Chapter 43 - Helping Hand

After Jason was left alone to do his own thing, the grand elder also let him a hand whenever he is confused about the function of the herb and where to find them until he became bored and decided to go out for and catch some air when he saw Austin standing on the entrance.

"Good day grand elder" said Austin with a bowl when he saw the grand elder coming out.

"How are you doing Austin" replies the grand elder as he waves his hand for Austin to get up.

"So how is your training going" asked the grand elder.

"It was great and won't be too long before I breakthrough into the foundation realm" reply Austin as he got up from his bow.

"That is good to the hearing boy, so what brings you here because if I remember clearly, you never wanted to be an alchemist or did you suddenly have a change of heart and came here to beg me to be your master" asked the grand elder with a light chuckle.

"Not really grand elder, I still choose to Dedicate my life in my training" reply Austin with a bow once more.

"Then What do you want here if not to learn the way of the medicine" asked the grand elder as he was becoming angry at Austin.

"I heard that Jason is now working with you so I came to see him since we still have an unfinished business" replied Austin.

"Unfinished business you say, alright then tell me does it have everything to do with the tournament" asked the grand elder as he stroke his beard.

"It is not honorable to fight an opponent who has been fighting for a long time and run out of spiritual energy, so we made a deal of fighting in two days which he didn't show up which is why I came looking for him" reply Austin with a smile on his face.

"He is inside so you can go see him but remember fighting is not allowed in my alchemy room" said the grand elder with a nod.

"Thank you grand elder" reply Austin with a bow before going inside.

Ever since the day Austin begins his training, this is the very first time that he has actually entered the alchemy room as he begins to observe the place when he sighted Jason reading at one corner. Making his way there, Austin slams his hand on the book of herbs to get his attention.

Raising his head to take a look at who has disturbed him as he was ready to yell only to discover that it was Austin who had a frown on his face.

"Hey Austin, what are you doing here" asked Jason in shock.

"You still have the guts to ask what I am doing here" replied Austin as he yall at Jason.

"I know I didn't show up for our fight, I was really busy lately" said Jason with a sigh.

"Yeah, I can see that you are really busy sitting here while reading books" replied Austin in anger.

"There is more to this than just book" said Jason as he can't tolerate Austin anymore.

"I can see that you are taking this whole thing seriously being an alchemist" replied Austin in anger. 

"What if you let him know why you can't fight him now and by the look of things, I think the both of you will be able to get the saliva of the horned leopard if you work together. But the problem is to get him to help you" suggested the bracelet.

"You are a genius do you know that" said Jason to the bracelet before turning to face Austin.

Looking at Austin who was angry, Jason couldn't help but let out a sigh as he said.

"I am sorry for not showing up at the appointed time, you see is not that I am taking all this seriously. The problem is with my mother who has been sick for a long time and I am thinking of finding a cure for her illness which is why I have been busy".

Austin takes a look at Jason once more before taking a deep breath before taking a seat.

"You should have told me earlier instead of keeping me waiting. So tell me, have you been making any progress" asked Austin after calming down.

"Well I have found the cure to the illness" replied Jason as he let out a light.

"Since you have already found the cure then what are you waiting for" asked Austin in curiosity as to why he has not let the grand elder make the pill which he will gladly do.

"The problem is with a particular ingredient which will be needed in making the pill" replied Jason.

"Is the ingredient a rare one or is the price too much for you to handle, just let me know and I will see what I can do" said Austin.

"How wish the problem is with the price then I would have thought of a way but the thing is that the ingredient that is needed is the saliva of a horned leopard" reply Jason with a bitter smile.

"Now I see why you can't show up on the appointed time since it is really a challenging task you have to handle on your own so how about I go with you" said Austin.

"Wait a second, this has nothing to do with you" said Jason as he tried to persuade Austin.

"I know it has nothing to do with me but I will be missing a lot if I should skip this one out" replied Austin with a smile.

"I guess nothing I said will be able to stop you from coming along" asked Jason.

"How can I say no to such a challenge" replied Austin.

"But you might lose your life there" said Jason in all seriousness.

"Don't worry about that, if worst comes to worst I will just have to make a run for it" replied Austin.