Looking at this old man, who was now in complete shock and almost spitting fire, Kai didn't really know how to react.
- Erm, excuse me? Hehe. - Foolishly replied Kai
- Forgive!!! For what!!! I've been outdone by some puppy, yes I can throw away my Master's credentials. The gods decided to play a joke on me by sending you here! - It seemed like the old man was about to lose his mind!
"We have to think of something... Oh! Right!" - Thinking of something, Kai smiled.
He quickly snatched the pill from Gustal's hands, and deftly popped it into the Master's mouth. At this turn of events, even the old man himself freaked out.
- What are you doing?! - Shouted Gustal, but at the same moment he fell silent.
Looking at the old man's face, it seemed that he began to calm down quickly... It was as if he was concentrating on his body and mind and then quickly sat down on the floor. The Magister closed his eyes, and began to absorb the pill, it was obvious that he didn't want to waste even a fraction of the beneficial properties in vain.
"Well, at least I was able to calm him down..." - Watching this, Kai relaxed a bit.
Thus Kai watched the old man calmly cultivate. At this moment, there had already been a queue outside the doors for hours. If the examiner wasn't that psychotic Master Gustal, there would have already started to be discontent there.
Thus several more hours passed, and finally the old man opened his eyes.
- Boy, ahem... Anyway, thank you... - Said the Master. It seemed like he wasn't very good at expressing gratitude to someone and felt awkward.
- No, I'm the one who should apologise. Putting a pill in your mouth so rudely was wrong of me. Haha. - Said Kai, laughing stupidly playing the fool.
- Come on, I'll never believe that the person who created this pill is an idiot. I'll stay out of your business and methods since you helped me a lot. I owe you one. - The old man said seriously, looking into Kai's eyes.
- О? And in what way? If you can't quench my interest, then just don't answer. - Kai said calmly. He had stopped pretending to be a simpleton. It didn't seem like the old man harboured any animosity towards him.
- ''I'm a Master of the Alchemist Organisation for a reason. The Master level means that you can concoct your own pills and conduct various researches. At the moment of one of them, my flames and poisonous reagents got out of control... Due to my inattention, I caused damage to my mind, which led to constant mood swings... As you understand, such a thing can't reflect well on the path of martial arts and the development of my craft... - Gustal shamelessly told, accepting his mistakes.
- So you... - Just as Kai wanted to ask a question, he was interrupted.
- Yes, I've been researching the possibilities of creating a mind healing pill for a very long time. And it was all for me. For more than one year, I was looking for a way out of my situation... - Said the old man.
- Then why didn't you come to such an obvious conclusion? It is better to process the ingredients in order and in the right proportions. How did you want to create such a pill by just throwing everything together at once? - Kai asked in confusion.
- Hmm, it seems that you really don't understand and you are asking this question seriously... - Said the Master, looking into Kai's eyes.
- Enlighten me... - Parried Kai.
- I don't know anyone. I repeat! No one! Who could do what you recently demonstrated to me. Even when, as you say, you throw everything together... It is very difficult to control the fire, and the processing, so as not to spoil the ingredients and burn them to the ground. To divide this complicated process into several, and process a couple of herbs in parallel. And then combine them together in the right proportions... To be honest, even after seeing this, I don't understand how you did it... - With a complicated face, Master Gustal explained.
''Damn... It seems I underestimated how much of an effect the degree of fire control has, on the alchemical process. But that's not all... I hadn't thought about it before, but to control so many parallel processes, independently of each other. It must be very difficult for the mind. Not even that... Almost unreal! Spirit Sea! My thinking potential has become incredible, I just didn't even realise it, what an idiot!" - At this moment, Kai realised. The way he had created a mind pill was unreal to others.
- Master, I hope you keep my secret private... It's not bad, having someone like me as an ally. If I knew my methods were so extravagant, I would never have shown them... I think you realise that I'm not lying. - Seriously said Kai, looking at the old man.
- Of course you do. I'm not an idiot and I've lived long enough to realise where profit smells. Especially since you've made me feel better. - said the old man calmly, and continued, -But words can turn to dust, let's make a contract! For complete healing, I will need a dozen more of these pills, and only you can create them. - The old man laid it all out plainly, without concealment or villianisation.
- Only your silence in return will not be enough. - Said Kai smiling.
- I understand that. I promise to keep your secret, and I promise to cement our friendship. Legally, of course. We won't be able to act maliciously against each other. Also, I'll give you a discount at the Alchemist Organisation. How's that? It's a win-win. - Master Gustal said calmly.
- It's a pleasure doing business with you Master. Deal! Hehehe! - Laughing, Kai replied.
At that moment, the old man smiled widely, he seemed to be very pleased. With a wave of his palm, a scroll appeared in his hand.
- A contract? But...'' Kai said.
- The Alchemist Organisation is also an administrative organisation. I have the authority to issue and sign a contract, it's even of a higher order. If you break it, the Ruler of the Border Beast City himself will destroy you . - Proudly announced the old man.
- Alright, let's go this way. - Said Kai, and cut his finger.
After a few minutes, the contract glowed, showing that it was now valid. Both parties were very happy.
- Master, I actually came here for Alchemist status. Can I get it? And what rank am I worthy of? - Remembering the original reason for coming here, Kai asked.
- Ooh... Well... - the old man started to crumple, - In general, to become an apprentice, you have to learn many different names of herbs and what they are used for. An apprentice should be able to determine what pills an ingredient can be used for. What they can be mixed with and what they can't. A Master should already be able to create pills... And a Master, as I said, should be able to create his own recipes... - The old man explained with a complicated expression on his face.
- Then me? - Asked a leading question Kai asked. Stretching out the last sound, waiting for an answer.
- Damn, I hate to admit it, but you're the Master. No matter how I look at it, I can't lie now. We already have a contract signed. Hahaha. - The old man laughed.
- The problem... I'm interested in this status since I'll be able to take the most difficult assignments. Except I don't want to advertise it. Can we arrange such a thing? - Kai asked, looking at the old man.
- Of course, if you hadn't told me, I would have suggested it. In this town such fame can only be a disadvantage. And it would damage the reputation of the Alchemists' Organisation. People are strange creatures... When they hear about such a young Master, they won't be happy for you, they'll laugh at old men like me. - Smilingly said the old man.
- Good, then I'm counting on you Master Gustal. You may not announce that I have become an Alchemist at all. It is enough for me that my tablet will have this information and I can take assignments. - Said Kai, bowing respectfully.
- About the pills for your mind... Give me twenty sets of ingredients and when everything is ready, I will send them to you. - With a smile, Kai said.
- Alright then, I'm also counting on you guy. Hehe. - Said the old man. His attitude seemed to have changed drastically. Now he was acting like Kai's mate and without too much pathos.
After receiving all the reagents for the mind healing pills, Kai put them in the ring and said goodbye to Master Gustal. A few minutes later, he was on his way out to the plaza. The official status of Master of Alchemy was already written on his plaque!