Lolo Juan is a jolly old man. He is quite talkative and a lively person, so even if you are an introvert, you would somehow feel like opening up to him. Not only that, but even in his age, it seems he is up to date with the current trends of the internet and social media, which even Sancho and Arcana were stunned by his knowledge. As a result, it doesn't feel like he wouldn't understand what they are saying. He even knows a few internet slang terms and modern pranks that even Sancho was unable to come back with comebacks to some of his jokes, and feels like he was the older guy of the two.
Not only does he keep himself up to date, he is also an avid gamer as well and plays co-op games with Sancho from time to time, and Sancho would be devastated at times at how his Lolo Juan would demolish him on a fighting game that he has been playing for years.
"I thought you were a boomer, Lolo!" Arcana was not expecting to easily discuss things with her when it comes to music and movies that are latest in streaming platforms. The old man even has some playlists of tunes that are pretty modern as well.
"Ohoho, I do like the classic ones, but that doesn't mean my mind is closed to opening a new door for those new things! Things are bound to change, and we humans should also change along with it, and instead of living in the past, why not live with the future? Besides, there are some catchy tunes out there on the streaming platforms that I am happy I don't need to keep tuning the radio and requesting from the DJs just so they can play a song I want to listen to."
Thanks to this, Lolo Juan became quite close to both Arcana and Sancho. Who would have thought that they would find a friend in hobbies in an old man like Lolo Juan in the first place? Looking at their relationship, one would be mistaken to think that the two have been with Lolo Juan for a very long time due to their closeness, and yet it has only been a few months.
Of course, despite the modernity of Lolo Juan, he still does things that an old man would do, and that includes the role of being a mentor and an older figure for both children. Since his time is running out, Lolo Juan began to teach Sancho and Arcana on the various things they needed to remember to run the hacienda. Sancho and Arcana decided to also take their new roles seriously. Since they will be inheriting the whole hacienda after Lolo Juan dies, Sancho and Arcana had to also help out and familiarize the business that Lolo Juan runs.
At first glance, his business seems related to herbal medicines and culturing herbs that would be used to make them, but they soon found out that that was not the main case this time around.
Sancho and Arcana soon find out that Lolo Juan's real job is not as a herbalist but as an Albularyo. It was just a front that he was selling herbal medicines. Although he does sell them, he only does so if he can recommend them or if they need them. Otherwise, he would strongly decline the use of just herbal medicines, especially those who needed to undergo surgery, or if they have illnesses that even herbal medicine can't cure. Sancho and Arcana have seen their Lolo Juan do the job, and although it seems his practices seem to be outdated, they didn't question it and observed his actions.
Then, the time came when the two would need to inherit the knowledge and expertise of Lolo Juan. At first, they thought it would be about what kind of techniques he uses to help a patient, but they were soon given a few explanations.
Lolo Juan explained his role as an Albularyo. Although he mainly uses medicinal herbs and herbal medicine practices to conduct healing for his patients, Lolo Juan's job is not totally focused on that, but more on helping and resolving cases related to Paranormal Activity, mystical cases that are hard to explain by science, fighting mythical creatures, and helping lost souls to cross the afterlife. And usually, since they are dealing with paranormal entities like the fabled engkantos, there are times when they are rewarded handsomely if their actions are splendid and effective. That was how he got rich in the process, and not because of his usual selling of herbal medicines. Even if he sells his herbal medicines and has them sold out every day, he would not be able to become so rich that he would afford a hacienda like this.
Sancho and Arcana were baffled at this revelation, then questioned their Lolo Juan on how he managed to become rich by just becoming an Albularyo, and it turns out that he received gold from the Duwendes and some Engkantos that he helped back then, and that allowed him to get rich.
"Lolo, are you really telling the truth, or are you just pulling our leg? It's modern day already, and those folktales related to Duwendes and Engkantos are considered something from the old times and are just stories to scare kids from going out at night!" Arcana complained after hearing their Lolo explain it.
"I think I also agree with my sister, Lolo. Aren't these entities you spoke of just fragments of imagination? It has always been debunked by the internet that their existence was false and they are nothing but just rumors," Sancho tilted his head.
"Hoho, not at all, you two. The reason you two do not even believe them is because you cannot see them, right? Well, the only solution to that is to open your third eye, and by then, you will believe what I am talking about."
Third eye. Although it's modern day, many people have claimed that they do have a third eye, either they have awakened this ability due to some trauma or near-death experience, or perhaps something they were born with. It isn't the typical "third eye" that would pop out of one's forehead once they awaken. It was more like a spiritual sense that allows one to view the world differently. In turn of doing so allows one to perceive the things that eyes normally can't see. Many who have those eyes open want them to be permanently closed because it is already affecting their lives to some extent. So hearing their Lolo say that they have to open their third eye just to believe him was already a bit too much.
"Whoa there, Grandpa. This is too fast for us. What do you mean we have to open our third eye?! Doesn't that mean if we open the third eye of ours, we will be seeing ghosts?!" Arcana complained.
Lolo Juan chuckled. "Ghosts? Those things are normal and harmless to people. They might look scary since they are dead, but those things have no real abilities to hurt someone...unless they are vengeful ghosts. Ghosts that even regular humans who have not opened their third eye can manipulate objects, those ghosts are what you need to be afraid of."
Arcana is a bit afraid of this matter. "I think I needed time to think about opening my third eye."
"I am not forcing you, Arcana. Don't rush and think it over. After all, if you decided to open your third eye, you would no longer perceive this world like how they usually do so unless you want it, then don't force yourself.
After saying that, she returned to her room, perhaps to digest what she had learned from Lolo Juan. Lolo Juan nodded lightly before turning to Sancho, who didn't say anything and remained still after hearing his Lolo explain things.
"What about you, Sancho?"
"Is it necessary to open the third eye for us to inherit this job of yours?" Sancho asked.
"Naturally, I don't mind if you two declined on opening your third eye, as one should be prepared mentally to see things that are not supposed to be seen. Even as an Albularyo, it isn't a necessity to have one's third eye open; however, one will not fully utilize their potential in dealing with the troubles an Albularyo has to face. That is also why many Albularyos who have not opened their third eye are sometimes wrong in their diagnoses of their patients and are the ones being called Quack Doctors. However, if the two of you will inherit my business and job once I am gone, instead of struggling to run the business, it's best to have the Third Eye open. And don't worry, I will help train the third eye that you two will open to ensure that it will not hinder your everyday lives. One needed mental fortitude to have it open in the first place."
Sancho thought about it. He has been fascinated with the supernatural since he was a kid, and although he was not actively wishing to see entities that is always being told in horror stories, there is a certain allure that he can't help but feel the need to be satiated and since his Lolo would be the one who will help stabilize this third eye of his so that it won't become a very bad experience for him that would hinder his everyday life, he decided to trust him.
"Alright, Lolo. I will have my third eye opened."