Chapter 1448


    Thssa and Lydia had just turned to leave when Dr. Funke''s words brought them to a halt.


    Thssa mulled over what Dr. Funke had said, her heart, which had sunk to her shoes, now


    thrumming wildly in her chest again. She spun around, her eyes alight with excitement, "Dr. Funke,


    do you mean..."


    Lydia was equally astonished, "You agreed?"


    "What else? Did it sound like I was inviting you two in for lunch?" Dr. Funke said, hands sped


    leisurely behind his back.


    "Why?" Lydia asked, puzzled. Dr. Funke had clearly refused her moments earlier, stating he wasn''t


    ready to take on the role of her mentor.


    "I''m a glutton for punishment, I suppose. I enjoy it when people give me a hard time." Dr. Funke


    threw over his shoulder, disappearing into the house.


    Lydia and Thssa exchanged wide-eyed nces, both utterly baffled by Dr. Funke''s words. They


    blinked at each other, signaling their shared bewilderment.


    Indeed, the temperament of a genius has always been a peculiar thing.


    And unpredictable.


    "Shall we go in?" Thssa asked Lydia.


    "Of course! Are we really going to walk away empty-handed?" Lydia retorted. She linked arms with


    Thssa, leading her inside.


    Thssa''s question had been a way to gauge Lydia''s attitude, to see if she still wanted to pursue


    medical tutge under Dr. Funke.


    It was clear to Thssa that Lydia and Dr. Funke were like oil and water, engaging in verbal


    sparring the moment they exchanged words.


    If Lydia was having second thoughts, Thssa wouldn’t force her.


    The night before, on their way to Starhaven, Thssa had shared the real reason she wanted Lydia


    to apprentice under Dr. Funke—it was to fulfill two conditions that would convince Dr. Funke to


    come out of retirement and treat Lysander''s illness.


    Lydia understood Thssa''s intentions.


    But if Lydia really didn''t want to go through with it, Thssa would respect her decision.


    To Thssa''s surprise, Lydia didn''t hesitate to lead the way into Dr. Funke''s residence.


    Dr. Funke''s ce was tidy but stark,cking the warmth of a lived-in home.


    As they entered, Dr. Funke was in the midst of his morning routine, brushing his teeth and washing


    his face.


    Thssa and Lydia stood awkwardly in the living room until Dr. Funke emerged from the bathroom,


    "Sit down, why are you standing like statues? Make yourselves at home, or do I need to y host?"


    His words were an invitation to rx.


    Thssa and Lydia shared a nce before Lydia, taking the lead, guided them both to the couch to


    sit down without further ceremony.


    "Dr. Funke, when do we start the apprenticeship?" Lydia asked eagerly.


    "Stop calling me Dr. Funke. Just call me ''Old Man''," Dr. Funke suggested.


    Lydia was speechless, and so was Thssa.


    Neither of them had expected that the entric and demanding Dr. Funke would have such an


    unusual preference—to be called ''Old Man''.


    He was barely past fifty—not really old by any standard.


    Soon after, Dr. Funke returned from his room dressed in a formal suit. With his hair slicked back, his


    rigid and quirky demeanor took on a more profound and artistic air.


    Seeing his stern attire, Thssa and Lydia instinctively sat up straighter.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Lydia,e here," Dr. Funke called.


    Lydia stood up, and Thssa remained seated until Dr. Funke''s gaze fell on her, "And what are you


    still sitting there for? Come over and officiate."


    Realizing he was addressing her, Thssa hurried to her feet.