Click.
Sakeer pulled open the heavy, dark brown door, its surface adorned with intricate floral carvings—patterns he didn't recognize.
Most likely, the floral emblem was the crest of a minor noble family, and the exquisite craftsmanship hinted at the gate's high cost.
However…
As the door swung open, the grating sound of leather and iron clasps scraping against the wall, coupled with the clicking friction of the hinges, made it clear that this expensive gate had been neglected for quite some time.
Standing before him was a ruddy-faced middle-aged man, dressed in a well-pressed black gentleman's uniform. His skin was impeccably maintained, suggesting a life of comfort.
At the sight of Sakeer, the impatience in the man's eyes vanished instantly.
"Good evening, Your Excellency Sakeer."
Before Sakeer could even open his mouth, the middle-aged man had already stepped forward, offering a slight bow and greeting him with a practiced smile.
That polished smirk, combined with his habit of speaking first, was meant to appear respectful.
Yet beneath the surface, it carried an undercurrent of subtle pressure.
Sakeer remained indifferent. He wasn't surprised.
"Even you know my name? Seems like you've done your homework."
Imina didn't know his name and as a middleman, she didn't need to.
But finding out his residence? That wasn't difficult. All of his potions flowed through Imina, and anyone who kept a close watch on her movements for long enough would eventually trace them back to him.
"So, you found out through the signed lease contract?" Sakeer chuckled.
When he had signed the lease, he had done so under the guise of an adventurer.
For a split second, the middle-aged man's smile stiffened.
He had expected the alchemist to be older.
At first glance, the young man before him—clad in a pristine white priest's robe, exuding a gentle and composed demeanor—seemed easy to handle.
But after only a few exchanges, he realized—
This wasn't someone who could be easily manipulated or intimidated.
Still, regaining his composure quickly, the middle-aged man placed his hand over his chest in a formal gesture.
"My name is Bert. I am a pharmacist affiliated with the Herb Guild. Tonight, our guild is hosting a social gathering and has invited esteemed pharmacists from the leading herb workshops."
"The alchemy potions crafted by Your Excellency—while not derived from medicinal herbs—are still a type of healing potion."
A practiced smile returned to Bert's face as he continued,
"Our guild president has specially extended an invitation to Your Excellency Sakeer to join us."
With that, Bert gestured toward the four-wheeled carriage waiting behind him.
Sakeer glanced at it briefly.
"Not interested."
His tone was light but resolute. Without another word, he turned on his heel, preparing to go back inside.
He had no interest in these kinds of political games.
To him, it was like being invited to sit down and play a game of chess when he could just flip the entire board.
A pointless waste of time.
"Your Excellency!"
Bert's expression darkened slightly. His voice rose in intensity.
"Are you sure you want to refuse? This is an opportunity—for both you and me."
If this had been before the Blood Emperor took the throne, there wouldn't have even been an invitation.
In the past, if a foreign alchemist had dared to sell potions at such competitive prices without permission—
He wouldn't have lived to see the next sunrise.
Of course, that would have required them to steal the alchemical formula first.
But ever since the Blood Emperor seized power, everything had changed.
A wave of new policies flooded in, allowing innovations and foreign advancements to pour into the empire.
Not only did the Blood Emperor encourage these new developments, but he also actively protected them.
Gone were the days of eliminating competition through brute force.
Now, even the Herb Guild had to be careful. Anyone who stepped out of line risked catching the Blood Emperor's attention.
And those who did never lasted long.
Taking a deep breath, Bert adjusted his approach. His voice softened once more.
"I've noticed that the alchemy potions you create have a rather short shelf life."
"If you lack the necessary preservation magic to extend their longevity, we can provide it to you."
"In fact, we could even share other alchemical techniques with you."
Bert's smile grew more pronounced.
"With Your Excellency's talent, mastering such knowledge would undoubtedly elevate your alchemy to new heights."
Then, his tone became casual, as if slipping in an afterthought.
"And in return, all we ask for is a bit of… guidance regarding the composition of your potions."
At that, Sakeer—who had been walking away—paused.
Slowly, he turned his head back to look at Bert.
For the first time, a smile curved across his lips.
Bert's heart leaped in excitement.
Had he finally convinced him?
Then—
"Not interested."
The words fell flat and decisive.
And then—
Swoosh!
A sudden sharp sound split through the air.
The black chains slithered like living serpents.
Before the middle-aged man could react, they had already coiled around his neck, tightening swiftly. His face flushed red, his throat constricting as he struggled for air.
"Roar!"
The little Barghest let out a low growl. Its small frame trembled, and in an instant, the bone chain snapped taut, flinging the middle-aged man into the air.
With a sickening crash, he slammed into the four-wheeled carriage nearby, a pained scream escaping his lips.
"Chirp!"
The startled horses neighed wildly, their eyes rolling in panic. The impact sent the carriage splintering, and in a frenzied burst of energy, the terrified steeds bolted down the street, dragging the wreckage behind them.
Moments later, the distant clamor of exclamations rippled through the streets.
Sakeer, unfazed by the chaos, cast a satisfied glance at the little Barghest by his side.
"You're getting better at controlling those bone chains," he mused, offering it a nod of approval.
Without another thought, he turned and strode back into the courtyard, the heavy brown gate creaking shut behind him.
As for the consequences of this incident—
He didn't care in the slightest.
This was a world where strength ruled above all else.
And the moment he revealed his third-tier "Archangel Flame" spell, any opposition would scatter like dust.
Soon after, under Imina's careful orchestration, whispers of a mysterious alchemist named Sakeer began spreading.
Rumors claimed he had developed a groundbreaking potion—one that could treat disabilities.
The news sparked a frenzy, especially in places where warriors and mercenaries gathered, such as the Adventurer's Guild and the famous "Singing Apple Pavilion."
The alchemy potion had already gained immense popularity in recent months.
It was affordable, effective, and most importantly—essential for those who lived on the edge of danger.
Had its shelf life been longer, many would have hoarded large quantities without hesitation.
Sakeer, however, was well aware of this.
Whenever something valuable appeared, the first ones to get their hands on it would always try to monopolize it.
Thus, the regeneration potion he had diluted not only weakened its healing properties but also limited its storage time to roughly five or six days.
This strategic limitation effectively deterred large-scale hoarding.
While preservation magic could extend the potion's longevity, the reality was simple—
A single bottle was worth only eight copper coins.
Expending mana to preserve something of such low value was simply not worth it.
As rumors spread, Sakeer, for the first time in a while, decided to venture outside the noble district with the little Barghest in tow.
The streets bustled with life.
Pedestrians chatted and laughed, strolling along the raised stone-paved sidewalks, while the center road remained dominated by horse-drawn carriages.
When Sakeer had first laid eyes on this semi-modern urban design half a month ago, he had been momentarily stunned.
But the more he observed, the clearer the difference between the Kingdom of Re-Estize and the Baharuth Empire became.
Blending into the lively crowd, he made his way toward the central square.
The Empire's Three Pillars
The Baharuth Empire boasted three renowned institutions—
The Imperial Magic ProvinceThe Imperial Academy of MagicThe Imperial Arena
Of the three, the Imperial Magic Province was the most mysterious.
Established by the fifth emperor, this exclusive district within the capital produced nearly all of the empire's magical equipment.
Its military garrison rivaled that of the Imperial Court itself, and only the powerful Fluder Paradyne held jurisdiction over it.
The Imperial Academy of Magic, on the other hand, was founded by the sixth emperor.
And it was Sakeer's destination.
Within a small, elegant restaurant near the Academy, a cup of translucent black tea sat on the table, its delicate fragrance filling the air.
Sakeer took a small sip, waiting in silence.
He didn't have to wait long.
The door creaked open, and a girl no older than twelve or thirteen stepped inside.
Her short blonde hair framed a thin, fragile face, and the loose, slightly wrinkled robe draped over her small frame made her seem even more delicate.
Clutching a staff taller than herself, she walked in with cautious steps, her eyes flickering across the room as if searching for potential threats.
Then—
Her gaze landed on Sakeer, seated by the window.
He was already waving at her.
Gathering her courage, she approached.
"Hello, Your Excellency. Are you the one who issued the commission?"
Her voice was soft, hesitant.
"That's right. Please, have a seat."
Sakeer's tone was gentle as he motioned for her to sit.
This young girl was named Arche Eeb Rile Furt.
And in the future, she would become the weakest member of the legendary "Foresight."
But for now, she was simply a tool—one that possessed an innate ability known as 'All-Seeing Eyes.'
An ability identical to Fluder Paradyne.
And Sakeer needed it to confirm one thing.
(End of Chapter)