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Heir of the White Lotus (Web Novel) - Chapter 1859: The Man Named Constantine
Chapter 1859: The Man Named Constantine
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
"Professor, do you know him?"Genevieve asked curiously.
Channing intently stared at Adam for a few long moments. "I might," he said with some uncertainty.
Might? The auburn-haired young woman arched an eyebrow.
She turned back to Adam and found him still haggling over the price of potions. She found it slightly amusing.
"Come with me," Channing said before promptly heading in his direction.
Genevieve followed a step behind.
As the two got closer, they now clearly heard what the disagreement was about.
"...Ten gold is the market price. That’s the retail price, not the buying price!"
"Don’t care," Adam said with a flippant smile. "I’ll only sell it at ten a piece."
The staff, an elven boy, was about to argue back. But Adam didn’t give him the chance.
"As I’ve already mentioned, my potions are slightly more potent than your average ones," he continued. "And it takes less time for the effects to kick in. Do you know what that means, young man?"
"How do I know you’re not lying!" the elf grumbled in annoyance.
"You don’t," Adam said with a smirk. "But I’m not."
Seeing the human speak so confidently, the elf couldn’t help but begin to hesitate.
Adam leaned over the counter and said in an even voice, "Why don’t you call your superior and have them test it? Then we’ll know if my potions are truly worth the money."
Listening to their back-and-forth argument, Genevieve thought to herself, intrigued.
He’s a Herbalist?
Doesn’t look like one.
Before she realized it, she found herself once again looking intently at the raven-haired youth.
He has a lean build, like that of a Paladin. But—
Her thought came to an abrupt halt, and she quickly looked away.
What sharp senses! She exclaimed inwardly.
Adam must have sensed her gaze, because in the middle of his argument, he had casually glanced in her direction.
Thankfully, Genevieve looked away in time.
Or at least, she hoped she had.
The argument ultimately went nowhere.
No matter how potent Adam’s potions were, they still fell within the standards of a Minor Healing Potion. The apothecary could not justify paying more than the established rate for that category.
A senior staff member patiently explained to the raven-haired youth that while the retail price was ten gold pieces per vial, the store still needed to make a profit.
As such, Rhenar’s Apothecary was willing to purchase the potions for eight golds apiece.
After several more minutes of haggling, Adam finally accepted the offer, albeit with considerable reluctance.
Though from Genevieve’s observation, his eyes seemed to tell a different story.
It was as if he had known from the beginning that the apothecary would only pay eight gold per vial, yet he had decided to try his luck anyway.
And judging by how naturally he argued over every last coin, she suspected this wasn’t his first time doing so.
What a strange man, she thought.
She almost laughed. But her etiquette held her back.
So absorbed was she in observing the stranger that she didn’t even notice when Channing approached him and struck up a conversation.
"Excuse me, young man," Channing called out with a smile. "Are you, by any chance, Magus Constantine?"
Genevieve continued to subtly observe the man named Constantine.
A Magus? How interesting.
Though his body language revealed little, and his expression even less, his eyes clearly betrayed a hint of surpise.
His eyes are so dark, she thought.
"Yes." Adam nodded. "Do I know you?"
Once again, his gaze swept over Geneveive.
But it lasted only a brief moment before returning to Channing.
Even when he’s not looking, he’s still observing me. Geneveive made a mental note.
She didn’t know whether to be impressed or terrified.
The three moved to another corner of the store, where it was less crowded.
"Haha, what a coincidence!" the old scholar laughed.
"My name is Channing Oakley," he added, offering a handshake. "History professor at the Sapphire Tower."
Adam, still slightly puzzled, shook his hand nonetheless and politely introduced himself.
"Adam Constantine. Adventurer."
He’s an Adventurer? Despite being a Herbalist? Geneveive thought, slightly surprised.
Herbalists rarely involved themselves in dangerous work. They were highly sought-after professionals whose skills were often in demand. Most lived comfortable and prosperous lives, far from monsters, dungeons, and bettlefields.
"I’ve heard a lot about you from Esmond. He speaks very highly of you," Channing said. "He’s a very good friend of mine, by the way."
"Ah!" Adam’s brows arched in realization.
Now his reactions seem genuine, Genevieve thought.
It’s only after hearing Esmond’s name that he lowered his guard slightly. Very slightly.
He’s a very cautious individual.
"So how can I help you, sir?" Adam asked politely, a faint smile on his face.
His politeness seems authentic enough. Genevieve continued to observe from the side.
"I’m not sure how much Esmond has told you about the upcoming expedition..." Channing began, his words trailing off.
"Expedition?" Adam’s browse creased a little. "He hasn’t told me about any expedition. Though, he did tell me that he’ll find me soon. Something about an opportunity."
He’s not lying, Genevieve thought.
"I see. I see." Channing nodded in understanding. "He’s busy with the preperations for the expedition. He would have probably told you about it in the coming days."
He paused breifly, then asked, "Are you still interested in this opportunity?"
"Depends." Adam shrugged.
"On?" The old professor pressed.
"How much there is to be made, of course!" Adam laughed.
Genevieve was speechless.
A moment ago he seemed mysterious and cautious. Now he seems like a merchant haggling over vegetables, she thought incredulously.
She had expected him to ask about the destination, the dangers, the pupose of the expedition, and other important matters.
Instead, the first thing on his mind was money.
And yet...
For some reason, Genevieve didn’t find it distasteful.
There was a refreshing honesty to it.
Most people hid their greed behind lofty ideals. Adam, on the other hand, simly laid his cards on the table.
What a strange man, she thought once again.
Channing eventually convinced Adam to continue the discussion elsewhere and properly hear the details of the upcoming mission.
After a moment’s consideration, Adam agreed.
Throughout the conversation, Genevieve remained silent.
She listened, observed, and quietly studied the raven-haired youth. The way he spoke, the way he carried himself, the way his eyes seeemed to miss nothing.
This was a habit that her grandfather had instilled in her from a very young age. Observation was the foundation of enchantment magic, he used to say.
But this wasn’t the detached observation he had taught her.
No, she genuinely wanted to learn about the raven-haired youth.
Everything about him drew her curiosity.
"Ah, I almost forgot what I came here to do," Channing said suddenly.
His gaze shifted between Geneveive and Adam. Then he added with an encouraging smile, "Why don’t you two get to know one another? You’ll be going on the expedition together, after all. I’ll be right back."
With that said, he turned and headed for the counter, leaving the two behind.
Adam turned to the auburn-haired young woman and flashed a mischievous smile.
"Have I satisfied your curiosity yet?"
Genevieve was startled, though she didn’t let it show. Instead, she offered a faint, reserved smile.
Adam met her gaze.
Then he pressed his hand over his chest and gave a light bow.
"Adam Constantine. And you are?"
She responded with a graceful curtsey.
"Genevieve Saint Laurent."
