24- Keeping an eye out - Part 3

"Mister Sanders, you are free to go. Please do contact us if you need our help with anything. We will make sure to get back to you as soon as possible."

Emily Ross's smile looked evil and unhinged. Just looking at it was enough to make Liam shudder. He did not like the way the older woman was looking at him.

Elder Eryndorius was already ready to take Liam back and also keep an eye on him. That was the compromise he had reached with Emily Ross, and Liam had to say that he felt satisfied with the deal.

Asger, on the other hand, had a lot to say about it.

"Tsk, how dare these mortals think they can stick an annoyance by this great dragon's side. If not for your troublesome meddling, I would have taken care of this mess much sooner," Asger commented with an almost sullen voice. He walked behind Liam at a more sedated pace.

Liam ignored the half-dragon's complaints. He had much more important things to be worried about… like how to hide his magic when someone was going to keep an eye on him all the time.

Well, first impressions were the most important, and for someone in Liam's situation, his first time talking with his overseer was crucial.

"Elder… ugh, excuse me, but is there an easy way for me to call you? I don't think I can remember your name."

Liam had a lot of things he wanted to say prepared in his mind. But when it came time to actually speak, his mouth failed him, and he ended up spouting nonsense.

"Just call him Old Man Erin. That's what I call him. Anyway, I cannot believe my bad luck. I finally found a place to live away from the guild and its influence, only to have the guild keep an eye on me," Bianca complained, but there was no heat behind her words. At this point, she was speaking for the sake of speaking and nothing else.

Thankfully, no one minded her words… much. Emily had an almost embarrassed look on her face, but she refrained from saying much.

"Let's just head back now. I am sure you are eager to get back to work as well."

Those words felt like a jab to Liam. As someone who did not have a job at the moment and no source of money, he felt like he was being targeted by these words.

Even Bianca seemed to find what was said funny as she made a face that looked half-crying and half-laughing. It got on Liam's nerves, but some things needed to be let go of sooner or later.

And this was one of those things for him.

____

Liam had a fairly big house, but after housing four people in it, it was beginning to feel rather small. He gave the second bedroom on the lower floor to Elder Erin, while Asger got the guest bedroom.

As for the upper floor? That was still being monopolized by Bianca.

He could have asked Elder Erin to move upstairs with Bianca (and she even offered to house the elder man), but Liam declined, feeling that it wouldn't be right to ask a young girl to risk her reputation by letting that happen.

Places like the one he was currently living in had people with strong prejudices, and once someone's reputation was smeared, it was tough for them to recover.

So that was how Liam found two new housemates to live with.

Liam went to sleep with a lot on his mind, but he woke up to the smell of pancakes reaching his nose. His stomach instantly let him know that it wanted food, and it wanted it now.

So, Liam quickly got up to check out who had cooked him food (and to get some as well). And somehow, despite being woken at 7:00 AM sharp by the smell of those pancakes, he found himself awake.

"Good morning, boss! You're in time to eat the best breakfast of your life. Believe it or not, Old Man Erin has perfected the art of making pancakes. I assure you that you won't be able to eat any other pancakes once you eat them," Bianca assured as she pulled her chair out and extended her plate to ask for more.

Liam also did the same, and he had to admit that these were the best pancakes he had ever had. He even considered getting seconds, but the subtle way the older male rolled his shoulders told Liam that he should not do that.

Somehow, he was the first to finish eating before he got up and decided that it was time to find himself a job.

He was about to leave the house when Elder Erin walked toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Elder Erin was a tall man, and age had caused his body to become well-built. He was an intimidating man to stand in front of, so it was understandable that Liam felt a little worried.

Still, he kept himself in check and showed no fear on his face.

"Can I help you out?" Liam asked in a calm voice. But he did not feel the same calmness on the inside.

"Bianca told me that you lost your job recently (Liam still had no idea how Bianca even knew about it. He had not told her.). Since I am living with you, I would like to help you out. Here, go to this shop and give the owner this letter. You will get a job as a Warden."

The old man forcefully handed Liam the letter. Liam had no intention of taking it at first, but what choice did he have when it was being forced on him anyway?

He awkwardly took the letter, thinking of ignoring it. But then he decided that it would be better to check this place out.

As much as he did not want to rely on the help he was getting, he did not have many options at the moment. He had money now, but there was no telling when he would run out of it.