Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 440: Security

Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 440: Security

The blue Stormgate elixir rested in the vial, veins of thunder coursing like a pulse throughout the liquid. Confident of her craft, Avril handed the vial to Elder Roslin, holding it gently in her gloved hand. Elder Roslin wiped his glasses, gazed at Avril, and took the vial. With that, it was all settled. Avril stepped aside for Elder Roslin to judge the vial using tools. He was a true alchemist, utterly focused and meticulous in every movement and carefully handling her elixir. Avril clenched her hands softly as faint sounds of pondering came from Elder Roslin.

"Hmmm. I see." Elder Roslin poked a needle into the solution, dripped a drop into a tool that resembled a scale, and leaned closer to watch, his glasses a thread away. The scholar watched the reactions occurring in the drop, and his face brightened, the glow of the light of the room casting away the previous stiff aura. "Well done. The purity of this elixir is around eighty percent. Very passable for commercial use."

"Thank you for the compliment." Avril bowed. She was so excited she could barely contain it, holding it back to the point only her hands were trembling.

"Here is your three-star alchemist's badge. However, some questions for you before you leave." Elder Roslin gave her the badge. Her delight in receiving her first real step into alchemy was dampened by the stern gaze behind his glasses, forcing her to gulp audibly. Avril stiffened and waited for Elder Roslin's questions.DiiScôver new stories on no/v/e()/lbin(.)c/o/m

"Your husband made quite the purchase when you first arrived here. Do you know where he got the Wildersap?" His question confused her. A Wildersap? She avoided allowing confusion to show on her face, knowing this was related to Oscar. Avril closed her mouth, pondering what a Wildersap was until a possibility struck her.

'Is he referring to the golden sap from the Great Tree? Did Oscar take some when we left the Lands of Zeret?' She knew now how serious this was. That amazing healing sap surely would interest anyone, especially alchemists. Straining her head for an appropriate answer to avoid trouble, Avril opened her mouth and said as if it was not a big deal, "Our beast traveled to the Lands of Zeret by itself and brought back the Wildersap. My husband has a use for it."

Elder Roslin readjusted his glasses, never blinking at Avril, who remained silent. Being silent was the best strategy right now. She knew her big mouth might make things worse.

"I see." Elder Roslin dropped that topic and moved on, "We received reports that your husband is a fabricator." His tone dropped several degrees, causing a chill to travel down Avril's back. "While we don't forbid marriages, having a fabricator husband may be harsh for you in this guild. Others might cause trouble for you based solely on that."

Understanding what Elder Roslin was implying, Avril wanted to lash out and yell but only smiled wider. "That is my business. Besides, I won't be here for long. We'll be leaving when the portal opens two weeks later."

"It was just a warning. Don't take it to heart. While I despise those unruly fabricators, I won't intervene in someone's personal life. We're far better than that. Though, I can't say the same for those rowdy hammerheads. You can always stay here if things go south." Elder Roslin left the test room with a final word of congratulations.

Seeing his departing figure disappear out the door, Avril heaved a sigh of relief, leaning on the table for support. She raised his hands to the bright light of the ceiling, a few beams flickering past the gaps between her fingers onto her face. Her hand clenched as if it wished to grab the light, and she frowned, angered by Elder Roslin's words. "That bastard...She wishes she could take those glasses and smash them on the floor. How dare he insult Oscar?"

Her anger nearly overwhelmed her. Avril realized her hands were clenched so tightly that the seams of the gloves started to tear. She loosened her fists and relaxed on the table, a deep yearning escaping from her lips. "Let's go see Oscar."

.......

In the Alchemist Guild, a receptionist led Oscar into a private room. Inside it, Gabriel Aldere stood and bowed to him. "Welcome, dear customer, Mr. Terr. We have been expecting you. The Wildersap pleased our most esteemed alchemist. She came out here to meet you herself." Gabriel gestured to another doorway.

A graceful middle-aged woman stepped through with measured steps, slow and elegant strides that exemplified her regal demeanor. She had rosy lips and white cheeks from makeup, and her brown hair flowed to one side, complimenting her blue eyes. Her blue robes swayed around her ankles and wrists, held from falling by the white sash across her waist. "I am Helen Alkemar. As a grade-four alchemist, working with the Wildersap gave me joy, a rarity to us humans."

"And what's to stop me from just taking everything you have right now and searching through your space pocket." Erden's growl from the side didn't intimate Helen. Her Ein rose dangerously, taking control of the room and leaving them with no way out.

"Well, if you try anything, I think the fabricator's guild would know. I am due to see them tomorrow for some work, and Hector personally said he will ensure our protection. I'm sure he'll have no trouble causing chaos in the Alchemist Guild. It's what fabricators enjoy the most." Oscar resisted the hostile Ein. He knew Helen was simply gauging his reactions. If she truly wanted him dead, she wouldn't need to talk.

"Hector...that old bearded coot? You already have his protection, and now you want mine as well? Quite greedy, aren't you? Your poor wife must be at her wit's end." Helen twitched at the mention of Hector and snarked back.

"Two is better than one. Anything to protect us." Oscar walked up with the vial. "Do you agree?"

Helen was silent for a few seconds. Then, she laughed, her hair becoming disheveled from how hard she laughed. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Helen swiped the vial away, a motion Oscar couldn't even see. "Agreed. If that Hector can even get off his sleepy rear to help you, then as a superior alchemist, I can't fall behind. Besides, seeing you do all this for your wife is quite sweet. Alright. Off you go. Your wife's exam should be finished." She walked out the other door.

'Phew. That was close, but we did it.' Oscar was delighted to have the protection of the Alchemist Guild and Fabricator Guild. 'From how she regarded Hector, he must also be a Marshal Exalt or someone of equivalent status. Is he the branch head?'

'Did we have to waste another vial to get her protection?' Erden walked out with Oscar.

'Any amount of resources is inconsequential if it means surviving.' Demon's cold voice spoke from within. 'An event like the Grand Gamble is a gathering of factions. Who knows if any might stir up trouble? A safe means home is our priority, not the resources.'

'Hate to say it. Demon's right. Even though it's all my idea.' Oscar walked outside, where he saw Avril come out. She seemed lively as she ran toward him and hugged him without reserve.

"Huh?" Oscar wondered what had come over her. "Is anything wrong, Avril?"

"Nothing. I just feel much better now." Avril sighed and hugged tighter.

Strange gazes and whispers surrounded them. Oscar quickly dragged Avril out of the Alchemist Guild, his face slightly red from embarrassment. Something definitely happened to her in there that made her act so strangely. He was sure of it. Oscar led her up the Hilrest Tower and showed her to her room, a sizeable place with a table, couch, and wide bed.

"This door connects the two rooms, so if you need anything, just knock." Oscar knocked on the middle door and opened it to show his room. As Avril got settled in her room, Oscar placed the golden box on the table. "I got you a gift."

"A gift?" Her curious figure neared the table, overlooking the box.

Oscar opened it to show the two elixirs he painstakingly bought with many space pockets and Wildersap. All of it for her. "You'll love it."