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Chapter 40: Uproar at the Alchemy Guild.

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the bustling streets of the capital city, its rays glinting off the grandiose façade of the main branch of the alchemy headquarters. The building, a majestic structure of ornate stonework and towering spires, stood as a testament to the revered art of alchemy within the empire. The headquarters was a hive of activity, with alchemists and apprentices moving in and out, their robes fluttering behind them as they hurried about their important tasks.

On this particular morning, the usual buzz of the headquarters was amplified by the arrival of a mail courier, his wagon drawn by a pair of impressive steel tusks. These magnificent creatures, larger and more robust than the common horse, were a rare sight in the city. Their fur, tough as woven steel, shimmered in the sunlight, while their prominent tusks added an air of regality to their appearance.

The courier, a man of medium build clad in a simple tunic, skillfully guided the steel tusks up the cobblestone path leading to the entrance of the headquarters. The wagon, laden with parcels and letters, rattled slightly as it rolled over the stones. The courier's arrival did not go unnoticed; several heads turned, and murmurs filled the air as people paused to admire the steel tusks.

At the headquarters' entrance, the courier was met by a pair of guards dressed in the colors of the alchemy guild. They exchanged a few words with the courier, their expressions serious but respectful. Satisfied with his credentials, they allowed him to proceed, opening the large, ornate doors that led into the main reception area.

Inside, the reception was abuzz with the day's activities. Alchemists discussed formulas and experiments, apprentices scurried around with scrolls and ingredients, and guild officials oversaw the smooth running of the headquarters. The grand hall was a marvel of architecture, with high vaulted ceilings, intricate murals depicting legendary alchemists, and shelves lined with ancient tomes and glittering potions.

The courier made his way to the front desk, where a receptionist, a young woman with keen eyes and a sharp uniform, greeted him. "Good morning. Deliveries for the guild?" she asked, her voice crisp and professional.

"Yes, ma'am," the courier replied, heaving a large sack from the wagon and placing it gently on the desk. "A variety of parcels and letters from across the kingdom. And this," he added, carefully extracting a small, carefully wrapped package from the top of the sack, "is a special delivery from Tur'san."

The receptionist's eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of Tur'san, a town known more for its quaint charm than its alchemical prowess. She accepted the package, her fingers delicately unwrapping it to reveal a potion vial. The liquid inside glowed softly, its purity and quality immediately apparent even to her untrained eye.

"From Tur'san, you say?" she murmured, turning the vial in her hand. "This is quite unusual."

The courier nodded. "That's what they told me. Said it was the purest potion they've ever seen."

Interest piqued, the receptionist placed the vial carefully in a padded box, marking it for immediate testing. "Thank you. We'll take it from here. Your service is much appreciated."

As the courier left, the receptionist glanced once more at the potion from Tur'san, a sense of curiosity stirring within her.

With a sense of responsibility, she delicately picked up the padded box containing the vial and made her way to the potion testing and creation room. This section of the headquarters, a realm of discovery and innovation, was always alive with the bustling energy of alchemists at work.

As she entered the room, the air was thick with the scents of various concoctions and the sounds of meticulous experimentation. Alchemists of varying ranks, identifiable by the stars on their coats, were engrossed in their work. Some were novices with no stars, eagerly learning the craft, while others bore the distinction of one or two stars, marking their expertise and experience.

The receptionist approached a young alchemist, a fresh-faced individual with a keen eye but no stars on his coat, indicating his novice status. "Excuse me," she began, "I have a potion here for testing. It's from Tur'san."

The novice alchemist turned, his curiosity piqued by the mention of a potion. "Tur'san, you say? I can’t say I’m aware of it,” He took the box with a mixture of surprise and reverence.

As he carefully opened the box and extracted the vial, his eyes widened. The potion's clarity and the subtle glow of its contents were unlike anything he had seen before. It was apparent, even to his untrained eye, that this was no ordinary potion. He held it up to the light, marveling at its purity.

"Nervously, he set the vial onto a rack designed for testing, his hands trembling slightly. "This...this is exceptional," he stammered. "I need to call a senior alchemist."

He hurried off, leaving the potion in plain view. Other alchemists in the room glanced over, their interest drawn by the novice's obvious awe. Whispers and murmurs filled the room as speculation about the potion's origin and properties began to circulate.

Soon Agus, a distinguished two-star alchemist with years of experience approached, his expression one of mild curiosity that shifted to shock as he inspected the potion. "Incredible," he murmured. "The craftsmanship, the purity... it's remarkable. This could only be the work of a highly skilled alchemist. Perhaps even a three-star."

Agus read the accompanying papers, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "From Tur'san? That's unexpected. A potion of this caliber coming from such a humble origin... it's unheard of."

The room was now abuzz with excitement and intrigue. Alchemists gathered around, each eager to catch a glimpse of the potion that had caused such a stir. Agus, holding the vial delicately, turned to the novice. "Prepare the testing equipment. We need to analyze this immediately. The true quality may differ from its luster."

Agus, carefully examined the papers accompanying the potion from Tur'san. The alchemist's name was marked as 'Undisclosed,' a detail that Agus found intriguing but not unusual. Many accomplished alchemists, especially those with two stars or more, often chose to keep their identities hidden, either for privacy or strategic reasons.

Agus mused to himself as he turned the papers in his hands. "An undisclosed alchemist... If they are a two-star, it's a cause for recognition, but a three-star? That would be monumental." He was well aware that the discovery of a new three-star alchemist would be significant. In the entire kingdom, he knew of only thirty such esteemed individuals, having met only five of them, and the existence of a single four-star alchemist, even then he had never been able to verify the existence of a four-star alchemist in the kingdom.

Alchemists held a crucial role in the prosperity and advancement of any settlement, be it a town, city, or even the kingdom itself. Their ability to concoct potions that provided healing, buffs, and various enhancements was invaluable. In dungeons, where the limits of a healer's magic were tested, a well-stocked supply of potions could mean the difference between life and death. The significance of potions was amplified for adventurers who possessed magical bags, allowing them to carry an extensive array of these life-saving concoctions.

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Agus pondered the potential of this unknown alchemist from Tur'san. "A potion of this quality could only be the work of a highly skilled individual. The better the potions, the more daring the adventurers can be in exploring dangerous dungeons. And that means more discoveries, more treasures, and thus, more advanced potions. It's a cycle of growth and prosperity."

Lost in his thoughts, Agus was brought back to the present by the novice alchemist, who approached him with a mixture of respect and eagerness. "Master Agus, the testing equipment is ready. We can begin the analysis now."

Agus nodded, handing back the papers to the novice. "Let's proceed then. This potion might just be the key to unveiling a new talent in our ranks."

As they made their way to the testing facilities, Agus, suddenly remembering his role as an instructor, began imparting his knowledge and experience to the young alchemist. "You see, the art of alchemy is not just about mixing ingredients. It's about understanding the very essence of each component, how they interact, and how they can be transformed to achieve something greater than their individual properties."

The testing facilities were a marvel of alchemical technology, equipped with intricate apparatuses and advanced tools designed for precise analysis and experimentation. The novice listened intently, absorbing every word as Agus explained the process they would undertake to unravel the secrets of the potion.

As they prepared to begin the testing, Agus looked at the potion one last time, a sense of excitement bubbling within him. This was more than just a routine analysis; it was a potential discovery of a new master in the art of alchemy, a prospect that thrilled him to his core.

Making their way to the potion testing facilities they came into a room that was filled with an array of sophisticated equipment, each piece designed to extract and examine the most minute details of any concoction.

"Alright, let's start with a basic purity test," Agus instructed, his voice filled with the confidence of experience. "Turn the heat up two notches and watch the color change. This will give us an initial indication of the potion's concentration."

The apprentice, eager to learn, followed Agus's instructions meticulously. He adjusted the heat as directed, and they both observed the potion. The liquid began to shimmer more intensely, its glow brightening with the increased temperature, yet it maintained its stability – a sign of exceptional purity.

"Remarkable," Agus muttered, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Now, pull those two levers simultaneously on my mark. That will initiate the analysis."

As the apprentice operated the levers, Agus watched the readouts closely. The analysis revealed the intricate composition of the potion, and with each passing second, his initial confidence began to wane, replaced by a growing sense of awe. The potion's complexity was beyond anything he had expected, its components perfectly balanced and harmonizing in a way that suggested the hand of a master.

"This... this is no ordinary healing potion," Agus said, more to himself than to his apprentice. His voice, usually steady and instructive, started to lose its vigor. "Each test reveals more depth. It's truly remarkable.”

He proceeded to conduct a series of other tests, each more intricate than the last. With every successful result, the potion continued to demonstrate its extraordinary quality. Agus explained the processes to his apprentice, but his explanations became shorter and less frequent as he became increasingly absorbed in the analysis.

The final test involved a rare catalyst that would challenge the stability of the potion. Agus instructed the apprentice to add the catalyst while he monitored the reaction. "Careful now, this will truly test the potion's resilience."

As the catalyst merged with the potion, there was a moment of silence, both alchemists holding their breath. Then, to their astonishment, the potion not only maintained its integrity but also seemed to resonate with the catalyst, enhancing its properties.

Agus stepped back, his mind racing with the implications of their findings. "This... this is the work of a master. A three-star alchemist, at least. The balance, the complexity, it's beyond anything I've seen."

The apprentice looked up at Agus, his eyes wide with a mixture of respect and wonder. "Master Agus, what does this mean?"

Agus, usually so eloquent and verbose, found himself at a loss for words. "It means," he finally said, his voice becoming something of a laugh, "that we have just discovered an alchemist of extraordinary talent."

Gathering the potion and his meticulous notes, Agus knew this matter required the attention of the guild's senior members. The discovery of a potential three-star alchemist was too significant to be kept within the confines of the testing room. With a deep breath, he stepped out of the room, the potion securely in hand, its glow a silent testament to the hidden talent that awaited them.

Walking through the corridors of the headquarters, Agus's mind raced with the implications of his findings. The intricate architecture of the building, with its high ceilings and murals depicting the alchemical masters of old, seemed to echo with the weight of history and the ever-evolving nature of their craft.

As he approached the meeting room, the gravity of the situation settled upon him. The senior members, with their years of experience and wisdom, were guardians of the guild's traditions and pioneers of its future. Presenting his findings to them was an honor.

Entering the meeting room, Agus found the senior members already gathered, their three-star adorned robes a symbol of their esteemed positions. The room itself reflected the guild's grandeur, with opulent decor and an air of solemnity.

"Esteemed colleagues," Agus began, his voice steady despite the significance of the moment. "I bring before you a discovery that I believe warrants our immediate attention."

Agus stood before a gathering of the guild's senior members. The room, adorned with rich tapestries and shelves of alchemical texts, resonated with the gravity of knowledge and power.

Agus presented the potion and his detailed analysis with a mixture of pride and anticipation. "Colleagues, this potion, created by an undisclosed alchemist, demonstrates skills that suggest a three-star caliber."

A murmur ran through the room as the senior alchemists scrutinized the potion and the accompanying notes. Some were skeptical, their expressions revealing a mix of disbelief and dismissal. "Many alchemists can produce high-quality potions," one senior member argued. "We already have skilled individuals capable of such feats. Why should we concern ourselves with one potion from a small town?"

Another senior member, a woman with sharp features and a keen eye, countered, "But the rarity of a potential three-star alchemist cannot be overlooked. Such talent is invaluable, not just for their potion-making skills but also for the advancements and innovations they can bring to our guild."

The debate intensified, with viewpoints clashing over the significance of the discovery. Some saw it as a mere curiosity, while others viewed it as a golden opportunity to strengthen the guild's ranks and reputation.

Agus listened to the debate, his conviction unwavering. Finally, seizing a moment of silence, he spoke up, "If I may, I propose that we investigate this matter further. I volunteer to travel to Tur'san myself to meet this alchemist. Their potential recruitment or partnership could be a significant asset to our guild."

His proposal was met with a mix of reactions, but the idea of direct action seemed to sway the majority. The senior members weighed the risks and benefits, the importance of maintaining the guild's dominance in the alchemical world at the forefront of their discussion.

After a lengthy discussion, a consensus was reached. One of the high-ranking alchemists, a venerable figure with a commanding presence, gave a final nod of approval. "Very well, Agus. You shall go to Tur'san. Discover the truth behind this potion and the alchemist who created it.”

The meeting concluded with a sense of purposeful resolution. As the senior members dispersed, the high-ranking alchemist held the potion, turning it in the light. A small smile crept across his face as he mused, "It seems talent can indeed flourish in the most unexpected places."

He then added with a light-hearted chuckle, "Let's just hope this alchemist isn't as elusive as our ever-popular Potion Master Anna,” he referenced to the woman who spoke before who only rolled her eyes at his remark.

She had been able to avoid the detection of their guild for numerous years, intentionally undercutting their prices at every turn to prove a point she had made.