24: Chapter 24 How shameless is it?

Sitting on the sofa, Gray remained silent for a long time before seemingly making up his mind, looking up at Byron and Eliza.

"Byron, Eliza, I... I know you guys aren't wealthy either, but... but I really have no other choice. I want to ask you for a favor..."

Seeing Gray's hesitant and embarrassed manner, neither Byron nor Eliza spoke, simply watching him.

Seeing that they remained silent, Gray seemed to understand something. A bitter look came over his face, and forcing a smile, he waved his hand dismissively as if nothing were wrong.

"Ah, if it's inconvenient for you, just pretend..."

But before Gray could finish his sentence, Byron waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Gray, if there's something, just say it straight. Don't beat around the bush like this," Byron interrupted.

"I remember you didn't use to be like this. You used to say whatever was on your mind. This isn't like you at all."

Eliza also smiled and said, "That's right, Gray. I still remember when we were on the ship, you'd ask directly whenever you wanted to know about the Wizard World. Why have you become like this now?"

Seeing them act this way, Gray understood their intent. A touch of emotion showed on his face, and his eyes grew slightly red.

"Byron, Eliza, you guys are so good to me."

Byron shuddered, pretending to be disgusted by Gray, and said crossly, "Gray, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't gross me out like this!"

Though Byron said so, he felt somewhat emotional in his heart.

Whether in his memories or since he first met him, Gray had never been like this.

In his memory, Gray had always been carefree, lively, and happy growing up, rather than this timid and subservient self.

Eliza also had a look of disgust on her face.

Gray burst into a smile. "Alright, since that's the case, I won't stand on ceremony."

"Byron, both your and Eliza's mentors are from the potion department, and you are also studying Potionology. I wonder if you could help me get some potions that enhance Meditation."

Speaking up to this point, Gray seemed to remember something and quickly added.

"Don't worry, I won't take those potions for free. I'll pay magic stones for them, it's... it's just that I might have to wait a while before I can give them to you."

Toward the end, Gray's voice grew quieter, clearly a bit embarrassed.

"Of course! Wanting potions without paying magic stones, are you dreaming? I'd love to have that kind of deal too!" Byron retorted crossly.

Eliza: "If you don't pay magic stones, do you expect us to give them to you for free?"

"As for when to pay us... you can just give them to us when you have enough magic stones."

Gray looked at the two of them with pleasant surprise, nodding repeatedly.

How could he not know? This meant they had agreed to his request and were even letting him defer the payment.

"Thank you so much, Byron, Eliza. If not for you, I really wouldn't know..."

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"Alright, alright, don't get all emotional. We'll ask around for you over the next few days. Just wait for our news."

Byron waved his hand, cutting Gray off.

"Don't sit here forcing yourself to keep us company either. Go back and get some proper rest."

Looking at Gray's dark circles, which were as thick as ink, Eliza also urged, "Gray, go back and rest."

Hearing them say this, Gray didn't feel awkward or embarrassed at all. Instead, he felt incredibly comforted and nodded with a smile.

With his tense nerves finally relaxing, he also found himself unable to hold on much longer.

Thus, he didn't stay any longer. Taking their advice, he smiled, said goodbye, and left.

Seeing Gray like this, a smile also appeared on Byron's face.

Watching Gray's departing back, Eliza looked at Byron with a smile.

"Byron, you clearly wanted to help Gray, so why did you act like that? Weren't you afraid that Gray wouldn't appreciate it and would drift away from you instead?"

"Weren't you the same?" Byron countered.

"Besides, what Gray lacks most right now isn't soft and gentle words. That would only make him feel more embarrassed. Scolding him a bit and acting impatient actually puts him at ease."

"Byron, you men are really strange. In these kinds of situations, gentle words of comfort are useless. Instead, scolding him a little and acting impatient actually makes him happier."

Eliza nodded and sighed with emotion.

Hearing Eliza's words, Byron just smiled and didn't answer.

Actually, Byron could have completely ignored this matter.

Because doing so might expose the secret of how he could brew potions so quickly.

But if he didn't help, Gray really might not make it through this hurdle.

Therefore, Byron ultimately chose to help.

Because he only knew a few people in the academy, and among them, Gray was one of those he had a decent relationship with.

The current Byron still needed friends and wanted someone to talk to from time to time. As for the future...

He would worry about that when the time came.

At least, Byron did not regret making this choice now.

Byron changed the subject. "Alright, let's not talk about Gray's matter anymore. Let's talk about something else. How are you doing lately?"

Eliza: "How else could I be? Still the same, experiencing failure after failure in Potion Making."

Speaking of this, Eliza seemed to recall something and continued:

"Byron, do you have any methods to speed up the accumulation of magic power?"

Byron was caught between tears and laughter. "I was about to ask you the same thing. I thought your mentor had such a good relationship with you that she would tell you, and I could trade with you for it."

Eliza shook her head. "Since you don't have one either, then never mind. Anyway, there's still more than half a year before the annual compulsory mission, so there's still time."

Byron shook his head, clearly disagreeing with Eliza's words.

"Although there is still more than half a year, we must prepare in advance. We need to learn spell tricks and practice them until they're familiar, to avoid any mishaps when the time comes."

Hearing this, Eliza thought for a moment and nodded, clearly agreeing with Byron's words.

"Alright, I'll ask around more later. If I get any news, I'll let you know."

Byron: "Sure. If there's news, I'll trade for it with something of equal value."

Eliza had no objection to this and nodded.

After chatting for a while longer, Byron took his leave.

...

Regarding Gray's request, although Byron had deep meditation potions on hand, he did not give them to him immediately, but delayed for a few days.

If you delivered them right after someone asked, wouldn't that be blatantly telling others that you could brew potions? Even if you were looking for death, you wouldn't do it that way.

Aside from keeping the portion he needed for himself, Byron gave most of the rest to Gray.

Since these potions could not be sold for magic stones right now anyway, it was better to give more to Gray to speed up his Meditation even further.

After all, the compulsory mission would have to be executed in more than half a year. Becoming a Wizard Apprentice earlier also meant being able to learn spells earlier and having the ability to protect oneself.

After delivering the potions to Gray and seeing his touched expression, Byron immediately took his leave without staying any longer.

After leaving Gray's place, Byron did not return to his dormitory but walked toward the Library.

He was going to purchase spells.