After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

"Apprentice…?" She blinked, totally not expecting this, especially when she just met the man.

Were the rumors about him false? Or…

She looked worried. What if it was an old man with wild moodswings? What if he decided she was annoying and blame her for the apprenticeship?

Her emerald eyes shifted to the old-but-strong-looking guard next to him.

He didn't seem like someone they could mess with.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come and call me master!"

"..."

She looked at the Golds, silently asking if she should.

The Xenoan language had a different word to refer to master from an apprentice's point of view, and the Master and Grandmaster for everyone else. She knew this, and she wondered if she should really call him the former.

However, little did she know that if she was taken aback, then the rest of them were flabbergasted.

This… was the infamous Grandmaster Pharmacist Hoffen Astor?!

However, seeing Althea unsure of whether to take the opportunity, Otto took it upon himself to ease the situation. "This is great news!" he said, voice cracking a bit due to the shock.

He then whipped his head and turned to the old man, who was frowning but anyone who had (unfortunately) spent time with him in a carriage for three days could tell his face was soft.

At this, Zaol couldn't help but ask. "But Master Hoffen, when did you decide to make Miss Althea your apprentice? It's understandable, but I have to say we're taken aback by the suddenness."

Gaia nodded. "It can't be so casual, either, Master Hoffen."

The transmittal of information and knowledge in Xeno was extremely strict. The largest flow of information was between family members and also between master and apprentice.

Basically, the beginning of the master-apprentice relationship was a lot more formal than an exchange of words. It was practically an induction into the master's 'family' and even had a ceremony.

Hoffen blinked when he heard about it. "Is it really?"

Then they remembered Hoffen was very lacking in terms of social awareness so it could very well be that he was really unaware of these practices.

They could, of course, forgo a ceremony. However, what if this 'unbelievable' deal spread? Some tongues would definitely waggle and say that Althea was being presumptuous for claiming she was a Grandmaster's apprentice at her level.

For the younger generation who had admired Althea, how could they let this happen?

"We should hold a ceremony," Otto said, and the rest of them nodded. "It's the proper way to do this Master Hoffen, and it would also be good for Miss Althea's reputation.

Zaol and Gaia looked at each other. At first, they were really shocked, but once they calmed, they could only smile.

As expected, a woman the kids admired would not be normal.

"I can help," Gaia said. She was a noble's wife and was familiar—or rather, was trained—in various customs of this world. "I can assist you in setting up an apprentice ceremony, if you want."

"Can you? Good," Hoffen said, surprisingly amicable. Then he looked at Zaol and patted his shoulder. "Good job, kid."

Zaol grinned. "Of course," he said. Of course, his wife is the best.

Althea and the others giggled at the interaction, with her walking over to the older woman. "Thank you, Miss Gaia," she said, and the redheaded woman looked kindly at her.

"It is my honor," she said. "I've heard a lot about you." She said this in a meaningful tone that Oslo next to them couldn't help but turn a little red.

Anyway, the planning for the ceremony began immediately. Althea also told her husband of the big news. He was probably clearing some distance away though, so he wouldn't receive the aether message until he got nearby.

Anyway, Hoffen was excited and wanted to learn more. However, he didn't jump to demand and ask her questions.

As socially inept Hoffen was, his instinct was the same in terms of sharing knowledge. The difference was that this 'deal' with Althea seemed like it would be more of an equivalent exchange rather than one-sided giving of knowledge from his side.

As such, he had no expectations of her sharing anything before they formalized anything.

In the same vein, it also made Hoffen insist on beginning preparations as soon as possible.

They sat around the comfortable living room with tea and snacks. They were dead tired from the long travel but this development definitely reenergized them.

Gaia was at the head table to discuss every detail.

"Apprenticeship Ceremonies are often hosted by the Apprentice's family. They would sponsor the venue and the other costs it implies," she said.

Althea nodded. "I am willing."

"The typical apprenticeship ceremony begins with the apprentice-to-be swearing an oath of loyalty to the Master, swearing not to betray and especially using the knowledge learned against him."

Althea pursed her lips and for a moment they thought she was unwilling to do so. This made everyone pause, feeling a bit puzzled.

A moment later, Althea spoke up. "I can do this but… our learning is mutual and there's much to see here in Alterra."

She turned to Hoffen, appearing guarded. She knew this might be taken strongly—and not in a good way.

"Is it okay for you to also make an oath? One that promises not to use anything you learned in a way that could harm Alterra in the future?"

The Golds looked surprised.

Gaia opened her mouth, wanting to discourage her. "That's…" very unconventional. If asked to another master, they'd have been so offended, they would've walked out.

However, Hoffen was unlike those people. He had a mind for exploration alone and he didn't care for the social norms or hierarchical issues. If he could learn something in return, he did not mind sharing everything he knew.

"I don't mind," he said with a shrug, surprising the others to no end.

Was this the magic of Alterra, they mused, or did some other soul enter the old man's body?

As if that wasn't enough, the old man looked at her with a serious expression on his face.

"Should I call you master, too?"