Vid saw that after Will looked around, thinking no one was paying attention to them, he pulled the girl to the corner and took out some money from his pocket to give to her.
The blonde girl shook her head and refused, still tugging on his sleeve as if pleading.
Will shook his head, firmly pushing the money into her hands and gestured for her to leave, then returned to his post.
Just then, a new customer entered, and Will went up to them, enthusiastically introducing the workshop's new products.
The girl stared at him blankly for a while before pulling up her scarf to cover her face and squeezing out from the edge of the crowd.
Vid thought for a moment, and then said thoughtfully, "That Will..."
"You noticed? He's also a werewolf."
Machioni poured himself a cup of coffee and said nonchalantly.
Vid asked, "You don't mind?"
Machioni raised an eyebrow, saying strangely, "Vid, didn't you also find a werewolf as a teacher?"
"Remus is different," Vid said, "I trust him."
"Oh, it's not that I trust Will, but he's cheap and efficient, and he makes money for me."
Machioni said with a smile, "As for that furry issue, there's the Wolf Poison Potion, right? And during those few days of the month, he doesn't even need to work."
Vid felt a bit reassured, "As long as you know what you're doing."
"But you...Vid," Machioni asked curiously, "Why do you trust Remus, another werewolf, but are wary of Will? Did you notice something unusual?"
Vid was taken aback, thinking to himself:
—How could it be the same? Remus Lupin was a person who upheld justice until the very end.
But of course, he couldn't say that outright, so he thought for a bit and said:
"I'm worried that because of me, you might trust Remus, and because of Remus, you hired Will... If he turns out to be a bad person and did something at Aslan, I would feel partly responsible."
Machioni was stunned, looking at Vid in surprise as if he were some kind of rare creature.
After a long while, he suddenly burst into a thunderous laugh.
"Hahahahahahaha…"
He laughed so hard it sounded like someone beating a drum inside his chest, and everyone in the shop looked upstairs, while Machioni, laughing, waved his hand.
The people downstairs didn't know what happened, but the genuine laughter was contagious, so they started laughing too.
Only Vid, listening to his laughter, felt his face gradually warming up.
When Machioni finally managed to stop and catch his breath, Vid frankly asked, "Is my thought really that funny?"
"No—no—it's not—"
Machioni said, shaking with laughter, "It's not funny, Vid, I just think—hahaha—this is truly adorable—"
"If I may be frank," Vid raised an eyebrow, "to me, it doesn't sound like a compliment."
Machioni, holding his face, shrugged his shoulders for a moment before finally suppressing the sudden amusement.
"Generally, in our world, people with too high a moral standard easily suffer losses, and those who suffer losses make others find them adorable."
"But today is not…now is not…the time for me to find you adorable, I didn't mean to take advantage of you…"
"Vid, I just think…you're still really a kid…well, of course, you're only twelve…"
"Thirteen!" Vid emphasized, feeling a bit guilty inside.
Well…in this lifetime, indeed just turned thirteen...
"Of course, of course, thirteen…"
Machioni still talked in a coaxing tone, and Vid stared at him unhappily until he rubbed his face and finally pulled back his fully bloomed smile.
"Don't worry, Remus didn't recommend Will to me, his help was merely providing some funds so they could buy Wolf Poison Potion with little money and present themselves properly."
Machioni said very gently, "He believes having a good image makes it easier to find work."
"As for hiring Will, it indeed has nothing to do with Remus, just because of what I mentioned earlier—"
"Will earns the salary of one person but does the work of three, and he's willing to do both dirty and tough work, disappearing on his own during full moon transformations."
"Such a valuable employee, why wouldn't I hire him?"
Vid showed a bit of embarrassment and said awkwardly, "I overthought it."
Machioni laughed again, "You thought too highly of me… If he couldn't create value for me, never mind being Remus's friend, even Remus himself, I wouldn't continue working with him. Maybe it sounds harsh, but that's the kind of person I am."
"That's right, this guy is so utilitarian…so if one day you or I lose value, he wouldn't hesitate to discard us!"
Suddenly a chilling voice came from behind, prompting Machioni to jump up and smile ingratiatingly, "How could that be, Professor... You've always been the teacher I appreciate the most!"
Professor Morry snorted, then sat in Machioni's original seat and put the box he was holding on the table.
Machioni had to wave his magic wand, making a nearby chair slide into place just behind him.
"Professor, you bought a Flow Mirror too?" Vid asked curiously.
Professor Morry's alchemy works had greatly boosted Machioni's profits, so even before the Flow Mirrors were available for sale, Aslan Magic Workshop had already gifted a most exquisite mirror to Professor Morry.
"This mirror is interesting. I wish to buy a few to gift some old friends."
Professor Morry's tone was much gentler facing Vid, explaining:
"You know, some of these old folks haven't been out for decades; they're moldy from staying at home, and this mirror can add a lot of fun to their dull lives."
"You also want to give one to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, right?" Machioni said from the side, "To show off how outstanding your student is. Honestly, teacher—it's a bit childish."
Professor Morry's forehead vein twitched, and he suddenly turned, smiling at Vid, "Vid, didn't you come with friends?"
Vid paused for a moment, "Uh...yes."
"Then go find your friends, don't leave them hanging, it's not very polite." Professor Morry said.
"Oh, okay." Vid slowly glanced at Machioni, bade farewell, and left.
Before he got downstairs, he heard Professor Morry's voice, "Come now, Machioni, as a teacher, let me assess if your magic skills have regressed."
Machioni refused, "No need for that, Professor. I'm really busy today..."
"Hehe."
Professor Morry chuckled coldly as a white-haired, gold-eyed poppet suddenly enlarged and grabbed Machioni by his collar, dragging him away.
Machioni immediately screamed, "Professor, Professor, I was wrong…"