The old hag smiled helplessly, "Seems like I'll have to top up my illusion skill around this forest, since a kid could easily tell now"
"It's not that senior, I just have to piece a few things together to make a lime light of things. First it's was said your granddaughter takes painting to the town square every trade fair day
From what was said, she isn't a mage nor knight. With that been the case, she won't be leaving deep in the woods for fear of her safety.
Secondly, I've noticed that raven the moment I arrived at this side of the woods" he point at a raven perched at a tree a bit further from where they were
I wouldn't have taken it seriously if not for the fact I past this tree twice already from my perspective and couldn't help but mark it trunk with something the last time I past it"
Only now did Anna recall Arthur striking this tree lazily a while back, she didn't take it to heart back then but now that he mentioned it
She could see the little strike mark left by his casual stroke.
"What a smart move" the old hag complement also, she had seen Arthur strike the tree too from the sight of the Raven
But since it didn't deal any significant effects on the tree, she didn't bother with it. If she had paid more attention to it, this lad wouldn't have figure it out easily.
"So how do you figure out I was watching, that raven could be just any ordinary Raven"
Alex smile but didn't respond, how is he supposed to tell her he had come across a lot of fictional and fantasy movies where witches love using Raven and owl as instruments for watching others
"Wouldn't an invite be appropriate granny, I mean no disrespect but having a chat with youngster while allowing the elderly stand is quiet not my style"
"Don't get ahead of yourself boy, just because I didn't kill you for trying to set the woods on fire doesn't mean I'm benevolent"
Alex click his tongue, there is no easy way with Granny witches in every series. It always the hard way the only way.
"Are you really not going to invite us in?"
"There is no way I'm inviting some stranger novice mage and a run away elf into my home
You better take my advice and return home from whence you came, the woods isn't for weakling like you"
"Enough granny, I'll leave and don't you go blaming me for losing your one chance to get your hands on mythical objects thought to be lost in time"
Alex turn luxurious to leave, not bother by the granny threatening tone, signaling Anna to follow suit.
Granny frown, hesitant if she should call this kid bluff or take a bone strode. From the demeanor of this kid, he doesn't seem like one bluffing about something he has no idea of
"I don't know what he's talking about granny but I'll say you give it a chance, it's the same mistake baron Williams did after his return from the dead
Trust me, he still regrets his choice eve till this moment" Anna whispers to her before chasing after Arthur.
"Returned from the dead" granny was taking aback murmur to her self, this kid seem to becoming more mysterious as time unfold.
"Wait!" Granny decided to try her luck, if this kid wants to trick her, she can just kill him and nothing else would happen
After all the empire is cautious of her, they wouldn't want to provoke her just because of some fortunate mage apprentice who just began his magical journey.
"Come on granny, you don't have to be so cautious when you have one foot in the grave already
You might have been there already if not for life preserving measures you've been taking
I'm certain is because you haven't fully kept your granddaughter safe yet right" Alex spoke without stopping, he didn't even spare granny a glance
Granny was infuriated, her face red with anger to the point she almost wanted to explode of rage.
"Don't you dare play a fast one on me you pitiful low life level bod...."
"Don't worry granny, I'm not a body thief like you imagine. It's just pretty obvious the air around reck of death and your detolorating appearance further made it clear
My best bet is you've been using life transferer to keep yourself alive till date and the major reason you don't want to associate with other"
Granny halt her rage, surprise once again evident on her face. True to it she has been using life transferer but not to the extent other would think
She has no intention of killing innocent people, thus she would only steal a few years worth of vitality from her victims and let them go
Using quantity to supplement for quality, but now did this young man find out.
All those she stole life force from are spell not to ever remember what happened to them or how they end up meeting with the old hag either
Only a portion of memory remains to keep the deterrence she needed in hope of protecting her granddaughter.
"Fine, you can come in let's talk" she bite her lips angrily but still accept to invite this kid in.
"Well granny, I changed my mind. I don't feel like I need to visit your home anymore, if you do much as want to know what I have to offer
You better do more than invite me in, you have to offer a peace offering" Alex turned towards her with a mocking smile
"That's it boy, you've succeeded in make me mad, if I don't skin you today and make the beast of this forest feed on your remains
Then I won't be able to die in peace" she mobilize her mana, using it to influence the world around her as a powerful force envelope Alex
Threatening to grind him to dust any minute with a single snap of granny fingers.
"I guess you'd remain an hurted ghost knowing you can't kill me because I'll be the one offering a means to protect your granddaughter when you are gone"
The force immediately disappeared, leaving Alex to fall down panting for breath. "Did I mention I can also help you leave a few more years without relying on stealing life force"
"I'm listening"
.....
Arthur and Anna end up in granny little hut in the woods, the beautiful granddaughter of granny serving them tea while granny on the other hand had a thoughtful expression on her face.
"So you're saying you will offer me the amulet of ages and in return you need my granddaughter to be your personal artist?"
Alex nodded, enjoying the sweet tea being served as if his request was a trivial thing asked from granny.
"You do know there aren't many amulet of ages right and amongst the three ever found
Two has been lost to time and the last one is in the elven empire, how do you intend to get it for me
Or are you saying you chance upon one of the other two missing?"
"Dealers secret granny, a merchant never tell his source. That is the one rule of a business man" Alex smile at her knowingly
"And what will stop me from preying the information out of you and still not agree to your terms?"
"You're welcome to try, but don't say I didn't warn you when you lose on both end
Think about it this way, you get someone reliable to look after your granddaughter while you run to heaven knows where to deal with those that most have forced you to such a pitiful state
Not to mention with the amulet of ages, you don't just have more years to live but could live for as long as you desire with a chance of recovery your youthful charm and look
Cope with the fact you don't have to be scared of using the full extent of your power for fear of wearing your body out"
Granny fell into contemplation, this deal seem all to good to be true, there is no free meal in this world and this brat wouldn't say he is willing to part way with such great artifacts all because he needs a personal artist
"What's the catch young man, don't tell me you are doing all this just to get my daughter to be your artist"
"Well that would be absolutely right, the price I'm demanding is too shallow for the reward I'm about to offer
What say you then when I propose you becoming the hidden powerhouse of the kaelon family"
Granny raised her brow, "are you trying to tied an eternal mage to your kaelon second class family with this absurd request?"
"No, I'm requesting for a policy security insurance for your granddaughter, me and my family when all scheming fails and raw power becomes the talk of the day"
"Good, good, good. I like your personality, smart and thinks ahead. As much as I'm tempted with this deal, I'll only agree with signing heaven and earth contract "
"Fine by me".