Chapter 354 - 299: Ian’s Methods
As the morning mist dissipated, Naseng slipped out the back door of an Alchemy Shop in the southern part of the city.
He wore sharp, practical gray attire, and his eyes were keen.
’The Rose Commerce Association’s shipment...’
He crouched in the shadows of the alley, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the cold sheath of the Short Blade at his waist.
’The last three shipping records all point to Black Crow Alchemy.’
It was an inconspicuous business under Edmund’s name.
On the surface, it dealt in Low Tier alchemical goods, but three secret rooms were hidden beneath its warehouse.
Naseng had personally snuck in to investigate the previous night.
The secret rooms were filled with unopened, lead-sealed crates. The isolation Runes carved on their surfaces...
...were identical to the ones on that Metal case in Ian’s Laboratory.
’So it really was you...’
A low, cold laugh rumbled in his throat, a guttural sound like a beast that has found its prey.
He rose to his feet, turned, and blended into the sparse morning crowd, disappearing after just a few turns.
In the Alchemy Shop behind him, the second-floor curtains twitched, revealing a pair of sinister eyes.
’This is trouble... I have to move everything immediately.’
...
「At the same moment.」
A dozen or so people had already gathered outside the main gate of the Magic Potion Workshop at No. 12 Golden Oak Street.
There were representatives from minor families, a commerce association Steward, and two wandering Wizards in gray robes.
Aidele stood on the steps, her deep purple Wizard Robe swaying gently in the morning breeze.
She held a Crystal Tube in her hand. Within its walls, a Dark Silver Potion swirled slowly, specks of starlight rising and falling in its depths.
"Everyone."
Her voice was cool and clear, yet it reached every person’s ears.
"Through the diligent research of Wizard Marcus, we have successfully developed a new type of Purification Potion."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "I have named it the Soul Calming Potion."
What Aidele held was a weakened version of the Purification Potion, highly effective at cleansing negative Energy Erosion in those below the rank of Level Two Wizard.
A subtle stir rippled through the crowd.
Several Elder Wizards narrowed their eyes, their Spiritual Power reaching out silently to sense the Potion’s fluctuations.
An imperceptible smile touched Aidele’s lips. With a light flick of her finger, the stopper slid free.
In an instant, a crisp, clear wave of energy spread out, carrying an aura as vast as the starry sky.
It was like a spring breeze over frozen earth, like morning light piercing a deep well.
All the Spiritual Power that had been sent probing paused slightly upon contact with the wave.
They relaxed unconsciously, like taut strings that had suddenly been smoothed.
"This..."
A white-haired Elder Wizard’s pupils contracted, and his fingers unconsciously tightened around the handle of his staff.
He had been stuck at Level One Peak for twenty years.
The old, lingering injury at the edge of his Sea of Spirit ached faintly every time he performed Meditation.
But as that wave swept past just now... the pain had actually lessened by a fraction.
It was only a sliver, but it was undeniably real.
"Miss Aidele."
He took a step forward, his voice holding a barely perceptible tremble.
"This Potion... is it effective on old injuries to the Soul?"
Aidele restoppered the tube, and the fluctuations subsided.
"The Soul Calming Potion primarily targets contamination from the Erosion of foreign Energy, as well as abnormal restlessness of the Soul."
Her tone was calm. Looking at the eager crowd, her topic shifted.
"Of course, the specific effects vary from person to person."
She turned, looking in the direction of the clan’s castle.
"I have already submitted an application to the Elder Council, recommending a small-scale trial within the clan."
"Especially for those... who are in long-term contact with complex Energy and need their Souls to be at peace."
She spoke the last few words very slowly.
Deep within her cyan pupils, a network of Dark Gold veins flashed and vanished.
...
「Three evenings later.」
In a side hall of the Ancestral Hall Conference Room, candlelight cast five gaunt silhouettes onto the stone wall.
The Shadows stretched long, twisting and intersecting in the corners of the room.
"One hundred bottles of a new Tier Two Soul Calming Potion."
The Elder Wizard at the head of the table tapped his fingers on the edge of the stone table, producing a dull, rhythmic sound.
"And you want to price them at two hundred Magic Crystals per bottle, to be paid from the clan’s treasury?"
He raised his eyes to look at Aidele, who stood before them.
His gaze was calm, yet filled with scrutiny.
"Are you certain... the Potion is completely harmless?"
Aidele bowed slightly. Her posture was respectful, but her back remained ramrod straight.
"Esteemed Elder, the Potion’s main ingredient is of the Holy Light Purification Materials class, stabilized with blood from the Direct Lineage of the Time Trace Clan. All materials are traceable."
Her tone was firm.
"I have personally tested the Potion three times. My Spiritual Power circulates smoothly, with no adverse reactions."
The Elder Wizard was silent for a moment.
The other four Elders exchanged glances, a silent communication flowing through the air.
Finally, the one seated on the far right, his face a roadmap of deep wrinkles, spoke slowly.
"Approved. Aidele, you have done well. We will raise your score in the upcoming evaluation."
A Tier Two Purification and soul-calming Potion was a rare resource, proof of Aidele’s ability to introduce a ’new resource channel’ to the clan.
His voice was hoarse, like a worn-out bellows.
"The Potions will be distributed tomorrow. Edmund, Edwin, Adrian, Ashia... three bottles each."
"The rest will be stored in the clan’s Secret Vault in case of need."
Aidele lowered her head. "As you command."
In the shadows, her lips curved into a very faint smile.
...
「In the west of the city, at Edmund’s private estate.」
Only a single Crystal wall sconce was lit in the study, its halo enveloping one corner of the desk.
Edmund sat in a large, high-backed chair, holding a newly delivered Crystal Tube.
Within the tube, the Dark Silver Potion swirled under the light. Specks of starlight rose and fell, and a vortex of Order spun slowly.
It was... heart-stoppingly beautiful.
"Soul Calming Potion..."
He repeated the name in a low voice, his fingertips caressing the side of the tube.
"Have you investigated it?"
From the shadows, a hunched figure slowly emerged.
It was an Elder Wizard in a gray robe, his face hidden behind a pure white mask that revealed only two murky eyes.