A few minutes later, Aiden and Genevieve were back to the reception hall after being thrown out by the staff member. Genevieve stared at Aiden like he was a rare specimen.
"Such a direct gaze would make me shy."
"I hope it would knock some sense into you, too," she said. "What were you thinking by bribing a craftsman with a single bronze coin?"
"I thought it was enough."
"A single item that they craft would sell for ten bronze coins or more," she said. "You tried to bribe a king with a loaf of bread."
"How would I know they were so rich?"
"The Craftsmen Union is powerful because of their deep pockets," she explained to him with a sigh. "Sometimes I forget that you know nothing."
"I guess that makes it your fault that we got kicked out?"
"You really want me to send you flying again?"
"My ribs can't take it!" Aiden protested.
As the two were quibbling, a man walked up from behind them. The two turned toward him at the same time to see a gloomy old man staring into their souls with annoyance.
"Please don't stand in the door," the man said.
"There is plenty of room to—" Aiden wanted to point out that the man could just avoid them, when Genevieve placed a hand over his mouth to shush him.
"We apologize, Grandmaster," she said with a little bow.
The man let out a snort and moved past them to talk to the receptionist, who almost kowtowed on the ground in respect. Once he was out of earshot, Genevieve removed her hand.
"Who was that?" Aiden asked, recognizing the respect in Genevieve's eyes.
"One of the greatest men in Argan," she said. "He is the sole Grandmaster in this Craftsmen Union."
"A Grandmaster of what?"
"Crafting, of course," she said. "He crafts items as easily as one breathes."
"Unless they have asthma, am I right?"
"Your nonsensical words are going to kill us both," she said with a sigh. "We might still have a chance to get our hands on some materials. The Grandmaster has the largest vault in the city."
"That old man?" Aiden asked. "He should invest into some skin care."
Genevieve looked at him like she had enough. "Why do I even bother?"
"I'll behave," Aiden said with a grin.
At that moment, the Grandmaster returned to find them still blocking the path. He frowned as he glared at them, but Genevieve was quick to give him a slight bow.
"Excuse us, Grandmaster. I think we met once before in the Annual Gathering. I am—"
"I know who you are," the old man said with an unimpressed face. "You are the Guild Master who failed to keep this city safe. And now, everyone has escaped, turning it into an abandoned city."
Genevieve was taken aback.
"You thought I would show you some respect?" the old man said with a smirk. "I am well respected for being dedicated to my craft, so don't expect me to treat you with respect when you couldn't even handle a few monsters."
"Monsters?" Aiden said with a laugh. "Your ignorance is surprising."
"What did you say?" the old man snapped at him. Genevieve held his arm, pulling him back.
Aiden, however, was not going to let this old man run his mouth without knowing anything. "Monsters are one thing, and Astral Creatures are another. You know nothing but talk rubbish. I can't believe the audacity!"
"Do you know who I am, kid?" the old man said with a frown. "A snap of my fingers would send you to the deepest pits of hell. Kingdoms would tear each other for one of my creations."
"I don't care who you are," Aiden said. "The Guild Master is the only person in this city that I do respect. She had a dozen chances to run away and let you suffer this disaster, but she is the sole person standing to resist the inevitable fate upon us."
The old man raised a brow as he turned back toward Genevieve, who looked at Aiden not with rage, but gratitude. He raised a brow. "You have a brazen monkey. Keep it on a leash, or else."
"I would have to agree with him," Genevieve said with a smile. "And I don't take orders from you."
"I see," the Grandmaster said with a twisted smile. "Then don't mind me when I forbid your participation in all auctions to come, Guild Master."
Genevieve did not falter. The man snorted and moved past them to leave. However, before he was out of the door, Aiden called out for him.
"Wait a second, old man! Do you have any Void Ash I can borrow?"
The Grandmaster froze as he turned toward Aiden. He inspected him from head to toe, and then turned to face them again. Genevieve looked in confusion.
"You insult a man, and then ask for a favor?" the Grandmaster asked. "How can you be so shameless?"
"I have a great skin routine," he said. "And I didn't ask for a favor. I'm simply borrowing a little from you. I'll return it later, so don't be stingy."
The Grandmaster looked at Aiden like he was a lunatic. Then, he squinted his eyes. "What does a brat like you need the Void Ash for?"
"I happen to be a craftsman myself," Aiden said. "And soon, a better one than you are."
The old man laughed, like screws grinding against each other. "You are amusing, kid. You want to believe that a ragtag mannerless kid like you is a craftsman?"
"I claim to be," Aiden said with a shrug. "Are you going to give us the Void Ash or not?"
"Why would I?" the old man asked. "You offended me multiple times, so why would I help you now? There is no common sense in this. You are simply clutching at straws."
"I might be," Aiden said. "But I had you intrigued, right? You can't shake the feeling that I'm actually telling the truth, and that I am a craftsman. Even more, you know that I have absolute confidence that I will become better than you."
"That's enough, Aiden," Genevieve said. "This is hopeless, and feels like we are begging."
"Your friend is right, kid," the old man said. "But if you beg on your knees, I'll spare as much Void Ash as you want — because that's the difference between us."