Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(86) TMotDS: Temporary Reinforcements!

The cafeteria was not as full as it usually was. Students usually prefer to eat outside the campus with their friends on Sunday. This made Epel's job easier to find his acquaintances. There was a tall, pale skin, sturdy-looking young boy with spiky green hair and sharp green eyes sitting at one of the cafeteria tables. He was staring seriously at the apple in his hand. He brought his knife closer but hesitate once again.

Epel clenched his fist in his pocket and finally decided to enter the cafeteria. He needs to do this. Jonah is counting on him.

"Sebek," he decided to call as he walked toward the table. The grenette looked up.

"Good morning, Epel Felmier," he greeted with his booming voice.

"What are you doing?" Epel sat in front of him. He noticed the various apple cuts in different shapes and sizes. "You seem busy."

"I'm making a dragon apple craving for the Young Master," he claimed proudly, but then he deflated. "But it seemed like I had some trouble."

Epel hummed. "Well, I can suggest if you used two more table knife as a spacer and guider so you don't just chop the apple off."

"You can do that?!" Sebek screamed, staring at his apple cuts as if it just turned green. He nodded enthusiastically. "I see. I see! Thank you, Epel!" He suddenly stood up. "I must retrieve some knives right now. Excuse me!"

"Wait!" Epel immediately grabbed onto the greenette's sleeve. "I-I need something else."

"What is it?" Sebek sat down again. Epel glanced around, making sure no one from Octavinelle or the anemones were there. Sebek stared at him confusedly. Epel let go of Sebek's hand and took out his handy Swiss-army knife.

"Here." Epel picked up one of the apples. "I'll help you craft as we talk."

Sebek frowned. "I'm not interested in doing dirty dealing. It will taint the Young Master name!"

Epel quickly shook his head. "N-No. This is not a shady business!" Wincing from his sudden raised voice, Epel cleared his throat again. "My friends are in trouble and I need someone's help."

Sebek relaxed for a moment. "What kind of trouble?"

Epel picked up an apple and started cutting some small pieces. "Well, it's kind of a secret." He kept his head down, trying to be as casual as possible. "But I really need someone who is an expert in curses."

Sebek perked up at this. "Young Master is a master in curses."

"Is that so?"

Sebek puffed out his chest and his eyes twinkled with pride. "Of course! The Young Master is the grandson of the Witch of Thorn herself!" he said. "He knows every curse ever existed in the world!"

"Can he conjure them?"

Sebek leaned forward, eyes squinting. "Are you underestimating the Young Master's power?"

"N-No. Not at all." Epel leaned back, gulping for the sudden lack of personal space. "I-I was just wondering... Maybe 'Young Master' can help with this."

Sebek hummed, still looking at Epel suspiciously but decided to back down. Epel sighed and continued. "My friend here is under a really bad curse and we're hoping someone from Diasomnia can help him break it. Maybe your Young Master or any other..."

Sebek hummed again, tapping his chin as he thought. "I have no doubt that Young Master can break curses. Master Lilia can do it as well. How long does this curse last?"

Epel shrugged. "We don't know. It's pretty cryptic. But we need this to be broken as soon as possible."

Sebek nodded. "I see. I see." He gave one more firm nod. "Alright. I'll consult this to the Young Master and Master Lilia."