Emperor's Reckoning

The third floor of the pill store was bright by a wild white flame that continuously flared. Stood in the middle was a young man not older than twenty years old but his focus surpassed those of his peers by miles away.

The elder of Alchemy Union, Elise, couldn't help but gulped her saliva at the sight of such soul flame. (No mistake, that flame has to be the same one described in the ancient book!) thought Elise as she tried to jolt her memories to gain deeper memories.

She bit her little thumb as she appeared agitated. (Shit, I forgot its story! I need to go back to the Alchemy Union later, hopefully, the book is still there. Damn it! I thought it was only a fairy tale!) thought Elise.

When she was in the Alchemy Union she stumbled upon an old book that covered in dust. It was placed in the hidden archives that only an elder rank and above can access. The book was worn by time and not a single person ever borrowed the said book. It was out of curiosity that she read the book, only to realize that it was a fairy tale for children.

She didn't dare to bring it up against the leader of the Alchemy Union since the person was really mysterious, she never even met the person face to face since the person was never around the union. Even the office was not accessible to those with a higher rank than hers.

She did ever bring it up to her seniors but they only shrugged and eventually told her not to think about it since it's a waste of time, but now.

Lyon casually waved his hand as the white flame instantly reduced into nothingness in a blink of an eye. It was no doubt that despite the wild look, the soul flame was tame to its master.

The young man quickly regain his smug attitude as he said, 'Well, what do you think?"

Elise took a deep breath before replying, "Yes, your soul flame is the first type that I cannot recognize in a glance."

"However, don't be too confident less it would become arrogance. Your soul flame is still at its basic form, the lowest level, so-?!" Elise held her words in her tongue as she just realized something crucial.

There was an undeniable fact that lies in front of her. The true reason why Rowland called it a miracle art. It wasn't about the size nor the brightness, but the reality that Lyon made a second-grade pill with a first-level soul flame. The impossible feat that many alchemists could only dream was realized.

"Hmm? What's wrong miss Elise?" asked Lyon seeing her stop in the middle of her speech.

His voice woke her up from her stupor before she fake-coughing to regain her composure.

"Lyon, what technique did you use to make the pill?" asked Elise. (There are indeed a few techniques that allowed the alchemist to a produced higher grade than their own soul flame level but never the one hundred percent one, the product would only be seventy percent stable at best).

(Furthermore, that was only a theory in a book. Never have I seen an alchemist that even managed to do that feat, not to mention what this wonder boy just did. The technique was complicated and harsh to learn, even me and my peers couldn't do more than twenty percent at best).

"Hmm? I never think about it before," said Lyon while rubbing his chin.

His answer brought confusion to the beautiful elder before Lyon continued, "How about, Flamebait? or Coiling Dragon?"

Elise couldn't help but twitched her mouth. (So this boy is really an amateur, no even worse, he is just a beginner who only did alchemist art one time).

She knew Lyon was not faking it because there was no reason to do so. Even if she pressed the matter, he wouldn't answer because he never knew what the answer to begin with.

Elise sighed before averting her gaze toward Rowland, "You won't find any luck selling this pill here in this world, the people wouldn't have enough beads to buy it from you."

"That is correct elder, selling this item here would be like selling a bar of gold to a beggar. I'm a merchant, I have a connection with the Treas family famous for their auction," said Rowlan proudly.

"Hmm, an auction? You are planning to auction this pill?" asked Elise with slight curiosity.

"That is correct elder, I am planning to auction this pill. Since you have it certified for this lowly one, then the Treas family wouldn't question its validity. Alchemy Union weight as much as diamonds, they wouldn't dare to offend you. Of course, I wouldn't auction it in this world either."

Hearing his indirect praises, Elise couldn't help but put on a high air as she lifted up her cute nose. "Fine, do as you will, you are a better merchant than I am anyway."

"Hahaha, you are praising me too much. In the near future, I would be replaced by this nephew of mine, his sharp thinking almost reminds me of my youth," said Rowland as he laughed beside Lyon. (No, to be more precise, his thinking was more evil and wicked, surely he would have beads as breakfast in the future!).

If Lyon could hear what he was thinking then he would be reminded of that horrible memory where he actually, literally, ate a top-grade cultivation bead.

"Hmm, maybe, but who knows what the future be, anyway, my job here is done, I should get back to the Alchemy Union," said Elise while she turned around and waved her hand.

"Wait!" shouted Lyon from behind.

"Hmm, what is it?" replied Elise as she faced Lyon.

Lyon pointed his finger toward a fainted old man on the floor before saying, "What about this old man?"

"No matter, he is not a student anymore, oh don't worry, he won't take revenge, just say my name," said Elise as she turned around once again.

"Let's meet again boy, next time, in the Alchemy Union."