Chapter 2397
Andrew and Amari made their way up to the third floor together. As they passed the second level, they happened to encounter Mikayla and Caden dining with several other admirers of Mikayla’s.
When Mikayla spotted Andrew walking past, her expression darkened for just a moment before she quickly composed herself.
However, Andrew completely ignored her presence. His indifferent demeanor only made Mikayla feel worse, as though invisible insects were crawling all over her skin.
Did he look down on her? What right did he have to treat her that way?
The more Mikayla thought about it, the more uncomfortable she became. She set down her utensils abruptly and said, “You all go ahead and eat. I’m going to head upstairs to find Mr. Orben.”
Being the heiress of the Owens family, she had no trouble accessing the third floor.
On the third floor of the restaurant, Theon was in the middle of showing off to Luna and Leslie, boasting extensively about his accomplishments in alchemy and his standing in the field. He mentioned his long-standing friendship with Philip, casually dropping the name to establish his credentials.
Finally, he extended his invitation. “Come study under me, General Phelan. I can promise you that I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned over my lifetime. Moreover, I’ll instruct you as one of my select inner disciples.
“There’s only one condition I ask: If you accept me as your mentor and we establish a formal mentor-apprentice relationship, then we’ll be bound by that commitment.”
He gazed at Luna expectantly, hoping she would agree.
Luna considered her words carefully before responding. “Thank you very much for the honor, Mr. Orben. However, since I’ve only just arrived at Sovereign’s Apothecary, I’d like to spend more time learning about the place first. Additionally, I already have a mentor, and I don’t feel comfortable taking on another one formally.”
Theon chuckled dismissively. “That’s not necessarily a conflict, is it? General Turman is your martial mentor; we all know and respect that. I could be your alchemy mentor instead. Martial training and alchemy are completely separate disciplines, after all.”
Luna frowned slightly. She thought Theon was being too pushy for her taste, and she disliked having her decisions pressured by others.
Just as she was about to politely decline, a familiar voice broke through the air with a teasing laugh.
“General Phelan, are you here to find a mentor and study alchemy? If so, I have someone I’d like to recommend: my junior, Amari Goodman.”
The moment Luna heard that voice, her body stiffened involuntarily. She suppressed the joy and surprise that threatened to show in her eyes and turned to look.
Andrew and Amari had just sat down at a table beside them and were in the process of ordering their meal.
Leslie’s eyes widened with recognition. “General, it’s him!”
Before Luna could respond, one of Theon’s apprentices spoke up coldly. “What do you mean by that? Mr. Orben is in the middle of accepting a student. It’s rude to interrupt!”
Theon’s expression darkened, though he did not speak yet.
Andrew looked up lazily and said, “What’s wrong? Is Sovereign’s Apothecary your private property? Or Mr. Orben’s? Since when do I need your permission to speak?”
The student flushed bright red, caught completely off guard. “Mr. Orben, they…”
Theon raised a hand sharply, cutting him off. “Enough. You’re not qualified to speak here.”
He turned back toward Andrew and Amari, his voice cold and dripping with disdain. “You two again. I don’t go looking for trouble with you, yet here you are bringing it to me. Especially you, Andrew. What’s that supposed to mean?”
He sneered. “Do you really think General Phelan would even consider your drunkard of a junior, Amari?”