Clack clack clack.

The sound of metal boots on stone echoed through the dungeon below the barracks. The mage carrying the wounded bandit walked down the stone staircase and into the dungeon. The first thing he found was a simple check point with tree guards, one keeping track of who went further in and who stayed.

“Good evening sir.” The stone elf jailer gave a deep bow to Arthur as he approached with another prisoner over his shoulder. “Is this one in need of interrogation like the others you have brought?”

“Not this one, I just need some evidence of the camp's demise, just in case.” Arthur said while passing the bandit to one of the guards who walked up to process the new prisoner. “Do I need to speak with the captain for my reward?”

“No, I have it here.” The stone elf handed a pouch filled with several coins that Arthur quickly looked through, after a moment Arthur nodded and dropped the pouch in his bag.

“Was the captain expecting me to bring a prisoner to you?”

“Yes he did, you have made a habit of it as of recently. I personally enjoy seeing the sorry suckers rotting in their cells, so for that you have my thanks.” Arthur understood the elves sentiment, bandits take the lives of many each year and the victims don’t always get closure even after they are killed.

Arthur was more than happy to bring a bandit or two back to the city so that they may be executed before the very people they harmed. It might not be the best outcome, but it's the closest thing to justice he can do.

“Of course, l won't take up too much more of your time. Have a good evening you three.”

“Thank you sir, you have a good one as well.”

***********

/- - - - - -\

+ Sneaking Level 5

\- - - - - -/

Arthur smiled while he thought back on what he did one week prior. The bandits in question got exactly what they deserved, the one who Arthur took to the dungeon was publicly executed along with several of the other bandits that Arthur helped in capturing. When the crimes of the bandits were announced the citizens were understandably quite angry and cheered at each execution.

Some call it brutal, but it was evidence that things were getting better in the southern district with Captain Tasius in charge. Unlike his predecessor he was able to take care of the threats to the average citizens who for quite some time were left to fend for themselves.

For the first time in a long time criminals did not walk freely on the streets, if they wore any insignia of their organization they would be quickly reported to the city guard and something would be done.

Arthur liked that he did not need to constantly watch his back for criminals or pick pocketers anymore when he walked through the southern district, and a small handful of stores started popping up every so often now that crime was at an all time low.

One store Arthur enjoyed visiting was a simple general store run by a kind elderly woman named Vitellia, there Arthur bought a simple frying pan and some wonderful recipes. So now instead of going to an inn or restaurant to eat he would just make himself something to eat.

One of Arthur's favorite recipes he bought was for a meat based dish called Isicia Omentata. It was a simple meat dish that could have some pepper, salt, green peppercorns, and a sauce of your own choosing. Arthur’s favorite sauce to add was made from fish covered in salt and fermented. Arthur wasn’t exactly sure how that worked, but it tasted very good and with his income he could easily afford it.

********

Arthur was at his workstation brewing basic non magical potions like he had been every day for the last several weeks when Master Calvus walked in and observed what he was doing. It was a little strange but Arthur simply continued while giving Master Calvus a few strange looks every so often.

Eventually Arthur finished a batch of drowsiness potions and filled five small bottles with the contents. Arthur made sure to properly inspect them and tried one out to look for any side effects, with nothing out of the ordinary to note and the color of the potion being far more concentrated than when he first started Arthur placed the four remaining bottles onto a shelf to be sold later.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

But just as he finished cleaning up his workstation to brew another potion he was stopped by Master Calvus. “Wait just a second Arthur. I have been keeping track of your progress and I think it is time for you to begin learning true magical alchemy.”

Arthur stopped in his tracks, he was wondering when he would get to learn magical alchemy but this was a bit faster than he was expecting. Aurelio didn’t start learning magical alchemy until his second month of his apprenticeship. “Really, you think I am ready?” Arthur might have been surprised but he still was excited to learn new magic.

“Yes I do, but magical alchemy is far more difficult than simple alchemy and will require several spells that are specific to alchemy. Remember it will not be easy and you will likely encounter several roadblocks on your journey.” With a soft smile Master Calvus presented a piece of paper listing the terms and conditions of learning magical alchemy from him.

“Now for legal reasons I need you to read this over and sign it at the bottom on the dotted line.” Arthur took the paper and looked it over, by signing it Arthur would be Master Calvus’s apprentice who under him would learn the art of magical alchemy. A majority of the terms were exactly the same as the previous agreement, such as Master Calvus reserving the right to buy any and all of Arthur’s potion that he brews as well as any other alchemical products that he would now learn to make.

After reading over the document three separate times to be certain that he did not miss anything he signed it and handed it back. “Very good Arthur, now first things first you will need to learn how to cast tier one spells.”

‘Tier one spells? I haven't heard anything like that before.’ Arthur looked at Master Calvus with a confused expression, telling Calvus that Arthur did not understand what he was being told.

“Tier one spells are the first proper level of spells that every proper mage should learn. Tier one spells will require hand signs and a chant of various lengths depending on the spell, in exchange you will be able to cast far more powerful magic than you would have otherwise. All spells related to the production of alchemy are at least tier one, since you will be using magic to either delay a reaction, create a reaction, or keep a spell for an indefinite amount of time. Without that knowledge you will not be able to learn any of what I am going to teach you, that is why I need you to enroll into a course so you can learn with the mages guild.”

“So what is the name of the course?”

“I don’t know.” Master Calvus shrugged. “They keep changing these things every so many years and the last time I attended any courses at the guild was years ago. You will probably need to ask Aurelio, he had to take that course recently so he should know.”

“Thank you Master Calvus, I will go ask him now.” Arthur gave a little bow and left to go ask Aurelio who was currently running the store from the front desk.

Master Calvus on the other hand returned upstairs to his laboratory and locked the door behind him. After casting all the detection spells he knew he breathed a sigh and walked over to an inconspicuous wall and began chanting a spell.

With a small flash of blue light a portion of the wall slowly opened revealing a small space enough to fit a human body or two, inside were a few boxes and shelves full of papers and rare ingredients respectively.

After rummaging through the papers in the boxes he found what he was looking for and with the same simple spell he closed the opening and placed the papers on an empty table as he looked over them.

‘I don’t even think I will ever see this through to its end. If Arthur continues to show promise I will allow him to have a look over this with Aurelio, perhaps I will let him keep a set of copies.’ The papers in question were a combination of alchemical formulas and diagrams for a strange contraption and another for a magical object that was very humanoid in its appearance and shape.

***********

“This potion right here will help you sleep better tonight Mrs. Remus.” Aurelio handed a light blue potion to an elderly woman with a smile.

“Are you sure? I hear alchemy can be quite dangerous.” The elderly woman eyed the potion with suspicion.

“Oh there is no need to worry, this here is just a potion of drowsiness. All the potion will do is make you more drowsy and help you go to sleep.”

“How much does it cost? I'm not made up of money after all.” The elderly woman followed Aurelio to the front counter.

“The price is two copper coins for each potion.”

“Two copper coins for a potion that will only last a single night? I'm sorry but that is far too expensive for me.” The elderly woman's eye shot wide open at the mention of the price and she looked to be ready to leave.

“Oh no, each position will last up to a week. You don't need to drink the whole thing to feel the effects, I think that is far more manageable for your budget.” Aurelio quickly explained how the potion works and stopped the woman in her tracks.

The elderly woman paused for a few seconds before speaking again. “A whole week, you're sure of this?”

“I am very sure Mrs. Remus, only people with very strong vitalities need to drink more than that to feel the effects, and even then there are potions that are far more potent than this one.”

“Hmm, alright I will buy this.. sleeping potion and if it works I will be back for more next week.”

“Well that's good to hear.” Aurelio placed the potion on the counter as the woman placed two copper coins and she took her potion while waving goodbye.

The moment the woman was out of view the energetic look on Aurelio’s face disappeared and was replaced with a look of exhaustion and annoyance.

“Tough customer?” Aurelio turned to the stairs where the familiar voice came from, it was Arthur who apparently witnessed the entire exchange.