Unlike Liam, the Alchemy Elder avoided engaging with pleasantries and politics because he didn't care, not due to a lack of skills or understanding.
Admittedly, the Elder wasn't too good at those, but he had lived a long life that had taught him how to lie and wear believable facades, as well as what could give him out.
The sudden interruption of the scroll's retrieval was too much of a loud gesture to go unnoticed, especially by someone doing his best to find any topic that could start a conversation.
So, the Alchemy Elder knew he had to cover that revealing mistake with something reasonable, which wasn't hard to find. The truth would more than suffice there.
"Elder Lewis," The Alchemy Elder called, pushing the scroll back into the shelf, slowly turning. "I'd refrain myself from making such senseless comments about my disciple, even as a joke."
