"I'm still alive..." Wilmer uttered with a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "You're incredible, sir. I'd love to be your apprentice."

Adrian gave Wilmer a sidelong glance. He was helping Wilmer simply because of his unwavering loyalty during their earlier ordeal. Taking Wilmer as an apprentice was out of the question.

"Sorry." Adrian placed Wilmer back on his back. "I have no interest in taking on apprentices. You should find someone to be your mentor."

Wilmer felt disappointed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object, offering it to Adrian. "Take this."

Adrian did not accept it, and simply kept walking. He disliked gestures of gratitude. After healing Wilmer, their relationship would end then and there.

Wilmer urged, "It’s a fragment of the whip, sir. Weren't you searching for it?"

"You lied to me again?!" Adrian almost dropped Wilmer as his anger surged. "Didn't you say it was buried in your backyard?!”

"That was to ensure you saved me," Wilmer hurriedly expl