The next day, after his morning routine of bathing and dressing, Cedric headed to the dining room, eager to share his discovery with Andrew. As he explained the ancient alchemical ritual he had found in the library, Andrew nodded in approval, appreciating Cedric's proactive approach. Around the table, the other Northstars, including Eustace and Alan, listened intently. The ritual Cedric stumbled upon was a crucial step in enhancing the Northstar technique, a progression that surprised even Andrew, as Cedric had uncovered it earlier than expected.
After the discussion, Andrew took Cedric to the Northstar alchemy building, a structure that bore a distinct architectural style. Its walls, adorned with intricate runes, exuded an air of mystical craftsmanship. Upon entering, a symphony of scents enveloped Cedric – a blend of various plants and potions stored on shelves. Exotic creatures, like a rainbow-colored serpent, were housed in secure cages made of orichalcum and runes. These creatures, though small, possessed lethal potential, challenging even Diamond-ranked warriors.
Alchemists diligently worked on their stations, concocting potions and experimenting with various components. Upon Andrew's arrival, they saluted before resuming their tasks. Ascending to the fourth floor, Andrew knocked on a particular door, which opened to reveal Isabella, a woman who appeared to be around 20 years old. Isabella stood at 5'7, with a short bob of black hair and a lab coat that accentuated her figure.
Cedric greeted her respectfully, "Hello, Master Isabella." In his recollection from the novel, Isabella held the unique trait of a master alchemist before it mutated into the trait of a mad master alchemist. The mutation occurred due to Isabella's penchant for unorthodox experiments, such as attempting to fuse the scale of a dragonoid subspecies to gain its characteristics.
Isabella acknowledged Cedric's greeting with a nod and a faint smile. Andrew then explained the purpose of their visit, informing Isabella about Cedric's desire to undergo the alchemical ritual he had discovered. Isabella's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she welcomed the opportunity to guide Cedric through the ritual.
The alchemical ritual orchestrated by Isabella required several key ingredients, each possessing unique characteristics essential for purifying Cedric's mana. Andrew contributed a Mana crystal of extreme purity, obtained from the depths of the Wyvern Dragon mountain range. This crystal, with its mere presence, caused mana to condense and even turn slightly liquid. Cedric aspired to achieve a similar purification effect on the mana within his body through the ritual.
Isabella, with her alchemical expertise, retrieved a gold mana heart fruit – a rare specimen nurtured by the purest mana during sunrise and sunset. The fruit, untouched by impurities, represented the epitome of mana's pristine state. Additionally, a 500-year-old fiery cleansing stone was included in the ritual, intended to burn away impurities within Cedric's mana. Despite his dedication to the Northstar meditation technique, Cedric's mana still harbored approximately 30% impurities due to his lower cultivation level.
In Isabella's personal experimentation room, she drew the intricate ritual design on a platform crafted from mana gold, a specialized composite created specifically for alchemical rituals. The room itself emanated an air of controlled chaos, with shelves containing vials of various potions, exotic components, and mystical artifacts.
As the ritual unfolded, Cedric stood upon the mana gold platform, surrounded by the carefully chosen ingredients. Isabella, with measured precision, began the process, incorporating each element at the precise moment and sequence dictated by the ancient alchemical text. The Mana crystal emanated a soft glow, its purity serving as a catalyst for the purification process. The gold mana heart fruit released a subtle fragrance, representing the untainted essence of mana.
The fiery cleansing stone, when activated, exuded a gentle warmth that enveloped Cedric. It worked diligently to burn away the impurities within his mana, leaving behind a more refined and potent essence. Isabella's expertise guided the ritual, ensuring a harmonious fusion of ingredients and energies.
Amidst the ritual's mystical ambiance, Cedric sensed a transformative energy coursing through him. The mana within his body responded to the ritual's influence, aligning itself with the purer essence of the Mana crystal and gold mana heart fruit. The fiery cleansing stone's flames danced in tandem with the alchemical energies, symbolizing the purification of Cedric's mana.
The alchemical workshop, with its aura of innovation and experimentation, became the backdrop for Cedric's initiation into the ancient purification process. The rituals unfolded under Isabella's guidance, with the swirling scents of rare herbs and the vibrant hues of magical concoctions adding a mystical ambiance to the proceedings.
As Cedric immersed himself in the alchemical rituals, he could sense the resonance of mana with newfound clarity. Isabella's expertise and guidance facilitated a deeper connection with the elemental threads within the mana, gradually purifying it and enhancing its quality.
As the ritual neared its conclusion, the air in the room shimmered with residual mana, carrying the echoes of the purification process. Cedric, now attuned to the refined mana within him, felt a newfound clarity and resonance with the elemental threads of magic. The ritual had achieved its intended purpose – cleansing Cedric's mana and paving the way for a more profound connection with the purer essence of his Northstar heritage.