Protect the mage

Looking through all the quests that you qualified for, you come across one that seems, well, different to say the least. It read:

Wanted: youthful male adventurer to help mage gather ingredients and provide protection during experimental spell. Pay depends on duration needed, but fair compensation promised.

You wondered briefly why they needed a young male, but just chalked it up to the clients preferences. You took the quest from the board, cleared it with the receptionist, and headed out to meet this quest giver.

The quest givers home was in an affluent area of town, with numerous shops and expensive homes. The directions lead you to an antique book shop with a domicile above, which you entered after gathering yourself. The shop was dimly lit, the spiraling walks of book giving an air of mystery. It smelt of old books and scented oils, while a silence in the store was only interrupted by the sounds of the busy street outside. You see a counter, and ring the bell, waiting to see who appears.