Chapter 117

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Chapter 117: Setting a Date

"Yes, I have decided to go back."

Jesse’s response was calm, but emotionally turbulent like rough waves.

"At the end of the year, I need to take a student on a trip to Dalaran," Duchamp said. "It’s for the Language Orcish exchange forum organized by the Kirin Tor. I think the topics we might discuss then are quite relevant to the one you chose."

So, it was about this matter. But was it really because of his chosen topic?

For some reason, Jesse suddenly felt like there wasn’t much to be excited about anymore. Did he only get this opportunity by luck?

He realized he wasn’t happy just because he saved a few silver coins. He had thought he defeated the other students who had been learning Language Orcish for who knows how long through hard work and talent.

"I’ve only been learning Language Orcish for less than two months, Master," Jesse blurted out.

Damn it, he cursed inwardly.

You should have accepted, shouldn’t you? Are you willing to give up even money for the sake of your pride?

Duchamp nodded and looked at his notebook, saying, "But your level is definitely the best in this class, Jesse Seso. I think sending you to Dalaran will surely prove our research on the Orcish language in the Kingdom of Stormwind. Don’t you want to go?"

"I do." Jesse said, "Of course, I want to go, master." The best in the class? Jesse chuckled to himself, thinking it’s about time they recognized how strong he was.

"Then I will put your name down." Duchamp said, "When do you plan to return to Lordaeron? The exchange will be held before The Feast of Winter Veil, and the information I’ve received is around December 10th or 11th. You know how long it takes to get from Stormwind Harbor to Southshore, right."

"About half a month." Jesse said.

Duchamp nodded and said, "Yes, about half a month, Jesse. So you should set off in the last 10 days, to leave some time, considering the journey from Southshore to Dalaran."

"I need to ask my friend who will go back with me and decide on the timing." Jesse said.

"How many friends?"

"Just one."

Duchamp rubbed his rough chin and said, "If you agree on a plan, let me know as soon as possible. Maybe I can secure two spots for you from Master Andromath! After all, the travel expenses to Dalaran are limited, and it’s a good opportunity not to be missed. Remember to have your friend provide me with his details, preferably on a piece of paper, his name, race, if your friend is not a human."

"Thank you so much, teacher."

"Don’t thank me, thank our Master Andromath instead," Duchamp chuckled. "After all, he’s the one who helped me get the money!"

"Master Duchamp, are you coming with us?" Jesse asked.

"No," Duchamp replied. "I’ll be submitting my grades tomorrow, and setting off three days later. My schedule has been planned for a long time. I need to make a stop at Durnholde Keep first and stay there for a while. We’ll meet in Dalaran then."

After finishing the exam in the afternoon, he ran all the way through the light rain to the Dwarven District, and arrived at Greed’s doorstep. Knocking on the door, but no one answered, so he rushed straight to the Pig and Whistle Tavern.

He pushed open the door, took off his hood, and saw Greed sitting in the corner, drinking.

Sitting down next to him, he slapped the table and said, "Hey, guess what, Greed."

"Are you getting married to an elf?" Greed asked expressionlessly.

"Where did you get that idea of an elf?" Jesse replied. "Guess again."

"Did you punch a Red Dragon to death?"

"Hmm, where did the dragon come from?! Guess again!"

"Are you going to inherit the title?"

"You’re really boring, Greed."

"You wanted me to guess, right?" Greed grinned and said, "Come on, what are you here to show off this time?"

"Forget it." Jesse stood up and said, "I thought you would thank me for getting you a free boat ticket."

"Hey!" Greed suddenly jumped over the table and hugged Jesse. "Don’t go… My 17-year-old big brother needs, I really need this free boat ticket! I’m very grateful."

"That’s more like it." Jesse said, "Get me a jug of wine! Let’s discuss when we will set off."

Greed called over the sommelier, sat down and leaned close to Jesse, asking in a low voice, "Did you pass your Orcish language test?"

"Of course," Jesse said. "I’ve talked to native speakers before, so I’m much better than those who can only write but can’t speak."

"Forget about that native speaker," Greed shook his head and said. "But I never expected that the people from Wizard’s Sanctum are really wealthy!"

"Have you inquired about it? How much is the ticket?" Jesse asked.

"It’s 58 silver coins per person, for the ship The Great Palatine Conqueror departing on the 17th," Greed said. "It’s a wartime transport ship purchased and renovated by the Steamwheedle Cartel for some time, now turned into a merchant vessel. It may even be slower than the ship we arrived on."

"Great Palatine Conqueror sounds quite grand," Jesse remarked.

Greed said, "It’s indeed very large, but old and worn out. If the seas are calm, we should arrive at Southshore from the 1st to the 3rd of December."

"I must reach Dalaran before the 10th of December," Jesse said. "When do we plan to go to Hinterlands?"

"Let’s not rush into discussing that now, Jesse," Greed said. "The Feast of Winter Veil lasts for many days. I don’t need to show up at Aerie Peak on the first day and make it seem like I can’t leave them."

"Alright," Jesse said. "Are there any other choices, I mean, for the ship?"

"The ship that’s willing to carry passengers has a suitable schedule," Greed said helplessly. "The others are either too late, too expensive, or fully booked. You know it’s The Feast of Winter Veil now, and many people want to go back."

"So many people want to go back on such an expensive ship?" Jesse shrugged and said, "There are plenty of wealthy people in Stormwind."

"Many people work on the ship to pay for their tickets," Greed said. "I was thinking of asking for this opportunity too, but others didn’t give me a chance. I never thought about going home before. This year was my first time asking. I have no experience at all, it’s really a disadvantage. If you didn’t find a way to get free tickets, we would have spent a lot of money on this trip. Maybe we would have to sell some belongings, or work really hard to afford the tickets. A few days ago, I even thought about killing that Gnoll leader."

Hearing Greed’s words, Jesse remembered what Malin said about mercenaries failing at Hogger’s place.

"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Opportunities for what?" the dwarf asked.

"To kill that Gnoll!"

Greed widened his eyes and said, "I was just joking. You’re taking it seriously."

Jesse replied, "When we come back from Dalaran, maybe the bounty will increase again. By then, you can call a few brothers from the Warrior Guild. I believe we can take down that guy."

Greed took a sip of wine, nodded slowly and said, "That day, I fought with that tall monster and felt like it might be possible to defeat him. I think the biggest trouble is actually his sidekicks."

Jesse said, "When you reach Dalaran, maybe you can find a way to cure your aftereffects. By the time you return, you’ll be fully prepared to fight them."

Greed stared at the edge of his half-raised glass of wine and said, "I hope so."