Chapter 97: Bonney challenges her Teacher

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The following day brought changes that kept Vlad's attention channelled on something else since he received the plants from Catherine who arrived in the afternoon with the same group of maidens who were prepared for their work in the Library.

"Mister Dracul, this bag contains all of the plants you requested from us. All packed with extra care especially with the bush plants."

"And here I was wondering that you might have encountered some problems with the order."

"There's no such thing, mister Dracul. In this business one needs to be professional."

Nodding, he took the group of girls to his cabin, where the atmosphere turned colder than usual as if Vlad's expectations for his goods created a change in his aura that led to the dropping in temperature.

Dalyon who was at the door of the cabin could feel the impressive display of raw Haki that he believed to be staged just to make those girls fear him and not pull anything stupid on him.

"Please, have a seat lady Esthil." called out Vlad in a calm tone that had a dark undertone on it, unlike what she experienced in their first encounter.

Without showing signs of weakness, Catherine followed the black-haired man's invitation and sat down on the luxurious chair, beginning to study the movements this mysterious man was pulling before her since he tapped around on his desk.

Lowering his hand at one of the cabinets built inside the desk, he pulled a black briefcase that he placed on the desk, which made the girls look strangely at him, since they didn't expect for Vlad to keep his money so openly and available for strangers to steal.

'It's only a facade. The reason he placed the black winged guy is to see if we would try to wander aimlessly.' thought Catherine who was presented with a decent sum of money as Vlad opened the briefcase.

"This is all I owe for the plants, in total I placed in the briefcase 2.521.000 𝔅. Also the briefcase you can keep it for free."

Catherine looked at Vlad who was staring back straight into her green eyes, and before she even realized she withdrew the briefcase and handed it to one of her servants for safekeeping.

"With this, I will take my leave, young ladies. Continue on your study."

Settling the deal with Catherine and leaving Dalyon to watch over the guests, he took a quick detour to place his plants in his laboratory, before shifting his attention to the secondary activity on his schedule.

Moving for a walk with Titania around the gardens where the townspeople of Rosande who found themselves familiar with Vlad over those three days of his stay greeted them respectfully, especially those who learned about their Mistress's visits on his Caravel.

The other two members of the crew who he left at the ship, made sure not to miss out from their free, undisturbed time, and like this Bonney and Eleine started spending their time inside the city, visiting around all sorts of shops and locations worth stopping to admire, where they would start chatting about their progress in the martial arts and other subjects, such as "Fears".

"Wait, wait, did you begun getting afraid of bugs since our time in Yehimal Mountain?"

"Yeah, but don't tell Vlad. I am sure he will try to fix this problem, and probably make me hold and stare at bugs."

"Ewww, that sounds so like him."

"Pleasee, don't tell him."

"Okay, I will keep your secret safe. Besides, I am really curious what makes Vlad want to look around the Gardens so much, especially taking that stupid Fairy with him. There must be something smelly going on between those two and I hate being left out."

"Eleine, you shouldn't butt-in their problems. If they choose not to tell us, I believe it is for a reason. I am new to the group, while you …"

The black-haired woman wearing a one-piece dress seated on a small blanket at the shadow of a tree looked with an annoyed expression at the pink-haired young girl who couldn't help but giggle seeing her crooked face.

"What about me, little girl? Go on, say it. You don't like the fact I am trying to be a big sister and look after you, teaching you about  the troubles of us women?"

"Is not that, Eleine, is just that sometimes you seem irrational and annoying, especially when its about Vlad. Do you by chance … got an obsession with him?"

"... Is not an obsession, little Bonney. It's just that sometimes, I feel a big impulse to make him only mine, as if we were destined to be together forever."

"But he doesn't seem to be interested in you, as a lover."

"What does a little girl like you know?"

Unknown to him what the two girls he left to enjoy their time by themselves, Vlad was spending his time searching the gardens and orchards, looking at each individual fruit along with Titania.

It was in those moments when both of them were scratching their heads at how big of a failure the search was, that Titania had a moment of sparkling as she suggested to Vlad.

"Shouldn't we split up. We'll make it even more efficient."

"Mhmm, splitting up? Do you remember what I taught you about the Devil Fruit appearance traits?"

"Yeah they give you the impression of appetizing fruits by a variety of bright colors that would fool the perception of people."

"Great. Just remember, that if you find the Devil Fruit from the guy I killed, don't eat it. I want to further study the Devil Fruits, not just find a way to gather them more efficiently."

"Hah, as if I would eat those fruits, and lose my ability to swim and enjoy water?"

"Exactly."

Reaching an agreement, the couple went on split ways, but not too far starting their search for the Devil Fruit, only to return after many hours of wasted time back in Rosande with bruised lips from the failure, recharging their energy at the Tea House they enjoyed in the whole town.

Both had solemn appearances, especially Vlad who had his palms bound together as he touched his index fingers, contemplating his second day of failure and what he was doing wrong, while Titania who used her straw to sip from her honey green tea, was slightly better as she told him.

"Vlad, I feel there's nothing, afterall. I even tried some tricks with the birds and squirrels, but they also didn't see such strange fruits."

"This is only the second day of searching. Have patience. I'll think of something over the days if my initial strategy proves to be too wasteful of my resources."

"Why don't we tell the girls and have them help us? Four pairs of eyes to look around would be even better."

"Mhm, I will think about it.

Spending his night with Titania enjoying tea and the sceneries this location offered, it only proved natural that with this break once Vlad returned to the Caravel he resumed to his own work, mentioning to the Fairy to not be disturbed by anyone.

With the arrival of his material, he couldn't help but begin a new project as he descended into his dark laboratory, containing a wry atmosphere, and first began by picking up a book from the small stash of books he had around the Laboratory, which had the vibes of being Grimoires of Mages of a Past Age.

Opening one of the grimoires and turning around the pages steadily, without rushing as he was doing with the normal books that he was reading on a diagonal line, showing great patience for what he was looking for, and it didn't take for him to notice a highlight inscribed by his own hand.

[Formulae ad ius Vaccinium Myrtillus Anthocyanins]

Refreshing his memory about what plants were required for this alchemical concoction, he started picking his materials and not long after processed them as was instructed in the grimoire.

It was clear from how Vlad acted with patience and steady hands that he wasn't willing to mess around experimenting with his own alchemical concoction and instead followed an established formula of an Alchemist from 500 years ago that also was struggling with losing eyesight, but that was because of the old age.

Nonetheless, the benefits this concoction will bring to him were proven by the original creator who made sure to highlight each improvement in his eyesight, even diving deeper into each substance from the plants that were beneficial for the eyes.

Processing the plants he was required, for an entire night, he even ignored Catherine and her girls, leaving it out for Titania and Dalyon to watch over them, he was finished from his alchemical conducting by the time dawn approached over the dark sky.

"Alchemist Gascbór, you truly didn't let me down with your formula. Each step went as you described, now what remains to be checked is the effects. It worked for you, but you were an old, frail man, while I am strong as a lion."

A yawn was let out by Vlad who showed that he was still a human but tightened his eyes and opened them, doing this for some minutes before dispelling this sleep-depraved need to rest, as he moved toward his secret compartment where he retrieved the wooden box.

Opening that box, Nihiloor's seed remained in the same state, all until it sensed that it was released from its initial place, starting to form small roots that were moving around.

"A tree requires nourishment, regardless of how resilient the seed might be. A Gardener is akin to a King at its work, and needs to groom, water its crop for it to develop successfully."

With a scalpel that was just an ordinary alchemical tool, he cut his finger again, the exact one which by now fully recovered as if nothing ever happened and without worrying over his actions he started "watering" in blood the seed held in his left-hand palm.

*GRRR*

A small sound was heard by Vlad who for the entire time had his Observation Haki activated in order to observe each change in the seed as he was feeding it, but this time there wasn't much, just the seed absorbing his blood.

"There's more to this that I need to find out. How could such a complex organism be just that what one's eyes can see."

{...}

Settling down the seed with him "watering" it, he returned the seed back to the wooden box, placing it hidden and sealed away, and moving back to his research desk where a small glass bottle that contained a thick tar-coloured syrup rested.

"For the effects to be shown, I need to sleep, beginning the first trial of the Vaccinium Myrtillus Anthocyanins… The alchemist instructs for a spoonful of the syrup at night before sleeping. Let's see if I got scammed or not."

Saying that, he prepared his bed inside his laboratory that he would use to rest in the days he would spend here like a zombie. After washing his teeth, he filled a spoon with his fresh thick syrup, and without any fear of the side effects, he delighted himself with the extensive range of aromas of the plants worth millions of bellies.

"This one could even be a cough syrup if one was to ask me."

Smacking his lips, and licking the spoon of any remaining fragments of the syrup, he then closed his laboratory from the inside so no one would disturb him, and drifted into sleep.

For some reason, his body reacted quickly to the healthy substances specifically targeted for the eyes, especially the one called Anthocyanins the alchemist who researched this formula states to have been something from the rare berries he found inside Catherine's list.

What's more, if Vlad was an individual who rarely slept, barely allowing his body to sleep 4 hours at most, this time he drifted deep into the Dreamspace and when he woke up, he couldn't help but feel shocked when looking at his pocket watch.

"Unbelievable. How? I slept for 8 hours and I didn't even budge."

The syrup proved its efficiency on Vlad from the first use, but instead of targeting his eyesight, it worked akin to a sleeping medicine, not noticing any changes to his deteriorating eyesight, but for some reason when he walked out of his Laboratory he felt refreshed by the touch of the breeze and waves gently hitting against the ship.

"This one is a unique sensation of relief. How come?"

This made him even more conflicted with regard to the syrup because the waves would always make him stay alert. And yet? He slept like a young child as if his body was forcing him to sleep so it could regenerate.

{Your problem is that you don't sleep to allow the biomechanics of the body to work as they were intended to do. And because of that you are now complaining that you are losing your eyesight after what Nihiloor did for you.}

'Biomechanics?'

{And you believe yourself to be knowledgeable?}

'Well … I never said I was God and All-Knowing.'

{Sigh, people of this Era are so backwards compared to the Golden Age. Listen, the concept of biomechanics is as old as creation itself, and is the concept of how your body functions by itself without you interfering with its functions to properly run. Understood?}

'The gist of it I guess. So me getting tired, being forced to sleep is a sign of the body … this biomechanical function?'

{Yeah. At least what I appreciate about you Dracul, is that you are not a stupid man and are quick to learn and adapt. If you want to have sight until you reach the Tomb, I suggest you increase your sleeping time.}

'I will think about it.'

{Apart from training which I view important for your development, wasting time on reading those books about the adventures of foolish humans is something you can eliminate. Use your servants instead for compiling a condensed summary of the contents, if you are bent on reading books.}

'That one doesn't sound bad'

{Also about your insignificant search over the Fruit. Just split those 3 women of yours individually and have them assist you, so you can win time. Give them rewards for helping you, in extra tricks you know.}

'Don't teach me how to lead people, scrap metal. While I appreciate your willingness to nag me, you didn't help me with substantial information that I want.'

{Piss … off! Learn it yourself.}

Dealing with this black sword of his was always a pain in the ass, especially when they would get into conflicting ideals, but it would swiftly end with Anathema's closing the line of communication, just like how he did it at this time.

Then as he made his way to the kitchen and devoured most of the food that was cooked by the girls, he looked at each of them, especially at Bonney and Eleine, and told them something that brought them to high spirits.

"You know girls, I was thinking about something regard you two. I am sure you wondered a lot why I brought Titania with me over those couple of days in the garden and orchard. No, it is not something ecchi, instead we are looking for the treasured Devil Fruit."

Their eyes lit up, especially Eleine's when hearing how Vlad didn't do anything romantic with Titania, and speaking ahead, she agreed without him doing his request.

"I'll look around since I got nothing better to do anyway. Without you to watch me train, it feels just shitty. Those 6 bitches also are around and breaks my immersion with the training."

"Can you … not … speak above me?" focused Vlad while his tone got colder, leading to Eleine giving him a wide smirk before she bowed at him.

"Your word is my rule Master."

"Whatever. Are you in this search Bonney?" asked Vlad, shifting his attention on the youngest of the group, the pink-haired lass that only shrugged her shoulders.

"How can I decline? But for this, I want you to spar with me again." remarked Bonney staring at Vlad without breaking eye contact.

"What's the catch?"

"Sharp as ever, even if you are still sleepy. I want to challenge you in your child form since that one is something I feel balanced to fight against."

"..."

"Sure, that might be interesting to see how much you progressed since your last dance with me."

"You better don't be petty because I will for sure defeat you this time."

"Ahh, is that so? Do you want to remind you what happened last time?" questioned Vlad as he got on his feet, and walked toward Bonney, nesting his long arms around her shoulders, playing around with her silky pink hair.

"I am not the same little girl you found in Everfall." replied Bonney who turned her head to look at Vlad without feeling any fear or nervousness.

"Is that so?"

"Of course."

"We'll see if your dragon teeth have gotten sharper. But know that you'll always remain my little Bon Bon that I found shivering on my Caravel trying to hide away from the bad people."

Bonney pouted when she felt Vlad considering her like an innocent little girl, and activating her Devil Fruit power, she extended her slender arm to touch Vlad's, only to feel her forehead being touched by a finger.

"You missed something, young lady."

"... I didn't mask my intent …"

"Correct."

The two spectators at the table chuckled when seeing their youngest try to teach Vlad a lesson by turning him into a child before the true challenge was issued, but the Observation Haki utilized by Vlad wasn't something to mess around since he could perceive the auras of people and their intent before their action is triggered, as if he was peeking into the future.

"Patience, my hatchling. Also, what are you two staring at? Want a piece of me too?"

"Yes, but I want a different piece of you." commented Eleine, which made Vlad wave his hand dismissively as he walked out of the kitchen, only reminding the girls to get ready for departure.

"The ship is protected by Dalyon, since he is taking his "Guardian" role rather seriously nowadays."

His comment made a certain young man with his white hair tied in a particularly unique fashion frown, resulting in a brown-haired girl asking right away, with some worry in her tone.

"Something is wrong, Dalyon? Don't tell me I copied the wrong book?"

"No, isn't that Adra … I felt someone talking about me."

"Of course they would talk about you since you have such a great presence. It would leave for sure an impression on them."

"Mhm, yeah. Is most likely that."

The process of copying the books from Vlad's Library moved smoothly, and it left Catherine pleased with all the new knowledge she could gain, and even the treatment she received wasn't half-bad, being given some tea made by Dalyon, which in fact was bought from the town since it took the Lunarian a shorter time to reach the Tea House instead of boiling the water and preparing the tea himself.

It was working smart instead of hard, but for some reason, he really stopped being interested in her, which the red-haired woman was quick to notice activating some of her womanly personality to conflict with her logic to not get entangled with those travellers apart from business.

Yet another story was for Adra, the brown-haired woman who showed a lot of pure curiosity over the Lunarian, as a person, even ignoring at times her job as an assistant for her Mistress, kept on entertaining the conversation with him, laughing merely when he reminded her of the job and how she messed some contents from the book.

Before the culprit itself could realize, he was now attracted by this young Maiden, and for some reason Vlad's words rang true into his mind, and he could read the body language given off by Adra.

'She … she really doesn't care about the outside, and instead is interested in me as a person. This sensation and feeling is so unique to me.'

Step by step, the young woman and young man got closer to one another, and it left the once cool, reclused Lunarian to actually take part in the audience that watched the sparing that would be staged at the lights of the oil lamps lit on the Caravel.

"While we couldn't find anything today too, a word of mine is worth more than gold. But before you turn me, Bon Bon, let me bring some of the clothes I have for children."

"Hehehe, I can't wait."

Dalyon who was confused on what was going on between Vlad and Bonney, looked at Eleine and Titania and asked casually about the situation.

"No need to bother yourself with their little challenge since you were all stuck with your little lover."

"... She is not my woman…"

"Stop making it uncomfortable for him Eleine. Here let me tell you what's going on."

Titania give a short summary of what was happening, while ignoring about the Devil Fruit search, instead focusing on the deal between Vlad and Bonney, and before he knew it, the black-haired man returned on the main deck while holding some clothes in his hands.

"Ready, for your defeat?" asked Bonney with a confident smile, popping and cracking her fingers.

"Shift me."

The young lady moved with a womanly stride and as if she was playing mind games with the one who thought her about this concept, she touched his face gently enveloping him into a bright pink aura, shocking Dalyon who saw Vlad decrease in size, until he settled to a child form, requiring new clothes, which were not far from him.

"My, my. You've grown daring."

"Don't you like it when I am daring and confident."

"Is there even a point in asking, hatchling?"

Vlad, who changed into clothes that fit his size, even boasting a pair of children's boots, looked at the young girl that was taller than him by a head, while smiling devilishly at her, liking his tiny lips.

Taking a martial stance akin to what a certain money boy took, which was mimicked by the pink-haired girl, there was a sudden stalemate that got broken only when Titania flew between them and commenced the start of the sparring.

"Come to me, Bon Bon!"