The entire conversation up to this point had left Mr. F with more questions than answers. Lady Emma's interest in him, despite his apparent decline in power, was perplexing. Even if she suspected that he had once been a powerful mage, the fact remained that he had now degenerated to Tier 6. The years had not been kind to his body or his magical prowess, and he was acutely aware that no elixir could fully restore what had been lost to time.

Moreover, Lady Emma had no true understanding of the abilities he possessed. Mr. F had meticulously erased most traces of his past, hiding the full extent of his powers. Even if someone had managed to track his recent movements, uncovering anything significant would take days, if not weeks. The secrets he held were buried deep, known only to a select few who were long gone.

As Mr. F pondered this, he remained silent, carefully weighing his options. He had spent years avoiding entanglements, preferring to operate in the shadows to achieve his goals. Aligning himself with a powerful family like Emma's could provide him with the resources he desperately needed, but it could also bind him to their agendas and conflicts—a risk he was not sure he wanted to take.

With a good idea in mind, Mr. F proposed, "Perhaps you have already guessed it, but I was once a renowned alchemist." Mr. F lied with a calm demeanor, betraying no emotion as he continued, "For reasons I would rather not disclose, my skill in alchemy has deteriorated. How about this: I use your family's channels to acquire some alchemical reagents, and in exchange, starting next month, I will produce some potions for your family every week. I assume your family owns an alchemy shop if you can afford such a grand palace."

Lady Emma's eyes gleamed with interest as she listened to Mr. F's proposal. She knew that having a skilled alchemist, even one whose abilities had declined, could be a valuable asset to her family. The potential benefits of having exclusive access to unique and potent potions were too good to pass up.

"Your proposal is intriguing, Mr. F," she said thoughtfully. "We do indeed have an alchemy shop, and it would greatly benefit from the expertise of someone with your background. If you can produce potions of sufficient quality, our arrangement could be quite profitable for both of us."

"But let's not jump to conclusions. I have a few conditions before we can enter into this partnership. We wouldn't want our family's channels to be used only to find out we've been made fools of in the end," Emma stated, her voice firm, her eyes locked onto Mr. F's with a piercing intensity.

Mr. F feigned outrage, his voice rising in mock indignation. "Are you calling me a liar?"

"Let's set aside the charades," Emma responded coolly, her demeanor unflinching. "I want to see you create an elixir of my choice—a Tier 3 potion. Of course, you can refuse, but this conversation will end here and now."

Mr. F felt a pang of anxiety at her demand, but as the conditions became clear, relief washed over him. The fusion with the soul of the alchemist had granted him not only the knowledge but the instinctual talent for alchemy. Though he had never made a Tier 3 elixir before, he was confident that with enough practice, he could perfect it and deceive the family.

"One week," Mr. F replied, his voice steady. "Give me the recipe and a week, and I will produce the elixir before your eyes."

Emma stood up and approached Mr. F, a smile playing on her lips. He rose from his seat as well, meeting her halfway.

Extending her hand, she said, "We have an agreement."

As they shook hands, they looked deeply into each other's eyes. Both were satisfied with the arrangement made that day. Yet, neither could foresee the profound impact this agreement would have on their futures.

Emma called for a servant, who promptly handed Mr. F a parchment containing the recipe. "Here it is," she said. "This is a recipe for a Tier 3 elixir known as the Elixir of Renewal. It's a complex formula, but I trust you will manage."

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Mr. F took the parchment, his eyes scanning the intricate details of the recipe. He nodded, his mind already racing with thoughts on how to approach the task. "I will need a place to work and access to the ingredients," he said.

"Of course," Emma replied. "You will be provided with everything you need."

"You can sleep here tonight. Tomorrow, a coachman will take you to the alchemy workshop accommodations." With these words, Emma left the room, leaving Mr. F alone with his thoughts. A butler approached and politely guided Mr. F to his quarters.

The room was modest but comfortable, furnished with a soft bed, a wooden desk, and a small window that let in the moonlight. Mr. F sat on the bed, feeling the weight of the day lifting slightly from his shoulders. He knew that his journey was far from over, but tonight, at least, he could rest.

Closing his eyes, Mr. F allowed himself to drift into a light sleep, his mind already planning the next steps. He knew that mastering the Elixir of Renewal was only the beginning.

The following morning, as the first light of dawn crept through the window, the butler returned. "Your coachman is ready, sir," he said, bowing slightly.

Mr. F nodded, gathering his belongings. He followed the butler out of the room and down the grand staircase, where a polished carriage awaited him. The coachman, a stern-looking man with a neatly trimmed beard, opened the door for him.

As the carriage rolled through the streets of the city, Mr. F took in the sights. He hadn't had much time to explore since his arrival, and he was struck by the bustling activity and the sense of purpose that seemed to permeate every corner.

The carriage soon arrived at a large, imposing building. The alchemy workshop was housed in an old, stately manor that had been repurposed for its current function.

The coachman guided Mr. F into the building, where he was greeted by a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. "Welcome, Mr. F. My name is Matilda, and I oversee the operations here. Your quarters are through that door," she said, pointing to a hallway on the left. "And the laboratory is straight ahead."

Mr. F thanked her and made his way to his new quarters. The room was similar to the one he had slept in the previous night, but it had the added benefit of being close to the laboratory. Matilda returned shortly after with a set of keys. "These will give you access to the laboratory and storage room, but don't be mistaken. I don't know how you managed to deceive the sister of the family head, but let me tell you this: I will be monitoring your every step in the lab. If I detect any attempt to harm us or our business, I will hold you accountable," she said, releasing a portion of her magical aura.

She was a Tier 5 mage, likely the head of the alchemy lab. Mr. F chuckled. It seemed Emma had not informed her of who he truly was or why he was there. But Mr. F saw it more as a challenge.

"Your caution is understandable, Matilda," he replied calmly, not showing any sign of intimidation. "Rest assured, my intentions are aligned with those of your family. I am here to prove my worth and to forge a mutually beneficial partnership."

Matilda's eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded. "We shall see. Follow me to the lab."

As they walked, Mr. F couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and curiosity. His room in the laboratory was small, filled with empty shelves, a table, cauldrons, and various alchemical tools. Mr. F felt a surge of excitement. This was where he would begin the next phase of his journey.

Once inside, Matilda handed him a set of ingredients. These were exactly the ingredients required for the recipe he had been given and were likely enough for five attempts. She then left the room without another word.

Mr. F spread the ingredients out on the table and examined them closely. Although he had never crafted an elixir before, he was well-versed in alchemical ingredients and herbs. After all, he had once been a powerful Tier 9 sorcerer with experience in all magical fields. What caught his eye about this set of ingredients was the stark variation in quality. Some of the components had lost their vitality and were no longer suitable for brewing effective elixirs.

He sighed, realizing that this task was not as straightforward as it initially seemed. The challenge wasn't just in following the recipe, but in compensating for the inferior quality of some ingredients. He needed to be strategic and precise to make the most of what he had.

Mr. F decided to start with a meticulous assessment of each ingredient, categorizing them based on their condition. The fresher components he set aside for the actual brewing process, while the degraded ones were kept for potential experimental adjustments or secondary uses.

As he prepared to begin the complex process of brewing the Elixir of Renewal, Mr. F knew that this would be a true test of his abilities. The next few days would determine not only his future in the city but also his chances of surviving the impending threats that loomed over him.

Matilda's watchful eyes would be on him at every step, but Mr. F was determined to succeed. He took a deep breath and began the intricate dance of alchemy.