Summoner's Second Chance

Chapter 16

With light footsteps, the shadow moved from one shade to another, following Trace's every step. "Trace Redfate... I hate to admit it, but your existence may be a way for me to be together with my true love..." The shadow, on closer inspection, was small, not fitting of her age. People are staring at her from the corner of their eyes. Children even start to point at her, as they pulled on their mother's skirt. Not minding the crowd around her, she curled her fist into a ball and grinned. "Alright, I suppose it is time..." The girl ran to the nearest shade, and concealed her presence once more.

Trace on the other hand, is at his limit. He could not help but to find his stalker's motion as ridiculous. It might work on some people, but for him, who can sense even the slightest presence, his stalker's presence is painfully obvious. He wanted to slip into an alleyway, and ambushed his stalker, but he could not feel any hostility from them at all. Although it is apparent that their activity is annoying him to no end.

Trace arrived at the place where he may receive a test to raise his rank in the Alchemist Guild, and delivered his letter to the receptionist. After signing his name, and a whole lot of other procedure, he is finally able to take it. "Alright, the next test is in two weeks... More time to perfect my theory I suppose." He shrugged, and walked away from the premise. He entered a small eatery, and sat down at one of the empty seats. Even when he is wearing casual outfit, people are still staring at him intently. He sighed, as one of the server stopped at his desk.

"What would you like to eat?" The server greeted him with a pleasant smile on her face. Trace smiled back, and looked through the menu. "Then I will have clam chowder and bread for today." The server nodded, and lightly ran towards the kitchen. Just as she left, a group of three rough looking men surrounded him. Trace put a small smile on his face, and greets them. "Gentlemen. Is there anything I can do for you today?" Instead of being rude to him, the three men sat down with him on his table, and each of them presented an item to him.

"Behold! This is my finding for today, a Lorax Snake's Redstone." Trace puts on a surprised face and inspects it from afar. "This is... very nice, sir. Would you mind parting with this item?" The man laughed loudly and shook his head. "Of course not, young master! I brought it here so I could sell it to you!" Trace smiled, and took out a single Gold Sverd, and 20 Silver Sverd. "Will this be enough payment?" The man's eye gleamed, and a huge grin appeared on his face. "Enough? This is more than enough! I will gladly take the deal!" Trace smiled, and extended his hand in a handshake, which the man took excitedly. "Young master, please take a look at my finding too!" Trace nodded, still with a smile on his face. "Of course, do not worry. I will look at every single one of your finding." The three man smiled at each other as they began selling Trace their finding.

"Here's your order, young master!" One of the cook personally delivered Trace his meal. "Thank you, I will enjoy the meal." The cook bows at him, but didn't leave immediately. He seems to have question for Trace, and he understood it. "Is there something on your mind?" The cook was quite surprised, but a smile came to his face soon enough. "Young master have the money to eat in a fine restaurant, but instead young master chose to eat here, in our humble eatery. I was just wondering why." Trace looked at his meal, and smiled. "It is quite simple, really. I feel more at home here, than in any of those fancy restaurants."

He looked around him, and saw families and friends around him, happily eating and chatting. "It is such a lively place, and everyone is smiling. Everyone is enjoying their meals with their friends and beloved, with such a happy smile on their face." Trace looked at the chef, and gave him a wide smile. "I could never see something like this at those fancy restaurants, and that's what makes the good food here taste even better." The chef was deeply moved by his words. He had prepared himself for a half-baked answer, but Trace's answer made him want to work even harder than before. The chef closed his eyes, smiled, and bowed at Trace. "If that is the case, then I will tell the head chef exactly that." Trace nodded slightly. "Please do. I love this place, and the food. It would be magnificent to see further improvement."