Chapter 15. I Have Many Colleagues Who Want the Same
At the Emerald Heart Tavern, Elan sat in his usual seat. Sitting across from him was a woman dressed in black with golden hair.
“So the Alchemists’ Association has now placed all those who can refine Energy Potions under control?” Elan asked, confirming the information he had just received.
“Not all of them,” Selin replied. “Even at its peak, the Association would not have had that kind of capability. They have simply offered great benefits to every master in this field.”
According to the standards of the Alchemists’ Association, if someone could achieve a success rate slightly better than one Energy Potion for every four attempts, they could be recognized as a master in brewing Energy Potions.
The Association’s current priority was to secure these masters. They had offered incentives such as membership in the Committee and a share of the Association’s future revenue. These were essentially the only conditions the Association could provide at the moment.
“They are probably sending commissioners to inspect every branch right now,” Selin continued. “They are checking how many people meet that standard. Those who do not might still be given things like operational rights to certain branches.”
“The Association really responds quickly,” Elan said with a faint chuckle. “If they had reacted this fast when the civil war broke out in Antir, things might have gone differently.”
Selin did not laugh. Instead, she asked,
“So what now? Our plan to disrupt the Energy Potion market has failed, has it not? What do we do next?”
“We failed,” Elan replied calmly. “But we did not pay anything for that failure. Meanwhile, how many times must the Association succeed?”
He adjusted his sleeve and took a sip of water before continuing.
“The true pillar of the Association is the alchemists themselves. If the alchemists oppose them, the Association can do nothing.”
“The Association understands this as well. Even with its financial difficulties, it continues to maintain services for all alchemists. Materials and potions can still be purchased at limited quantities for low prices, and their privileges remain intact. That is why many alchemists are still waiting and watching.”
“Your initiative of leading the alchemists from two academies to become independent—that was the real blow to their heart.”
Selin responded,
“What does independence matter? That news probably will not spread anyway. The Alchemists’ Association is truly bold. They even assassinated several Senior Apprentices...”
“Those two academies have now been temporarily sealed off. Judging by the Association’s methods, the investigation will probably be extended for another two months—until after the assessment period ends.”
Elan spoke slowly,
“Is it possible that the Association was simply lucky? Perhaps it was merely a conflict between apprentices. Did Richter of Cuilan not kill several people from Velos as well?”
“It just happened to coincide,” he continued. “Then the Association simply maneuvered a little and extended the investigation time, letting the whole dangerous affair fade away.”
Selin drained the fruit wine in her glass and snorted.
“Here you go again with your theory—‘there are not that many conspiracies in this world; things just happen to coincide.’ I really cannot understand you. How did someone like you even become a formal mage?”
“And that Richter is practically a tumor among apprentices. I have never seen someone abuse ‘privilege’ so many times. In the past ten years, have all the people who became formal mages combined even used as many privileges as he has?”
“He also happens to operate in the territory you oversee. Why do you not deal with him?”
Elan lifted the glass of water he had not finished and replied calmly,
“Becoming a formal mage naturally requires exceptional magical ability. What are you thinking?”
“As for Richter, should that not be the responsibility of the Modification School? I have already dealt with him in my own way. Have you not noticed that he does not dare to come to the Emerald Heart anymore?”
Selin grabbed another glass of fruit wine from the side. After drinking half of it, she said,
“Forget it. I am not discussing this with you anymore. So, are we continuing the plan or not?”
“Of course we are continuing,” Elan answered. “If we can cause even a little trouble, it is worth it. How many people have you recruited?”
“I only found two,” Selin replied. “Their success rate has not yet reached one bottle in five attempts.”
“Then I win. I only found one, but the success rate is slightly better.”
Selin pressed her forehead with her hand, her expression filled with frustration.
“With so few people, can we even gather thirty bottles before the assessment ends?”
“What is wrong with thirty bottles?” Elan replied casually. “At the price you and I set, each bottle sells for eight silver coins. Thirty bottles would be two hundred and forty silver coins. That is equal to two years of wine sales at my tavern.”
Selin shook her head.
“Fine. Let us do it that way. Contact me if anything changes. I will see if I can have a few beginners practice and try.”
“Goodbye.”
Elan watched Selin’s departing figure, then glanced at the empty glasses of fruit wine on the table. He muttered quietly to himself,
“Perhaps the Association will collapse tomorrow. We might not even need to work so hard.”
---
Half an hour after the meeting ended, Fulan arrived at the tavern carrying a box and sat directly across from Elan.
“How many bottles this time?” Elan asked. He assumed Fulan might have one or two bottles at most. Why was she carrying a whole box?
Fulan opened the box, revealing six bottles of Energy Potion inside.
This surprised Elan slightly. He had not expected her to bring six bottles. Given Fulan’s success rate, she must have used at least thirty portions of materials.
He carefully examined each bottle, confirming that they had been made by an experienced hand with no mistakes during the process. Then he picked up one bottle.
After opening it, he leaned closer and sniffed it. The rich scent of Sunlight Flower reached his nose.
Satisfied, he said,
“Very good. This quality would sell anywhere. I did not expect you to still have stock left.”
In reality, she had just brewed them. The three bottles left from last time had already been consumed while practicing Wind Blade.
She had purchased forty portions of materials from the Association afterward, and the price had even increased.
She could not possibly take out dozens of bottles at once and claim she had brewed them all. That would be like writing “something is wrong with me” across her face.
So she did not deny having leftover stock and simply followed along with his assumption.
“Yes. I originally planned to save up a few bottles before selling them. But since you are offering a higher price, I came here.”
After receiving one large gold coin and a collection of smaller coins totaling eighty silver coins, Fulan proposed something.
“Um... I also have a friend who can brew Energy Potions. Could I sell her potions here as well?”
Elan’s eyes lit up. He did not question Fulan’s claim. After all, it was perfectly normal for alchemists to know other alchemists. As long as someone could brew the potions, that was enough.
“I have no objection,” he said. “As long as the cost of her materials does not exceed the money she earns from selling the potions. No matter how many bottles she brings, I will buy them.”
“I heard that the cost of materials for a single Energy Potion within the Association is almost three silver coins now. I hope she can still make a profit selling them here.”
Elan chuckled cheerfully. Fulan also laughed.
Having someone help her sell these potions was quite convenient. From now on, she could simply bring more Energy Potions each time and claim she had found another alchemist.
Otherwise, she would end up drinking the surplus like water.
“Oh, by the way, I want to buy a combat technique.”
“A combat technique?”
Elan was slightly surprised. Normally, buying a combat technique was nothing unusual. But coming from Fulan, it felt somewhat strange.
Before reaching the formal rank, knowing two combat techniques was already considered good. And Fulan also possessed a Breathing Method, so she should not have lacked combat techniques.
Still, refusing money would be foolish.
Perhaps she was buying it for a friend.