"Oh?" Leon walked over to take a look, and immediately knew this kid was probably stirring up trouble again.
The so-called inferior magical materials Howes mentioned—all of them came from the Silvermoon Mercenary Company, the most reputable group in Seaview City. In all these years, they’d never had a single quality issue with their magical wares. If Sass heard Howes say this, I can’t imagine how he’d react...
As for those alchemical tools Howes complained about...
That, Leon had to admit, was true. Compared to the Alchemist Guild, they were indeed a bit behind the times.
But there’s no helping that. The Alchemist Guild has advantages no alchemy shop can ever match—top-tier, comprehensive knowledge, the finest and most advanced facilities, all perpetually monopolized by the Guild. Otherwise, how could they control more than ninety-nine percent of Seaview City’s alchemists?
This kind of edge isn’t something the Gilded Rose could compete with. Even back when Roger Merlin was alive and the Goldspark Trading Company monopolized Seaview City’s alchemical trade, they couldn’t measure up.
Howes wasn’t an idiot—of course he understood all this.
There was only one reason he’d bring it up now: he was looking for trouble...
"It seems Alchemist Howes has quite a few complaints about the Gilded Rose..." Leon stood there, smiling at Howes.
"That's right, I do have a problem with the Gilded Rose—so what!" Howes, oblivious to the fact that he was heading straight for disaster, mistook Leon’s smile for kindness. He actually thought this Merlin boss had a good temper...
Unfortunately, Howes didn’t know Rios...
If it were that greatsword-wielding fighter from Viper's Nest, seeing Leon smile like that would probably scare him half to death on the spot—no way he'd dare complain.
*Knock, knock, knock...*
Just as Howes was heading further down his doomed path, a sudden knock at the door came to his timely rescue...
"Boss Merlin, there's an alchemist named Faro here to see you."
"Faro's here?" Leon remembered immediately. When he visited Blackhorn Auction House two days ago, Kadgar mentioned that the Faro who'd greeted him last time had made rapid progress lately—he was on the verge of becoming a Grand Alchemist. Sadly, Kadgar couldn’t help him break through, so he wanted Leon to give him some guidance.
Leon thought it over and told Kadgar directly: he could give Faro some pointers, but once Faro accepted his guidance, he'd have nothing to do with Blackhorn Auction House for at least ten years. He'd have to work for the Gilded Rose, because Faro would inevitably be exposed to some core formulas, and might even take over the brewing of the Elixir of Hope—these were the Gilded Rose’s lifeblood, and could never be leaked.
Leon had expected Kadgar to hesitate over a talented young alchemist like Faro, but to his surprise, Kadgar agreed without a second thought.
For a moment, even Leon couldn’t help but marvel at Faro’s luck.
It was the attitude of an elder toward a promising youth—Kadgar just wanted Faro to succeed. Whether he served Blackhorn Auction House or not, Kadgar simply didn’t care...
"Faro?" As Leon was marveling to himself, Howes overheard the name and immediately perked up.
Of course Howes knew Faro...
He was Blackhorn Auction House’s genius alchemist—became an apprentice at thirteen, a full alchemist at eighteen, and now, in his twenties, stood at the threshold of Grand Alchemy. Howes had always seen Faro as his goal and idol, dreaming of working at Blackhorn Auction House and reaching Grand Alchemist status in his twenties, just like him.
"Uh, Alchemist Howes, please wait a moment..."
But Leon hurriedly said a few words and left, leaving Howes with a stomach full of questions and not even a chance to ask them...
Leon had just left the alchemy lab when he saw Faro waiting for him in the corridor.
The young Grand Alchemist looked both excited and a little nervous.
"Merlin... Master Merlin, Kadgar the Magus sent me." Faro was clearly nervous. Others might not know, but Faro was well aware—the man standing before him was a Grand Alchemist, nearly a master. In all of Seaview City, only Guildmaster Les of the Alchemist Guild could compare.
Last time at Blackhorn Auction, Master Merlin had given him just a few casual pointers, and his alchemy had improved by leaps and bounds. Now, he was on the verge of becoming a Grand Alchemist. If Master Merlin would guide him again, he’d be a Grand Alchemist in no time.
Faro had waited a very, very long time for this chance...
"Yes, Kadgar the Magus told me." Leon nodded, not bothering to fuss over how excited or nervous Faro was. Those fifty alchemists Basoro had recruited were already driving Leon up the wall—he hadn’t even found time to study that stone tablet. Now that Faro was here, it was just in time...
"Faro, you came at the perfect moment. There’s a newly recruited alchemist inside. Help him get familiar with the lab, and assign him some potion mixing tasks. When you’re done, meet me in the lounge—I have something to discuss with you."
"Alright, I’ll get right to it..." Faro’s face was full of excitement. He hadn’t expected that, just after joining the Gilded Rose, Master Merlin would entrust him with such responsibility. It looked like he’d become a Grand Alchemist soon enough.
After seeing Leon off respectfully, Faro finally pushed open the door to the alchemy lab.
"Alchemist Faro!" Howes’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected to see his idol at the Gilded Rose. For a moment, Howes was so excited he didn’t know what to do with his hands. "Alchemist Faro, I—I’m Howes, from the Alchemist Guild. I’ve always admired your achievements! By the way, does Blackhorn Auction House still need alchemists? I’d love to work with you!"
...Faro opened his mouth, but couldn’t say a word.
He thought to himself, Is Howes an idiot? He’s already inside the Gilded Rose, and he still wants to work at Blackhorn Auction House? Doesn’t he know whose business this is? Doesn’t he realize I’ve barely slept for two nights just from the excitement of joining the Gilded Rose?
Right now, Faro really wanted to pull out a watermelon and a sesame seed, then ask Howes, "Which do you think is bigger?"
************
Second roll of the day!