Mika 013 (Patreon)

“It seems I’ve displeased you, little brother,” Jon said. 

“I’m not your little brother…” Mika looked up at Jon’s face, which was frowning. “Yet.”

“Haaaaaaah? You said I’d be your little brother if I’m able to reach Bronze, and I believe in you, so why not start now?”

“I might not be a man of my word.”

“You are a boy of your word, then?” Jon chuckled.

Mika sighed. “When you speak with the Head, please be reasonable. Don’t give in to his demands completely. Have one or two things you don’t budge on, a few things you’ll budge after a prod or two, and them some concessions which you are willing to make if they’re minor. If this was a scale of one hundred, give them a deal worth fifty two points in their favour at most.”

Jon looked down at the boy, who seemed to always blow away his expectations. He wondered if Mika was truly just a ten year old boy. “I will take your words to heart.”

“Let it slip that I assisted in something minor, something which would be impressive for my age. Say something along the lines of you having high hopes for me, and that you, as a genius yourself, wish to make me your personal disciple.”

“My little brother as my disciple? Must I really?” Jon wasn’t sure if he could teach the youngster anything. Wouldn’t he need to be the disciple instead?

“If he sees your sincerity, and after finding out that there’s more to me than it seems, he’ll be more relaxed around you. In fact, he might want more from you, which will help. Focus on Ami as well, she’s already so close to Iron and will become this region’s most powerful icon. Don’t be too forward.” Mika yawned. 

Jon rubbed his chin, taking in every word the boy was saying.

“Also speak of contracts.”

“Contracts?”

“If you have written evidence, it will relax the minds of those involved. Mention you’ll be seeing to the Storm and Moth family as well if this works out, but that you want a closer relationship to the Blackhands. That way he’ll relax knowing that the Blackhands aren’t the only family you want to work with, but he’ll want to push the family at the forefront to you.”

Jon nodded, keeping a hand on his chin. It made sense that applying pressure could actually relax someone. If something’s too comfortable, it no longer becomes comfortable.

“With the aid of the other two families, we should be able to create a foothold within the town.” Mika looked to Jon with a glint in his eyes. “We’ll be able to expand our influence later.”

“So you’re not stopping at this town?” 

Mika smiled in response.

“You’re too ambitious for your own good, little brother.”

“Enough with the little brother.” Mika frowned. “Once I out myself as a genius, then I’ll allow you to say it publicly.” 

“Haaaaah!” Jon sighed. “Very well. I suppose I should make my way to the meeting. What kind of gift should I bring?”

“Something consumable which might prove useful for the Head.”

“He’s Bronze, if I recall correctly. I’ll offer him a few of the new Bronze Forge pills, and a potion.”

“Let’s go.” 

Mika led the Master Alchemist to their clan’s manor within the town. There was a guard waiting for them at the entrance to guide them in. It was a Tempered Bronze First, someone who was most likely going to join the group of escorts who will assist in the herb gathering.

“Greetings Head,” Jon said, clasping his hands together. “This Master Alchemist wishes to intrude.”

“There’s no need for such formality within our home,” Rogue replied, replying with the same courtesy. “You are our esteemed guest.”

The pair exchanged the typical bows and pleasantries before Jon was offered a seat opposite the Head. 

“I have come with gifts for the honourable Head.” Jon waved a hand. A box and a vial were placed on the table between them. He opened the box to reveal some pills, each of them no bigger than his pinky nail. 

“Are these the pills that you were working on?” Rogue asked, having never seen such pills before. 

“They are. I have been using them to assist me in breaking through my barrier, and I can already feel them working.”

“I’ve been at Tempered Bronze First for some time now. Unfortunately, the life of a Head is quite busy, and so I haven’t have much time to cultivate.”

Jon smiled. “One can only assume you’d be busy. You have quite the family to look after. Once you’ve reached Forged Bronze, please do bother me for some Steel Forged pills. I have recently created a new recipe with my father.”

Rogue looked at the Master Alchemist, trying to hide the surprise on his face. “If you insist. Allow me to gift you as well.” Rogue raised a hand and then placed down several gems for Jon. 

Jon looked at them with a smile. “I will happily accept your gifts.” Jon stored them within his ring. Gems were quite useful for Alchemists, so they made for great gifts. “Since we are both busy with our respective work, should we move on to the main event?”

“I appreciate that you speak so clearly. Mika, leave us to speak.” Rogue dismissed Mika, who bowed and swiftly left. He sat down in the hallway and began to meditate, but kept a keen ear on the conversation.

“I’m sure you’ve heard, but I’ve come to make tied with the Blackhands. It’s no secret that your family has created two geniuses in a short period of time, and our Alchemists’ Guild would like a hand in cultivating their talents.” Jon revealed ten bars of gold, each worth roughly fifty gold, around five thousand copper a bar. Half a gold, fifty copper, was the typical going rate for the average worker. “This will be the upfront payment for allowing us to cultivate and nurture the young master, who is already such a brilliant alchemist at his age.”

Rogue couldn’t even protest before the gold bars had been brought out. He stared at the bars and then looked up at the Master Alchemist. He didn’t realise how serious the Alchemist was being until he had brought out the gold. “It is reasonable,” Rogue said, understanding the depth of the conversation. 

“I ask that you allow us to assist with the cultivation of the young lady so that she may stand on the stage and shout out our name.” Jon smiled politely.

“Why do you need such a shout out when you are already our esteemed Alchemists? The entire town knows of your capabilities, and no one would deny your prestige.”

“An understandable question,” Jon said, noting the tea which was brought. He sipped it slowly. “You see, we will be going through some changes. Our Starr Alchemy is planning on changing the recipes of our pills and decreasing the price accordingly. Such a move will surely bring some criticism towards our store, and so we would like to show that the efficacy will still be reasonable. Some of our products will also have some weaker effects, but their prices will decrease dramatically. On top of that, we will also have new products.”

“What kind of new products?” Head Rogue asked, leaning in slightly.

Jon raised a finger to summon a potion onto the table. Rogue stared at it, waiting for an explanation. “Why don’t you feed it to your guard?” Jon said, looking at the Base Bronze Fifth standing at attention. 

Rogue looked to the guard and then nodded. The guard picked up the vial and then drank it, obeying without question. He gasped and then flexed his muscles, and a wave of strength expanded out from him. His strength and his spirit increased dramatically.

“W-what?” The guard flexed harder, revealing his bulging muscles. “I feel so… strong!” 

Rogue watched with awe, staring at the man. Then his eyes fell towards Jon. “What happened?”

“It’s a greater version of our Boost potion. The effects are twice as strong with the same drawbacks.” Then he summoned another potion. “I would recommend another guard to drink this.”

Rogue stared at the potion, wondering what the Alchemist would show him now. He called for another guard, who drank it obediently. His strength was boosted, but not quite as much. Rogue looked to Jon, wondering what was happening.

“Let us continue talking. I believe we will be done before the potion wears off.”

Rogue narrowed his eyes. Jon seemed so confident, and yet Rogue knew that the potion would only last a minute or two at most. Unless this wasn’t a normal Boost potion.

“Very well,” Rogue said, rubbing his head. “Let us continue.” His eyes fell across the guards, noting that the first potion faded and the guard seemed a little weary, but not any more than anticipated. The other guard remained standing nearby, still boosted by the potion.