Chapter 183: The Imp Beast Needs a Sense of Ceremony
“Let’s just have a little joke.”
“I almost forgot about Aunt Claire’s gift.”
“Mm, just like Professor Lily, how about giving her a good bottle of wine?”
“As for mother’s gift, just give her a normal pot of Grass Cat Plant.”
“This stuff can’t be bought outside.”
…
So the next day on Saturday, after Dark finished his morning exercises, he took a bath and drank a glass of milk before heading to Traveler’s Street with the Imp Beast.
The streets were adorned with colorful decorations, lanterns of various colors hung from the eaves, and mannequins and signboards in front of stores were all wearing Santa hats.
The festive atmosphere came faster than expected.
In the small garden in the middle of Food Street, a Christmas tree that had yet to be fully decorated was already standing there.
If one came at night, they would see many couples here snuggling up to each other.
Dark avoided the peak hours and came early in the morning, planning to return before noon.
As he passed by the candy shop, he thought for a moment and still bought a “Christmas Candy Mega Pack.”
After leaving the shop, he also received a Christmas card.
It seemed this was part of Traveler’s Street’s joint event; the shop owners would give out Christmas cards based on the recipient.
This saved him the trouble of buying them separately.
Next, he spent some time in two bookstores, finding “Claire’s Travels” and “The Old Knight at the Border.” Unexpectedly, “Claire’s Travels” was surprisingly popular, even running short.
He bought a copy himself, intending to read it carefully to understand where Aunt Claire had been over the years.
As for “The Old Knight at the Border,” since it was an autobiography by a knight after the war and not a famous person, its sales weren’t high. He found only one copy in an old bookstore.
That counted as good luck.
“Plop! Plop!”
The Imp Beast deliberately flapped its wings to make noise, flying back and forth in front of Dark.
Because Dark forbade it from speaking in front of outsiders, it could only express itself through “sign language.”
“Alright, let’s go buy yours.”
Dark exhaled, revealing a hint of helpless laughter.
The Imp Beast immediately began to perform an eight-character dance in the air.
Dark added, “But you can only open it on Christmas.”
The Imp Beast nodded vigorously.
Who doesn’t need a sense of ceremony?
Of course, I, the Imp, need it too!
This is the first holiday gift I’ve ever received. It must be opened with great ceremony on Christmas Eve!
“Huhuhu!”
The Imp Beast couldn’t help but laugh.
…
When they reached a clothing store, the Imp Beast stopped at the door and didn’t go in.
Dark knew it wanted to keep the surprise, so he walked in alone.
Due to the gradually colder weather, students’ demand for scarves and gloves was increasing, and stores selling these products were becoming more numerous.
Dark carefully selected and finally chose a thick, brown scarf.
Price wasn’t an issue; quality was what mattered.
He asked the lady server to wrap it up and put it in a gift box.
The lady couldn’t help but tease, “What, is this a Christmas gift for your girlfriend?”
Dark smiled, “No.”
The lady asked curiously, “Then who is it for?”
Dark replied, “AIBO.”
…
Dark held up the gift box and waved it in front of the Imp Beast.
The Imp Beast stared for a long time, restraining the urge to open it immediately.
It wanted to guess the color and style of the scarf for the entire week!
…
Having settled the most important scarf, Dark then sought out the small tavern where he had bought fairy wine last time.
But he seemed to have come too early; the dilapidated tavern in the corner of Traveler’s Street was still tightly closed.
“I’ll come back later.”
Thinking for a moment, Dark decided to buy some bottles for juice and gift boxes, of course including apples.
The gift for Emma should be the cheapest, but it required no less effort.
After buying everything, he didn’t continue browsing and returned to the dormitory first.
Because he had too much stuff in his hands.
…
“Oh, Dark, you’re back already?”
Just entering the tower, Dark encountered Diana and Rose, both fully armed.
Although there were still two weekends until Christmas, the girls clearly preferred to prepare in advance.
Besides, maybe two weekends wouldn’t be enough for them to shop.
Diana and Rose intended to pick out Christmas gifts while shopping.
Now, Diana was quite wealthy, and her voice sounded louder when she spoke.
Dark raised his hand to show what he had, “I still have something to do.”
Diana swallowed her invitation, “Oh, alright.”
Dark returned to the dormitory, put the gifts away, washed his hands, and started making apple juice.
The process of making apple juice was very simple, mainly taking time.
With Huhu’s help, Dark spent the whole morning completing it, adding special preservatives to the apple juice, sealing each bottle, and finally putting them in a gift box, pushing it to the corner.
“Done!”
Dark stood up, suddenly feeling very fulfilled.
He shook his head, packed up, had lunch at the cafeteria, and headed back to Traveler’s Street again.
The afternoon Traveler’s Street was noticeably more crowded, filled with people laughing and chatting everywhere.
While Dark felt the approaching festive atmosphere, he also pondered what to buy.
He hadn’t decided on the types of wine or Grass Cat Plants.
The gift for his seniors was still unclear.
Not long after, he arrived at the Kitty Plant Shop, and his eyes were immediately drawn to a Stuffed Cat.
But after playing with the stuffed cat, he left empty-handed again.
If he really brought home a pot of Grass Cat Plant, his fat cat at home would probably be unhappy.
“Maybe I should wrap up the medal from the Crimson Star as a gift…”
Dark muttered to himself.
…
Arriving at the small tavern again, the tavern door was slightly ajar.
Dark pushed it open and saw the owner inside—Uncle Simmons.
Simmons was in his forties, with long pointed ears, not a fairy but a male elemental.
Dark had never understood why this rarely-open tavern was necessary.
But Simmons’ brewing skills were genuine; fairy wine was a treasure that not everyone could produce.
“Another time, huh?”
“Uncle Simmons, do you still have any fairy wine?”
Dark glanced inside and indeed saw no customers.
Simmons quickly waved his hands, “No more, no more, I’m keeping the rest for myself!”
Running a tavern just to sell wine to oneself was truly unique!
Dark wasn’t discouraged, “Then do you have any other wines? I want to buy two bottles as Christmas gifts.”
Simmons asked, “Still for that sage?”
Dark nodded, “And Professor Lily.”
Simmons paused, then said, “Wait a moment.”
He then disappeared into the house.
When he came out, he had three bottles of wine in his hand.
