Alchemical Progress
“He was able to improve dozens of recipes so far, even making some bad ones actually worth the hassle. It is actually very impressive… His control of the furnace and alchemical process is always flawless, he always uses the right quantities of resources and is even capable of finding the best quality of herbs and the like amongst batches. I think it is fairly obvious that there is something special about him... Yet, he insists that he just has natural talent and nothing else”
Edrick rubbed his chin.
“Well, it is typical for a craftsman to have a strong desire to keep their secrets, don’t you think?”
“That’s true, but I would prefer it if he didn’t act like I was going to eviscerate him whenever I try to speak with him. What did I ever do to him anyway? If I were to try rearranging his guts, it wouldn’t be with a blade”
When the two nobles showed up in front of the young alchemist, he visibly paled as though truly believing that his time had come.
“Yechen. How are you doing these days? I heard from Lui that you had made quite a lot of progress since I last paid you a visit”
“Oh, huh… It’s nothing much, really! I’ve just been working with minor potions and pills of healing for the most part…”
“Come on, don’t lie to me, Yechen. It is pretty obvious that you have more than just raw talent for alchemy. Pure talent wouldn’t allow you to know the best possible heat level for pills you’ve never made before… And it also wouldn’t allow you to know that the best herb in a casket is buried beneath the rest. We’ve been keeping a close eye on your work, you know?”
Yechen swallowed his saliva audibly.
“Listen, I am a very big fan of your work. My first wife dabbles in alchemy too, you know?”
“D-Does she?”
“Indeed, and she is very good at it. In fact, she probably has more potential than you”
This remark took Yechen by surprise. After all, having more potential than him was highly unlikely... His eyes were special. They could appraise things to an incredibly precise degree and even see through solid matter without problem–And that was only part of it... Yechen’s eyes could basically see through anything.
Thanks to this innate trait he possessed–Alongside actual alchemical talent–He was able to pull off things that even senior alchemists wouldn’t be able to accomplish. It was all because he had access to far more information about what he was doing than others.
As such, unless Edrick’s wife was an alchemist with decades' worth of experience and knowledge, he didn’t see how it could be possible for her to have more potential than him.
“...How so, Young Master?”
“It is a secret only known to a select few within even the clan, but my first wife actually possesses an innate Velvet Pixie Bloodline”
“Velvet Pixie Bloodline?! That is… That is an incredible rarity! The royal family is supposed to have a complete monopoly over everything having to do with this species of pixies…”
“I see that you are aware of what it is”
“Of course! Velvet Pixies are incredible beings to all craftsmen. They can practise all disciplines of craftsmanship in ways we can not even fathom. All they need is their will and the basic components to achieve results that make even the greatest craftsmen look like juniors! That’s why all craftsmen seek the techniques owned by the royal family. These techniques allow one to harvest a portion of the ways of the Velvet Pixies…”
“...Wait… If your first wife has the bloodline of a Velvet Pixie, then is she…?”
“Indeed, she can concoct potions, refined tools, and all that stuff just like a real Velvet Pixie”
“I see… Then it is obvious that she would have a greater potential than anyone else…”
Edrick crossed his arms, a satisfied smile etched across his face.
“That goes without question… But as you probably know, the techniques are only rarely handed over to anyone. The royal family doesn’t give much–Apart from small vials containing potions made using minuscule drops of Velvet Pixie blood mixed with the dust from their wings, amongst other things…”
“...These are temporary, but they can allow a craftsman to earn deep insight and to momentarily boost their capabilities by giving them a small portion of the capabilities of a Velvet Pixie”
“...A drop of… Blood…?”
“Seems like you see what I am getting at, Yechen. If you reveal the full extent of your capabilities and agree to truly become part of the Elt clan, I can promise that you won’t only be granted potions of this nature, but that I will do my best to grant you access to what the royal family holds”
“I…”
“No need to answer now, Yechen. Take your time to think about it. After all, I must warn you… To be accepted as a true member of the clan, you will have to accept doing things you won’t like… Such as what you constantly worry Lui will do with you”
Yechen froze.
“Looks like I was right. Does it have to do with your special skill, or did you just notice something off? We shall see. For now, just think about the offer”
Anoteros and Lui stepped out of the room, leaving the promising alchemist alone with his own thoughts.
“Zixu, was it really wise to be so upfront with him? And also, if I got that correctly, he’s been afraid of me Viotting him? When did he figure out that I was a Duookois?”
“I am not certain, but he might have some sort of enhanced vision or sense. He probably noticed you were packing extra tools in the same way that he is able to know which herb is the best”
“Huh… Interesting. We definitely need him working for us–And I mean without him acting like he is a prisoner. What kind of captive is well-fed, lodged in a luxurious room, and allowed to practise their craft without restrictions?”
Anoteros shrugged.
“He must be wary that we might dispose of him eventually. Our Elt clan has a rather bad reputation, after all”
Lui rolled her eyes.
“It is quite mental that we have a worse reputation than the Xing… But either way… I won’t be holding you here longer. Your wives must be waiting for you to return-”
Edrick grabbed his Jhila’s wrist.
“My wives won’t mind waiting longer”
He caught hold of her waist and pulled Lui closer.
“Zixu…”
“Lui… Would you mind showing me the way to your bedchambers?”
“Not at all~”