17. The Poor Alchemist
When Clay woke up morning on the second day, he was elated to hear noises coming from the kitchen.
Even if his maid dislikes him, it better to have some company than being alone and the food serve to him will be hundred times better than hard bread. Yesterday, he wanted to cook but unfortunately, the vegetables and spices in the kitchen are all unfamiliar to. And even if he wanted to eat outside, he had no money.
Nevertheless, he still had two productive days.
Having uncovered the secret to concocting High Tier Pills, it was relatively easy to adapt and refine the next level of pill. Altogether, he refined six Qi Sensing Pills and six Qi Enhancement Pills, all set to Mid-Quality.
He could have had set them all to Perfect Quality but as a slave with no background, it would be foolish to sell a pill that would topple the Pill Economy. Who knows what these cultivators do to him but the possibility of him being treated like golden goose is high and he may be locked up again and never see the light of day.
Having witnessed far too many deaths, the best course of action is to avoid unwanted attention.
Clay took out a bottle pill he refined yesterday and stared at it. His other option is to let Elder Ulvar know. However, it is bothering him as he could not understand what the old man was implying when they parted. It is obvious they don’t want him to live in their territory and even clearer they don’t want him to learn Alchemy but the fact they are still supporting him does not make sense.
He wanted to believe it is benevolence but is difficult to believe in goodwill having witness people being slaughtered like chicken.
Clay clenched his teeth then stored back the pill into his spatial ring. For now, he will secretly amassed wealth then later buy his freedom.
“Breakfast’s ready!”
Upon hearing Aunt Mabna’y, Clay got to his feet and went to the kitchen.
“We will be having fish today and tomorrow. Do want chili sauce?”
“Mhh” Clay nodded in response. He wanted to cry upon seeing his breakfast. Like a famished beast, he swallowed everything on the table.
Meanwhile, Aunt Mabna’y ignored Clay’s actions. To have even used his fingers to eat, he can’t help but sympathize on his master.
It was sudden when she was offered the job and while it did not pay much, the accommodation was perfect for a mother like her. It intrigues her though that the Elves have taken a human. There are many occasions when Elves conducts business with humans but overall, they are unfriendly and to take a human under their wings is just bizarre.
From the information shared to her, her master is an Alchemy apprentice but looking at the frail boy who does not even know table manners, and considering the fact that Clay does not exude any signs of acceptable level of Elemental Affinity, everything does not make sense.
She wanted to interact with him but she felt that there is something being kept secret and afraid to be caught up to any schemes, she would rather maintain a master-to-maid relationship until the contract expires.
While she was preparing to marinade another fish, her thoughts were distracted as her master spoke.
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"I wonder if I could ask Aunt Mabna'y to instruct me on selling pills later.”
Surprised, Aunt Mabna'y turned around and looked at Clay. During their first meeting, the boy wanted to initiate a small talk but she purposely avoided being engaged in a conversation. But now that the question is related to her duty, she is confused how to proceed.
"You can sell Qi-Sensing Pills almost anywhere however Alchemists who will be actively trading and anticipates future important transactions, I recommend registered guilds. There is one nearby called San Ruk Eagle Guild. They may purchase goods a few silvers or coppers lower but slowly earning their trust would gain bigger benefits in the future. I can tour you around after your meal if you like.” Mabna'y composed herself and respectfully responded.
"Then I shall thank Aunt Mabna'y for showing me around". Unaware of what his maid was thinking, Clay could not be happier. Stepping outside brings him closer to his goal.
At the same time, Aunt Mabna'y circulated her Qi towards her eyes. Even as a lowly Branch Family member of a Bloodline, she has some innate ability to discern talents. The first time they met, she was positive Clay did not have an ounce of qualifications to become a cultivator but it is possible that her young master may be wearing an artifact.
But no matter how she observes Clay, she is certain she is looking at someone who does not have Elemental Affinity.
Currently, there are two possibilities. Either someone visited when she was not around and gave out pills to sell or Clay may have concocted a garbage and thinks it is a treasure.
Aunt Mabna'y took a deep breath and decided not to over think. As commissioned to be a maid, she will stick to the job.
After finishing his breakfast, Clay was advised to wear a short cape bearing the San Ruk Elven Crest before setting foot outside to warn people he has ties with the greater race. The city is circular with at least fifteen kilometer radius and people normally would have some sort of transportation means like a horse or a carriage but given his living conditions, they had to walk.
From time to time, Clay would pause and look to his side.
Since he came to this world, this is the first time he could walk freely and be amazed of the culture and having walked around twenty minutes, he came to his senses upon confirming they have arrived within the vicinity of San Ruk Eagle Guild.
He is embarrassed that as a "young master", he could not provide his maid the convenience of transport. He wanted to tour the city for prospect generous buyers but he did not want to further humiliate himself of being penniless so he asked to visit the guild directly.
Upon arrival, Clay saw three queues of people wanting to talk to Guild Receptionists, however Aunt Mabna'y cut into the line and people did not seem to mind.
Clay guessed it was because of the crest he was wearing.
After five minutes, they were brought into a guest room.
"It is a pleasure that friends from our neighboring Elvens would take notice of our guild. My name is Sar Aran, one of the deacons within the guild and I will be taking care of your needs today", said a man with clean mustache.
Clay could tell the man is at Foundation Establishment but he could not discern what his true level was and while the man did not have eye colors, he exuded the same bloodline aura similar to Aunt Mabna'y.
"I am just a maid and my young master here would like to trade some pills. I hope you will not give him a hard time. He is very young if you know what I mean.” Aunt Mabna’y greeted.
Deacon Sar Aran maintained his warm smiled in response.
Meanwhile, Clay was surprised with how Aunt Mabna’y spoke however, he can’t really blame her as nobody knows that he had a prior life and from his estimate, he probably is older than his maid and the deacon.
While it is annoying to be treated like a kid, it is not like he can change his appearance. Since it is not what he came for, he will just ignore it for now.
Clay took out bottles of pills.
Two containing three Mid-Tier Qi Sensing Pills and the other two containing three Mid-Tier Qi Enhancement Pills and placed them on the table.
“A Deacon really did not have to come out personally. It is only a small transaction and you could treat us like regular customers. I was planning on trading it to a simple Meditation or Cultivation technique suitable for Mid or Late Qi Condensation and applicable to a talentless cultivator like me.”
Mrgggghhh
Clay cleared his throat then continued, “I am thankful for personally taking care of us today and I only ask our transactions will not be known outside."
Sar Aran was expecting a bottle of charred pills but upon the sight of what was taken out, he almost got to his feet. In curiosity, he took one of the bottles and opened the lid.
Swish!
When the lid was slightly opened, a strong medicine essence waft out.
Surprised, Sar Aran covered the bottle immediately and his countenance became serious. He did not need to inspect the pills further to verify their quality.