colossal volcano, while evading or battling Fire Elementals and enduring the scorching heat, was a herculean task indeed.