Aurelion turned toward the voice that had come from behind him.
Leaning against the doorframe with a faint, knowing smile was a woman of stunning beauty. Her skin was the color of dusky rose, a stark contrast to her flowing white clothes and the white fur cloak draped over her shoulders. She was a Dark Elf, and as Aurelion's eyes met hers, he felt a slight jolt of surprise.
The receptionist, immediately bowed her head. "Guild Leader."
"A Dark Elf as the Guild Leader?" Aurelion thought, his mind instantly flashing to Vespera. "First the information broker, now this."
Guild Leader turned her gaze to the receptionist. "Thank you, Gisela. You may leave."
"Of course, Guild Leader," Gisela said, giving Aurelion one last curious glance before quickly departing down the corridor.
Nylessa's attention returned to Aurelion. "This lazy oaf doesn't usually get many visitors," she said, nodding toward the slumbering Faelan. She glided closer to Aurelion. "I am Nylessa Aduialel."
"Aurelion," he replied simply.
"Yes, Faelan has told me about you before," Nylessa said.
"I'm sure he exaggerated."
"Of course, he did," she chuckled softly, "but I am capable of distinguishing the truth from his embellishments."
Aurelion glanced at Faelan's sleeping form. "As the Guild Leader, do you have to stand over him constantly?"
"Certainly not. I have far more important matters to attend to," Nylessa said. "But I am aware of everything that happens within this guild. And I can remind Faelan to get back to work without even being here." She casually flicked her hand in the air in a small, elegant motion. At the same instant, a translucent hand materialized behind Faelan's head and smacked him on the back of it.
Faelan jolted awake, clutching his head and shouting at the ceiling, "Alright, alright, I'm working!" He then looked forward and froze, seeing Aurelion and Nylessa watching him with matching, unamused expressions.
Faelan's grogginess vanished as his eyes focused, his gaze instantly locking onto Aurelion's scarred eye. He scrambled to his feet and rushed over, his usual erratic energy replaced by a sharp concern. "What did you encounter in that swamp, lad?"
"Nothing important," Aurelion deflected, holding out the satchel. "The materials are here."
Faelan stared at Aurelion for a few seconds, then let out a breath. "Alright, lad. Have it your way." He snatched the bag, tossed it lightly in the air and caught it, his hyperactive demeanor returning in a flash. "Let's see what we've got. I don't usually bother with filthy things like goblin ears, but I'll make an exception for you."
Nylessa extended a hand toward Faelan. "May I?" As she did, Aurelion's eyes were drawn to her palm, where a seal in the shape of an compass faintly shimmered.
Noticing his gaze, Nylessa's lips curved into a slight smile. "Unless you have a problem with it, of course."
"No," Aurelion said. Nylessa took the bag and glided over to one of the large tables in the room. Aurelion shot a questioning look at Faelan, who simply shrugged and followed her. Aurelion trailed behind them.
Nylessa opened the bag and carefully laid out the contents from their containment jars onto the table. She hovered her palm over the goblin ears, spider eyes, and lily pads. After a moment, she separated two pairs of goblin ears and all ten of the slightly yellowed lily pads from the rest.
As she pushed the lily pads aside, she remarked, "It seems you poisoned the flower quite heavily."
"That's why I collected ten leaves," Aurelion said.
Faelan frowned. "Didn't the lily react to that, lad? It gets dangerous if you take too many leaves."
"It more than reacted," Aurelion said coolly.
Nylessa looked up at him. "Did you blow it up?"
"I calculated when it would die," he corrected.
"I see," Nylessa said.
Aurelion studied the items she had separated and his brows furrowing. "Unless..." He then noticed that the compass seal on her hand seemed to glow faintly as it passed over those specific materials.
"Is there something special about these ones, Guild Leader? You seem interested."
Nylessa paused. "Yes," she said. "These materials contain fragments of the same energy found in World Trees."
Faelan's head whipped around in confusion. "World Tree? You know these aren't World Tree leaves, don't you, Guild Leader?"
Ignoring him, Aurelion shrugged. "Perhaps." He then pointed to her palm. "Does your seal help you notice that?"
Nylessa smiled faintly. "No," she said. "But it does help me notice things I might need."
"Is that so," Aurelion mused aloud. "And here I was, unwilling to swallow a potion contaminated with Primordia's energy."
"Contaminated?" Nylessa's smile widened.
"Yes," Aurelion confirmed.
"Then would you be willing to give these materials to me?" she asked.
"I could be," Aurelion replied.
"Good. Then I will see to it that a potion is prepared for you from the... untainted materials Faelan will prepare," Nylessa offered.
"Not enough," Aurelion said.
"You're right, it's not enough," Nylessa conceded, her voice smooth. "What do you have in mind?"
Aurelion turned his attention back to the Faelan. "Faelan, this potion you're preparing for me. What exactly does it do?"
Faelan shrugged. "Nothing too special, really. After all, not counting the lily pads, it's made with Tier 1 materials. It just boosts your poison resistance, healing speed, helps energy circulate more easily in your body, and strengthens your muscles." He paused, his own words seeming to catch up with him. "Actually, that's quite a lot of things, isn't it."
"Can you make a better one?" Aurelion asked.
Faelan laughed. "Of course, lad, but the important thing is how much your body can handle. The potion we planned for you is already—" He froze mid-sentence, his eyes going distant for a moment.
Nylessa seamlessly continued for him. "Is already at the maximum level your body can currently withstand."
Aurelion turned his gaze back to the Guild Leader. "I'm sure you can do something about that."
"Yes," Nylessa said, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "But you'll have to endure the pain."
"That won't be a problem," Aurelion said without hesitation.
Nylessa looked at Faelan, who had snapped back to normal. "Add some Snow Ripper blood."
Faelan looked alarmed. "A Snow Ripper? Don't you think that's a bit too dangerous, Guild Leader?"
"Just a few drops," Nylessa clarified. "The lily pads will neutralize each other."
Faelan processed this for a moment, his mind running through the calculations. "Yes... that could work."
"And," Aurelion added, cutting through the moment.
Nylessa turned back to him, an eyebrow raised.
"I want to read your technical books about energy sense," Aurelion continued.
"For what purpose, exactly, Aurelion?" Nylessa asked, her tone sharpening slightly. "Unfortunately, I cannot grant you access to the entire library."
Aurelion simply tapped a finger on his black eye patch.
Nylessa studied him for a moment. "I will give you the books that can help you. But you should keep them to yourself."
"Then we have a deal," Aurelion said.
"Yes," Nylessa confirmed. "I will have the books delivered to you after you've taken the potion." She began to gather the materials she had set aside. "But tell me," she said, her back still to him, "do you know why these have Primordia's energy in them?"
"Primordia doesn't only interact with humans," Aurelion replied.
Nylessa paused, considering his words, then gave a slight nod. She raised her open palm, and a translucent, ethereal hand floated over the table, gently gathering the materials.
She turned to face him one last time. "I would like to talk to you about this in the future."
"Of course, Guild Leader," Aurelion said.
Nylessa started for the door, pausing as she passed Faelan. "Prepare the potion carefully. Don't kill the boy."
"Guild Leader, do you really think I would do such a thing?" Faelan asked, feigning offense.
Nylessa didn't answer and walked out of the room, leaving the door to swing shut behind her.
Aurelion looked at Faelan with a hint of suspicion. "What exactly is the name of this potion?"
"Lily's Flow. Why? Is there a problem, lad?" Faelan asked.
"I was expecting a more... intimidating name," Aurelion admitted.
Faelan feigned being hurt. "Don't you trust me, lad?" He then chuckled. "No need to worry. It will only hurt a little, but I'm sure you can endure it."
"Are the effects permanent?" Aurelion pressed.
"Of course," Faelan said, puffing out his chest. "Even though it's made with low tier materials, it's a valuable and rare formula."
"Getting stronger with just a potion sounds too easy and simple," Aurelion remarked.
"This potion is, in a way, a poison, lad," Faelan explained. "Your energy and your body will fight against it, and that's how you'll get stronger. I'll just make some fine adjustments to make sure you don't die. This won't be a stage where you drink something and become powerful instantly. I will inject it into you slowly, through your veins, and you will fight against it with your energy." He froze for a moment, his eyes going distant, before snapping back. Aurelion waited patiently.
"In a way," Faelan continued, "it's a process similar to evolution. It might not change your body, but it will strengthen it, lad. Just lean back and..." he pointed to a sturdy chair in the corner, "sit here. I already prepared most of the materials in case they were needed, I just need the Snow Ripper's blood. I'll go get it." He started for the door, muttering to himself as he went, "I wonder if he can withstand five drops... or would five drops kill him? Maybe I should use four..."
Aurelion watched Faelan exit with a single raised eyebrow. Once the door closed, he spoke to the empty room.
"I need to learn alchemy, and soon. If not now, this fool will definitely get me killed in the future."