Narrator: Driving for more than two hours from Catania to Palermo without rushing, enjoying the music and the rustling wind.
The two girls started eating sweets and chips while waiting, feeding Dav as he drove without distraction.
The fun in the car was nonstop, with Iris and Valeria singing.
Arriving in Catania, Dav told them to stay close to him, or finding them would be a problem.
They wandered around, browsing stores and perfume shops, dragging Dav along and using him as a butler for their shopping bags.
Dav suggested going to a shopping mall to have a better selection of items and then stopping to eat or drink something.
Reaching the car, they arranged everything before heading to the mall.
Without hesitation, the two clung to Dav's arms and led him through the shops.
They wandered for a while, noticing many beautiful stores and places to eat.
Dav looked at them and said, "We need to find something suitable, so you'll have to help me."
They started at a store filled with plush toys, searching for some that would be perfect for Elysia.
Glancing down slightly, Dav noticed a plush that looked eerily similar to him—with his hair color, red eyes, and a powerful uniform.
He stared at it with a horrified and amused expression before choosing to ignore it.
However, Iris and Valeria noticed it too, grabbed it without hesitation, and paid for it, laughing every time they looked at it because it reminded them so much of him.
Dav entered a fine wine shop and bought an elegant, aged wine—though he wasn't very knowledgeable, so he asked the clerk to bring him one that didn’t exceed €300.
After that, they went to a GameWorld store for board games, picking some group games to bring to Gabriel.
They also bought a console game for Cedric—one of those multiplayer shooters.
Dav asked Iris and Valeria to find something for Martina, as he didn’t know much about teenage girls' tastes.
For Marco, he purchased a high-frequency remote-controlled drone with a camera.
He hesitated on what to buy for Fin and Leo, unsure of their preferences, and searched for quite some time.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
An elderly store clerk approached him, smiling warmly and leaning on a cane for support.
Clerk: (Smiling) My boy, how can I help you?
Dav: (Looking at the old man) I have two dear students who are very close to each other, but I don’t know what would suit them best…
Clerk: (Gesturing toward a section) Follow me, I’ll take you to something useful for two truly connected individuals.
[They entered a slightly dimmer room.]
Clerk: (Climbing a ladder, pulling out two books) These books are very special.
I hope those two students are worthy of them.
Dav: (Reading while thinking)
'The Tome of Arcane Balance: Yin (Magic)'
'The Codex of the Dragon's Path: Yang (Combat Techniques)'
They seem like good books for two intertwined souls… I’ll take them.
(Looking at the clerk) I’ll take them, sir. How much do they cost?
Clerk: (Smiling) A gift from the house for our hero, Dav De Lion.
Dav: (Wearing a hat and mask, staring at the books in his hands) How did he know?
Clerk: (Laughing) You can call me old, but not stupid, hahaha.
Your aura isn’t fully hidden.
You’ll have to work harder if you want to go beyond the human kingdom in search of that person.
Dav: (Raising his gaze sharply, speaking loudly) What?! How do you know that, old man?! Where did you—
(Looking around) Did I imagine everything?
No, it felt too real to be just imagination.
Iris: (Entering the room) Did you find something, Davy?
Dav: (Still lost in thought) Yeah, we can go now.
Only the liquor store is left, but before that, I’d like to ask you to find something for Miss Evelyn and Margherita if you don’t mind.
Valeria: (Entering) No problem, we’ll meet you at that spot in front when we're done.
See you later! (Winking as she turned away).
Narrator: Still perplexed, Dav went looking for good liquor for those two old mummies at the academy.
But before reaching the store, he spotted a display case with beautiful crimson-red rings, adorned with intricately sculpted dragons.
He bought them, and while paying, he noticed a sleek, two-centimeter-wide bracelet, simple and unadorned.
Dav asked the clerk if he could have it engraved with his name and another.
Once done, he headed straight to buy the liquor and, finally, a high-value magic book for Kael.
Finished with everything, Dav went to find Iris and Valeria—only to see a group of men surrounding them.
Iris: (Irritated) We already told you to leave, or should we call the police?
Thug 1: (Disgusting, lecherous face) Who do you think you're talking to, miss?
I’m a Grade A.
You should feel honored to come with me.
Thug 2: (Annoyingly smug, laughing) Brother, these women don’t know who they’re dealing with.
Maybe we should just take them by force and bring them along.
What do you guys think?
Multiple Thugs: (Shouting) Yeah! Let’s take them! We’ll have some fun today!
Valeria: (Disgusted, noticing Dav behind them) Gross… Leave now, I suggest it… Or you’ll get seriously hurt.
Thug 1: (Annoyed, laughing) So you don’t understand?
I’m a Grade A! Who would dare harm me? AHAHAH!
Dav: (Hat and mask on, unrecognizable) Oi. Shitstains. Your piss stench is making me nauseous.
Thug 1: (Angrily turning) Who dared call me piss stench?!
Dav: (Irritated) So, 'shitstain' wasn’t the issue?
I’ll make it up to you.
Walking sewer, I’ll give you half a second to disappear.
Thug 2: (Acting tough, stepping closer) Who do you think you’re talking to, you pathetic loser?
Oh, look at what we have here—some liquor.
You don’t mind if we take it, right?
Narrator: Yanking the bag from Dav’s hands forcefully, the thug tore it open, causing all the bottles to crash onto the ground.
Dav stared at him.
END OF CHAPTER - 72