Chapter 177: Alliance
"Archmage Leon Merlin, you... you are far too gracious..." Unconsciously, Oswald had switched from using the informal 'you' to the respectful '您.' This subtle change in address made it clear that in Oswald's mind, Leon's status had undergone a dramatic transformation.
At first, Oswald had been quite impatient with Leon, thinking he was just another opportunistic alchemist trying to impress with bold ideas, hoping to catch Oswald's attention and earn a place as his apprentice.
But now, Oswald realized he had been wrong.
Because there was no need for such tricks.
This young Archmage named Matthew Merlin—his achievements in potion alchemy were yet to be seen, but the technique he had just demonstrated was far beyond the reach of ordinary alchemists. No... not just ordinary alchemists—even as a Worldshaper, Oswald himself had been stunned by this skill.
An alchemist already proficient in Chaos Theory and able to innovate upon the Soladin Formula—such a person, even if not yet accomplished in potion alchemy, was simply too young and hadn't had enough time for exploration and research. Give him a few more decades, and becoming a Master or even a Worldshaper would be just a matter of time.
He might even be canonized as a Saint in the future...
Would an alchemist of this caliber ever resort to cheap tricks?
Thinking of this, Oswald couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed...
Those things I said just now were truly inappropriate. Maybe they've already seen through my intentions, which is why they've been giving me that knowing 'heh heh' all along.
"Oswald, Merlin he..." Ever since that faint ripple of magic appeared, Joey's face had been frozen in a look of utter disbelief. For several hours, that expression hadn't changed, not even once. Only now did the peak Grandmaster Mage snap back to his senses.
"Joey, I really have to thank you this time." Joey had just spoken when Oswald, visibly excited, interrupted him: "Here, take this bottle of Ascension Elixir."
"Oh?" Joey's eyes lit up at those words, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Then I won't be polite, Oswald. It's rare to see you so generous..."
"Have you ever been polite? Still, a thank you is deserved. If you hadn't brought Grandmaster Merlin here, this bottle of Ascension Elixir would have been ruined for sure. And..."
At this, Oswald's gaze fell once more upon Leon.
"Grandmaster Merlin, thank you." With those words, and to the utter astonishment of Salomon and Joey, Oswald bowed deeply to Leon.
"Lord Oswald, it was really nothing. You don't need to take it to heart." Leon quickly reached out to help him up.
But to his surprise, Oswald stubbornly shook his head. "No, Grandmaster Merlin, it may have been easy for you, but for me it was incredibly important. Without your guidance, it might have taken me decades, maybe even a century, to discover that the Soladin Catalyst could be prepared this way. We're both alchemists, you know as well as I do how invaluable knowledge of this level is to an alchemist..."
"I just happened to stumble upon it, that's all." Leon smiled, dropping the formalities.