“This is Alchemy a branch of magic, and as we previously discussed Alchemy itself is divided into several branches most of which are essential in the daily lives of the common folk …”

It had already been several days with Zalthus trying to teach the goblin all the basics of what he thought he needed to know.

Yet the more he looked at the goblin in question the more he felt that the goblin did not grasp much of what he was being taught.

Zalthus wanted to arm the goblin with knowledge in a bid to increase the chances of what was to come for the goblin. The more he imparted knowledge onto the goblin the more it was evident that he would need to burn through the goblin’s entire lifespan just so the goblin could learn everything about the basics of alchemy.

It was a tiresome task. He had a feeling that there was a higher chance of the goblin dying than understanding much of what he had to say, after all alchemy was nothing to scoff at.

His master had suggested the first step in the new cultivation method, as The Bathing; this was an initiation for the chosen goblin specimen that would allow them to be transformed and to basically increase their capacity and make the goblin specimen as ready as possible to receive the teachings that would enable them cultivate the new cultivation method.

The Bathing would involve the infusion of energy into the base cells of every important organ of the body. The theory stated that after the bathed creature withstood this process they would come out as a being unlike any other. Of course, the side effect of such an event was death. Even though he had received an oracle that pointed to Gumir, He still wanted to impart the goblin with necessary knowledge that would aid him to fight as the process took place. Now it seemed unnecessary.

The Bathed Goblin would become Superior in all ways to its kind yet still weak. It was basically the ultimate unlocking of potential from within the body.

“This has to be it,” he found himself saying it out loud. He just had to believe in his master a little bit more. The process was necessary if the thick goblin was going to start learning anything.

“What did you say master?” Gumir asked.

“Nothing, we will proceed to the next step.”

“The bathing then master,” the goblin said with hints of joy eliciting on his face.

“Yes, the Bathing. Don’t be so happy, with a single step wrong, you will have to say your goodbyes from this world.”

Although the statement frightened Gumir deeply, that he could die, he could not help but anticipate what was to come. After all, since birth he had only known of survival, he had only yearned for survival. Without the necessary strength then he would not be able to survive in this cruel world. Especially so as a goblin.

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From what he had learned, with one dip he would become strong and capable. Capable enough to rival the brutes of the tribe. He would cherish the chance and fight through it for such a life. He had never wanted to be a bottom feeder. He was an exile from his tribe, through sheer luck his master was offering him a once in a lifetime chance, to peer into the world of the strong. Who was he not to take it? He would take it and run with it, that is if he could.

If he were to return to the tribe with such power, he would rule over the lot of them. Maybe they would even appoint him chief.

With such thoughts taking place in the young goblin’s head, he could not help but grow anxious. He could not wait any longer, he wanted to throw himself in the pool right away. Obviously, he could not and had to wait for his master to give instructions. So, he waited.

He found the whole ordeal weird and very hard to understand.

The creature he was calling master chose a goblin to give strength to, he doubted he would become strong enough to rival his master, but he reckoned he would be able to run away given his improved physique. He would try it, obviously. He was from the Bleak Fang tribe after all, courage is what they had never lacked.

For now, he would sit and listen until he had the leeway that he would use to escape. It was a perfect plan especially since it looked like his master was not interested in harming him.

The Bathing Pond was located in the farthest corner within the crypt. It was dimly lit yet the water itself always glowed in a bright blue hue as if preserved by a mysterious mechanism; and indeed it was.

The Goblin was illiterate and could not understand a lot, however he knew the markings that he could see on the ceiling, the wall and the floor of the pond all were made to have a certain use. He just did not know what.

To enable the functioning of the pool, formations needed to be powered then the user chained to the bottom of the pool so that they might not get out of the pool for whatever reason until the process was finished.

Although Zalthus was a high ranked mage he could not entirely comprehend all the formations set in place within the bathing pond not even in the control formation plate itself. That was just the depth of his master’s knowledge. Maybe his fellow disciples could understand the nature of the formations better, especially Bringum who was a Formations expert.

Knowing what each had to do, they proceeded to the pond and after Gumir was chained to the floor of the pond, naked and bare with only a loin cloth to cover his private area, Zalthus headed up to the control formation set up some spirit stones that would power up the formations ready for the process to start.

He looked over at the goblin who was still in awe, he could see his level of anticipation for this part of the process.

“Ignorance is truly bliss” he thought to himself.

“Okay now, we will begin. Are you ready?”

Hearing his master’s call Gumir replied hurriedly.

“Yes Master we can start.” A nasty grin showing through his face. Whatever thoughts he was having, only he knew.

Zalthus sighed. He knew the foolish goblin was bound to do stupid things if he came out of this process successfully. He would not allow it though, it’s just that the whole process was going to be a tedious process, something he did not like to do.

Tinkering with the plates he sequenced the pond to start the process and the formations lit up, from the floor to the walls then to the ceilings. The whole area was all lit up in a blue hue, lines. The patterns of the formations were clearer. Zalthus had made it a point to study the patterns, so he paid attention keenly to what was happening.

Zalthus observed the movement of Mana in the air. It was all gathering over the pond. He was going to be the first one to witness his master’s final work. He was ecstatic.