The Herb King

"Sir Anton and Madam Melissa, have you guys considered moving to Lion City?" Aethelwolf asked in a low voice. He has to persuade his parents to move to the capital so that he wouldn't need to travel back and forth to meet them.

Hearing this, Anton and Melissa glanced at each other before shaking their heads.

"To tell you the truth, I want Leric to continue his studies under me. The child has so much potential and Lion City is the best place to nurture him. There are more resources there than here in Barden City." Aethelwolf's words made the couple hesitate. They also heard about Leric's massive growth and they also didn't want to waste his potential because of their own foolish choices. However, Barden City has been their home for many years and they feel reluctant to leave. Besides, the prices of the houses in Lion City might be too much for them since they still haven't saved up much money. After all, it was only recently that their wealth started increasing.

"Sir Aethelwolf, truthfully, we couldn't bear to leave Barden City since we grew up in this place. Not to mention that we might not be able to afford to pay for a house in Lion City." Anton scratched his head in embarrassment. He was only a local lord in Barden City and he wasn't exposed to a lot of luxury in his life. Melissa nodded her head in agreement. The total savings they have could at best purchase a small plot of land and a tiny house in Lion City.

Aethelwolf smiled at them and said. "Don't worry about that. I'll help you guys find a nice mansion and I'll also let Madam Melissa manage my clinic." When he saw that they were about to reject his offer, he immediately added. "Of course, I won't be doing this for free."

Anton and Melissa stared at him in confusion. "What would you want in return, Sir Aethelwolf?" Anton asked.

Aethelwolf smiled at them and replied. "I hope that you will allow me to use your last name."

Huh?!

Looking at their dumbstruck faces, Aethelwolf chuckled. "You see, I grew up with no family and I only know about my first name. It would mean a lot to me if I get your last name." He bullshitted. There was no other way to make his parents come with him to Lion City and this was the only thing he could think of.

"You want to carry the name Lassiter?" The couple stared at him incredulously. They found this matter too perplexing.

"Well, if that's not possible, then pretend that I didn't say it." Aethelwolf let out a forced smile and the Lassiter couple immediately felt guilty when they saw him looking like that.

"Of course it's possible! We are just shocked because it was too sudden. Hahaha!" Anton laughed. He didn't mind at all. Aethelwolf was their family's benefactor and their son's teacher. It would be nice if he becomes a part of their small family.

"That's right! In that case, you are now a part of our family, Sir Aethelwolf!" Melissa smiled warmly.

Aethelwolf grinned when he heard this. "Great! Since we are now family, please drop the honorifics with me!"

The atmosphere became jovial after that and they began talking about other things.

***

"Speak, what happened between you and Sir Aethelwolf earlier?" Janeth grabbed her daughter's shoulders as she glared at her.

Janrose was confused by the sudden change in her mother's mood. "What do you mean, mom?"

"What do you mean my ass. You two came out of his office all sweaty. Come on! Just tell me what happened. I promise that I'll be lenient." Janeth's eyes seemed as if they could spurt fire.

Janrose's eyes widened and she finally realize why her mother was angry. She misunderstood what happened in the office! "Mom, it's not what you think!" She hurriedly said. She then grabbed her mother's hand and pulled her to a corner with no people. "Mom, Sir Aethelwolf helped me level up earlier and the process consumed a lot of his energy." Aethelwolf told him not to disclose the matter about the pill to anyone so she didn't tell her mother about it. She would only be worried if she learned about such crucial information and she might not be able to sleep peacefully if she learns about it.

Janeth's expression eased up when she heard this, but she had no way of knowing her daughter's words. After all, she wasn't an Esper and she couldn't sense the fluctuations of world essence. "Hmph! I'll ask Sir Rendell to check your level later and if you're lying to me, I'll have you clean the whole mansion tonight!" She muttered coldly before going back to her station.

(Rendell is the name of the guard hired by Aethelwolf.)

Janrose could only stare at her mother with a helpless smile on her face. She wasn't worried at all since her level has indeed increased to the peak of Level 1. Even until now, she could still not believe what had happened. If she didn't consume the pill given by her teacher, it might take her more than five years to reach her current level. The efficiency of the Spirit Boosting Pellet was too shocking!

"Sir Aethelwolf can actually create such a miraculous pill... I don't think he is only a Level 4 Alchemist. Even Lord Karman couldn't make something like that. Could he be a Level 5 Alchemist?" She muttered to herself.

(Karman is the only Level 4 Alchemist in Leone Empire other than our mc.)

Janrose couldn't think of anything else other than Aethelwolf being a Level 5 Esper. She decided to investigate this matter secretly. She couldn't discern her teacher's level on her own so she thought about asking Lord Julius or Lord Harold. The both of them were Level 4 Espers so they should be able to somehow gauge his power, right?

"Maybe I'm just overthinking things..."