"Alright... Teacher, how long do you think I would need to learn your Alchemy skills?" Davis asked in doubt as he really wanted to learn Alchemy as quickly as possible.
Alchemist Highwood thought for a moment before answering his question, "One year! One year would all you need to surpass me if your talent is high in alchemy. If not, then five years at best."
"Haha, I'm glad that my son is recognized by your esteemed self, Alchemist Highwood." Logan laughed and joined in the conversation.
"If I handed over such a talent to the Alchemist Association, that would be such a sin!" Alchemist Highwood said calmly, but he was glad to have Davis for himself.
"Certainly!" Logan agreed with him.
"Prince Davis, let us get to the basics immediately. First, before practical, is theoretical. I want you to memorize all this as soon as possible before we try our hands on Alchemy." Alchemist Highwood suddenly uttered as he took out a space ring from his space ring.
Davis saw the space ring and thought, 'Looks like he is eager to teach me too."
He then took the space ring and quickly probed it with his Soul Sense.
"..."
The contents of the space ring were books, all books. Ranging from books recording information of herbs, pills and treasures.
There were also a lot of books on Herb Encyclopedia, Pill Creation Process and Techniques.
The Herb Encyclopedia included information on the types of herbs, their characteristics, their variants and even their general location. It also included how to pluck the herbs without damaging it, and the other features one would have to know if they were aiming to be an alchemist.
The Pill Creation Process explained the process of creating pills with the herbs and treasures, while the Pill Creation Techniques explained how to create a pill using a certain technique.
There were more than a hundred thousand books that contained a lot of information. If a mortal were to complete reading these books, it was unknown how long would it take for them to complete it.
Seeing the huge amount of books in the space ring, Davis's eye twitched.
'I thought so, I have to absorb a lot of basic information about herbs and pill making...'
Davis had originally planned on reaching the Fourth Stage in Body Tempering Cultivation, and the Third Stage in Essence Gathering Cultivation in a year, but it seemed like he would not be able to achieve it now without much hard work.
"I thank the Teacher for his guidance." Davis bowed.
"Don't fret it. These are all just the information on Herbs and Pills which are of Mortal and Earth Grade, once you're finished with that, come to me. I'll test you. If you pass, then I'll hand over my entire inheritance to you!" Alchemist Highwood replied with fervour.
He was actually honoured to have Davis as his student because, according to his beliefs, Davis would reach greater heights than him soon enough.
"Thank you, Teacher Highwood!" Davis said with gratitude.
"Haha, that's just my Alchemist title. Don't call me that, my name is Kevin Wood." Alchemist Highwood laughed.
"Alright, Teacher Kevin." Davis smiled but was a little irritated by the number of books that he would have to read.
"Haha, don't disappoint your teacher, Davis. Make sure to learn properly." Logan then left him with a mocking smile on his face.
"And where do you think you're going, my Emperor?" Suddenly a female voice could be heard, but as it was familiar to Davis and Logan, they quickly recognized it.
Davis had a gloating expression while Logan's face went pale.
"Alchemist Highwood, I hope that you also teach the Emperor about Alchemy. The Royal Family will then be indebted to you." Claire clasped her hands and bowed.
"Hmm? Emperor Loret doesn't know Alchemy?" Kevin Wood turned to face Logan in shock.
Logan had an embarrassed expression on his face.
"Don't worry Empress, what is one more student to me? I'll easily make the Emperor learn about Alchemy." Kevin Wood said as he looked at Logan with a weird expression.
"I thank Alchemist Highwood for his understanding. I bid farewell then." Claire said as she left while glaring at Logan.
Davis and Kevin Wood then looked at Logan with pity in their eyes.
*Cough*
"Well then, it looks like I am also one of your students, Teacher Kevin," Logan said as he accepted Kevin Wood as his teacher indirectly.
"Hahaha, call me senior brother, daddy!" Davis couldn't hold his laughter in.
"Scram!!" Logan shouted in embarrassment.
"..." Kevin Wood went speechless.
...
After that, Davis went to visit his Mom.
"Mom, how have you been?" Davis asked.
In this week, he went to meet her a lot of times.
"What is this? You come here almost every day now. Why are you suddenly worried about me?" Claire was surprised before noticing that he was acting strangely nowadays.
"Ah... that..." Davis mumbled.
*Sigh*
"Did your father tell you?" Claire's expression looked forlorn.
Davis avoided her eyes before saying. "...Yes"
"Do you now hate me?" Claire asked wryly as she looked at her son moving his gaze away.
"Impossible! I would never hate you!" Davis screamed at her as felt sad in his heart.
"Mom! So what if you're an outsider? Even I am like a part-outsider! You are my mother for all I care! That doesn't matter at all! I promise that I will remove that lousy seal from your soul! Just you wait!" Davis yelled as he told his heartfelt emotions.
"My child! I'm so proud of you!" Claire hugged Davis as she felt warm in her heart.
She abandoned returning to her place just for Logan. She abandoned her cultivation career just for him. She abandoned everything and followed her love.
She didn't regret her decision until Logan hid her only child away for 3 years. Every day without him was hell for her. Her cultivation stagnated, thoughts went into disarray as she almost started hating Logan.
And then... her son returned.
That moment when she saw a scrawny kid in the Royal Castle, she almost immediately knew that he was her son. At that moment, all her regrets and dissatisfaction flew away from her like a kite with its string cut.
She showered him with love and care, even pampered him a lot. And now she felt that he has grown up so much that she can now finally rely on him.
With his words right now, she was feeling totally content with her life now.
Her only regret was her cultivation career and her close ones who were on the other side. But for her love and family, she now felt that everything she did before was worth it.