Mika 028 (Patreon)

They finally met the City Lord and the Patriarch together. They had been drinking tea together, silently. 

“Greetings, City Lord, Patriarch. I ask for forgiveness for the impudence during the auction. There were some disagreements with the city’s Alchemists’ Guild and the Tegro family.”

“The matter is of little little importance,” Patriarch Chen said.

“Families and guilds feud,” the City Lord said reassuringly. “It is a part of the natural state of things. I apologise for what happened to your student. If the Great Elder hadn’t stepped in, I would have surely done so.”

“There is no doubt within my mind that would have been the case,” Elder Yan smiled. “This Elder thanks you for your thoughts, and I accept your apology, though it was not required.”

“Elder, let’s sit and speak frankly.” Patriarch Chen said, sipping more of his dark tea. 

Elder Yan took a seat opposite the pair so they sat in a triangle, and Mika stood behind the Elder. “It seems that Patriarch Chen has something he wishes to say.” Yan had noted the way Patriarch Chen had spoken, and he could see that the Patriarch was eyeing up Mika.

Patriarch Chen’s eyes fell back on to Elder Yan. “Did you create these potions?”

Elder Yan nodded. “With some assistance.”

“I hadn’t expected you to be able to create such potions,” City Lord said. “Perfect Grade Cultivation potions, I heard that only Grand Alchemists could create them.”

“Let’s speak of clearing debts first. It would clear this Elder’s mind if you would allow him to do so.”

Patriarch Chen nodded, and the City Lord acquiesced as well. 

“For your assistance in allowing my potions to keep out of the wrong hands, I wish to offer you my sincerest gratitude. Please accept these minor gifts.” Elder Yan placed down vials of Long Boost potions, five for each of them. “I’m sure you’re familiar with these potions, but these are refined using a new formula. These potions will last many times longer than one would expect.”

“How much longer?” City Lord asked.

“It would depend on how well one could refine it. Up to ten times as long.”

“What magnificent potions,” the City Lord said, already thinking about how he could use them for the city.

“Then let us speak of how I can repay my debt. Since you have assisted Starr Alchemy, it is only right that I also entrust myself to both the great leaders before me. We would like to offer the great leaders limited access to our Alchemists. If you are to send us shipments of certain herbs every month for the next year, along with a few Low Grade or Middle Grade gems, we would return to you potions and pills of equal value. I will also supply an additional Medium Grade Cultivation potion with each shipment. Then, at the end of the year, I will also supply an additional High Grade Cultivation potion.”

The pair understood the significance of such a deal. Having an Alchemist offer them such a deal was already a great boon to their families. 

“That does sound like a good deal,” the City Lord said. He spent a moment in thought. “Are you still feuding with Binto Alchemy?” 

“Unfortunately so, as well as the Tegro family.” Elder Yan smiled awkwardly. He didn’t want to appear too excited about the feud, or too weak.

“What happened?” Patriarch Chen asked. 

Elder Yan explained the situation, all the while Mika remained behind, though nodded his head now and again to assist. He needed to show his loyalty to the guild so they didn’t get any ideas. 

“It is no wonder that you attacked the pair at the Auction Hall,” Patriarch Chen said. “Though it has placed a rather large target on your back. The Tegro family are a powerful force.”

“I can’t say it was a wise move,” City Lord said. 

“If they did not have us in their sights, why would we have them in our sights.” Elder Yan spoke coldly of the matter. 

“Your disciple is worthy to be protected,” City Lord said. “He is so young and already an Alchemist…”

“Ten years old and already an Alchemist.” Patriarch Chen looked to Mika. “We’ve heard rumours that a child managed to attain a perfect score on their mental exam.”

“The Blackhands have had good fortune recently,” Yan said. “They have two geniuses within their generation.”

“You speak of the girl,” City Lord said. It was no wonder he knew, since his own daughter was compared to Ami. 

“She’s the riding star of our town,” Yan said with a smile. “Speaking of Rising Stars, there is a tournament soon. I was hoping to equip our little Ami with an appropriate set of armour.”

Both Patriarch Chen and the City Lord noted how close Elder Yan made his connection to the Blackhands appear. 

“I know the other clans will equip their own in fine gear, so I came to buy a set.” Elder Yan looked to the City Lord. “I had my eyes on a certain set, and I was hoping to ask the City Lord if he was willing to part with it, temporarily.”

“You are providing the girl with gear?” The City Lord met the Elder Alchemist’s gaze. “Is your guild so close with the Blackhands?”

Elder Yan smiled, glad that they were moving on the right track. “Recently we’ve made a deal with the Blackhands due to their two stars. We are sponsoring the young girl in order to reveal our new products to the world.”

“New products?” City Lord asked.

“We’ve changed some formulas for our products, discounting their price due to their slightly weaker effects. However, we also have new products which we’ve created. In order to persuade the public, we need to produce results, and so it just so happens that our interests lined up together.” Elder Yan motioned to the Long Boost potions. “These potions are but one of many. We’ve also changed some of the formulas for our various Forge pills, like the pill I had given to the Great Elder. Their side effects have been reduced so one can take multiple pills in rapid succession.” 

“Usually one has to wait days before you’re able to use the same pill,” City Lord said, leaning forward. “How long does one need to wait before the diminishing effects of the pills are reduced?”

“It will depend on the pill, but usually an hour.” 

Even Patriarch Chen raised his brows in surprise. “That is quite revolutionary.”

“Unbelievable, one might say. Which is why we need to produce results before we can reveal them to the public.”

“And these are the pills you wish to send to us monthly?” Patriarch Chen asked to confirm.

“The very same.” Elder Yan smiled innocently.

City Lord and Patriarch Chen went deep into thought. If what the Elder Alchemist was saying was true, it would lead to quite an upheaval of their way of life. Yet, they were going to be some of the first to have access to these new pills and potions.

“This arrangement is fair,” Patriarch Chen said, eyeing Michael.

“I have no complaints about such an agreement,” City Lord said. “I would like to see this young girl who has earned your faith. When I visit her, I’ll allow her to borrow the equipment.”

“Thanks you,” Yan said. “Once the year is up, we may discuss another arrangement between our guild and your esteemed families.”

“Would you allow me to put in an order with your Starr Alchemy as the City Lord for these new pills?” City Lord took the opportunity to look after his people. It wasn’t every day one could speak so frankly with an Elder Alchemist. His own Binto Alchemy wouldn’t allow him to meet with an Elder so easily.

“As long as the price is fair, I am more than willing to listen to a request from the esteemed City Lord.” Yan smiled. “We may not be able to provide the same quantity as Binto Alchemy at this moment, but we are more than confident in our work.”

Patriarch Chen finished his tea. “I will sign the contract whenever it is sent.” He reached down into his sleeve and handed the Elder a small talisman made of obsidian with their sigil engraved into it, a coiling viper. “If you have need of our family, display this and my family will assist you.” 

‘Not bad,’ Mika thought. Handing over such a talisman was quite the statement. Yan now had great favour with the Chen family and would be handled like an honoured guest if he was ever around. 

“This Elder thanks Patriarch Chen for his gift. I will inform Starr Alchemy of this matter so you may come and peruse our wares as you please.”

The City Lord placed down his own private seal. “I will offer my seal to you as well, Elder Starr.”

“It is an honour,” Yan said, smiling. He hadn’t expected to gain the favour of these two so easily. “I will speak with my guild about this matter as well. The contracts will be drafted up and sent to the noble leaders by the end of the month.”

“Then I will excuse myself first,” Patriarch Chen said. He stood up, showed his respects, and then left. The City Lord followed him after a moment of silence, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Elder Yan relaxed in his chair, sighing. “We will speak with dear nice soon about the potions for the third day. What should I offer her?”

“It should be fine if you offer a few sets of potions and pills. You can make it fairly extravagant, though don’t make it quite as amazing as today’s lot.” Mika sat down on the now spare seats. He hadn’t expected this to go as smoothly, but he assumed that both Patriarch Chen and the City Lord had eyes on him now. “You can make a Medium Grade Solar potion to go with the sets and she should be satisfied with that much. Make ten sets total.”

Elder Yan raised his brows in surprise, but nodded. It would be quite the statement if he offered ten sets, he might as well officially declare war on Binto Alchemy. He looked to Mika, who was leaned back with his eyes closed, but his lips were in a slight smirk. Would he be able to keep up with this youngster?