Chapter 217: Second Escape After Careful Consideration
From late night to early morning, Aaron tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
Since he mastered more advanced driving skills, his thick-skinned and black-hearted ancestors made an exception and gave him a week-long holiday.
Even Gines, his responsible butler who watched him grow up, didn't object and took care of him with even more diligence than usual.
All of this could be described in four words: hardship gives way to joy.
After two consecutive years of classes and tutoring, Aaron Gaius had finally come out on top and was enjoying a true summer vacation.
But the good days came too suddenly, so suddenly that he felt it was somewhat unreal.
Considering his parents were about to return home, he immediately realized this was definitely not hardship giving way to joy, but rather like a doctor's final humor to a late-stage cancer patient: eat whatever you want!
Aaron felt a drum in his heart, but outwardly, he didn't show it, instead trying his best to act like an excited thirteen-year-old.
He kept up the act for six days, confident that he hadn't revealed a single flaw.
But now, with less than twelve hours until Vico and Lisana returned home, he had to make an important decision: run away from home.
Although Ancestor Weichert wasn't optimistic about this second escape attempt, he really couldn't give up without trying.
Originally, he didn't want to do this, because it seemed to be something every heir had to go through; in other words, it was a fate he couldn't escape.
But the ancestors' and the butler's abnormal behavior these past few days had inexplicably instilled a hint of fear in his heart, a fear of the unknown.
He wasn't ready yet and could only try to escape first.
Phew!
Aaron looked at the alarm clock displaying six-thirty, took a few deep breaths, and sat up from the bed.
"Abe, time to get up."
A cute, white head poked out from under the covers, followed by two white paws, and a pair of white wings tinged with a hint of green.
"The original Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts have all been put away by me.
Besides these, how much funding have you raised?"
Abe flew into the air, opening its two paws from its pocket.
Clatter!
A shower of gold coins fell onto the bedside, piling up into a small mound, roughly estimated to be over two hundred.
These were genuine gold coins, much more cost-effective than Galleons; with this wealth, they could live comfortably for a long time.
"Why so little?"
Aaron looked at the dragon cub in confusion, wondering if it had changed its nature.
Since his last successful escape, the warehouse had been strictly guarded by Gines, who had even cast a layer of magic, guarding against them like thieves.
They could go in, and they could take things, but the butler had to know.
They hadn't brought much money back from Hogwarts, and running away required funds.
After much deliberation, Aaron finally gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, secretly taking the vault key on a dark and windy night and hanging it around Abe's neck.
Logically, given dragons' love for gold, it wouldn't stop after just two hundred coins; it wouldn't stop until it had piled up a small mountain.
Abe poked its paw mournfully, "Taking too much would make it easy to be discovered, and the butler would be very angry."
Aaron was immediately exasperated; he was sure that compared to a second escape attempt, taking a few more gold coins was nothing.
"Never mind, this funding is much more ample than last year," Aaron said helplessly, then looked at Abe with a serious expression, "You know my plan, and I know you'll definitely stick with me.
But the consequences this time might be severe; not only Gines, but even Vico and the others will be very angry, so..."
"So Master has decided not to take me?"
Abe was unusually agitated, looking at Aaron with bright, eager eyes, desperately hoping he would give a positive answer, even if just a nod.
Aaron's lips twitched; he hadn't expected the dragon cub he raised to be so unoptimistic about this operation.
"Of course not." Aaron gave Abe a disdainful look, "My meaning is that you have to cooperate with me well and hide your magical creature characteristics.
This time we don't have a backpack, no tent, nothing but funds; if you accidentally expose yourself, then it's game over."
Abe nodded disappointedly, apparently resigned to boarding this sinking ship.
"Time's almost up, let's go eat!" Aaron said, feeling a bit weary, "Remember, today should be just like yesterday; absolutely don't act like a starving ghost reincarnated."
Abe scratched its head, looking a bit at a loss.
It wasn't that it didn't want to, but these past few days it had really let itself go, acting like a starving ghost reincarnated every day.
"Master, I really can't do it!
I was just like that yesterday!"
Aaron patted his forehead, looked at Abe's teary eyes, and waved his hand helplessly, "Have it your way!"
The person and the dragon arrived at the dining room, where Gines was waiting for them with a smile, behind him a House-elf pushing a large dining cart.
"Young Master is very punctual, that's a very good habit."
Aaron wasn't in the mood for such nonsense; he yawned boredly, "When are my parents coming back?"
"The Head of the Family said in the afternoon."
"I know it's in the afternoon, but can you be more specific?" Aaron said, annoyed; this concerned his grand escape plan, how could he not ask clearly.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, around four o'clock."
"Is that so? There's still time, it seems I'll have to go to Diagon Alley later."
Gines' heart skipped a beat, and he asked with a hint of apprehension: "Young Master, what are you going to Diagon Alley for?"
"Tsk! I know what you're worried about, but I won't be running away this time." Aaron glanced at him disdainfully, then said righteously: "I'm going to prepare a gift for them; we haven't seen each other for almost a year, I should at least show some filial piety!
You can follow me wherever and whenever you want, that should put your mind at ease, right!"
Gines was relieved and immediately ordered the House-elfto serve the dishes.
Although he still felt something wasn't quite right, surely the Young Master couldn't run away right under the nose of him, a Grand Archmage!
As soon as the dishes were all served, Abe jumped onto the dining table and eagerly pounced on a large pork hock, gnawing on it while eyeing the other plates.
Besides the dishes Aaron liked, it didn't plan to waste the rest.
After all, once this meal was done, the next one might not be so lavish.
Aaron watched his pet gobbling down food helplessly, feeling a bit of a headache while eating.
With Abe's appetite, if it ate well, one meal would cost one Galleon.
This runaway trip was estimated to last a month, and its food expenses alone would account for half of the funds.
Besides that, there were countless places to spend money; the remaining half of the Galleons for food, clothing, housing, and travel combined would probably barely be enough.
After breakfast, Aaron, carrying Abe, used Floo Powder to reach a small shop in Diagon Alley.
Gines naturally followed closely, confident he wouldn't stumble twice in the same place.
Aaron pretended to stroll around the street, but his eyes were selecting a suitable route.
"Uncle Gines, Hogwarts will have Divination Class this semester, so I need prophecy books and corresponding magic tools."
"Understood." Gines smiled and nodded, "'Unfogging the Future' is on your book list, and I'll also prepare a beautiful crystal ball for you.
Besides Divination Class, there's also 'The Monster Book of Monsters,' 'Intermediate Transfiguration,''Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3,' and so on.
Young Master can rest assured, I have already prepared all these things."
"That's good." Aaron said with satisfaction, feeling a little relieved.
The ancestors were unusually tight-lipped; whenever it came to secrets he wanted to know, they would look at him with schadenfreude but remain silent, making him anxious.
But Gines was easier to fool; since he had prepared his textbooks for next semester in advance, it meant that the secret he was about to encounter wouldn't be very dangerous.
Although it might be full of malice, at least he could return to class safely, which was very good news.
"By the way, over thousands of years, the Gaius family has produced many talents; aren't there any who are proficient in divination?"
"This..." Gines pondered for a while, "I can only tell you that such an existence does exist, and his predictions are 99% accurate.
But as for the specifics... I signed a contract, but you'll know soon enough."
Aaron:...Why another contract?
It was such a versatile, perfunctory, yet unassailable excuse.
Aaron thought of the good news he had just received, suppressed his anger, and continued walking until he saw a towering white building.
"Gringotts?" Gines raised an eyebrow, "Young Master, if I may be frank, you don't need to spend so much to prepare gifts for the Head of the Family and Madam.
A book, a bouquet of flowers, a piece of clothing would all be fine; the most important thing is that the Gaius family truly lacks nothing, especially... they are not short of money."
"I know, but this is my own business.
It's more meaningful to buy a precious gift for my parents with the money I earned myself." Aaron weighed his pocket and winked at Abe as he walked towards Gringotts.
Abe nodded solemnly, its eyes filled with determination.
The moment Aaron and Gines stepped over the threshold of Gringotts, it darted out of Aaron's arms and headed straight for a deep alley, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Abe." Aaron called out urgently, chasing after it.
"Oh, no.
Wait, Young Master."
Gines immediately followed; he was truly anxious because the alley Abe darted into was called Knockturn Alley, and at least eight out of ten people there were Dark Wizards.
Among them were many desperadoes, who might not give face to the Gaius family.
With the Young Master's current strength, he could barely protect himself, and there were two guardians secretly following, so logically, nothing unexpected should happen.
But it's better to be safe than sorry!
If the Young Master got injured, it would all be his responsibility; would he still have a good outcome when the Head of the Family and Madam returned?
No, after returning, he definitely had to teach Abe a profound lesson; it should be starved for at least three days.
It shouldn't have run away so early or so late, but precisely at the entrance of Gringotts, near the entrance of Knockturn Alley.
And Young Master, you've run a shop in Diagon Alley for several years, don't you know how dangerous Knockturn Alley is?
Thinking of this, Gines suddenly realized something, his steps involuntarily slowed, and his expression became particularly colorful.
What the... The Young Master couldn't have run away again, could he?