"Friend ......", a very common word that was originally seen everywhere in life, seemed so special at this time, like a flame, which instantly warmed Allen's whole body.

Yes, isn't it what a friend should do to help you when you're in trouble?

It's just that since he was promoted to second grade, he hasn't spoken to Will properly because he has been busy preparing for this competition. In addition, if there is nothing special, and the gnomes are not very active during the day, Alan can only see him at night when he returns from the library, so the communication between them is limited to nodding and saying goodnight to each other.

I thought that the relationship between Will and him might be as broken up as Riel, but it wasn't until now that Alan realized that it didn't seem to have changed at all.

In a trance, Alan seemed to go back to last year, when he first met Will, and that was probably the same time...... No, it seems like it was going to be a little earlier.

"yes...... We're friends......" Alan said with a smile, "That'...... Do you have time now, there are some things I really seem to need your help with. ”

"I'd love to. Will said as he walked back, "But try not to go past ten o'clock, you have a big game tomorrow, right?"

"Hmm. Alan nodded and followed him into the hallway.

It's still the common room they frequent.

It wasn't until Alan entered the house that he remembered that he hadn't been here in half a year.

This room is at the end of the first floor, so I don't use it much on a regular day, so even after all this time, the things here are still like new. Of course, even the position of the tables, chairs and sofas has not changed.

"That's where you were born, I remember. The scene in front of him somewhat reminded Allen, "And it only took about half an hour to grow to the way it is now, which is amazing." ”

"No, no, no, it's not what it looks like now...... You seem to be underestimating the speed at which we are growing, and I am no match for who I am now. It's only been a year, but it's enough to make some earth-shaking changes. Will corrected with a smile, "Maybe in your eyes, I was mature enough back then, but I think I'm still too young compared to me now." It was when I was a kid. ”

"Oh......" Alan was a little surprised when he heard Will's answer, and couldn't help but look at Will carefully, and found that there did seem to be some subtle changes in him, changes that are difficult to describe in words. In some places it's a bit like Old Seapheus, but not quite.

Perhaps, as Old Sieverus said at the time, Will had outdone him.

Alan suddenly understood why old Sieverus insisted on leaving.

"I really envy you for having such extraordinary comprehension abilities. Alan couldn't help but glance over the fireplace, full of respect.

"Not all gnomes have this qualification, only a very small number of dwarfs who have been chosen by fate and are destined to become elders. "And to a large extent, thanks to you." ”

"Me?" said Allen, surprised.

"Yes, thanks to you. Will said as he reached into his collar and pulled out a gleaming blond object.

By the light of the fire, Alan found that it was a gold coin, which was drilled by Will and strung with a rope and hung around his neck.

"Gold?" Alan asked, a little puzzled. Although he knew that the gnomes liked shiny things, he didn't expect Will to make this thing into a necklace.

"It's really a noble man...... "Will smiled," said Will, "and this is the one you gave me at that time." ”

"Ah......" Alan remembered when Will said this, there was indeed such a thing. It's just that at that time, he was only surprised by the changes that happened to Will, and this matter was really insignificant, so he slowly forgot about it over time.

"A dwarf's ability to comprehend new things will slowly decrease over time until it disappears completely. Even the most qualified elder gnomes can't avoid it, but it is more slow to behave in the elder gnomes. "That is, the dwarf's comprehension is at its peak when it is born." ”

Hearing this, Alan suddenly understood something.

"For a gnome, the time of birth is the most precious, because even a second difference can make a huge difference in the understanding of things between two newborn gnomes. "So I often feel that I was lucky to have you by my side when I was born." If it weren't for your gold coin at the time, I don't think there would be Will. Of course, Will won't have a friend like you. ”

Eren then understood what the gold coin meant to Will, and why, Will was always willing to help him.

"What a strange coincidence...... Alan said with a smile, "it just so happens that you were born that night, and it just so happens that you have the qualifications to become an elder, and it just so happens that I am ...... by the side."

"Yes, what a coincidence......," said Will, "but maybe it's fate...... I am the one who is destined to succeed the elder, and you are the one who is destined to be my only friend. And, at this time today, you have encountered certain troubles that I am destined to help you solve. ”

With that, Will looked at Alan with some meaning.

This was a topic they had discussed before, but Alan couldn't understand it at the time, so Will only mentioned it superficially. Now that this topic is brought up again, Alan suddenly has a feeling of enlightenment.

"Fate ......" Allen's heart suddenly had some inexplicable throbbing, but it was indescribable.

"Well, before I help you out of trouble, there is something I want to ask you...... "Is it about your friend that bothers you?"

Alan was stunned for a moment, realizing that Will might have noticed the change between him and Riel, and nodded.

"Very good...... Then the second question...... Will asked, "do you think he was the way he is because of his intentions?"

After hearing this question, Alan pondered for a long time and shook his head: "No...... I felt as if he had been strongly induced, or bewitched...... I know him, and he doesn't go astray for no reason. ”

"Astray...... Well, that's good...... So the last question......" Will smiled and nodded, then asked, "If it was fate that he would become like this, then what are you going to do?"

This was a question that had been bothering Alan for a long time, but now a voice in his heart suddenly kept shouting, and he couldn't help but say: "I...... He should be pulled ......"

Will just looked at him calmly, silent.

"Yes...... I should have pulled him by the hand and rescued him!" Alan said suddenly, gritting his teeth, as if with some kind of determination, "Whatever happens, I should get him out, as a friend should do...... If that's my fate......"