"Calling it a specialization in alchemy is too much, us Elementary Apprentices barely know anything about schools of magic. Who's to say I won't switch later on?"
Edwyn chuckled, casually accepting Kevan's assumption.
"That's great. Hey, Edwyn, are you working on any Arcane Artifact lately? I've got some spare alchemical materials, I can sell them to you cheap."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Kevan's eyes. Though Edwyn's words sounded modest, to Kevan they came off as pure bragging. He knew enough about the alchemy school to understand that anyone claiming to specialize in it this early on was definitely talented.
Alchemy may focus more on practice than theory, but even getting started required at least a dozen Mana Stones' worth of library reading. For Elementary Apprentices who were short on stones, that was a huge investment, and one with poor returns.
Alchemy doesn't improve combat power quickly. And weak combat means fewer mission opportunities, which in turn means less income, leading to a vicious cycle that slows growth as a Mage.
But here Edwyn was, powerful, confident, and apparently well-off enough to treat a girl to dinner at this fancy place.
To a talentless alchemy student, that would be impossible.
Then a rumor Kevan had heard recently surfaced in his mind:
Master Joron of the Alchemy Faction was planning to take a new formal apprentice, a low-level one.
Could it be...
"Haha, maybe later," Edwyn laughed it off. He wasn't planning to make Arcane Artifacts anytime soon, his focus was currently on digesting the specialized knowledge Joron had given him.
"Fair enough." Kevan kept smiling warmly, but his heart was pounding. "Here, let me give you my contact. If you ever need materials, just come to me. My prices will always be lower than what you'll find in the commercial zone."
He handed Edwyn a card printed with his name and contact information.
"Thanks. I'll definitely reach out if I need anything."
Edwyn accepted the card and tucked it into his inner pocket.
"Ed, the food's here."
Elia's voice called from behind. Edwyn gave Kevan an apologetic smile and returned to his table.
After he left, Griffith, who'd been silent the whole time, finally spoke.
"Kevan, he's strong."
"How strong? Stronger than you?" Kevan poured himself a glass of red wine, swirling it slowly.
The crimson liquid reflected in his eyes, but his mind was still turning over that earlier hunch.
Griffith hesitated, then said, "I don't know. But my instincts say, he's dangerous."
Kevan's wrist twitched. A drop of wine spilled from the glass.
"That's excellent," he said, raising his glass and draining it in one gulp. "He's not our enemy. Maybe someday, he'll be a friend."
…
The rune-pig ribs were far more flavorful and chewy than regular pork. The charred fat burst with savory aroma, while the beast's muscle fibers ground between Edwyn's teeth before being swallowed.
After finishing the plate, Edwyn's whole body felt warm. Every cell seemed to come alive with energy.
"So this is arcane beast meat? Definitely worth the money."
He took a towel from the waiter and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Clearly, the restaurant owner knew this kind of reaction was coming.
"Edwyn, it's such a pity we didn't bring back that python we killed last time."
Elia's cheeks were flushed, a sheen of sweat on her forehead. Droplets formed and slid down her slender neck, disappearing beneath her shirt.
Edwyn suddenly realized, Elia, whom he'd always thought of as just a kid, had quite a mature figure.
"Yeah… we'll make sure to bring it back next time."
He quickly looked away, a little embarrassed.
The meal cost a total of 210 academy credits, 10 of which went toward the tip. When it came time to pay, Elia insisted on splitting the bill.
Back at the dorm, Edwyn tried to meditate as usual. But every time he closed his eyes, he saw Elia's image.
"Phew."
Unable to focus, he got out of bed and opened the book he hadn't finished earlier that day.
"In books lie golden mansions; in books, beauty like jade."
"Come on, Ed. Knowledge is what a Mage should devote their life to."
…
Days passed, and Edwyn's life continued in steady rhythm.
After a year, he had raised his Spiritforce to 22, though his physique hadn't changed. In that same year, he also finished reading all the books Joron had given him.
But alchemy is a hands-on discipline. Now that the theory was done, it was time to get practical.
"Twenty Mana Stones left… time to start brewing potions."
He counted his stash. Over the past year, he hadn't just read, he'd also attended many alchemical lectures. Joron was a brilliant alchemist, but whenever something fell outside his expertise, he'd direct Edwyn to take paid courses from other instructors.
"Ugh. Was this formula really written by an alchemist?" Edwyn muttered as he transcribed the Focus Potion recipe. The vague instructions made his head spin.
Potion-making was different from crafting gear. Gear often hinged on one critical step, nail that, and the rest could be rough. Potions, however, required precision in every step. One second too long in prep, the wrong tool shape, any of these could ruin the brew.
Edwyn now had to figure out all those tiny details himself.
In the bustling commercial zone, apprentice mages of all styles and appearances moved about, like a magical version of Halloween.
Edwyn's first stop was his senior Agnes' alchemy shop.
Different shops offered different prices and quality. If he had to test each one himself, it would cost too much time and money.
But asking someone saved both.
"You're buying potion materials?" Agnes leaned on the counter, rubbing her temples. "If you want high-quality stuff, go to the Hightower Consortium. If you're just practicing and want to get the hang of things, try the Seven Luminaries Consortium. Their prices are lower. Quality's hit or miss, but usable."
"Thanks, Agnes."
Agnes yawned and glanced sideways at her junior.
"Running low on Mana Stones? Want a loan? No interest for six months, five percent per year after that."
She admired Edwyn's eagerness to learn, Mages valued curiosity above all. Unlike Chayle, who lazed around and drank all day.
Plus, she'd heard Edwyn was a farmer's son with a drunkard for a father, just like her.
That made her feel both sympathetic and connected.
"I'm good. I still have some left."
Edwyn smiled, politely declining the offer.
He wasn't completely broke, yet.
"Suit yourself."
Agnes swept her loose hair over her shoulder, revealing a patch of burn-like scarring on her neck.
"Wait, Agnes, you're injured?"
Edwyn pointed at the scar.
"Just a scratch, nothing serious," Agnes waved it off. "Accidents happen in experiments. Oh, by the way, I'm almost out of that Red Quicksilver you refined for me." She gave Edwyn a sly smile. "Interested in making some more and earning a few Mana Stones?"
Edwyn hesitated. A hundred-stone job was tempting.
"Well... depends. I'm about to start potion research. Not sure I'll have time."
"Alright. Help out if you get a chance."
Agnes nodded without pressuring him. Refining Red Quicksilver was tedious work, even she found it annoying. Having Edwyn do it would definitely slow his studies.
"Okay then, I'll head over to the guild and take a look."
Edwyn waved goodbye and made his way to the Seven Luminaries Consortium.