Chapter 52: Night Conversation in the Tower

Chapter 52: Late-Night Conversation in the Tower

High-intensity alchemical operations come with a cost, consuming a tremendous amount of physical and mental energy.

8:00 PM.

When Xazo placed three vials of powder onto the tray and walked out of the advanced alchemy laboratory, his face was slightly pale, and his fingers and arms trembled uncontrollably.

Kurov glanced at the tray out of the corner of his eye, his eyebrows twitching violently. He gave a light cough to maintain his composure.

"Ahem. Not bad, you've successfully refined another three vials of flawless-quality poison refinement powder. Go back and get some rest.

"Tomorrow morning at seven, come straight here for your lesson. If I'm not around, just practice by yourself in the advanced alchemy laboratory."

"Yes, Professor. See you tomorrow." Xazo walked toward the door with unsteady steps.

Why is my mentor acting a bit strange tonight...?

He shook his dizzy head, so exhausted that all he wanted was a sound sleep, leaving him with no spare energy to ponder the reasons behind the other man's abnormal behavior.

The footsteps in the poison alchemy sector gradually faded into the distance.

After the sound of the stone door opening and closing echoed from afar, Kurov picked up one of the glass vials and sat down in his chair.

"Nine portions of powder... all of flawless quality? That's one more portion than I anticipated...

"No, wait..."

Kurov muttered to himself as he stared at the wall clock:

"After arriving at my place at 8:00 AM, it took an hour to complete the advancement test, moving the toxin vials took some time, and my demonstration of the refining process took another hour.

"Calculated that way, Xazo's actual refining time today was less than six hours.

"Six hours... Back when I was at his stage, I could only manage a maximum of ten attempts, and by that time, I was already close to becoming a proficient-level alchemist.

"Could it be..."

Frowning deeply, Kurov walked into the advanced alchemy laboratory and inspected the toxin cabinet from top to bottom.

"To think that only nine portions of raw materials are missing?! He performed nine alchemical sessions without a single failure?!" An exclamation rang out in the room.

Immediately followed by an even higher-pitched cry of shock: "And they're all of flawless quality?!"

If Xazo were still here, he would undoubtedly rub the back of his head with embarrassment and utter some evasive nonsense like "it just felt right today," "I was in a good state," or "I'm just a little bit talented, just a little bit."

Regardless of how he might argue, Kurov, having walked this path before, clearly understood what a 100% success rate combined with flawless quality control meant.

"I need to go see the head of the academy right away!"

Kurov hurried back to the basic alchemy laboratory, hastily scribbled a few modifications onto a parchment, and then manipulated the book chest filled with study records to leave the premises.

***

The bright moon and the vast sea of stars hung high in the night sky. The pristine moonlight poured down onto the bustling Starry Night City.

The towering Starry Night Castle dominated the city's most prosperous district.

Fifteen watchtowers overlooking the entire city stood around the perimeter of the castle, guarding the tall central tower.

Kurov walked through the intricate corridors.

Most spells were strictly prohibited within the academy.

Like an ordinary person, he had to walk through the corridors and climb the stairs on foot.

His destination was the academy head's study, not the potion alchemy sector.

At the academy head's level of power, teaching no longer required hands-on involvement.

Aside from foundational courses like alchemical linguistics, which required her to personally take the podium to guide newcomers, the practical sessions of functional pharmaceutics were entirely taught by her elemental servants.

Once the class on alchemical linguistics concluded, she had no need to leave her study.

"Knock, knock."

The rapping echoed in the empty corridor, traveling not very far before being absorbed by the soft, sheared wool carpet beneath his feet.

Kurov stood before the sandalwood door for a few seconds, and upon hearing movement from within, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Head of the academy, I have a situation here."

He quickly swept his gaze across the precious ornaments, elegant and heavy bookshelves, and luxurious silver candelabras adorning the corners and walls.

Four skylights dotted the ceiling of the study, framing the distant stars and the full moon into tranquil decorations.

Kurov walked through the column of moonlight cast by the skylight, lightly rubbing his right fingers together to guide the book chest toward the magnificent figure seated behind the wide desk.

Beatrice sat in the desk chair, looking at the other's serious expression. She put down her fountain pen, took the floating book chest, pulled out a volume, and began to flip through it.

"Mm, let me see... Xazo's study records. This student with extraordinary memory scored a full mark on the final exam. What astonishing feat has he accomplished this time?"

Kurov sat down opposite the desk and, after a few seconds of silent deliberation, said:

"Head, I taught him the formula for the poison refinement powder today. In accordance with the decrees of the Mage Sanctuary, I imparted the most simplified version.

"As for these study records, I brought them in accordance with the regulations for alchemical potential rating."

"Oh?"

Beatrice's interest was suddenly piqued.

A faint smile bloomed across her delicate face, complementing her smooth, dawn-colored hair and casting the bright candlelight in the room into dull obscurity.

"Xazo refined nine portions of refinement powder today, and every single one is of flawless quality." Kurov retrieved nine glass vials from his pocket and placed them on the desk.

"Nine portions of flawless-quality refinement powder—that places him at top-tier tier-two alchemical potential."

Beatrice smiled brightly. "It seems the Alchemy School has welcomed a genuine prodigy in poison alchemy. Well done, Kurov. Your report is very timely; I will hand this box of study records over to the Mage Sanctuary tonight."

"Head." Kurov's voice carried an excited tremor:

"His success rate was one hundred percent!

"He used only nine portions of materials, with not a single failure. I have already verified it.

"Furthermore... his refining time was only six hours! That is two hours shorter than the duration stipulated by the Mage Sanctuary!"

Upon hearing this, Beatrice broke into a radiant smile. Her left hand brushed the bangs from her forehead, and she quickly regained her composure. However, the slightly trembling fingertips of her right hand as she gripped the notebook betrayed the joy she could hardly conceal.

"Kurov, we cannot keep surveillance wards permanently placed in the poison alchemy sector. At that time, only you and Xazo were present at the scene."

Beatrice patted the book chest and said:

"I watched you grow up and know your character, which is why I accept your words.

"The Mage Sanctuary, however, will not believe the study records you submit quite so easily. You know as well as I that this isn't a matter of trust.

"The Sanctuary unconditionally trusts any registered mage, especially since you are a high-ranking mage in the field of poison alchemy. Xazo will undoubtedly delve deeply into this field in the future; you have no reason to make a joke of his life.

"The entities within the Sanctuary only believe in the tangible reality they witness with their own eyes."

She paused for a moment, her tone steadying as she continued:

"The Sanctuary will send someone to verify this. When the time comes, the inspection team will include not only the emissary of the Lady of Starry Night, but also observers from other schools. We must make thorough preparations."

Kurov nodded slowly, regaining his usual calm demeanor.

He glanced sideways at the desk calendar in the corner. "That will be at least a year from now. We still have plenty of time."

"Yes, plenty of time..." Beatrice's gaze drifted, a hint of inexplicable guilt welling up in the depths of her eyes as her voice gradually lowered:

"Kurov, if not for the accident decades ago, you wouldn't have aged like this... It is a knot in my heart that I have never been able to untie..."

"Head."

Kurov interrupted her. "It was not your fault. It was simply an error on my part during my first attempt at practicing the meditation technique."

Beatrice shook her head, her silky hair flowing across her shoulders:

"It is pointless to argue about right and wrong now. I must prevent tragedy from repeating itself."

Her expression turned resolute:

"I will persuade the Lady of Starry Night to impart that portion of alchemy to Xazo ahead of schedule, bearing the consequences under my own name. Your life trajectories are remarkably similar, and your temperaments and personalities match as well. All of this proves that he will not betray the Alchemy School."

The atmosphere in the study grew somewhat oppressive and heavy, but it did not last long.

Beatrice leaned back, her full upper body resting against the goose-feather backrest in a graceful curve, a smile playing at the corners of her lips:

"Tell me about Xazo. What are his subtle habits and characteristics? I need to weigh once more whether this little fellow, who is still a few months shy of adulthood, can live up to my expectations and attention."

"This—" Kurov wore an expression of mingled reluctance and hesitation.

"You haven't just been meditating all this time, have you?" Beatrice raised a slender eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest with a slightly stern air:

"During the mage-servant stage, you only knew how to read books and do exercises; once you got the meditation technique, you only knew how to meditate. And now that you're a mentor, you're still the same... You really haven't changed at all."

Kurov lowered his head under her reprimand, acting much like a junior or a student who had done something wrong.

In truth, the two of them differed in age by at least a hundred and fifty years. Furthermore, Beatrice had once been his mentor, their teacher-student bond spanning several decades.

Calling Kurov's current reaction a conditioned reflex would scarcely be an exaggeration.

"Ahem, Head, you've misunderstood."

He gave a light cough, sat up straight, and spread his hands.

"Aside from normal teaching, I genuinely have nothing left to teach him. He is far more self-disciplined than I was at his age.

"He arrives for class on time, leaves on time, and after class helps me clean the laboratory, tidy up the toxin vials, and arrange the alchemical benches. He even summarizes his own alchemical insights and shortcomings, correcting his assignments by comparing them against the templates.

"I'm sure you can empathize with how reassuring such a student is."

Habits are notoriously difficult to change.

Especially since Xazo came into this world carrying memories from his past life. Even if he deliberately disguised himself, as time passed, his true nature would inevitably reveal itself.

Beatrice seemed somewhat moved, her fingers lightly twisting the fabric of her sleeve as a letter flew down from the bookshelf.

"Miffy Morton wrote to me a while ago.

"After joining the circus, that young girl traveled all over Rosark Province and found several untamed elements suited to her. Her luck is quite good."

Beatrice pinched the letter, staring at the text upon it with shifting eyes as she said:

"She mentioned one thing: the other members of the circus praised her diligence more than once, noting that she was just as hardworking as Xazo.

"Before your student joined the academy, he spent a considerable amount of time in Audrey's circus. Yet he never once proactively suggested going to a tavern to unwind.

"Whether he was practicing fire-breathing inside the pointed tent or reading books at the inn... Environment can shape a person, but one's innate nature is not easily altered.

"Xazo was naturally born to live and grow in an environment rich in academic atmosphere.

"Much like the specially selected apprentices of the Mage Sanctuary.

"I think you know the living conditions in the southernmost villages of Rosark Province better than I do. Such an environment would only bury his nature and talent."

Beatrice manipulated the letter so that it flew back onto the bookshelf, letting out a satisfied, smiling hum:

"Mm~ I have an idea. After more than twenty years, I intend to take on a student."

"Uh—Head, you must be joking. He hasn't even finished learning introductory poison alchemy yet. Changing mentors now would somewhat violate the Sanctuary's decrees."

Kurov chuckled awkwardly, then added:

"Besides, I've already promised him. As long as he can comprehend the elemental traits on his own, I will pass on the introductory meditation technique to him once he becomes a proficient-level poison alchemist. Just like what you did for me back then."

"I am equally capable of passing on the introductory meditation technique, am I not?" Beatrice smiled lightly as she looked at his anxious expression.

"There's no need to make it so complicated. As one grows older, guidelines, principles, and decrees cease to matter quite so much. Besides, I will find a suitable method."

She manipulated the study records within the chest—dozens of notebooks and loose-leaf binders hovering and revolving in a circle above the desk—and her gaze lingered on a particular page:

"You taught him the antidote for white-jaw toxin? Ha! You talk endlessly about decrees, yet you went ahead and taught him advanced-level material yourself."

Kurov covered his forehead and stammered:

"I... I... When I was learning about white-jaw toxin decades ago, I kept wondering what its antidote formula looked like.

"Since you wouldn't tell me, I figured Xazo would have the exact same thought and struggle with the same curiosity I did back then...

"So I casually mentioned it, hoping it would make him realize the difficulty and back down.

"Who could have guessed that he would figure out the initial version of the antidote on his own, and even ask what the correct solvent was... Then I gave him a mug of ale, and he just learned it.

"Rest assured, aside from the antidote for the white-jaw toxin, I haven't leaked any of the other fatal poison antidotes."

"Kurov, both you and I know this is not a simple teaching error."

Beatrice deliberately put on a stern face and said with absolute seriousness:

"The formula for the antidote has been classified as proficient-level. But it is not difficult; even a novice-level poison alchemist can brew it.

"Because of a moment of impulse, you allowed the antidote formula to run the risk of leakage.

"Though the probability is very small.

"As the head of the academy, however, it is my duty to supervise your teaching.

"Once he becomes a proficient-level poison alchemist, I will be the one to teach him the antidote. Do you have any objections?"

"No... none at all. I fully agree with your measure." Kurov waved his hands, his face a picture of pure helplessness.

"Splendid~"

Beatrice's expression instantly melted into a radiant smile as she snapped her fingers.

The page recording the instruction of the white-jaw toxin antidote caught fire, turning to ashes in a mere two or three seconds, the dark grey remnants drifting into the fireplace by the wall.

"You are a student I trained; I could never stand by and watch you be interrogated by the Mage Sanctuary."

"Don't mention it~ Tee-hee~" Beatrice laughed like a triumphant fox.

Kurov rubbed his temples and said, "Head, I'll take my leave now."

"Go on, go on." Beatrice waved her hand and continued reviewing Xazo's study records.

"Oh, by the way."

She stopped Kurov just as he was about to open the door:

"Xazo's memory and alchemical potential mean he won't linger at the introductory stage for long. He will likely master all the introductory formulas in just one to two years.

"Find an excuse to give him 'Enhancement of Toxic Effects' directly; there's no need to wait another four months.

"Let him refine the poison refinement powder on his own—that will help him comprehend the elemental traits."

Kurov's lips moved as if he wanted to say something more about the decrees, but he ended up letting out a low sigh. "Yes, Head. I understand."

The door opened and then closed.

The study fell quiet once more, the rustle of turning pages rising and falling in an endless murmur.

Meanwhile, back in the male dormitory:

Xazo was sprawled out on the couch, sleeping soundly and snoring softly, refining poison refinement powder even in his dreams, completely oblivious to what had transpired in the castle's tower...