After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 1246

"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."

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