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Translator: CinderTL
The martial arts competition concluded smoothly.
After arranging a meeting time and location with Darco for the following night, Roland reported to Reggie and quietly slipped away from the traveling party with Galvis and Theresa, heading toward the Alchemists' Guild.
"Ugh, damn it!"
The bard pinched his nose as the overwhelming stench of herbs mixed with the metallic tang of rust assaulted his senses.
"Roland, you should have warned me..."
His eyes, fixed on the drab stone building before them, betrayed undisguised disgust.
"We're heading straight into the lair of these lunatics!"
While answering the guild guard's questions at the entrance, Roland asked, slightly puzzled, "Lunatics?"
"Exactly!"
As they entered the grand hall, Galvis surveyed the dazzling array of shops lining the walls. As if fearing contamination, he swiftly pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket to cover his mouth and nose.
"These people are no different from those cold-blooded wizards! They'd abandon anything for the sake of concocting their imagined potions!"
"They truly are a bunch of madmen..."
Recalling the "potential potion" developed by the alchemist Danny, Roland nodded in agreement.
While the potion did indeed activate the bloodline power within ordinary humans, as Danny claimed, its side effects were...
Had Roland not already become a Transcendent Knight with a constitution far surpassing that of ordinary men, and without the assistance of his own "universal harmony" trait, the crude refinement process and material handling alone would have risked triggering bloodline mutation.
Shaking his head, he said no more, merely beckoning his two companions to follow. Guided by memory, he led them to a secluded corner of the guild.
As on his previous visit, Danny's shop remained eerily deserted.
Knock, knock, knock.
Roland lightly rapped on the counter, rousing the old alchemist who was buried in a pile of unfamiliar equipment.
Meeting Danny's bloodshot eyes, Roland raised an eyebrow and cut straight to the point.
"Do you still recognize me, Mr. Danny?"
"Of course, of course, esteemed guest."
Danny deftly retrieved a bulging burlap sack from under the counter, the clear clinking of glass bottles colliding within.
"Time was limited, so the materials I procured were only enough to brew... hmm..."
As he spoke, he untied the drawstring and carefully counted the contents.
"A total of forty-eight bottles of potential potion. Would you like to verify the count?"
"That won't be necessary."
Roland took the sack, hefted it briefly, and casually handed it to Theresa behind him before extending his hand again.
"Mr. Danny, brewing these potions... it couldn't have exhausted all my coins, could it?"
"Of course, of course!"
Danny slapped his forehead as if only just remembering. He carefully retrieved a coin purse from deep within the layers of his robes.
Gazing at the gleaming coins inside, Old Alchemist Ka couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance.
Who is this man? To casually...
As he considered the number of coins in the pouch, the reluctance in his eyes gradually transformed into a burning desire.
If I had such substantial funds, the formula my teacher entrusted to me before his death might finally be...
"Mr. Danny?"
Noticing Danny's absent-minded daze, Roland gently reminded him.
"Oh... my apologies, guest."
Danny snapped out of his reverie and handed the pouch back to Roland.
"After deducting the cost of materials, I've taken a small portion as compensation for the refinement... You don't mind, do you?"
"That's perfectly reasonable."
Roland tucked the pouch back into his waist pouch, nodded slightly, and signaled to his two companions to prepare to leave.
"Guest, please wait a moment..."
Watching Roland turn to leave, Danny seemed to finally steel his resolve, gritting his teeth as he called out.
"Is there something else?"
Roland turned back, his gaze calm.
Danny opened his mouth, but the courage he had mustered seemed to vanish instantly. He stammered, "I-I haven't asked your name yet... It's rather... impolite."
"Roland."
"Roland... is it? Then, Mr. Roland."
Danny stepped out from behind the counter and approached Roland.
"You... must be a noble, I presume? Does your family... perhaps need an alchemist? What I mean is..."
His voice grew softer with each word, his gaze gradually lowering.
"I could join your family. I don't need any special treatment, just some... funds that would be insignificant to you, to support my research."
As his words fell silent, the surroundings were momentarily hushed.
Galvis glanced at the white-haired old alchemist before him, frowned, and leaned in to whisper in Roland's ear.
"Roland, this man is a bit odd. From what I know, these guild-certified alchemists are usually arrogant and aloof. They wouldn't dream of offering to join a family, let alone one that isn't of renowned nobility or even royalty. Even when such families request their services, they often get turned down."
Roland raised an eyebrow at this revelation.
Having just arrived, he hadn't realized alchemists held such a lofty status in the Golden Valley Kingdom.
Surprised, he pondered Danny's proposal, falling into deep thought.
Although the potential potion crafted by the old alchemist had significant side effects, the fact that it had passed guild certification and allowed him to establish himself here suggested his craftsmanship possessed unique merits.
From what Roland currently knew, the potion's strength enhancement effects were remarkable, and it could produce extraordinary results under specific circumstances.
Combined with the traits and bonuses he had gained from his chef class...
Recruiting an alchemist clearly outweighed the drawbacks, to the point where there were virtually no disadvantages.
The only cost would be money, which was insignificant to Roland.
However...
After a moment's contemplation, Roland slowly spoke.
"Thank you for your proposal, Mr. Danny, but I need some time to consider it before giving you an answer."
Danny's face initially showed disappointment at Roland's hesitant tone, but his spirit immediately lifted upon hearing the latter half of the sentence, and he nodded eagerly.
"Of course, Mr. Roland! Take all the time you need!"
Observing Danny's youthful exuberance, which seemed incongruous with his age, Roland couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
After a few more brief exchanges, he turned to leave.
As soon as they stepped out of the Alchemists' Guild, Galvis couldn't contain his impatience.
"Roland, are you really planning to take that old geezer back with us?"
"That's the plan," Roland nodded, accepting the heavy burlap sack from Theresa.
"But before we proceed, I'll need you to investigate his background thoroughly. We can't afford to invite unnecessary trouble."
"You... you really know how to put people to work," the bard sighed, relieved that Roland wasn't making a rash decision based on the man's status as an alchemist. His tone lightened.
"Though this kind of trouble..."
Before he could finish, Roland cut him off:
"Galvis, once we return to the River Domain Nations, I'll tell you all about my experiences in the Mistland. As for Theresa..."
He turned to the Silver-Haired Woman, who had remained silent beside him, and smiled gently.
"Once we're back, I'll cook you anything you want."
"Thank you, Mr. Roland," Theresa replied, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear. A faint, almost happy smile bloomed on her usually cold face.
"Of course, safety comes first. The Golden Valley Kingdom hasn't been very..."
After giving them detailed instructions, Roland watched Galvis impatiently drag Theresa away. He let out a soft sigh, then hoisted the burlap sack and returned alone to his lodgings.
After closing the fortified gate, completely isolating himself from the outside world's clamor, Roland didn't hesitate. He swiftly retrieved a bottle of "potential potion" from the burlap sack.
However, he didn't drink it straight away. Instead, just as he had done the first time, he dipped a fingertip into the potion and tasted a small amount.
Once he confirmed its authenticity, he drained the entire bottle in one gulp.
As with his initial dose, shortly after the potion slid down his throat, that indescribable, mystical sensation resurfaced.
Watching the Bloodline Fusion Degree number on his Job Panel steadily climb, Roland nodded slightly, then retrieved the next bottle from the sack and continued consuming them.
As he consumed more potions, the side effects, initially suppressed by his formidable physique, gradually began to manifest.
Roland felt as if a flame had ignited in his abdomen, the searing heat spreading relentlessly, causing his blood to stir restlessly.
Yet in an instant, before Roland could even fully register it, the burning sensation vanished completely, transforming into a cooling current that flowed through his entire body, permeating every limb and bone.
"Universal Harmony... truly a powerful trait."
"It seems my decision to stick with the basic class was the right one after all."
As his thoughts swirled, the once-bulging burlap sack gradually deflated, while the stack of empty glass bottles on the table grew taller and taller.
Bloodline Fusion Degree: 80%
Bloodline Fusion Degree: 81%
Bloodline Fusion Degree: ...
With each dose, the potion's effects diminished, and the Bloodline Fusion Degree increased at an increasingly slower rate.
Fortunately, he had an ample supply of the potion.
After consuming nearly forty bottles of "Potential Potion"...
Bloodline Fusion Degree: 100%
"It's done."
He had barely exhaled in relief and set down the empty bottle when a dazzling golden inscription suddenly appeared before his eyes:
(Human + Dragon) Bloodline Fusion Degree has reached 100%.
Performing diagnostics...
Acquired trait: Dragon Bloodline
Unlocked race: Dragon
(End of the Chapter)
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