Abel felt uneasy whilst traveling towards the elven alchemist union with Master Mara. The nerves were getting to him as he constantly thought about the mission Ms. Carrie had mentioned to him
“Don’t worry, Master Bennett. You’ve already passed the review. You’re just following the rules and getting proof that you are a proper alchemist master!” thinking that Abel was worried about being questioned at the guild, Master Mara tried to comfort Abel.
After hearing Master Mara’s consolation, he forced a smile out. He wasn’t worried about the guild. Compared to Ms. Carrie’s mission, the guild was a piece of cake.
Upon entering the grey-white building of the elven alchemist union, Abel felt the stares of the surrounding elves. Every so often, an elf came forward to greet Ms. Mara, and all of them stared at Abel with questioning eyes.
Being stared at like a zoo animal made Abel feel uncomfortable. Master Mara noticed and laughed: “The Elven alchemist union hadn’t given out an honorary master to an alchemist for years. Plus, you’re really young. It’s no wonder they are curious. Naturally, after you receive the medallion proving you’re a master alchemist, they will give you more respect.”
Before they knew it, they had arrived in the middle of the hall in the guild. A pretty elven receptionist bowed as they arrived: “Welcome, Master Mara!”
“Please let it know that Master Bennett was here to collect his master’s certificate!” Master Mara replies with a nod and smile.
“My Spirits, you’re Master Bennet!” the elven receptionist exclaimed. Thankfully she covered her mouth, suppressing her excitement. Otherwise, the whole guild would’ve been alerted to his presence.
“Yep, that’s me!” Abel was confused at her excitement, replying with a polite nod.
“Master Bennett, when will you start selling your skin lotion and conditioner?” The receptionist asked after a pause.
“Hurry up! We don’t have all day!” Master Mara said with a heavy tone.
“Sorry, sorry! Right away, Master Mara!” the receptionist bowed apologetically and ran into the passage behind her.
“Master Bennett, now you know how popular your skin lotion and conditioner is with the female elves!” Master Mara said with a laugh after the receptionist had gone a distance.
Abel forced out another smile after hearing that. If the blacksmith’s at the blacksmith union heard that the master blacksmith had become a master at producing beauty products, surely the response won’t be good.
“Master Mara! and this must be Master Bennett. Please, come in!” a female elf said with a bow. A female advanced alchemist paced over and did a one-handed bow. Then, she brought out a gift after drawing a rune in the air.
“Master Bennett, this is advanced alchemist Ernest, the elf’s best alchemist!” Master Mara whispered to Abel.
“Master Bennett, can you sell me some of your skin lotion and conditioner?” the elf leading the way, Ernest, slowed down and asked in a pleading tone.
“Thanks for your compliments, advanced alchemist Ernest. I brought some today to share as a gift,” Abel replied, smiling.
“That’s great! Please go in! We’ll talk more later.” advanced alchemist Ernest said with a large smile on her face as she invited Master Mara and Abel into a guest room.
“Master Alfred, why are you here?” Master Mara said to a smiling old elf in the room.
“Long time no see, Master Mara!” Master Alfred greeted Master Mara the alchemist way with a smile on his face.
“Master Alfred, this is Master Bennett!” Master Mara greeted back and introduced him to Abel.
“Master Bennett, your Elven perfume possesses mysterious powers. Crafting unordinary potions with ordinary ingredients, what a sight!” Master Alfred looked at young Abel, thoroughly impressed
“You’re overstating my accomplishments, Master Alfred. It’s nothing, really. I’m only a novice in alchemy, learning as I go. I need a mentor like you to show me the ropes!” Abel could feel the immense power radiating from the old elf, and replied with a bow respectfully.
“Please, don’t sell yourself short Master Bennet. Let me introduce you to everyone here. They were going to leave after the review, but they insisted on meeting you before they left!” Master Alfred said with a smile.
Master Alfred introduced the advanced alchemists in the room to Abel. There were 3 males and 3 females. The last advanced alchemist, Ernest hadn’t replied to the greeting of Abel, but instead gave him an intense look.
“I have to let you know, Master Bennet. I was against the passing of your review. I do not recognize your alchemy skills.” advanced alchemist Ernest said with piercing eyes.
“Advanced alchemist Ernest. I was completely alone on the path of alchemy Without a mentor, I was going in blind. I am not aware of how good my alchemy skills are. This honorary master had also been registered by Master Mara!” Abel replied honestly, not denying the claims of Advanced Alchemist Ernest.
“You’re selling yourself short again, Master Bennett. After being strongly affected by the way you performed alchemy, so I registered you without your permission!” Master Mara said with a smile.
“Master Bennet, you mentioned that you had no mentor?” Master Alfred asked surprisingly.
“Yes, Master Alfred. I was enlightened by Countess Loraine.” Abel said with nothing to hide.
“What a waste!” Master Alfred mumbled. Had he met Abel before, he could’ve taken him under his wing. Alas, it was too late. Even if he was better he couldn’t accept someone of the same rank as a disciple.
“How about this, Master Bennett. Demonstrate your crafting. Just the main process, you can skip the last “sublimation”(spell for brewing potion) step,” suggested Master Mara. She thought of the day that Abel had touched her emotionally in the mansion.
“Not a bad idea!” Master Alfred said, clapping. He was also curious about the bar set by Master Mara that triggered her to voluntarily register Abel to be a master.
Of course, the Advanced alchemists present had not objected. This was a rare opportunity to see the famous master alchemist do his craft.
Abel saw the excitement of the faces of the elves, and said, shaking his head with a smile: “Since Master Mara said so, I’ll try to not embarrass myself!”The humility that Abel possesses was not usual in the Holy Continent, no matter human or elf. However, the elves present had felt his humble and respectful attitude.
“What to do…”Abel thought. How about the method that I tried this morning!
“Advanced Alchemist Ernest, can I have 2 sets of potion crafting apparatus and 2 sets of ingredients for elven perfumes!” as it was the request of advanced alchemist Ernest, Abel had directed his request to them.
Advanced Alchemist Ernest took about 2 apparatus from the cupboards underneath the alchemy stands and had also set up the ingredients for the elven perfume. They then bowed and said: “It’s ready, Master Bennett.”
“Thanks,” Abel replied with a slight bow.
In front of the alchemy stand, Abel took a deep breath. He placed a flask in front of him using his left hand, then inserted it into it was the same ingredient from the 2 sets of materials for the perfume. He then repeats the same motion with his right hand, though slightly slower than his left.
The elves present were stunned by Abel’s performance, utilizing both his left and right hands, constantly chanting spells. 10 or so ingredients, 2 crafts were completed in mere minutes.