Rassi

Ronne eventually did teleport him back, but the five minutes he spent there were the worst he had ever spent. And that was saying something considering the things he’s had to do in the years before.

The memory changed his world. Ronne was wrong about one thing. Rassi did love their mother, and that was why he had worked so hard to make sure it never happened again. The reason the situation even came around was that he’d taken things from those in power.

A son whose only claim to nobility was a Tier 11 Alchemist had no right to be the Academy’s heir. And that was why his Mother had died. Rassi had seen it happen whenever someone rose higher than they were meant to.

The fact was hard to accept, but the world only worked one way. Rassi had tried, again and again, but not once had he succeeded. A dozen disciples, but only one was still alive. The last he’d heard of her, she had returned to the Human continent.

But he’d delayed enough, he was reminiscing here for a reason, and it wasn’t to feel pain. Rassi picked up the crystal and sent mana into it. A few seconds later, Ronne’s face appeared, smiling widely.

“What is- oh, it’s you,” Ronne said, his smile disappearing on seeing Rassi’s face. “What do you want, Rassi?”

Rassi sighed, this was what their conversations were now, short, painful events. But at least they were talking.

“Anita wants a sword.” Rassi said, sure that Ronne already knew. The information had spread throughout Afrieal at the speed of lightning thanks to this Scholar person.

“Yes, I take it you’re calling in a favor?” Ronne asked, his tone abrupt.

“Yes, when can I come over?” Rassi asked, sighing. Just one more left.

“Tell Anita that she can come tomorrow with her brother. As for you, brother, you can stay away. I don’t want to see your face unless I have to.” Ronne said, switching off the communicator. At least he had one more favor left.

Rassi turned around, heading back into his office, clutching his staff in his hand. The adornments stood out to him. A pair of mana holders in case he found himself in space again, a few treasures in case of trouble, and a communication blocker. Just in case, he got a chance at the good Duke. Ronne wasn’t the only one that could keep a grudge after all.

A knock on the door brought his attention back to the present.

“What is it?” he asked.

“The Emperor’s disciple is here, Dean. And, uh, he’s a bit angry that you didn’t visit him.” his secretary said.

Rassi groaned, the Emperor's disciples were the worst. The entire lot of them thought they were geniuses that were going to shape the future of the Empire. The truth was that they were likely going to be decent powerhouses, nothing to scoff at, but as the Order’s head had shown, not exactly at the peak of the world. The barrier of Tier 21 wasn’t exactly easy to cross.

But whatever, Rassi had a very well felicitated noble brat to talk with. And he was even angry that he, the Dean of the Mage Academy, hadn't rushed to meet him!

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Ray

“So, what do you think?” the Dean asked. After hurrying Ray along to the lab, he’d abruptly left to deal with a ringing crystal. But he’d left Ray with a question. The answer hadn’t changed since he came back.

“I still don’t think that it's a good idea.” Ray answered.

“But I already measured the properties, they are very compatible.” the Dean said.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Yes, a bit too compatible. The two of them seem like they won’t even react with each other, I suggest adding a supportive herb.” Ray answered.

The Dean observed him carefully, looking at him like he was an animal in a zoo. “Did that fool finally go blind?”

“What?” Ray exclaimed, now thoroughly confused, that was not the sentence he expected.

“I am talking about that idiotic Master of your sister’s. I knew that he was a stickler for rules, but how exactly did he think letting you go was a good idea? Well, his loss is my gain. Yes, you are correct. The two of them are too compatible. I lost three sets before I figured that out. So, what herb would you suggest?” the dean asked.

“Umm…” Ray scratched his head, trying to think of the best way to break it to the Dean that he had a very limited idea of herbs at that level. The two herbs sitting on the table were both Tier 21 herbs, or at least that's what Ray thought.

The experience in the Treasury had given him a deeper insight on how to use his Fae sight, but he still had a hard time detecting how much mana a thing had.

The herbs though looked like they had over a hundred million mana to his eyes, thus Tier 21.

“Retreldus?’ Ray said, quoting the only supportive herb he knew of that level.

“Why, you disappoint me, Ray. Retreldus is a Fire herb, and these two are Shadow. Though the herb can indeed react them, the end result would be a potion at most Tier 20. I want a better one.” the Dean said, sounding more excited than disappointed.

“I, uh, only know that herb at that level…” Ray said.

“Well, we’ll have to cure that deficit.” the Dean said, his excitement palpable. “And then you can tell me what herbs I need.”

“And what do I get from this?” Ray asked, folding his arms.

“A lot of mana, what else. Can you imagine how much your [Alchemy] skill will rise on assisting on potions at this level?” the Dean tempted.

“And then cap out. I don’t see it as worth my time.” Ray stated, a smile dancing across his lips. The Dean, surprisingly, had a frown on his lips.

“Ray, I know we have the mutually scamming each other thing going on, but I do hope you’ll keep it out of this lab. The knowledge you gain from literally inventing new recipes with me is not something that can be replicated easily.

The only other places conducting experiments of this level are the Capital’s Mage Academy and the Xnarthan. I doubt you can get into either of those.” the Dean answered.

Ray's eyes narrowed as he considered what the Dean had said. In a way he was right, if the relationship remained a simple matter of give and take then it would not only be tedious for both of them, but likely end up with him at a loss. Ray had only so much to give, the Dean on the other hand…

“Ok, sure. But how exactly does learning all of this help me?” Ray asked.

"Well, for one, you'll get to see some extremely advanced techniques in action. Not to mention the mana manipulation exercise, access to the herbs and of course the recipes here. I have a rather extensive collection of recipes. On that note, I have an offer for you, but we can discuss that after you've learned the ingredients. “ The Dean said.

“The offer is practically bait.” Ray stated, his eyes narrowing. Was the Dean already stepping back on his own words?

“Oh, nothing of the sort. I just fear that you will want to leave immediately after I give my offer. Now go, the sooner you finish, the sooner we can move on to other things. " The Dean answered.

Ray reluctantly moved to the library and looked at the book lying on the recliner chair. The herbs of humanity: Tier 21-30. The treatise was actually quite thin, but that could be easily explained by the rarity of such herbs.

Ray sat down to read. The book was easy to memorize. Perhaps it was the Fae transformation or the same stat increase, but Ray could now memorize things with just a few glances at the page. The page just got stuck in his head. An hour later, he was done.

Ray ventured out to see the Dean staring at several herbs.

"I think Midday Night is the only option for the potion. " Ray stated.

"Yes, but the herb only grows on the side of the Elven continent still controlled by Elves. So we will have to keep searching. But I see that you have done what I ask. Come, sit, this talk will take a while. " The Dean said, teleporting two chairs facing each other.

Ray took a seat, waiting for the Dean to make this offer of his.

"I want two things, I want you to make me a list of what the Fae illusion stone tells you about each of my artifacts, and I want you to arrange for a meeting with the Scholar.” the Dean stated.

Ray frowned, those were big asks. “And what do I get in return?”

“Well, how about a potion that increases your chances of getting a more combat-focused element?” the Dean asked.