On a tree branch, a young boy was sitting on the highest branch in the tree with his legs crossed. His facial features were exquisite and his pupils were grey. His upper body was bare and snow was gradually piling up on him. If one looked close enough, ice could be seen forming on his outer ear, eye lids, nose and some other parts of his body.
He has lived in the forest with Mason for almost 5months now. Every day he underwent harsh training under strict environmental conditions.
The small house was now covered entirely by snow and the snow had piled up in front of the house as no one bothered to clear it. Mason sat on his inclined chair under the kitchen shade with a small stick in his mouth. He looked at the direction that Chase was at and said in a voice that was not too loud or too soft while patting his stomach, "Brat, that's enough training for today. Go get a rabbit and search for the prince glory too (prince glory is a plant/herb). It normally grows during winter. I hope your remember what it looks like. Hurry up this father is hungry."
Chase who was sitting quietly on the tree stood up instantly after hearing Mason's voice. Though he was quite far from the house, he was able to capture what Mason said. He picked up his support stick that was beside him and waited for 2seconds. Then he suddenly threw it towards a thick bush that was right beside the tree he was on. As soon as the support stick left his hand, he jumped down from the tree and landed right beside the support stick which landed vertically to the ground few seconds earlier. He pulled the stick from the ground and removed the lifeless rabbit that was stock at its end.
He threw the rabbit into the basket that was hung on his back and went to look for the prince glory that Mason asked him to find. In the past days, Mason had been teaching him about herbs and most times, Mason would make him go around the perimeter in search of specific herbs.
Apparently, he had improved his hearing activities and could pick out the waves and energy given out by things around him. The frequency, and other specific factors picked out by his ears enables him to have an idea of what something looks like.
Mason usually explained the physical properties of different herbs and the kind of energy they release to him. This helped a lot in his improvement.
Chase took his time walking until he reached a cliff. He remembered Mason saying that the prince glory usually grows on cliffs. He stood still for a moment before walking towards a white flower with 3 petals. The herb gave off a proud feeling that made one feel as if he is looking at royalty. He plugged it gently and placed it inside the basket hung on his back before walking back through the same path he came from.
...
"Brat what took you so long?...It's not like I told you to hunt a redheaded tiger." yelled Mason as he watched Chase who was walking towards the house with a stick held by his left hand and a basket hung on his back.
"Old Lu why are you complaining...The closest cliff to this place is a little far so I had to walk some distance to and fro..." rebuked Chase.
Mason "Hmph...Couldn't you just run or better...fly"
Chase rolled his eyes and answered "...says someone who has only taught his disciple how to hunt rabbits and pick herbs for 5months."
Mason "You're still too green brat. It's called divine training. Do you even know the amount of people that want me to teach them how to pick herbs?"
Chase walked over to the kitchen and dropped the basket. And turned his face to Mason with a face that looked as if he was seriously thinking. He then said seriously, "Let me guess...... no one?"
Mason's face twitched. "Hurry up and roast the rabbit. Pound the prince glory to fine particles and sprinkle the particles on the rabbit after it's roasted."
Chase felt sorry for the herb. It had a proud name and it had the ability to increase the success of a cultivation breakthrough but it has been reduced to roasted rabbit spice.
...
After eating, Mason looked at Chase who was sitting in front of him. He suddenly waved his hand and a pill furnace appeared. He waved it again and different herbs appeared around the furnace. "Brat to become a master alchemist, you need to first be able to refine pills with a furnace. Your knowledge of herbs will come in handy here."
Chase was shocked by the sudden turn of events. He never expected Mason to suddenly start lecturing him on pill refinery. 'And how big is the space in his storage ring..'
He got so excited and turned all his focus on Mason. Mason talked about the background and levels of alchemists.
Alchemists were ranked by the grade of pills they can refine. They ranked from rank 1 alchemist to rank 9 alchemist. And they were always respected around the world. The Cloud family had only 1 rank 3 alchemist.
Chase "Old Lu, have you reached up to rank 3 alchemist?"
Mason almost puked out blood. 'Damn...And I thought that after all this time we've spent together, my image will increase in his mind and he'll at least have some idea of my awesomeness.'
Chase noticed the change in Mason's expression and chuckled. Well, Mason did not try to hide his frustration from Chase anyway. Of course Chase had realized that Mason was nothing close to being a normal person. He just found joy in teasing Mason. Now he knew that Mason wasn't an old man but a young man in his mid 30s (so he thought). He could identify all this with his present progress in the martial arts.
Mason "You'll realize my awesomeness soon...hehe... Anyway, with me guiding you, you should be able to reach rank 5 alchemist in 4years..well...soon or less."
Chase "Soon or less again?... Is your vocabulary that poor?"
Mason "Damn you brat...."
Chase "When can I start learning how to play the zither?"
Mason "I will teach you if I feel like."
Chase "I'm tired of hunting rabbits and squirrels. When will you take me to hunt magic beasts?"
Mason "I will take you if I feel like."
Chase "When wi..." Before Chase could ask another question, Mason stopped him. "Shut up brat. No hunting of magic beasts or zither playing till you become a rank 1 alchemist."
Chase "Doesn't sound tough."
Chase soon became serious again and listened attentively as Mason explained alchemy to him.
...
Alcaria Kingdom, Central State, Capital City, Imperial Palace, Throne room.
The throne room was big enough to fit up to 500people. the pillars were made from gold and the floor was made of shiny marble. The throne sat a few steps higher than the floor. There were ministers and other officials chit chatting amongst themselves.
A young man walked into the hall with slow steps. The chit chatting officials quieted down when they saw this man. He was dressed in a golden robe and his blonde hair was tied upwards exposing his handsome face to observers. He had an air of authority around him. He was the crown prince of the Nala dynasty, the ruling dynasty of Alcaria.
When the officials saw him, some were surprised, some were happy, some were angry and others were expressionless.
An official stepped out and stood in front of Karl, the crown prince and asked. "What about his majesty?"
Karl put on a sorrowful face and answered, "His health is getting worse so he won't be able to make it here for the meeting. Lord father is still so young. I don't know why such an unfortunate event fell upon him."
That official looked at Karl and sneered before walking out of the throne room. After that official worked out, some other officials followed in his foot steps and worked out.
Karl looked at the back of the earlier official and smirked. 'I wonder how long you guys can hold on...hehe...that foolish king that doesn't want to die won't be able to hold on for up to 8 years. If he's lucky, probably 9?...then I'll take over the kingdom..I have a lot of patience. My time is coming."
He then walked to the front of the remaining officials and stood in front of the throne. Some of the remaining officials started flattering him.
"Your highness looks imposing as usual."
"It's as if the throne was made specially for your highness."
The remaining officials just stood there quietly observing the situation.
Karl loved the flattery received from the officials. He turned his head to look out of the window and a beautiful white coloured palace came into his sight. The figure of a cute little girl with black hair and sea blue eyes came into his mind. Even though the girl looked 12, it could be seen that she will be a beauty that will cause the downfall of nations when she grows up.
Karl's eyes were full of lust when she came into his mind. She was the princess and his sister from same father but different mothers.
"Your highness?" The call of an official that was flattering him but received no response brought him back to reality. He looked at the remaining officials in the hall which was a little over half of what it was before and smiled before beginning to address them.