Alex found himself in a mostly empty, specially prepared room, designed for this particular occasion. Among the vast knowledge received from various mages, one involved the creation of a special room that slightly increased the chances of achieving a breakthrough in cultivation. And that was precisely what Alex was doing now.
The process had been relatively easy for the most part, as Alex had already met all the requirements some time ago, even the most difficult ones. For Alex, who was at his third level, he needed to merge his energies with his body to make the leap to the fourth level. This was known as the elemental gate and was generally a significant hurdle for cultivators.
However, Alex had far surpassed this aspect. He had already achieved a perfect fusion of not just one energy but two, and his body was perfectly in harmony with this energy. There was only one aspect for which he was not yet considered to have entered the fourth level of cultivation: he had not yet united his soul with this aspect.
Alex's soul, which had been broken and on the verge of dispersing for a long time, was finally sufficiently recovered to complete this process. He remembered the painful moments in his training, the sacrifices, and the difficult decisions he had to make. With a deep sigh, Alex closed his eyes and began to meditate, focusing on the energy around him and the energy emanating from within.
The special room seemed to respond to his efforts, the various resources he had consumed, as well as the powders and incenses that thickened the air. Subtle pulses of energy began to circulate around him, visibly affecting the walls of the room, which emitted a soft glow, manifesting the power they held, now at Alex's disposal. He felt a connection with the most potent energy, one that came not only from the elements he had mastered but from the deepest parts of his being.
His breathing became slower and deeper. Each inhalation brought a torrent of vitality, and each exhalation seemed to expel the last shadows of suffering that had harbored his soul, his doubts, and his persistent desires. Gradually, Alex began to perceive the barrier between his body and soul weakening. He felt with greater clarity the entirety of his being, aware of every cell, every thought, every fragment of his existence.
The moment of truth approached. With iron determination, Alex visualized an internal light, a core that symbolized the purest essence of his soul. Slowly, he guided this light toward the fused energies that swirled and flowed harmoniously within his body. It was a delicate process, a precise dance between soul and energy, both parts responding to each other, creating intricate patterns within.
Suddenly, an explosion of light filled the room. Alex opened his eyes, reflecting in them the complete fusion of soul and energy. He had reached the fourth level of cultivation. The elemental gate was no longer an obstacle. He had made the leap, and with it, a new stage of possibilities and challenges unfolded before him.
Now his soul was no longer pure, but contained the essence of his cultivation, unified with his energy, indivisible at every level of existence.
"It's done," Alex murmured.
"Congratulations, my lord," Kragash responded from nearby, handing Alex his clothes.
"How do you feel, my lord?"
"How is your new power?"
"Congratulations on your new power."
When Alex stepped out of his room, he was greeted by applause from not only his initiates but also other soldiers and servants who had accompanied him. He noticed how everyone had been anxious, awaiting the results. In normal circumstances, breaking through was a complex and extremely difficult process that few succeeded in, and in some cases, it could even lead to the death of the one attempting it.
"Thank you all. We shall have a feast to celebrate."
Everyone cheered with excitement and began preparing the meats and vegetables they would enjoy for the occasion.
Of course, getting everything ready would take a couple of hours, so Alex informed Kragash and, along with some guards, went out for a walk.
They passed by the market and observed some weapon and armor shops. They also saw some meat shops where exotic meats caught Alex's attention, and he planned to buy some on the way back.
In the market, Alex noticed some alchemy workshops. This was one of his main reasons for coming to the city, so he wanted to enter and ask how much it would cost to buy an establishment. He knew that such a direct approach might be counterproductive. It was crucial to observe more and have a clear idea of the people involved. If possible, he would buy a shop, though Alex doubted anyone would let go of such a property easily.
Alex stopped in front of the ostentatious alchemy shop, his eyes scanning the impressive facade. The building stood out among the others for its splendor and sophistication. The main entrance was flanked by two imposing white marble columns, carved with intricate patterns of plants and mythical creatures that seemed to come to life under the sunlight. The solid wooden door, adorned with golden reliefs, bore the symbol of alchemy: a perfect circle with a triangle inside, surrounded by ancient runes that glowed faintly.
Above the door, a sign in golden, cursive letters announced the name of the shop: "Elixir of the Gods." The windows, tall and narrow, were framed by delicate stained glass that depicted alchemical scenes, where wizards and alchemists worked with strange artifacts and mystical ingredients. The light that passed through these stained glass windows painted the interior with hues of emerald, sapphire, and ruby, creating a magical and almost sacred atmosphere.
Upon entering, Alex was greeted by an intoxicating fragrance of herbs and exotic spices. The polished marble floor reflected the light from crystal lamps hanging from the ceiling, each designed to resemble a flower in full bloom. The walls were lined with shelves filled with jars and bottles of all sizes, each containing vibrant potions and elixirs. The labels, written in elegant calligraphy, bore intriguing names like "Phoenix Essence," "Dragon Tears," and "Mermaid Nectar."
In the center of the main room, a large dark wood worktable was meticulously organized with alchemical instruments: flasks, test tubes, crucibles, and mortars, all arranged carefully. A wise-looking alchemist, dressed in a robe embroidered with golden symbols, was intently working on a steaming mixture, while other assistants moved silently, preparing ingredients or taking notes in thick leather-bound volumes.
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At the back of the shop, a section was dedicated to rare and costly ingredients, kept under glass domes or in magical security boxes. Fragments of precious stones, powders of precious metals, and leaves of rare plants were displayed with labels detailing their properties and origins.
Alex observed everything carefully, feeling a mix of admiration and desire. The shop was not just a place of commerce but a sanctuary of knowledge and power. Here, the secrets of alchemy were within reach, waiting to be discovered by those bold and wise enough to understand them. With a determined smile, Alex approached the main alchemist.
"Dear customer, how can I help you?" asked one of the assistants.
"I'm looking for a specific potion, though I don't know much about alchemy. I believe it's called Tears of Estas."
"I'm not familiar with that potion. Are you sure that's the correct name? Could you maybe describe the effects or ingredients?" the assistant asked, confused, but was interrupted by the old alchemist.
"No need, young one. You don't know it because it's a very rare potion. The main ingredients are solar and lunar orbs. Young man, we don't have that potion for sale, and even if we did, it's not a product that is normally traded."
"Oh, I didn't know. Is there any way to acquire it?"
"As you're not on our VIP customer list, you would only have a chance to buy it once no one from that group shows interest. But we don't even have the ingredients to make it, so it’s likely impossible."
"I see. And if I provided the ingredients, could you make it? How much would it cost?"
Alex, far from being discouraged by the question, showed more interest, which intrigued the old alchemist.
"Even if you provided the main ingredients, I'm afraid I couldn't do it."
"Why not?"
"I don't have the qualifications. Though I'm old, I'm just an adept alchemist. To have good chances of creating the brew, you'd need a master-level alchemist."
"Does your establishment have someone of that level?"
"No. Although we are part of a commercial chain backed by an Alchemy Saint and several grandmasters, none of those figures reside in Nikrim. But if you wish, I can send a message to the central headquarters stating your desire to create this potion."
"What are the costs for this?"
"In this particular case, one of the less conventional payment methods would be used: a percentage of the successfully created potion as payment for the alchemist."
"Isn't there another way to pay?"
"I don't think so, young customer. For potions of this level, this is the conventional method of payment. Master alchemists are rarely interested in more money. Perhaps you could pay with other rare herbs or similar items."
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance. I'll contact you soon to coordinate further. I still need to inquire at other shops."
"Of course, young man. May I know more about you?"
"My name is Alex. I'm staying at the former Sayek estate."
"Are you a member of Lord Troug's family? Are they returning to the city?"
"No, I acquired the property from them."
"I see. Nice to meet you, Mr. Alex. I hope to see you soon."
"Likewise, sir."
"Oh, my manners. My name is Terry."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Terry. Sorry for the interruption. I didn't buy anything."
"Ah, don't worry, young man."
They both said their farewells, and Alex continued his walk.
The group chatted animatedly as they gathered initial information from other establishments Alex considered interesting or relevant for a long-term strategy. Finally, they reached the port area.
The port of Nikrim was enormous, which made sense given that it was the main reason for the city's existence. It served as one of the key commercial hubs of the region, linking trade from the south with the peninsula, and was a crucial passage between the Inner Sea and the Sea of Flowers.
"Wow."
"It's huge."
"Truly impressive."
"Sir, will we ever have a fleet as imposing as this?"
The Gnolls gathered around Alex, speaking like country bumpkins seeing the grandeur of the city for the first time.
"I hope so. That's one of our missions here, not just to fatten up eating meat," Alex replied.
Everyone laughed heartily, and the group moved ahead to enter the commercial port, where they saw ships of various sizes and the ceaseless loading and unloading of goods.
The ships varied in size and function—merchant vessels, exploration ships, and even some military ships in a restricted dock in the distance.
Naval officers traveled with their teams to register the ships and handle the city's bureaucracy, while sailors hurried to load provisions and complete any pending tasks to set sail or rest as quickly as possible.
The presence of Gnolls surrounding a human barely caused any commotion amid the port's bustling activity.
On the other hand, the free Gnolls walking around nonchalantly and carrying weapons didn't go unnoticed by other Gnolls, who, in one way or another, were restricted in their movements. Although Alex wished otherwise, there was nothing he could do about this situation, at least not for now. He would need to amass much greater influence to change it.
Finally, a ship caught Alex's attention, not for its majesty but for its lack thereof. Before him was a vessel in such poor condition that it was a wonder it hadn't sunk. Somehow, Alex could imagine that the once majestic ship resisted sinking out of sheer pride. Its massive size made it clear that it could have been the flagship of a powerful navy, but now it was so battered that a slight breeze seemed enough to sink it.
"Poor thing, what have they done to you? Why do they treat you like this?" Alex murmured.
Suddenly, a light breeze passed through the ship's holes and crevices, producing a low howl like that of a wounded animal in response to Alex's question.
Nearby, a Faeclaw woman was yelling and verbally abusing what seemed to be the ship's crew members while demanding answers from other civilian personnel, presumably the port's repair staff.
"How can you not repair the keel? I've already paid you in advance," the woman, an imposing figure with an eye patch and a saber hanging from her belt, exclaimed furiously.
"Ma'am," replied the chief engineer, a sun-and-salt-weathered man, "without first repairing the frames and hull, any work on the keel would be useless. We need to replace the beams and reinforce the sides before touching the keel. It's an integral job."
"That's not what we agreed on!" the Faeclaw woman responded, stomping her boot on the dock, causing it to resonate. "I was promised a ship ready to sail, not this floating scrap heap. I demand you fulfill your part of the deal!"
Alex watched the scene with growing interest. The heated argument continued as the dock workers and sailors exchanged worried glances.
"Ma'am, understand this," another engineer, a young man with grease stains on his clothes, intervened. "If we try to repair the keel without addressing the other damage, the ship could split in two in the next strong wave. The gunwales are rotten, and the supports are about to collapse. We need to reinforce the structure first."
The Faeclaw clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her composure. "So, what do you propose? How much more time and money will it take?"
The chief engineer sighed, looking at the ship with regret. "It will take time, that's for sure. And it will cost much more, but in the end, you'll have a ship worthy of sailing again. We need to replace a good part of the hull, ensure the keel is well set, and check every crossbeam and frame. Only then will it be safe to return to the sea."
"Damn it, you're just trying to squeeze every damn gold piece out of me."
"We can't accept such a negligent job, not by the port authority's order, and even if there wasn't that law, we wouldn't take it because there's no way to repair what you're asking without working on the rest. It's simply not possible without more money."
The woman merely growled and dismissed the engineers with an aggressive hand gesture, causing the men to leave quickly, as if they'd seen their natural predator.
Alex watched the woman closely. She was a hybrid of lion and elf, commonly known as a Faeclaw, but she had a peculiarity—she seemed to be albino with her completely white fur. Moreover, her build, though not fully visible under a cloak, hinted at a thick, muscular, and toned body pushed to the limits.