It could be said the procedure went successfully, although the grumblings of that old geezer made it out to be it didn't. Not that I would know, as an intermediate-class alchemist from the third floor. Everything that goes on up here on the ninth floor is above my head, in every sense of the phrase.
Somehow I got called up here by the provisional third floor Star, something about securing specimens and transporting them to the first floor for storage and eventual transport. Which confused me, since this sort of task wasn't a part of my duties. But turns out I wasn't going down to the first floor at all, or so the geezer said to me after prodding one of the containers on the dissection altar.
"This one is going straight to the top." He said, dismissively pointing toward the one in the center.
There were three of them, in those cheap transparent containers used for low-priority types. I guess whatever's in them wasn't dangerous, but considering they're no doubt abominations born straight from the ninth, I'm a little surprised. Etheric-mithril reinforced containers were the norm around here.
Funny thing is, I couldn't see what was in it.
Other than the fact that something like a lead weight that would otherwise not be in there, I would've assumed it empty. I just couldn't see it through the glass. There was something in there, weighing it down. Yet, there didn't seem to be anything inside.
Invisibility? What the hell is the ninth floor trying to spawn into the world? By the Gods, the chimeras I saw around the fifth floor while delivering tranquilizers were scary enough. Not being able to see this one gives off a whole new vibe entirely. Whether it was fear... or curiosity giving me the chills looking inside there, I didn't know.
Or maybe it's confidential enough that they put an illusion spell over it? Something like [Erase Presence]? That is possible, if we're talking about the old man here. He's the ninth floor Star after all.
Either way, it's nothing my nose should be stuck in. All I need to worry about are my potions. That's what my sublevel on the third floor specializes in, and that's what I'll stick to, which is part of how confusing this assignment was. I have to, since it's what got me here, regardless of how much I regret ever coming here. Sometimes wish I never accepted that invitation to work here all those years ago with the things I've seen. At least it pays well.
But of all things, the tenth floor Star, that freak of nature, apparently wants what I'm carrying. Why me though? Supply on the first should've sent someone up here for this. There's no other way up, only stairs, and I'm already exhausted from trial runs on a new batch of Rejuv-09. Frustrated too, since it's the ninth failure to date.
My path to the tenth, despite being only one floor in distance, was a bit of an arduous one. From the first floor up to the ninth, staircases are the only way around. It's a pain and, if not for the mandatory fitness checks every month on the third floor, would probably catch out a number of collapses from exhaustion. They weren't without a good reason, of course. The security protocol built into each floor's facilities are rather unique, to the point that it makes you wonder what kind of idiot-savant could've dreamed of it.
Case in point, as I approached the far wall of the ninth's upper sublevel, I watched as the stairs sprang out from the four corners, spiraling upward. Surprising to anyone unused to them, but it's all fully automated and liquid-Ether powered. They don't react if you don't have a seal. I don't.
"You forget your clearance pendant? Don't worry, I've got it. You're that potion expert from the third, right?"
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"Ah, yes, I am. I wasn't aware that people knew me up here. And thank you. I try to remind myself to see floor security for one, have my head too far in the clouds I guess."
The sublevel guard near the base of the set of spiraling stairs shook his head, clearly annoyed but apparently too busy reading the monthly Imperial news from years ago to pay my negligence any further mind. It's a little sad that supply can't order a delivery of the latest releases from the capitol. The issue he has now probably came with him. Security was simply that strict.
After that, at the top of every floor is a checkpoint, which leads to the next set of stairs upward. As for the transition between the ninth's upper sublevel to the tenth's lower, this wasn't the case. It was my first time doing this, and if I wasn't told by the provisional Star about the procedures heretofore, I would've been lost long before the ninth floor.
"Specimen transfer from ninth to tenth floor." I proclaimed to a seemingly blank wall.
"No pendant?" It naturally questioned in monotone.
"None. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for one at the first sublevel."
A slight pause ensued. They probably didn't get too many idiots like me up here.
"You do realize this will go on record? Anymore of these lapses will require disciplinary action."
I cringed a little at the thought, "I'll remember, I prom-."
"I've already been informed of your arrival. Touch the transfer circle that appears. Keep in mind I will be watching you."
With that unnerving statement, I could feel the Ether leave the wall.
[Ethereal Projection], that's a high level spell. It hard to see something like this anywhere else, since it's only made possible by the facilities up here on the tenth. I heard some rumors they managed to tap into the Ether reactor's power to do it. Bloody lunatics if you ask me.
As it left, the wall darkened. Ink seeped from between the crevices where stone bricks met, pulling the droplets around into whorls before assuming the shape of a circle. An alchemical sign formed at its center.
"Sometimes I wonder how monsters like these are even born..."
I had to shift the container under an arm, and hesitantly placed the hand of the other at its center. I wasn't expecting anything instantaneous. The transfer circles back at the academy used to take at least a couple of seconds to activate, largely because of how complex the mana signs were. Not to brag, but I was a the top of Spatial Manipulation class.
"Eh-?"
To my surprise, I found myself standing with my hand out, no longer looking at the wall, but peering out over the bannister overlooking the rotunda of the tenth floor's atrium.
"Incredible..."
Below, I could see the inhabitants of the tenth floor. Of course, there weren't many, since few had the privilege to belong here. Those favored by the tenth floor's Star wound up here. I don't know for better or worse, to be honest. A lot of them carried tomes, others controlled the Ether carts that floated here and there, carrying what looked to be other specimens of what I neither knew, nor wanted to.
"I've received word that you are the courier of the specimen Lord Star wants, correct?"
I tore my eyes from the view to address this new speaker, a rather petite elderly woman nearly dwarfed by the white robes we alchemists wear. "Ah, yes." I replied, eager to drop this off then hopefully take a leisurely day off in the third's lounge. Maybe even some sleep if I can revise the formula for Rejuv-10.
"I'll escort you then, please follow me."
Hm? "To where?" I asked warily.
"To Lord Tenth's chambers, of course."
What? I thought I was to deliver this and then leave? No no no, I wasn't prepared to see Him again.
"Is it possible to have someone come to relieve me? I'm a little exhausted."
She eyed me up an down, skeptical at first but after noticing my ruffled appearance, slightly stained robes and greasy hair, seemed to snort resignedly. "It is not. It may come as news to you. Lord Tenth wishes to speak with you."
"I-I see." My fate was already sealed then. I inhaled deeply, and matched my pace with hers. Honestly, I don't know what to expect. Only once have I ever met with the director, the Tenth seat holder among the White Stars. It was my very first day here, after a special summons sent straight to my hometown to work for the tower.
Yes, this alchemist's dream. The vault of secrets that every aspiring tinkerer, potion maker, transmuter, and experimenter alike prayed toward every other solstice. This White Tower.
And the encounter with its director on my very first day, that monster in the clothing of men, was not something I ever wanted to repeat.