"Dark Trees?"


    Wilbur fell silent. He had never heard of the Dark Trees before and had no idea what kind of being they were.


    Adam seemed to grow increasingly desperate, sitting back down on the couch. "Come on, tell me why you aren''t willing to be my pupil. I''m telling you that you''ve only got one chance, you know. You won''t get another if you miss it."


    "I''m sorry, I won''t be your pupil."


    Adam smirked. "Why not? Do you think I''m not more powerful than Fremont Skye?"


    "You might not even be more powerful than me," said Wilbur. "How could you evenpare to Senior Fremont then?"


    "You!"


    Adam let out a furiousugh, then said, "Alright, then. I won''t force it on you. I would have considered forgiving the people of Anderson Town if you were willing to be my pupil, but I guess we can forget about that now. I came to look for you because of two reasons. Also, do you actually want to help solve Anderson Town''s troubles?"


    "Yes." Wilbur took a deep breath. "I promised them that I''d fix things here."


    "Very well," said Adam. "I''ll give you the chance to do that, then. I was going to eat a tenth of the townsfolk, but if you''re willing to contribute your spirit to me to be devoured, I promise you I won''t give those townsfolk any more trouble after I kill you."


    "What? You want me to sacrifice my spirit to you?"


    Wilbur was furious. Adam had crossed the line. "I don''t care who you are, but I''m much more powerful than you. Now that you''re here, I''m going to tell you that I won''t forgive you if you even touch a single strand of hair of the people in Anderson Town."


    "Ha! Who the hell do you even think you are?"


    A liquid figure was separated out of Barker''s body, charging at Wilbur and throwing a punch at him before he could even react.


    Wilbur scrambled to retaliate, and both fists collided in mid-air. Wilbur was sent flying several meters,nding against the wall.


    By the time he looked back up, the liquid figure had returned to Barker''s body. Barker was almost at the door now. "We''ll meet again, Wilbur Penn."


    Upon saying the words, Barker left the room. Wilbur clutched his chest, falling down on one knee. Barker''s blow had been too powerful, and Wilbur was barely holding up. Just then, ck liquid seeped through the tiny gap in the door.


    The liquid climbed onto a wall, forming a screen of sorts where a woman''s face with a kindly expression appeared. "Are you alright, Wilbur?"


    "I''m fine," Wilbur said through gritted teeth.


    The woman frowned. "It''s all my fault for spoiling this kid too much. Don''t you worry, though. Give me three days, and I''ll sort this out for you."


    "Thank you," said Wilbur. The woman''s face dissolved into the screen, and the liquid seeped back out of the door.


    Wilbur knew then that he would not be able to win over this mother-and-son duo with his own strength, so all he could do was wait.


    "Let''s hope they manage to reach a goodpromise," Wilbur prayed to himself.