Rise Of The Infinite Sovereign-Chapter 377: Lordim Kelan

With fast steps, Ezra returns to the AlphaNova base, where he finds Sidal seated alone.

Looking around, Sidal answers his unasked question. "He’s on his way"

"Okay" Ezra takes a seat and both men await the arrival of the alchemist.

Three minutes later, a man that looked to be in his forties came into their sights, with a walking cane in hand, he took each step with deliberation. Wearing a blue suit, this man’s white skin and a white beard lay prominent, while his eyes lay obscured by black spectacles. His height was on the lower side, being shorter than Sidal.

Walking beside him was a teenage boy with black hair and brown eyes, holding a fairly large bag, similar to his master, he was also short.

Rising to his feet, Sidal welcomes them and leads them to his office, while Ezra walks behind.

A minute later, they were all seated in Sidal’s office. Well, the master alchemist’s attendant remained standing beside him.

Seated and now secure, the master alchemist let out a breath, before touching a ring on his finger and subsequently changing his appearance.

His clear white skin turned to a light shade of brown, revealing small cuts and burns on his left palm as his bloated body thinned. His beard turned black, his ears elongated before he then removed the black spectacles to reveal light green eyes.

This is Lordim Kelan, an Elf and most importantly, the Master Alchemist they’d been waiting for. The

Ezra’s eyes shone. ’So. This is what the Master Alchemist looks like...Zydrax said elves are usually tall with white skin, so he should be a Half-elf. By the way, what kind of artifact is that ring?’

"Mr. Sidal, it has been quite long time since we last met, hasn’t it"

His tone was brutish yet soft, fitting a dwarf more than an elf.

"Yes it has" Sidal concurred.

Lordim then turns to Ezra. "Then, you must be Mr. Sylvester. It’s a pleasure to meet you"

"Likewise. It’s a pleasure to meet you"

"Thank you" Lordim turns to Sidal. Getting right into business. "Now, when can I see the astral blood you boasted about so much?"

"Mr. Sylvester" Sidal gestured to Ezra.

"Of course"

Activating <Absolute Induction>, Ezra had the container materialize in front of them, much to Lordim’s surprise.

"That’s an incredible ability. Where do you hail from?" Lordim questioned.

"It doesn’t matter anymore" Ezra waved away the question and made a sad expression.

"Ah, I see" Lordim gave up on such curiosity and instead stood to open the container.

Only one problem.

Lordim was shorter than the container, so he could only struggle, unable to open the container.

The sight almost was both comical and pitiful at the same time, both Sidal and Ezra had to manage their facial expression to hold back their laughter.

After a whole minute of this, Lordim suddenly turns to his attendant.

"Brat! Don’t just stand there, come here and help me with this!"

Spooked, the attendant hastily sets down the bag, quickly reaching Lordim to open the container.

With the attendant joining, it opened on the first try, stunning Lordim who cleared his throat and scooped up the astral blood into a tube to confirm its authenticity.

"Well I’ll be damned. It’s real!" he exclaimed.

"I told you so ten times" Sidal replied.

"So what? Did you really expect me to believe that ridiculous story?"

"Well? Do you believe it now?" Sidal questioned.

"Whooo...unbelievable" he exclaimed a second time. "I’ll do it. You have a deal"

"As we agreed, the cost of hiring is also reduced, yes?"

"Yes. I always keep my word" Lordim nodded with a serious expression, turning to Ezra who simply watched over the procession in silence.

"So it was true" Lordim muttered. "You, Mr. Sylvester-

"Call me Silver Star"

"Silver Star, you’re the one who killed the astral beast?"

"What of it?"

"It’s heart" he said. "Do you have the heart? It’s intact"

"I have it. What of it?"

Lordim lowered his head, shocking everyone else in the room.

"Please sell it to me"

"I’m not in need of money" Ezra shook his head. In exchange with a master alchemist, money was the worst thing to ask for.

"Then, what do you want to exchange it for?"

"I don’t understand. Why do you need it so much?" Ezra replied.

"I-

"Raise your head up before you reply"

The alchemist raised his head, meeting Ezra’s gaze with unwavering eyes. "I need it to complete a potion I’ve been working on"

"I see, then this is quite the encounter. What do I get in return?"

Lordim replied instantly. "I will give you the potion once completed"

"You want to give the heart of an astral beast for a potion whose creation is not yet guaranteed? Don’t you feel that your offer is a little too lacking?"

"Then what do you want?" Lordim asked, annoyance written all over his face.

Ezra pointed at Lordim. "You"

"What?" Lordim was perplexed at first, before assessing the meaning of those words.

The tension in the atmosphere was palatable.

"Silver Star. No matter what, I will not join any organization"

Lordim spoke with a deep tone, making his stance clear.

But Ezra didn’t miss the desperation concealed within, mentally grinning at the sudden appearance of a massive opportunity.

’I can use this’

Shaking his head slightly, he replied, his voice as calm as clear water. "I’m not asking you to"

"What? Then...?"

"I want you to grant me your services twenty times free of charge and prioritize my orders in the future even after all twenty chances are depleted"

"That much is doable" Lordim readily agreed.

’I should’ve said thirty times’ Ezra reflected, but the proposal had already been made.

"Additionally, I want you to groom ten people of my choosing into alchemists for me"

"That’s too much" he shook his head.

"You can’t do it?" Ezra inquired.

In response, Lordim spread his palm.

"Five people. I can’t do more than that" he replied. "But no matter what, if they don’t meet my standards, I won’t accept them"

"Deal"

"Then I will-

"Wait, why the rush? I have one more request"

Lordim popped a vein, furrowing his thin brows. "Don’t you think you’re going too far?"

"Calm down. It’s nothing disadvantageous for you either" Ezra remarked. "You have connections with many clans, right?"

"Yes"

"Next time you get wind of a realm expedition, use your connections to get a recommendation for me to join them. In return, I’ll split the treasures I find inside with you"

"Hmm..." Lordim held his chin.

"I already killed an astral beast, do you still doubt my strength?"

Lordim’s eyes let off a glint, having had his thoughts read. "Fine, I will do that"

"I’m very thankful for your generosity" Ezra smiled.

"What generosity?! This is plain extortion!"

"What are you talking about? This is simply fair trade, or does Mr. Lordim not think the heart of an astral beast is not even worth this much?"

"Humph!" he snorted. Muttering, "This is pure extortion"

"What was that?"

"It’s nothing"

"Hmm, it seems Mr. Lordim is rather dissatisfied. Would you rather not have this trade?"

"Dissatisfied? Who? Me? No, not at all. I am p-p-perfectly satisfied"

"Is that so? I’m thankful"

Caught in Ezra’s smooth talk, the master alchemist found himself with no way to refute, facing the same situation a particular red dragon had faced just days prior.

But for the sake of securing a possibility of advancement, Lordim would swallow his discontent and take the deal.

"Mr. Sidal" Ezra called.

"Yes" Sidal replied.

"Please write up a contract regarding the details we just spoke about"

Nodding, Sidal excused himself and exited.

"So, where is the heart?"

"Easy now" said Ezra. "You will get it once the contract is signed. Before that, the potion you intend to create? What does it do?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I’m simply curious"

"Then forget it"

"Should we cancel the trade?"

"You bastard!" Lordim fumed. "Keep threatening me and I might really cancel it!"

’No you won’t’ Ezra thought, almost rolling his eyes.

"So what does it do?"

"This damnable fellow..." Lordim felt so helpless it was almost pitiful.

"Do elves usually curse this much?" Ezra blurted.

"I’m half dwarf"

"Oh!" Ezra remarked. "That explains a lot"

Veins popped on Lordim’s head. Why did that sound so insulting?

"You still haven’t answered my question"

Lordim replied with a glare full of fury, but Ezra didn’t even blink.

"Sigh...It supposed to grants the user a regenerative ability, or increase the potency of the regenerative ability of any Transcendent and strengthen their elemental affinity"

Ezra froze. His mind worked out the implications of such a potion. ’Hoo...Master Alchemist really are different’

"Then-

"If you try to suggest that I hand that over as well, I will have to no choice but to cancel this trade"

Lardim cut Ezra off with a glare full of killing intent.

’That gaze...he’s serious’ Ezra assessed. ’Did I go too far?’

"There you are, jumping to conclusions again" Ezra spoke, utilizing his silver tongue. "Why do you think I was going to say that?"

"Humph" Lardim snorted in response.

"Don’t worry, next time I kill an astral beast. I’d like you to make one for me"

"Ha. Do you think astral beasts are easy to kill simply because you got lucky this time?"

The Master Alchemist let his disdain be known, releasing his energy outwardly as his gaze turned cold.

’This much energy...so he’s a rank five Transcendent’ Ezra’s eyes simmered. At the same time, he noticed something strange, ’His energy is noticeably higher than mine, yet...I don’t feel any threat from him’

"Young man, you should have respect for the strong. Simply because you got lucky, you now think killing an astral beast is easy?" Lardim’s voice boomed.

In response, Ezra released his own energy, materializing as white in colour to push back Lardim’s pale blue energy.

Lardim’s eyes shrunk at the sight, visibly alarmed. ’This...! How does a rank three Transcendent have such pure energy?’

Ezra’s voice broke his reverie.

"Who are you to judge me?"

Right at this moment-

*Cough*Cough*

The attendant started coughing blood.

"Virden!"

Alarmed, Lordim hurriedly withdrew his energy and rushed to the side of his apprentice.

Ezra withdrew his energy as well, watching as Lordim laid his apprentice on the chair.

Undoing his disguise, his hair turned white and his ears elongated, but his skin colour remained the same.

’So he’s also an Elf’ Ezra thought. "Is he okay?"

"It’s just a few minor injuries, he’ll be fine" Lordim replied, sighing. "This is all because I got unnecessarily worked up"

"It’s also my fault for saying such provoking words"

Lordim simply let off a breath, shaking his head in dismay all while looking over his apprentice. "The astral beast you met was most probably one of the weakest ones. From now on, those you will meet will be many times stronger. Take caution"

"Then, I will simply get stronger as well" Ezra responded. "So answer me. The next time I kill an astral beast, will you make that regenerative potion for me?"

"Sigh...sure" Lardim concurred. Amused.

"You’ll do it for free, yes? And it’s not part of the twenty slots for free services, right?"

Letting off a small chuckle, Lordim replied. "Sure"

If astral beasts were so easily killed, would he be so desperate for the astral beast heart?

Honestly, Lordim couldn’t understand why he’d flared up over the words of someone he didn’t even know and even gone as far as to offer him advice.

But it mattered not, time would tell whether the boy’s words were either out of arrogance or confidence.

At this point in time, the door creaked as Sidal entered his office.

Feeling the residue of their energy, he couldn’t help looking at both parties suspiciously.

"What did you do?" he asked.

"Nothing much, we simply decided to test our strengths"

Sidal nodded, though he didn’t completely believe them.

They all sit and Sidal sends Lordim and Ezra digital copies of the drafted contract.

"Sidal"

"Yes?"

"Change this to thirty" Ezra replied, highlighting the clause stating the number of free orders.

"Are you serious?" As expected, Lordim flared.

"It’s just twenty and thirty, what’s the difference?"

"What’s the difference? Why don’t you leave it at twenty then?"

"Because I feel thirty is better"

"Really?"

"Really" Ezra concurred with a smile.

With Sidal mediating to hasten the process, it was raised to twenty five.

This was the only change.

Afterwards, things proceeded quickly with both parties signing the contract.

Right afterwards, Sidal brought a second contract, the original contract containing the reason as to why Lordim came here in the first place.

"So, how long will it take you to convert all that astral blood into top-tier elixirs?"

"Firstly, you need to understand there are two methods to making elixirs when it’s of very large quantity" Lordim explained.

"I can refine the blood all at once by pouring in all the ingredients at once before refining. With this method, it would take only three months to refine all of it, with at least fifteen top-tier elixirs guaranteed"

"On the other hand, I can split the ingredients and the blood into segments and refine them separately. This takes much longer, it would take at least five months to refine all of it, six if I’m being thorough. But on the other hand, I guarantee at least forty astral elixirs through this method"

’Forty elixirs!’ Ezra cheered at the odds.

"Mr. Sylvester, what do you think?" Sidal replied.

"Mr. Lardim. What about the cost difference?"

"For the first method, twenty million will do. The second method will require more ingredients, so thirty million at least"

"Using the second method, can you prepare three top-tier elixirs in three months?"

"Of course"

"Alright. Firstly, I want you to be as thorough as possible, prioritize making as many elixirs as you can"

"Then, it’s going to be impossible to finish refining all of it in five months. I’ll need at least six to eight months, and a lot more ingredients to"

"How much?"

"Forty-five million but I can work with forty million"

"Alright" Ezra nodded. "But we need to have at least three elixirs ready in three months"

"I can do that" Lardim confirmed.

"Then it’s settled. I suppose this concludes our deal"