Normally, an alchemist needs at least five apprentices to serve as assistants. The work assigned to these apprentices is rarely complicated—mostly the sort of tasks an alchemist finds tedious or beneath them. Handling magical ingredients, controlling temperatures, operating tools, crunching numbers... and so on.
In the past, the Gilded Rose also followed this ratio for its alchemists. But things are different now. Including Farrow, there are fifty-one alchemists here today. Even at the minimum ratio, that means we’d need two hundred and fifty-five apprentices. Where am I supposed to find that many on such short notice?
Of course, it’s not that the Gilded Rose isn’t planning to assign assistants to the alchemists—it just can’t happen overnight. I can’t exactly recruit two hundred and fifty-five apprentices the same day fifty-one alchemists show up, can I?
Leon thought about it for a moment but said nothing...
Because Leon knew it was pointless to speak—Howes was just here to make trouble.
“Farrow, it’s all yours...” Leon picked up Farrow’s employment contract without even glancing at Howes and left the reception room straight away.
“You...” Howes nearly had a stroke. The arrogance! For a shop owner to treat alchemists like this—no matter what, he was leaving this damned Gilded Rose today. He’d go back and talk to Grand Alchemist Bartholomew, see if he could work at the Blackhorn Auction House. That way, he’d get Farrow’s guidance.
Wait—Farrow...
Howes’s expression froze.
Because suddenly, Howes realized that the very alchemist he’d always admired—Farrow—was standing right in front of him. And Farrow didn’t look happy...
“F...Farrow, Alchemist.” Howes instinctively swallowed. He didn’t know why Farrow looked so displeased, but he could definitely feel that simmering dissatisfaction.
That’s right—Farrow was genuinely annoyed now.
He’d been having a perfectly good conversation with Grand Mage Merlin, had even received an invitation, and was about to step into the most wondrous alchemy lab in Seaview City. Then this kid barged in, making a scene over some trivial nonsense with Grand Mage Merlin—was he trying to get himself killed?
“Hey, uh...” Farrow wanted to curse, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he forgot what this kid’s name was.
“H...Howes.” The poor young prodigy had to remind him, cautious and careful.
“Oh, Alchemist Howes, right...” Farrow nodded, then his expression darkened.
“Did your teacher ever tell you that, as an alchemist, personally handling magical ingredients and operating alchemical tools is a fundamental skill? If you can’t even manage that, how do you expect to be a good alchemist? And who do you think you are, anyway? You’re just an alchemist—not a Grand Alchemist, not a Master. What gives you the right to be so picky? Go ahead, run back and tell Bartholomew that the Gilded Rose won’t assign you an assistant, and see what kind of face he gives you!”
“F...Farrow, Alchemist, that’s not what I meant, I just...” Howes was so overwhelmed by Farrow’s tirade that he was almost in tears. He didn’t even care why Farrow was angry anymore, just kept apologizing and explaining.
“Go home and think it over—see if the Gilded Rose is really mistreating you!”
Farrow didn’t care how Howes felt. So what if he was a young prodigy? In the world of alchemy, there were plenty of young prodigies—every year a few more popped up. But in the end, how many actually became Grand Alchemists?
Take Farrow, for example. He’d been a young prodigy once, too—became an alchemist at eighteen. Back then, everyone called him a once-in-a-century talent. But by his twenties, still just an alchemist, people only said Farrow had potential.
Yes, potential...
In the world of alchemy, if you haven’t become a Grand Alchemist, you’re nothing. At best, people say you have potential.
If he hadn’t met Grand Mage Merlin and received guidance at the Blackhorn Auction House, Farrow would probably still be that promising young man.
Of course, Farrow would never say any of this to Howes.
After his outburst, Farrow left the reception room. He’d planned to wander around and get familiar with the Gilded Rose, but on his way, a magic apprentice named Remy told him that Boss Merlin wanted him in the second-floor alchemy lab.
The second-floor alchemy lab at the Gilded Rose!
Farrow’s eyes lit up. Others might not know what that place was, but Farrow certainly did.
It was the most wondrous alchemy lab in Seaview City. Last time, at the Blackhorn Auction House, the Ghost Elixir and Volcano Elixir that sold for four million gold were created there. That was where Grand Mage Merlin worked. That was where miracles happened.
Farrow steadied himself at the foot of the stairs, calmed his excitement, and slowly climbed up—into that magical alchemy lab.
The moment Farrow stepped inside, he saw the alchemy table shrouded in smoke. A cauldron filled with thick liquid bubbled over the flames, and a young Grand Mage in black robes was busy at the workbench. When he noticed Farrow enter, he simply nodded. “Good timing. Come help me out.”
“Y-yes, of course.” Farrow’s voice trembled with excitement—he knew Grand Mage Merlin was about to start teaching him.
Actually, Farrow was only half right this time.
The reason Leon was in the alchemy lab at this moment wasn’t just to mentor Farrow. His haul from the Venomfog Gorge trip had exceeded expectations—especially that slab from the Death Garden, which was at least a True Spirit-level component.
True Spirit-level and a component, no less. Even in the golden age, such a treasure would have driven countless powerful mages to fight for it. Now, it had quietly fallen into Leon’s hands.
Naturally, this made Leon even more curious about that prince’s tomb...
Last time at Venomfog Gorge, Leon had only gone to deal with the Viper’s Nest and hadn’t expected to venture deeper into the prince’s tomb. So his preparations were lacking: a dozen Magic Spring Elixirs, one Elixir of Hope, and not a single potion for restoring mana or healing wounds. That’s why, after escaping the Death Garden, Leon didn’t dare to press further into the tomb and had to return to Seaview City, full of regret.
Next time he went to the prince’s tomb, he’d have to be better prepared. After all, Leon’s true target was the Eye of Reincarnation hidden deep within.
That was the real reason Leon was in the alchemy lab—mentoring Farrow was just a bonus.
********** Five in the morning, in pajamas, rolling on the floor—begging for Sanjiang votes!!