Knighthood-5.
Light’s Temptation
Three days after the ceremony…
Yuelei looked at the sheet of paper she got back, where a large 30/100 was plastered over the front, her score on the latest exam in flowery red ink.
“Woah~ Yuli, so there is something you’re bad at.” Silfy peered over Yuelei’s shoulder and commented on her results. There was almost a smug satisfaction in her voice.
“I have no idea why I have to take an exam on magic theory.” Yuelei grumbled. “If I can put it to use in practice, then why do I have to write out how it works?”
“Don’t be such a sore loser.” Silfy laughed and stole the paper out of Yuelei’s hands. She did not resist as she cared little for that scrap of paper.
“At least your handwriting is more legible that June’s handwriting.”
“It’s a small and meaningless victory.”
“Miss Justinia, Miss Alia...” The instructor called out from the front, sounding exasperated.
“Ah, apologies.” Silfy apologized for speaking out in class.
“...I didn’t even say anything yet.”
The class laughed. Clearly this was a common occurrence. Although June and Yuelei often kept to themselves, Silfy was both well-liked and well-respected. There were many that approached her to offer congratulations and assistance when she first returned to the Royal Knight Academy.
“Miss Lorrin from the infirmary is looking for you two, please pay her a visit afterwards.”
Yuelei, Silfy and June stood in front of the wooden doors and knocked, causing n the wooden plaque that said ‘Infirmary Office’ to shake. Although June and Silfy were unaware of why they had been called, Yuelei had an inkling of an idea that it concerned the events that transpired a few days ago.
“Please enter.” Sister Lorrin, otherwise called the Head Nurse, appeared from behind the door and welcomed them in. The faint scent of lemon tea, mixed with the smell of medicine wafted throughout the room.
“Head Nurse Lorrin.” Silfy greeted respectfully, while June bowed and Yuelei nodded in return. Their eyes roamed over the room just to see another seated figure inside.
“Principal Quentil.” Silfy greeted the old retired knight who eyed from from the window. It seemed that he was watching the training exercises from outside.
“Now, now, be at ease. Your principal was just staying here for some tea. I’ll be taking my leave now.” He drained his cup and stood up to leave.
“Actually, Quentil, would you kindly stay as well? This involves your students after all.” Lorrin asked. “The three of you, why don’t you have a seat?”
Three chairs had been prepared beforehand, and they were placed in the center of the room. They appeared to be quite out of place, and were not the usual comfy chairs reserved for patients.
Quentil shrugged and refilled his cup. Yuelei could help but wonder whether or not he was here due to some business, or just had too much free time based on his attitude.
“Let’s move onto the main subject.” Lorrin said after the pleasantries were exchanged.
“There has been a recent surge of cases of Shadowless Blight. Based on what you said last time, Miss Alia, we have met limited success in suppressing the ailments for those that possess fire or holy affinity. However, the numbers of those without that affinity that are afflicted has risen significantly.”
“Our methods have not worked, and in some cases, even worsened the progression. Miss Yuelei, we would like for you to experiment and help create a formula that can deal with the Blight, all expenses will be covered by the Heavenly Sonata..”
Silfy covered Yuelei’s mouth before she could utter ‘not interested’.
“Can you give us a few moments?” Silfy asked.
“By all means. This is a rather large proposition, so please take your time to contemplate it.” Lorrin beckoned to Quentil, and walked outside, closing the door behind her.
“Just now, Yuelei, were you about to say no, weren’t you?”
“You know me too well.” Yuelei shrugged.
“If you complete this task, I’m sure many would be grateful.” June commented. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there will be a large reward.”
“It’s not that I don’t want the reward.” Yuelei sighed, remembering the old butler’s advice. “It’s just that I am not confident in my ability. I have a general idea of what ingredients to use, but it’s not a 100% success rate.”
“If it’s not lethal, then it’s still worth a try.” Silfy pointed out.
“It is lethal if it fails... the light energy being swallowed by the of the Shadowless Blight will cause it to seep into the bones and crystallize. It will be more painful than death.”
“...That does sound like a horrible way to die.” Silfy admitted.
“Given enough time, I could probably refine the formula, but by then, those afflicted would be long gone.” Yuelei added. Lin’s note to her held names and ingredients of items that are so rare that even kings would struggle to lay their eyes on one. Yuelei herself did not have the confidence to imitate such a death-defying potion.
“Still, we should at least have to give them a chance. Isn’t that what a healer is suppose to do? Give others a chance?” Silfy interjected. “If they die, their blood isn’t on your hands, Yuli.”
“...I’ll speak bluntly, then.” Yuelei sighed and conceded to Silfy. Silfy’s sense of righteousness was something that Yuelei admired, yet detested at the same time. If she were to say no, it would likely cause a break in their relationship. Until Yuelei plans to leave, she would like to remain on good terms.
Hearing her words, Silfy smiled and went to fetch the two people waiting outside.
“Theoretically speaking, if I had to concoct a potion for a large group, there will be roughly three batches. The first batch would be for those who recently acquired the sickness, shown by lack of energy, numbness of the joints, and stiff limbs, with an 60-70% success rate. The second batch would be for those that had it for a while, shown by coughing fits and a putrid smell like rotting corpses, with a 30-45% success rate. The last batch would be for those with multiple batches of purple-black rotting skin with pus, with a 10-15% success rate.” Yuelei quickly summarize the situation, before concluding.
After Yuelei’s proclamation, all of the assembled were speechless, even Silfy and June. 10-15%? The odds were far from good, and those in the last category seemed to be as good as dead.
“Is there no other method?” Quentil asked. “I heard that there are various ways to use alchemy...”
“With my abilities, those numbers are already overestimated.” Yuelei put it bluntly. “And that’s not including the side effects, which may kill the patient outright. You will need someone to tend to them as I’m only concocting the potion.”
“Manpower and all the regents you need can be arranged.” Lorrin said quietly. “Of course, something like this is a great service. Besides monetary awards and awards, what do you say we raise her rank to #9?”
“...There will be discord.” Quentil rubbed his head. “Honestly, why did they put an old man like me in charge of the girls and an old woman in charge of the boys. At least, the boys would fight with their fists, but women spar with words.”
“It will all be settled in the upcoming tournament if Miss Yuelei participates.” Lorrin turned to her. “You are planning to participate, am I correct?”
“Yes.” Yuelei planned to attain knighthood and then leaving as soon as possible, but she left that part out. Galvin’s warning was still clear in her mind, and if Yuelei could climb the ranks without displaying too much of her combat prowess, then there was no reason to her to refuse.
“Then are you willing to render this service for the Church?”
“I can guarantee nothing except a chance at life.” Yuelei said flatly.
“That will be enough. Tell us what you need, and we will prepare everything.”
----------------------------------------
Yuelei, where are we going in the middle of the night? Liur grumbled.
“Fishing.” Yuelei replied as she glided from tree to tree with the help of her enchanted anklets. Attached to her belt was a small lamp. “It’s been a while since you and I have hunted together, no? We haven’t spoken in a while either.”
That’s because you keep involving yourself in troublesome affairs. Liur scoffed.
“It is necessary.” Yuelei sighed, almost not believing it herself.
Don’t exaggerate child.
“It’ll be easier to move around if I have some backing, especially since I have a unique element, and a certain mythical magical beast as my companion. It will ward off people with malicious intentions, as well as keeping away the large groups and organizations that would want to recruit me.”
Or you can kill them to set an example.
“I’d rather not be placed on a wanted list. That would defeat the purpose of laying low.”
How bothersome. Human society is quite tedious to deal with. Teach them to fear you, and you will be left alone.
Yuelei wanted to agree but didn’t say anything.
Within half an hour, they arrived at a small lake. Yuelei searched around the frost covered ground until she found some winter grubs and then along the lake for some thick reeds. For the line she twisted together some plant fiber and reinforced it by freezing it over several times. For the hook, she shaped it out from a cube of ice. With an experienced flick, the ice hook, flew across the air and sank into the cold waters of the lake.
This too, was a form of training, by keeping the ice hook together and not allowing it to fall apart.
The flurry of wingbeats can be heard as Liur returned, carrying a Blue-bodied Tuskhog. Yuelei could not help but wonder if she too, would pass away like that, killed by an unseen assassin, if she was not careful. She stuck the rod into the ground and moved over to help Liur prepare the body.
“Here, your portion of the liver.” Yuelei split the coveted organ rich in nutrients and gave Liur a chunk that was two-thirds of the entire thing. The familiar taste of iron and raw meat filled her mouth as she chewed and swallowed the remaining piece, blood and all.
She then went to work on building a fire and roasting the carved pieces of meat. She had no use for the organs, skins or bones, so she left the carcass in the woods. The scent of the blood would attract less picky predators and scavengers, with due time.
It seems that your ‘fishing’ experiment was for naught. Liur commented.
“I didn’t expect anything in the first place.” Yuelei shrugged, slicing a chunk of meat in half with a sharp icicle. After seeing that it was still raw, she tossed it back into the fire. “It was meant to be practice. Controlling magic at a distance and without line of sight is rather difficult.”
It’s the same when you tried to create wings of ice. Liur advised. The reason why you failed was because you are not simply creating and molding the ice. If you don’t actively control it, it is nothing more than a simple prop. The only reason your Primal Frost Edge behaves like so is because you’re overloading the ice with soul power, agitating the blade to be in both a solid and formless state.
“I will remember that.” Yuelei nodded in response. Liur’s advice was blunt and direct but it was simple to understand compared to the extravagant and needlessly long terms that the teachers at the Royal Knight Academy used.
Yuelei, like I stated before, what you’ve learned at that place is useless. Your type of magic is far from that of humans, and more like that of magical beasts like me. Surely you have recognized this by now, right?
“I have, but only about a month ago.” Yuelei confessed. “I finally realized it after trying to cast a Water Sphere, but it just wouldn’t maintain form.”
Pft. All of the spells they teach at that excuse of an Academy are meant for formations where you have to regulate the power of spells. It is not suitable for someone like you. Win the upcoming tournament, Yuelei, and we’ll go find someone who can teach you Primal Water or Wind magic.
“Can’t you do that?”
This one only knows Primal Frost Magic. Although it is not possible for simple Primal Wind or Water magic to surpass it, it would be best for you to learn to utilize your talents. Liur said haughtily.
“I see. So we’ll be returning to the Frost Palace?”
No. Lumnieve herself is a special existence, and the ones under her are not naturally-born ice wielders like myself. Your case itself is rather strange.
“How so?” Yuelei determined the meat was ready and passed a large slab to Liur while carving herself a medium sized piece.
It is not too rare for a creature to learn to use frost type magic. Lumnieve herself can grant it to any creature if they are willing to serve her. But you, you can somehow use not only Primal Frost Magic, but apparently Wind and Water as well.
“Is that a good thing?”
Don’t get full of yourself. The only difference between you and your peers is that you know the shape of your magic, but it’s not exclusive to only you. Humans that gained a certain degree of strength may learn of their own shape, or speciality.
“...I see.” After thinking about it, Yuelei had a thought. “So someone like Magus Telsin the ‘Necromancer’, the specialty of his magic would be controlling the dead.”
No. You both overestimate and underestimate the complexity. Liur scoffed. Only oneself knows what one’s desire is, and one’s desire often shapes the speciality of their magic.
“This is getting to be quite complex.”
Magic is always complex, for it opens all possibilities. One’s reality rift is a manifestation of that.
“You sound like someone that has contemplated this for a long time.”
It is the words of a whimsical being that once roamed the land in the distant past, so ancient that even my first ancestor has only heard of her existence in the tales of primordial beings. There were powerful individuals wherever you go, Yuelei. Take care not to be crushed.
Yuelei did not respond and busied herself with eating the rest of the meat, thinking it was a shame that she did not bring a pot with her. Despite being accustomed to having food served to her now, she was still hesitant on leaving the carcass to scavengers. The bones could be stewed until it was in a jelly-like state and stored for an infinitely long time. Some organs, after careful preparation could be eaten, and in some places of the Eiloong continent, was considered a delicacy if prepared correctly.
Yuelei herself did not have these skills, but in dire times, even the offal remnants can be eaten for nourishment as long as they are cleaned and cooked thoroughly.
After finishing, Yuelei asked Liur to mentor her. The night slowly passed, and when dawn started to approach, Yuelei split paths with Liur and started to return to the Justinia residence.
Yuelei walked in just as breakfast was just about to start.
“Ah, welcome back, Miss Yuelei.” Galvin offered her a warm towel. “How was your training?”
“I brought back something.” Yuelei dropped off the block of ice she had levitating behind her and removed the frost. “Blue-bodied Tuskhog. It’s young so it should be be quite tender.”
“I see. I see.” Without batting an eye, Galvin tossed the at-least fifty pound slab of meat over his shoulder. The sight of a thin butler easily carrying the slab of meat was amusing, but if one looked closer, they would see that the blood and guts did not even stain his clothing. “I will prepare it for dinner.”
“Training through the night can be a bit dangerous.” Arfled commented as Yuelei sat down. “The Shadowless has been restless lately.”
“Liur was with me, and I made sure to bring a lamp.” Yuelei replied.
If worse comes to worse, I can always pour some Fire Blossom essence or toss a couple of Crystal Flares. Yuelei thought to herself. Those pellets may not be useful in a fight, but the light and flames it provided was a weapon against the Shadowless. Yuelei had half a mind to sell them, but only when she was preparing to leave the Royal Knight Academy.
“I don’t think there’s any need to worry about Miss Yuelei, or Miss June for that matter.” Galvin smoothed the situation over. “Miss June often goes hunting as well. She’s quiet, and I daresay would make a good Crow if she wished.”
“Silfy, why don’t you learn from them a bit?” Arfled asked his daughter with a chuckle.
“No way. If anything, I’ll become a farmer.” Silfy replied. “I’ll make a fortune selling vegetables in this frozen country. I mean, all of the Justinia estate isn’t being used anyway.”
“That’s a splendid idea, Miss.” Galvin added, starting to do calculations in his head. “You can start small, and then eventually expand and create more farmland with the profits. After that you’ll have to hire slaves or freemen to work on the newly plowed land. For the start of the first few years, you should be able to provide lodging and warmth using the lumber on the estate but then-”
“Stop! Stop, Galvin! I take back what I just said!” Silfy shouted as the butler’s vision became more and more complex and serious..
“Oh? I thought you were serious, Miss Silfy. This old man has connections that could give you discounts on various required items to have a head start such a prospect...” Galvin shrugged and refilled their cups with milk. “This old butler would not mind having a few more people serving the Justinia household, since in a decade or so he will be old and feeble.”
Arfled snorted and Yuelei shared his sentiment. Those that can be considered masters of magic have manifold longer lives as long as their magic maintains their bodies. It can be said that in later years, to use magic was to shorten one’s lifespan. Only Arfled knew exactly who Galvin was, and Yuelei herself was wary of him.
“Silfy, there’s no need for you to worry about the estate.” Arfled said after chugging down his drink. “The only reason I even bothered to buy such a piece of land was because it was one of the requirements set by your mother’s family. Although your grandmother may not like me, I’m sure she is fond of you since you resemble your mother.”
“...I have no plans on going to their place.” Silfy said quietly. “Plus, I grew up in these woods, and since I’m going to inherit it in the near future, I should give it some thought.”
“Who’s going to inherit it?” Arfled grumbled. “Are you telling your father that he’s going to die?”
“All things die.” Silfy recited Yuelei’s words. “Isn’t that right, Yuli?”
“All things die.” Yuelei nodded before steering the conversation elsewhere. “But instead of growing vegetables, I think growing herbs would be more suitable. They’re more durable and would be more likely to survive without diligent care. However, you would need to hire suitable guards to deal against magical beasts...”
“That’s not too bad. I know plenty of mercenaries that wouldn’t mind staying for simply fare and board.” Galvin added. “It’ll boost our estates’ presence of military might.”
As the men and Yuelei talked on about possible development of the estate, June and Silfy glanced at each other, and ate their meal silently.
A knock on the laboratory door.
“Please enter, Galvin.” Yuelei said quietly as she put down the flask filled with a noxious purple liquid down. The scent of almonds and ammonia hovered in the air.
The door was gently pushed open and Galvin entered. As soon as the scent hit his nose, he quickly covered them and frowned.
“Do not fear, the scent itself is not poisonous.” Yuelei reassured.
“I had not expected to encounter such a smell in my own home...” Galvin shook his head as he walked over. “I had my suspicions when you asked me to obtain a poison gland from a Twelve-Legged Tiger Spider, but now they have been affirmed. Miss Yuelei, may I ask what you are doing concocting poison?”
Yuelei accepted the gland before responding. “Medicine and Poison are one and the same. Lin would probably not approve of me doing this, but a weak little girl should have something to protect herself.”
Weak little girl? Galvin groaned inwardly but did not voice his thoughts. Back when he served the Church, he too had employed a variety of poisons and poultices.
“What sort of poison are you creating, and what are your means of application?” Galvin asked. “Even colorless and odorless, there are plenty of ways to counteract them with magic after ingestion.”
Yuelei did not respond, but instead ground the gland to liquidy bits with a mortar and a pestle. She mixed it with several drops of distilled Aqua Orb essence before pouring it into the flask she was holding prior. The purple hue of the liquid turned lighter, with a tinge of violent violet due to the Aqua Orb essence.
Galvin watched as Yuelei continued to work, adding ash from a burnt Winf Tree branch, and two drops of sap from a Winter Blossom. At this point, even he, who had experience with odorless and colorless poisons, was no longer sure what exactly this ‘weak little girl’ was concocting. Just as he was about to leave and let her do her own thing, Yuelei responded.
“It’s a poison without a name. It’s not life threatening, but it has the effects of paralysis, loss of hearing, loss of vision, blurry vision, fatigue and hallucinations.” Yuelei picked up the flask and tipped it over. Before it could hit the ground, however, the liquid stopped in mid air, forming in the silhouette of a sword.
“And the method of transmission is this.” Yuelei reached out and touched the levitating water, and in a moment, her Frost Edge came into existence using the liquid poison as a catalyst. Compared to the normal brilliant crystal turquoise hue, this one was closer to a dark azure.
“A weapon of frozen poison...” Galvin murmured. “Little miss has some rather dangerous ideas.”
“Merely a circus trick.” Yuelei dismissed. “Freezing the poison causes it to require more time to take effect. If I can somehow land a blow with a normal Frost Edge in the first place, there is no need for me to resort to poison.”
Yuelei did not reveal the fact that she could use her weapon as a substandard Winter Moon, the explosion causing poisoned icicles to attack both herself and her enemy. It would be considered a suicidal tactic, if not for the fact that Yuelei had long concocted the antidote and ingested it along with traces of the poison, giving her body some immunity. Trump cards are meant to be hidden from everyone, including your allies.
“Is there anything else this old man can do for you?” Galvin asked Yuelei, who’s carefully extracting the darker portions of her weapon and placed it back into the flask. Over time, the poison would dilute and lose its effectiveness, but Yuelei could simply brew up a new poison then.
“As per the request of Head Nurse Lorrin, I will be staying at the Royal Knight Academy for a while,” Yuelei replied, carefully putting the vial away. “June and Silfy will be helping me, but they will be returning here. If anyone comes looking for me, please tell them that I am over there.”
“I see. Shall I pack a few things for you?”
“Not necessary. I have already packed my things.” Yuelei never went anywhere without a small belt bag packed with essentials. In case she had to flee, it would ensure her survival in the wilderness. Other than some keepsakes, most of the items within were alchemy related, but coupled with her magic, she could easy set up camp wherever and whenever she wanted. “Liur will also be with me, so I doubt anyone would try anything.”
Galvin nodded and left the alchemy laboratory after saying his goodbyes. After Yuelei could no longer sense his presence, she started concocting more vials of poison. She wondered what Lin would say if he knew what she was doing, but that did not stop her hands from moving.
Yuelei’s entire day passed by while she worked in that laboratory.
----------------------------------------
“Thank you for coming.” Lorrin greeted Yuelei at the gate of the school. It was Suedas, and tomorrow on Mouldas, the students would be returning for classes. Since this was a rather important task, Lorrin had asked Yuelei to come on a day when students did not officially have classes.
“Please, this way.” Lorrin lead Yuelei towards the infirmary, but taking a different path and moving behind it and into one of the adjacent buildings. Yuelei recalled that this building was originally a storage facility, but she quickly realized it had been repurposed into a lab due to the large assortment of items and alchemy regents that were displayed at its front. Moreover, there were roughly fifty people standing in front of them in a formation that Knights would use while marching. There were both young adults and ancient men among them, and upon seeing Lorrin, saluted her.
“Sister Lorrin!” they shouted. Some of the men dressed in armor saluted like proper knights, while the mages bowed. Yuelei could even make out the uniform of the Knight Academy Cadets, and they stared at her, wondering who was this person that Lorrin personally escroted.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Welcome!” Lorrin gestured for Yuelei to stand next to her as she addressed the gathered crowd. “Those of you that are here have been selected by me and Sister Carla based on your merits. However, ultimately the one who will be choosing whether or not you stay will be up to Miss Alia here.”
“As you all know, in the event a few days ago, a man displayed a white potion that was able to clear away the Shadowless Blight on a young orphan.” A dissenting murmur broke out in the crowd, but it quickly dispersed as Sister Lorrin continued.
“Due to some rash actions by a certain group of uptight individuals-” Lorrin did not hide the malicious undertone in her words, causing some of the aforementioned knights to cast their eyes downwards. “-we did not have the chance to extend an olive branch.”
“As a result, we have no choice but to attempt to concoct the potion ourselves. As you all know, several Church sanctioned alchemists have tried various means and formulas, and the results were beyond unsatisfactory. Many believers died ingesting those failed attempts.” This time, several of the older cloaked men that were alchemists looked away in embarrassment.
“Enough about the past, half of you today have gathered for a chance to redeem yourselves. The other half, thank you for holding an interest in saving the innocent. Allow me to introduce Miss Alia, who those of you selected will be working under. Miss Alia, if you will, please.”
Before Yuelei could ask what she meant, Liur swooped down and landed on her shoulder causing another ripple of noise to burst forth from the group.
Yuelei, it seems like you have quite the job ahead of you. Liur advised.
“Apparently.” Yuelei said quietly, before raising her voice to address the others. “Head Nurse Lorrin, please send them in one at a time after fifteen minutes.” Yuelei walked into the laboratory and set up a few chairs and apparatuses, conversing with Liur at the same time.
“What do you make of them, Liur?”
A nefarious lot. Half of them do not have good intentions.
“I figured as much. They must be here for the formula.”
What are you going to do?
“Due to large quantities we need to supply, I’ll have each of them work on individual parts. I don’t care if someone manages to replicate it since the current formula is already an imitation of the true recipe Lin gave us. I’ll also adjust it a bit.”
That would be wise. I’ll share my thoughts with you. Liur commented as an aged woman walked in.
“Hello, my name is-”
“I don’t care.” Yuelei shut her down. “Tell me what you can do.”
“...” The woman seemed offended at first, but quickly swallowed her pride. “I am an alchemist with twenty years of experience.”
“Brew me a Homeostasis Potion.”
Ten minutes later…
“The purity is too low. The liquid should be pink in color.” Yuelei glanced at the vial she was given. “However, your preparation of the ingredients is flawless, so you will be part of the preparation team.”
“I….. alright.” The woman alchemist swallowed her words angrily and started to walk off.
“Hold on. Take this and study it.” Yuelei tossed over a vial of the potion she herself made. This was a show of force and experience. If she did not put the workers in their place, they will doubt and question her authority.
“If you can replicate it in front of me, you will be moved to the concoction team.”
“This...” the woman was awestruck at the beautiful pink color. “I will study well.”
“Call in the next person.”
“I’m a Silver Knight. I have no experience with alchemy, but I can learn.”
“Are you telling me you want me to put a person with zero experience brewing potions or preparing ingredients in a position where they could kill or save a life?” Yuelei relayed Liur’s demeaning words. “This is a big project, and many lives are at stake.”
“I understand.” The knight bend his head and prepared to leave.
“However...” Yuelei’s voice halted him. “There will be a need to transport ingredients and prepare proper quarters for patients. You may even have to restraint them when they are ingesting the potion. Are you fine with that?”
“Yes! Thank you for this opportunity!”
“I’m a Cadet. We’ve had classes together.”
“So?”
“I’m sorry?”
“If you came here hoping for some recognition or credit, then leave right now.”
“That wasn’t my intention… I just wanted to help.”
“Why?” Yuelei pressed.
“Do you need a reason to want to help people?”
“Many do it for self-fulfillment. Others want to make people owe them.” Yuelei pointed out.
“I-I have no such thoughts! I swear on the Goddess!”
Yuelei pulled out a vial filled with a disgusting looking black liquid.
“If you have such conviction. Then drink this.”
The girl seemed hesitant. “...What is it?”
“If you won’t drink it. Leave.”
“...Fine!” To the girl’s surprise, the liquid tasted like jam.
“You pass. The patients that are in dire straits will have splotches that resemble what you just drank. You will be part of the group that cares for and administers the potion when it is completed.”
“I am a healer under service of the Heavenly Sonata.”
“You’ll be part of the group that administers the potion. There may be adverse and side effects, so you will be treating them.” Yuelei came to a quick decision. “
“I’m an alchemist.”
“Brew me a Rejuvenation Potion. Here are the ingredients.”
Twenty minutes later.
“Too slow. If there was a patient in dire need of treatment. They may as well be dead.” Yuelei scoffed. “Why did you take so long to prepare the ingredients?”
“I- My servant usually does the preparations.” The old alchemist confessed.
“Sent her in. She can take your place.”
“You! You’re just someone lucky enough to get the formula! How dare you!”
“Furthermore, you call this a Rejuvenation Potion? Is your patient a cat or a human being with this quality and amount?”
In anger, the man stood up, but before he could make a move, two guards decked in silver armor suddenly appeared next to him. Liur, who was prepared to knock him out, relaxed her feathers.
“Call in the next person, and find this servant of his.” Yuelei dismissed.
“Bitch! How dare you humiliate me! I’ll have you pay for this!”
“Stop!” The guards stopped and Yuelei walked forward while conjuring up her Frost Edge. Liur’s eyes started to glow blue and the air around them suddenly dropped to below freezing. Within a few moments, Liur had conjured up several Primal Frost Lances, all aimed at the man.
“You see, I have a habit of nipping things in the bud.” Yuelei said quietly as she placed the Frost Edge against the man’s neck.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Wrong answer.” Yuelei moved her hand back to swing, but a hand gripped her wrist and she turned to see Head Nurse Lorrin standing behind her.
“Miss Alia, although this man may have insulted you, he is a valuable asset to the Church.”
“With his skills, the Church of Ecclisa actually deems him to be a ‘valuable asset’? Due to how delicate this potion is, any tampering can easily drop the success rate by ten to twenty percent. He promised to bring me trouble, so I am simply taking care of it.”
“...Please refrain from killing him. I will take responsibility for this matter and report it to High Priestess Geisla.”
Yuelei did not move as she mused on her words, and then after two tense minutes finally retracted her weapon, and Liur’s Primal Frost Lances vanished into cold air.
“Leave and send in the next one.” Yuelei dismissed. Neither she or Liur had noticed Lorrin appeared behind her, and she deemed that they were no match for the Head Nurse.
“Ecclisa thanks you for your benevolence.” Lorrin said as she gestured for the guards to take the old alchemist away, a layer of frost already starting to form at his neck. “Rest assured if anyone causes you trouble, it will be dealt with immediately.”
“I work for the Devout Guild, and I’m a merchant.”
“Why does a simple merchant want to involve himself when he can simply buy the potion when it finishes producing?”
“I have a son who is afflicted.”
“So?”
“Due to the hierarchical nature of the church, my son who is a simple civilian, won’t be treated until all the Knights, Cadets, Priests, and other factions of the Church have been treated.” The pudgy man said bitterly. “I’m willing to pay whatever the cost is, or provide whatever you need, so please give me a potion to save my son!” The man knelt with both knees on the ground and bowed until his head was touching the cold stone floor.
“...You do understand that this potion does not have a perfect success rate?”
The man’s face frowned, but he quickly replied.
“Even if it is a mere 1%, I am willing to take any chance to have a chance!”
“Liur?”
The man is honest. I sense no falsehood in his words.
“You will be in charge of distribution then. I promised a certain amount to the Church, but any spares you can take and distribute to the civilians.”
“This… thank you. Thank you so much.”
“If you’re going to thank me. Do it after you let your son drink the potion. You may curse me afterwards instead of thanking me.” Yuelei dismissed.
The interviews continued until all fifty-four of the participants were addressed. Of the fifty-four, eight were deemed dishonest or too prideful to work under Yuelei, and she sent them away. Of the forty-six remaining, six were assigned in transportation, ten in ingredient preparation, eight in essence distillation and refinement, eighteen in potion administering and patient care, and the last four as clerical assistants and packaging.
Yuelei planned to do all of the concocting herself, since nobody had expressed a purity that she was content with. Any that complained were given a personally brewed potion and told to replicate it and she would consider it. That earned her the ire of many of the alchemists, but with it, a grim acknowledgment.
----------------------------------------
Mouldas passed, then Tuldas, then Wesdas.
On those days, Yuelei was exempted from classes, and busied herself in the alchemy lab. Most of those that were elected to work on the project came and went, but she herself was there at all times. One reason was to avoid anyone tampering with the process, another was to avoid others trying to engage her in a conversation. Until the first batch was done, Yuelei had no intention of ever leaving the alchemy lab. On three occasions, she had to alert the guards about a presence that lurked by the building.
Yuelei also took advantage of this opportunity to request for rarer herbs for her own use. To the best of the knowledge of others, she was experimenting to create a stronger, better version of the potion, but Yuelei mostly pocketed these herbs for herself.
Today, on Turdas, the first batch was finally finished.
“Bottle them according to my prior instructions.” Yuelei instructed those in charge of packaging and distribution before turning to Sister Lorrin. “As stated, there will be three different concentrations for different levels of the affliction. I take no responsibility for those lives that are either saved or lost.”
“That is fine.” Lorrin nodded. “This potion, does it have a name?”
“...Light’s Temptation” Yuelei said after a few seconds to come up with a name. “It will forcefully inject light energy into the drinker’s body to fight against the Shadowless Blight. There will be a variety of side effects that need to be dealt with.”
“Miss Alia, several affluent houses have requested for you to personally administer this new potion. They have offered a reward as well.”
“I have no interest playing handmaid. Send one of the healers gathered here. I’ve already instructed them on the possible side effects that may occur, and how to handle them.” Yuelei waved her hand in dismissal. “There should be roughly four thousand portions. How many more batches do you need?”
“...That is hard to say. We may need a large inventory in preparation for the future.”
“In that case I would like to sell the formula and method.” Yuelei said decisively. It took three and a half day’s worth of time just to brew one large batch, and even Liur had grown restless over the enduring hours.
“If I may be blunt here, Miss Alia. I am not confident that anyone can reproduce results such as you have. Even with the formula, our own alchemists seem to pale in comparison to you.”
“That’s because they aren’t fit to call themselves alchemists. As long as they follow the recipe, there should be no problems with quality or purity. I’ve already instructed a few of them to be able to brew the potion properly. Plus, with all these people, I wouldn’t be surprised if spies among them have already noted down the list of ingredients and preparation method.”
“You’re sharper than you look.” Lorrin smiled at Yuelei’s blunt words. “Your words are true, I have already intercepted messengers who carried parchment with details on your potion. It really irks me how they dare call themselves followers of Ecclisa.”
“Which is why I will sell the recipe to one of the Sisters that serve under Priestess Geisla.”
“...That won’t stop others from tailing you. I am afraid someone may have other methods of making you speak.” Lorrin persuaded. “It will be safer if you are under our protection.”
“Tailing me? There’s already people tailing me now.” Yuelei laughed before her voice turned grim. “I understand that your intentions are good, sending people to watch over me. But the two of them are weaker than Liur.”
“...It seems you are adamant about this.”
“It’s easier to treat everyone as a foe than possible allies. In the case a fight broke out, those two may die in the crossfire. ”
“Very well then. I will speak to the High Priestess. Shall we negotiate about the price of the formula, then?”
“No need, the three thousand gold agreed from before is enough. I will take it as teaching expenses, as it is not appropriate for me to accept money for a potion that may or may not work.”
“Very well, it will be prepared by tomorrow.” Lorrin did not press the matter anymore.
“I’m returning home to sleep. Take care to follow the written instructions for the administration and aftercare.”
----------------------------------------
“That’s the twentieth group today.” Silfy commented as Yuelei peered out from the curtain of her window. In the front porch, a small group of knights were saluting the manor and refusing to leave. Apparently Head Nurse Lorrin refused to not give her where credit was due, and the name ‘Alia the Alchemist’ had been given as the one to create the potion. Many people had come to the Justinia in the past week.
The first few groups were honorable knights that had come to swear fealty to the one that salvaged their lives. Then came priests and healers who wished to thank her for the opportunity to save their patients. There were even alchemists who wished to take Yuelei as their teacher.
“Although Sister Lorrin warned that something like this would happen… I didn’t think there would be so many.” June commented. “It’s already been three days and they just keep coming.”
“It seems our Yuli had turned into a celebrity. There were a lot of knights that wanted to serve under her to repay the debt.” Silfy laughed. “I think if she wanted, Yuelei could start up her own band of warriors.”
“In that case, there are many ghosts in my band. The ones you see here are the lucky ones to survive the over saturation of light energy. The ones you don’t see suffered a death painful beyond measure.” Yuelei said darkly.
“Do you know what happens when one’s body fails to dispose of the injected light energy? After a certain breaking point, it’ll start to leak out of your body, giving your skin a silk-like sheen. After two days, your skin will grow hard, as if you’ve been covered in layers and layers of glue. After four days, you will lose all feeling in your body. After a week, the light energy will finally crystallizes through your veins. And then a day after, your heart will finally stop beating.”
The room was silent after Yuelei’s harsh words. What truly chilled the atmosphere was Yuelei’s flat and emotionless voice, as if she was simply stating statistics.
“I left instructions to give them a quick and painless death if the silk-like sheen appeared.” Yuelei said quietly. “Or at the least, a potion that invites an endless sleep.”
“Does their deaths really bother you that much?” Silfy asked quietly.
“No.” Yuelei shook her head slowly. “What bothers me is that it was merely an imitation of a potion. The true elixir is hundredfolds better and holds no risk of death, yet the ingredients are simply too rare. Some of them say that whether or not they live is up to the will of the goddess, and this potion is but the goddess’s gift. How moronic.”
Silfy did not refute her and June stayed quiet as well. The atmosphere was quite awkward until Liur suddenly flew in from the nearest window. She perched on the window sill and cocked her head, passing her glance across the three of them.
Am I interrupting something?
“No. I was just giving a monologue.” Yuelei responded. “Let’s go.”
“Why, if it isn’t an old bat who crawled out of his grave to haunt the living.” An old lady scowled at Galvin before her eyes passed over to the girl with an azure phoenix on her shoulders.
“Your tongue is as vile as ever Piena. Is that how you greet a customer?” Galvin held a hand over his heart in a formal greeting. “-Much less an old friend?”
Piena continued to scowl as she walked past and ignored the old butler, stopping in front of Yuelei.
“Young girl, welcome to the Paspala Marketplace.” Piena said kindly, her tone a one-eighty compared to the way she was treating Galvin before. “If there is something you need, I’m sure that Paspala will serve your needs.”
“Of course, Piena here is the overseer of the Paspala marketplace. She’s the top merchant of Ellivita.” Galvin flattered. “All of the ingredients you ask for is usually obtained from here.”
“Be quiet. Ghost.” Piena glared at him and Galvin closed his mouth. After a few moments, Galvin smiled bitterly and excused himself and said he would be waiting at the entrance of the marketplace.
“Now with that useless old bastard aside, let’s get down to business.” Piena gestured for Yuelei to sit. “Apologies for the scene, but that bastard crow and I have some bloody history. What can I do for you?”
“I would like to look into light, enchanted items suited for a traveler’s protection.” Yuelei replied.
“...A famed alchemist like you looking for traveling items?”
“Is there a problem?” Yuelei’s voice was cold.
“Little girl, I have some knowledge about you.” Her words made Yuelei’s heart still, and the air around her fell several degrees. “Creator of the Light’s Temptation, and apprentice of that mysterious alchemist who attacked the Templar Order’s headquarters, one who rose into the 9th cadet position within a few months. Quite the achievements”
Yuelei retracted her Winter’s Breath. “And your point is?”
“If someone plots against you, that old bat is a terrifying foe. There is no need to worry about protection.” Piena said bitterly, brushing aside her auburn hair. “As much as I hate to admit it, that old bastard had the ability to fake his death to the world and get away with it.”
“He is not involved in my affairs.” Yuelei said flatly.
“I understand. How much do you have on hand?”
“Three thousand, six hundred, and ninety-one gold coins.” Yuelei nodded to the chest at the side of the door. She had asked Galvin to prepare it for her to transfer her funds from completing the Head Nurse’s requests.
“...Girl, do you not have a Merchant Union card?” For the first time since their encounter, Piena’s expression shifted to be less steely.
“No. What is that?” Yuelei asked.
“Well I suppose you are an apprentice alchemist...” Piena murmured before explaining. “The Merchant Union is a continental entity that serves as a banking system. It makes it convenient for one to move around large quantities of gold without carrying a chest like you did. Almost all large sales are done via a card that is given to you. If you don’t have one, I can issue one for you here, waiving the fee as an apology for the scene prior.”
“Please do.” Yuelei did not hesitate to take advantage of the goodwill offered to her.
Piena nodded and smiled, happy she had bagged a high-potential customer. She left the room and returned after a few minutes, handing Yuelei a rose-red card.
“Be careful not to lose it.” Piena warned. “Although if it is lost here in this marketplace, the color signifies it belongs to to someone related to the Paspala echelon, and nobody would dare steal or use it. However, elsewhere on the continent, it is different. ”
Yuelei stared at the front where the words Paspala Marketplace was scrawled in curly letters, and her name, Yuelei Alia. She frowned because she never recalled giving the woman her name, but assumed that Galvin probably had stated it. She turned the card around and There was a tiny seal of a red rose, with the number four thousand next to it.
“I add in a little extra for the chest, as well as for the favor you gave one of my men to help his son.” Piena explained. “Come, I’ll show you around.”
Compared to when Galvin and Yuelei had to push at the crowd to get through, the sea of people split up after seeing Piena. More than once, hawkers and merchants alike would greet her and she would respond in turn. It was almost twenty minutes until they stopped in front of an old run down emporium. The two guards in front nodded to Piena and stepped aside to let them enter.
“Welcome to my emporium.” Piena gestured as Liur flew down from the skies and settled back on Yuelei’s shoulder. She did not wish to wade through the crowd of humans, so as such, had flown into the air while following them. “Allow me to guide you to some items of interest.”
Yuelei glanced around the room and was surprised at the layout. In neat rows were pedestals with all sorts of items on top. At first look they appeared simple and mundane, but Yuelei could feel elemental energy being drawn in, the feeling of an enchanted item.
“I see that you have a cloak, and a rather high quality one.” Piena gestured to Yuelei’s Sheive Cloak, which Yuelei wore to cover up the natural aura of coldness from her body.
“Although the cloak is useful up here in the North, I’m afraid it’ll simply be a burden if you were to travel south. Perhaps you may want to replace it with this.” Piena held up a dark red cloak from Yuelei could feel fire and wind energy from.
“Unneeded.” Yuelei brushed her off. Piena did not seem disheartened and moved on.
“This hat is made from common wool, so it is rather light, but the magical runes can turn the wool into steel and function as a helmet.”
“Not interested.” Yuelei repeated. She was not a fighter, and would prefer not to be weighed down in a fight. Moreover, she had some interest in trying to replicate the armor worn by those of the Winter Legion one day. If her armor would be made of ice, she could freely control the weight by infusing it with a bit of wind magic, while adjust the hardness with her frost magic.
“This is a magical metal container which can be used to to make soups and stews. If you press on this magic rune here...” Piena pressed against a the side of the one-liter container and it collapsed into a stack of five sheets of metal, which appeared like a single metal block. After pressing it again, the sheets of metal quivered and returned to its original form.
“How much?”
“Although it’s a gimmicky item, the enchantments on it are rather rare. How about fifty gold coins?”
After consulting Liur, Yuelei returned the offer. “Forty.”
“Forty-five.”
“Done.” Yuelei handed over her card and watched as Piena wave a finger over the number next to the red-rose stamp. She then passed over the thin sheet of metal and her balance card, with the number three thousand nine hundred and fifty five.
After being shown nearly twenty more ‘utenstil’ items, Yuelei was left with a bit over three thousand gold coins. In return she obtained a makeshift mess kit consisting of several individually bought items like the square container before. Yuelei felt as if she had went off on a tangent, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have more options than just roasted meat on the road. Everything also fit inside a small six by eight rectangle when collapsed, and was rather lightweight.
Most of that lost money was spent on lightweight, crystal potion vials. Much like her Four-Chambered Flask, these were capable of storing much more dangerous liquids without harm.
“Do you have any storage items?” Yuelei asked. “An enchanted pack or knapsack that could store alchemy ingredients?”
“Of course.” Piena’s eyes twinkled and she led her over across the room. “I see you have a medicine pouch of sorts, I just happen to have an interesting one.” referring to the small bag around Yuelei’s waist that she used to keep small items such as the Four-Chambered Vial, Crystalflare Bombs and vials of potions and regents.
“Here it this. It was found in an dungeon north of here.” Piena pulled the pouch off a pedestal. Yuelei studied it carefully. The strap was rather thick and upon closer inspection, could be peeled part into two, with thousands of small ribbons attached to metal hooks on the inside.
“These hooks and ribbons have been strengthened with rudimentary enchantments.” Piena explained. “I believe the intent is to tie a potion or vial between the straps, or slip small items within like a bandolier.”
That certainly would be useful. Liur commented, and Yuelei gave a slight nod in response. Other than those within the Justinia household, few knew that she could openly speak with Liur.
Piena thought Yuelei was nodding to her, and she smiled and continued. “Actually the pouch itself is a bit special. Please take a look.”
Piena pulled one of the three zippers and revealed the inside, dropping a gold coin within. She then pulled open the second zipper, and to Yuelei’s surprise, the size within was the same as the first, but there was no gold coin. Piena dropped a silver coin in, and opened the third zipper, which again had the same amount of space as the first two, before dropping in a copper coin.
“As you see, it’s enchanted with a bit of rare spatial magic. The creator and origins of this item are unknown but they are no doubt from a different era altogether. Although the pouch itself was small, it should be definitely be useful.”
“How much?” Yuelei asked eagerly.
Piena’s smile grew wider. Throughout the entire trip, she had not seen a single reaction from this young girl. Even when she had offered her swords that can burst into flames, or a shield that could block a full knight’s charge, she had dismissed it easily.
“Five thousand and five hundred gold coins.” Piena stated. “It is a rare artifact after all.”
“You know exactly how much I have. Do you take other items in trade?” Yuelei pushed forward without any intentions of retreating.
“Of course, I am a merchant after all.” Piena laughed. “What do you have to offer?”
“How much are you willing to pay per bottle of Light’s Temptation?”
“Well the Church is distributing it for free...”
“But some people can’t obtain it correct? As a merchant, you would probably make a huge profit selling it to them.”
“That’s not true. If it fails, we lose a potential patron.” Piena replied.
“That’s a risk for you, not me.” Yuelei snorted. “I believe the batch of fifty potions that I gave that merchant fetched a few thousands coins on the black market.”
“Twenty-two actually. He already gave some to his friends and family.” Piena corrected. “How did you find out?”
“A certain old butler told me.”
“...That bastard always interferes. What are you proposing?”
“I have ten potions here, and their quality is even better than the ones I made for the Church. Their success rate is 80% for the first stage, 60% for the second stage, and 40% for the third stage.”
“Little girl, if the Church knew that you were holding back, they would not look down on this kindly.” Piena’s voice wasn’t threatening, but it wasn’t warm either.
“That’s their fault. I asked for certain ingredients, but they refused to comply, saying that those materials were too expensive. These ten potions were brewed from my own personal herbs.”
Actually, it was your teachers. Liur yawned. Yuelei had asked her to fetch a few item from Lin’s cabin, and among them were higher quality herbs with less ravaging holy energy. The concocted product was still a mere imitation, but it was a better one.
“And you are willing to trade them for this item?”
“I am. These potions are useless to me. According to what Galvin told me, you have a few relatives affected by the middle and late stage of the Shadowless Blight.”
“For a girl your age, you know how to play the game well.” Piena’s eyes narrowed. The audacity of this girl bothered her immensely, but also sparked a sense of acknowledgement. She had thought to apply some pressure on her, but instead the situation was reversed.
“Don’t mistake kindness for malevolence.” Yuelei recited her teacher’s words. “I was asked not to reveal this, but Galvin personally asked me to create these potions. He ‘hinted’ that it would be useful dealing with you, but someone as intelligent as you understands his intentions, correct?”
“...That meddling bastard always sticks his head where it doesn’t belong. The same as he did in the past.” Piena un clenched her fists and sighed. “Very well, I will accept your potions to make up for the remaining amount. Take it, you little thief.”
Yuelei caught the item and checked it, nodded in admiration. Compared to Lin’s enchanted backpack with nearly a hundred drawers, it was lacking, but it was something. Piena clapped her hands and as Yuelei moved the items from her current bag to her new one. One of the two straps went above her shoulder, while the other strap stuck near her waist like a belt. The pouch itself was rather small, but it was enough to fit the small mess kit Yuelei had obtained in one of the partitions.
“This guard will take you to meet that butler.” Yuelei looked up to see a guard saluting her while staring at Liur, clearly astonished at the sight. “Out of curiosity, however, are you planning to sell that magical beast pet?”
“Don’t joke about such things.” Yuelei held up a hand to calm Liur. “Liur here understands the human tongue.”
“Haha! My apologies.” Piena bowed to Liur. “Miss Yuelei, as a merchant, allow me to warn you. There are many people on the continent that have a tendency to collect magical beasts, some as pets, others as arena combatants, some for mounts, and there are even those that use them for experimenting purposes. Normally magical beasts are sold in the form of parts due to the nature of combat, there are those that suffer a different fate. With a mutant phoenix such as yours, I am afraid there will be many that will be eying her.”
Let them come. Liur declared. I will die before I submit to another human being.
“Liur is far stronger than me. It is more likely for me to be captured by slavers than her by monster slavers.” Yuelei retorted.
If anyone dares to take you as a slave, I am afraid their entire country may be wiped out if Lumnieve would find out. That one is quite vengeful. Liur commented.
“...Take care, young girl. Not as a merchant, but as a parent, I thank you for these potions and your act of kindness.” Piena bowed. “May your path lead you to wealth.”
Yuelei did not say another word, and followed the guard to meet with Galvin. Since they did not plan to buy things, they took a detour around the busy marketplace.
“That Galvin….” Piena sighed as she stared at the vials of quality Light’s Temptation in her hands. Her face was a mix of emotions.
One can only wonder what sort of history did the two of them have in the past.
----------------------------------------
“How do I look?” Yuelei pulled off her hood and swung around to face Silfy and June with her new pouch bag. The two straps were filled to the brim with vials of potions, the shoulder strap with aggressive toxins and Crystalflare bombs, while the belt-like strap was filled with healing potions.
“Wow! You look like an actual alchemist!” Silfy applauded, her words were not meant to be sarcastic, but that was how they came out. “So that’s what you ended up buying with your reward. What’s that belt-pouch-thing and how much was it?”
“I don’t know what it’s called.” Yuelei shook her head at the question. “There were some words written inside the third space, but they were not in a language I understand. As for how much it cost… let’s say five thousand gold coins.”
“Five. Thousand. Gold. Coins.” June’s eyes sparkled. That was enough to buy a small plot of land..
“Hey, hey. Yuelei didn’t you come from the backwaters of the mountains? Where did you get so much money?” Silfy complained. “At least treat us to some good food every once in a while!”
“...Actually we’ve always split the profit from Head Nurse Lorrin’s requests in three ways. Where did all your money go?” Yuelei asked, causing Silfy to awkwardly looked away.
“I send it back to my people. I have no need for money when the wilds produce all that I need.” June replied first, before turning to Silfy.
Under the two’s gazes, Silfy started shifting her feet. After realizing they weren’t going to let the matter settle, she sighed and replied. “I’ve been investing the money.”
“What for?” June pressed.
“...To redevelop this run-down estate.” Silfy murmured. “I’ve been thinking about it since I was a kid, but after what Yuelei said, I realized it wasn’t such a bad idea. We can sell the herbs for a profit, and pass some to Yuelei whenever she needs some. Also, June, we can send some to your family since the Shepherds rears magical beasts. It’ll be a high quality feed.”
“...I can contribute a few seeds.” Yuelei added after thinking about it for a bit. “But those seeds take up to a year to grow.”
“Oooh? If Yuli the great alchemist is willing to help me out, then I would feel safer about this venture!” Silfy clapped Yuelei on the back.
“I never said I was going to help, only provide some seeds.” Yuelei replied.
“So cold!” Silfy sighed dramatically. “Actually Yuli, I’m a bit curious. Won’t the vials break?”
“The strap is quite sturdy, and these vials are far from normal.” Yuelei replied. “And in the case that a sword or mace were to hit my body in the first place, then a few potion vials wouldn’t make a difference.”
“What about the Crystalflare bombs and toxins? Won’t it be dangerous if they were to explode?”
“Not a problem, I’m keeping them in a near frozen state near my body.” Yuelei pulled out of the vials of poison and shook it from side the side. As the vial left the perimeter of her body, the glass instantly fogged up.
“You’re like an ice-padded storage room.” Silfy moved to touch Yuelei, only to feel her hand turning chilly. With a mischievous smile on her face, she turned and pulled on June’s hand, placing it on Yuelei’s chest. She waited for June to agree with her, but after half a minute, June finally spoke up.
“...This coldness is rather pleasant. It’s the same back on the Desolate Tundra.”
Silfy was at loss for words.