"Congratulations on passing the apprentice level test! Your alchemy license has been registered to your smart watch."
Yunfan breathed a sigh of relief as he scanned the floating blue text projected by his watch, certifying him as an apprentice level alchemist and a member of the Alchemy Association.
"As a new member of the Alchemy Association, you gain access to a limited amount of free Half Star materials. You gain access to the virtual reality alchemy simulation and rental basic alchemy rooms for 1,000 and 5,000 credits per hour respectively. You also get discounts when purchasing herbs and pills through channels that are facilitated by the Alchemy Association."
I wonder how much money the Alchemy King makes from the virtual reality simulation alone?
While the simulation was expensive, it was nothing compared to the price tags that came with rare medicines and herbs required to practice alchemy. By practicing recipes in virtual reality, alchemists would be less prone to mistakes when working with the real ingredients. Furthermore, to most alchemists, 1,000 credits per hour was negligible— as long as they had all the ingredients for the recipe scanned and the recipe was Six Stars or below, an aspiring alchemist could learn and perfect a recipe through trial and error, for a fraction of the cost.
"This is… marvelous…" mused the Alchemy Emperor. "Also, who is this 'Alchemy King' you mentioned?"
The Alchemy King? Oh, he's the leading figure in the field of alchemy on Earth. He founded the Alchemy Association and owns many large production companies. He's the reason why low quality pills are so readily available for the public.
"Interesting. Was he the creator of the 'nutrient fluid?'"
I believe so?
"I can see how they'd be much cheaper than real medicine. While they imitate medicinal properties, they're more like distilled raw ingredients."
Chu Yunfan frowned. He felt like he was very close to making a connection but couldn't quite see it yet.
He looked up and noticed the woman at the front desk giving him a strange look. Realizing that from her perspective, he'd been staring off into space for one whole minute, he hurriedly apologized for taking up her time and skedaddled to the alchemist-only area.
The metal doors whirred, before the blinking red light turned green. Suddenly, the door slide open with a mechanical hiss. As soon as Yunfan stepped through, the door clicked closed behind him. As he looked around, he couldn't help but gasp.
Within, a few hundred people were milling around an area with a high, domed ceiling. Greenery, vines, and flowers draped from the canopy of hanging pots and supporting columns throughout the room. Many of the people were conversing, some of them waving at projections of long instruction lists while others listened to more elderly alchemists with religious devotion. Many signs were plasted to the walls, though Yunfan had to brush aside some flowering vines to read them properly.
"World famous alchemist! Educational lectures! 500 credit entrance fee!"
"Looking for bitterspirit crickets! Price negotiable."
"Accepting commissions for concoctions and demonstrations! Costs 500 credits per Star up to Four Star recipes!"
That could be an interesting way to make money. Maybe during break though— I've already go a lot on my plate right now…
As Chu Yunfan scanned the rest of the large room, he spotted another desk with several Association staff behind the counters. Unlike the one outside, however, the walls behind the counters were lined with hundreds of wooden medicine cabinets. The desk was piled with measuring scales, calculators, tablets with numbers rapidly blinking across the screen, and more. Several alchemists were lined up to receive or purchase medicinal ingredients.
"Guess that's where we should go…"
Yunfan lined up behind the shortest line. After a few minutes, it was his turn at the front.
"Hello! How can I help you?" asked the man behind the counter.
"Just give me as many sets of these ingredients as I can get for free," Yunfan smiled, sliding a small piece of paper onto the desk.
When the staff member looked at the paper slip, they frowned. "I'm sorry, but I've never heard of these ingredients before…"
Chu Yunfan sighed resignedly. "I knew this would happen."
Can your Divine Sense see what's inside those cabinets? he mentally asked the Emperor.
"Yes," affirmed the Alchemy Emperor. "The Qi signatures of the ingredients are as clear as day to me."
Perfect. Tell me what you need.
The Alchemy Emperor listed out what he needed quickly. Yunfan almost instantly memorized the whole list.
In real time, Chu Yunfan rubbed his chin, pretending to be thoughtful, before looking at the staff member again.
"Give me 5 grams of cabinet 6B, 3 grams of cabinet 4F, 50 milligrams of cabinet 8A…"
He listed out about fifteen different ingredients.
The desk attendant was confused for a moment, before realizing what Yunfan was asking for and leaping into action. With highly experienced movements, he quickly retrieved and measured out what the boy needed. However, his expression was one of confusion the whole time.
Is this some strange way of showing off?
How does someone not know the most basic ingredients of alchemy?
Perhaps he's a fool who managed to pass the exam with a stroke of luck? The attendant shrugged; randomly passing the test seemed unlikely and Yunfan was only asking for Half Star ingredients. It didn't matter too much if an amateur wasted it.
Once he was done, the receptionist placed everything into a paper bag. His brow was creased with more confusion— he didn't recognize this recipe whatsoever.
"How many sets of these ingredients can I get?" asked Yunfan.
"Can I see your license to see how many resources you're entitled to take for free?"
"Of course."
The man raised his eyebrows, unable to prevent the confusion from showing on his face. Only apprentice level?
He shook his head. It's not my business. After punching in some numbers into one of the calculators scattered on the table, he said "About ten sets."
"I'll take ten of this ingredient set, then."
The man nodded. Within minutes, he had everything neatly packed into brown paper bags for Chu Yunfan.
"Anything else?"
"No, I'm done. Thank you."
Yunfan stuffed some of the paper bags into his book bag, while holding the rest in both hands. He flashed the attendant a quick smile for walking away.
As the boy strolled off, the man couldn't help but think:
What a strange boy.
***
After retrieving the ingredients he needed, Yunfan followed the hanging signs towards the rental alchemy rooms. The crowds began thinning out the further he walked. By the time he reached the hallway where the basic level alchemy rooms were located, there were only a dozen or so people that he could see. Most of then looked fairly young, with a few exceptions— likely new apprentice level alchemists like Yunfan, preparing to concoct their own medicines.
Doors lined both sides of the hallway, with small holographic displays located next to each of the door handles. Each door was made of solid, bluish steel and firmly bolted into the wall and floor— clearly, alchemists took "Do Not Disturb" very seriously.
Then again, an accident caused by any distractions could end up with catastrophic explosions or poison gases… perhaps the doors weren't just to protect the alchemist inside, but also the people outside.
Chu Yunfan approached one of the secure-looking doors, examining the keypad for a moment. The greenlight above the door indicated that the room was not being used. After sending 5,000 credits through the self-pay system, the text on the keypad changed.
[Timer will start when door is opened.]
[1:00:00]
A soft click could be heard; the door was unlocked.
Chu Yunfan breathed in deeply. Any advice before I start?
"Just remember what I taught you. And that failure, while expensive, is alright." The Alchemy Emperor smiled, patting Yunfan's shoulder. Even though he couldn't feel it, Yunfan was still slightly comforted.
He stared at the door. The Alchemy Emperor could not control his body for him this time. He'd be doing it alone.
Chu Yunfan took a deep breath and stepped inside.