[Puzzle 004]

[hisapprentice]

[A dejected little boy young gentleman in blue sits in the library today at a table, journal open off to the side. In front of him is a book with a red cover, full of intermediate-level puzzles and riddles. There's a piece of paper beside it, on which he solves most of them - if they require paper.

There are a few interesting ones copied down into the journal, for reference later.

YYHLYEYT?
6L=12 6S=18 6LS=?
Meanwhile...

After a while, Luke sighs in a most ungentlemanly way.]

I wish I knew why this book feels so important. [the sound of ruffling pages] Maybe if Professor Layton were here he-

[Luke cuts himself off almost sharply, closing the puzzle book and doodling a few little pictures of fish and mice instead. One of the little mice wears a tall top hat.]

I wish I could go home.

Comments

written;

[hisapprentice]

[The sheer amount of puzzles he has solved might break your brain, Shikamaru.]

Thanks! I've had a lot of practice.

written;

[endgames]

[It'd certainly leave him envious. Throw in a shogi board and some clouds to watch, and it's like how he always pictured retirement at 30 would be.]

I'd say so. Hobby?

written;

[hisapprentice]

[R-Retired at thirty...

The handwriting here is a little slow.]

Professor Layton is an expert at puzzles and a true gentleman, and I'm his apprentice.

written;

[endgames]

[He's since learned thirty isn't really that old, even for ninja. Getting past the age of twelve probably helped.]

...you're going to solve puzzles for a living when you grow up?

[Oh and some stuff about being a gentleman, too. That's kind of funny, actually - it's reflected in the great care he took with his words there.]

written;

[hisapprentice]

No, probably not. Just for fun! ...I'm learning from him how to be a gentleman, really.

[And puzzles. And adventure.]

He doesn't solve puzzles for a living either. He's a professor of archaeology.

written;

[endgames]

[Aww. Not as cool as puzzles.]

Huh. That's neat too, I guess. [There's a pause, and then he continues.] He's that Layton guy you mentioned?

written;

[hisapprentice]

[Luke doesn't think so either. Layton's kind of a nerd about archaeology.]

That's right.

Are you stalling for more time to solve my puzzle?

written;

[endgames]

[He was mostly just curious, but he can recognize the subject change.]

Hey, I said I wouldn't spoil it.