Elydes Chapter 135: The Future

Chapter 135 - The Future

In little more than a month since he reached the peak of Orange and started his alchemy business, he had progressed nicely. More than nicely actually. Those numbers would make even Elijah give him a nod of approval.

Na: Kai TylennRace: Human 0 > 16,789 / 300,000 XPProfession: None

Body stats

Strength: 19>20Dexterity: 23Constitution: 25Mind: 28Spirit: 31>32Perception: 22Favor: 30>32

Skills:

Mana Sense (lv74>76)Mana Manipulation (lv60>64)Empower (lv59>64)Inspect (lv51>53)Blessed Swimr (lv43>44)Water Magic (lv41>44)Alchemy (lv42>44)Runes (lv38>40)Nature Magic (lv37>38)Swordsmanship Advanced (lv21>24)Herbology Advanced (lv30>34)Attuned ditation (lv12>14)Improvisation (lv4>8)Hallowed Intuition (lv2>4)

If pirates raided the town each week, I might make it to Yellow before fourteen.

The Guide never missed rewarding conflict. It left him with a sowhat sour taste, profiting from the death and misfortune of others.

Madly brewing large batches of potions also played its part. It hadnt been easy to get used to the rhythms and demands of an alchemy business, though his gains would have slowed down in a couple more weeks.

There was only so much he could learn by creating the sa potions over and over again. If nothing had happened, it would have beco an endless repetition of tedious recipes.

Beautiful boring days. You truly dont know what you have till you lose it. Now Im not even sure if I have a job.

Another day hadnt brought him any closer to the solution to his profession dilemma. There was no ti limit on the Guides offer, but he couldnt wait too long if he planned to use it to solve Viryas cube.

He had about ten months left on the mages tir, and a profession would take ti to level and grant more attributes. Kai wouldnt make the mistake of underestimating Viryas puzzles. It wasnt going to be easy even with a higher Mind stat.

The sooner I make a decision the better.

The mood in the market was surprisingly cheerful, though that quickly changed as he walked through the paved streets of poshtown. Sumr was in full swing, but the streets were emptier than he had ever seen them even in the off-season. Hardly any tourists could be spotted and foreign sailors were almost as rare. The few people he saw didnt seem to be enjoying themselves.

Poshtown, with its ostentatious appearance, had been hit the hardest. The signs of pillaging and destruction had been cleared with surprising efficiency, but not everything could be swept under the rug.

While the paved tiles of the main avenue had been scrubbed clean, most shops were closed, sporting panels of wood instead of glass to cover their large windows. So had people bustling inside to fix them, but they were in the minority. The store where he bought a painting of the Vastaire ruins on the opposite side of Yanlun had been torched, a husk of blackened wood with no sign of the owners coming back.

An enforcer stopped him halfway to the rchant district. Kai didnt need Improvisation to keep calm. Squads of officers were still sweeping the town in frenetic activity. This was already the third ti he was questioned today.

The woman in uniform didnt raise her gaze from her notebook. Did you see anything suspicious on the night of the accident?

Kai stifled a sigh. I dont know. It happened all so fast. What kind of suspicious?

People running in the wrong direction, hiding their faces or looking much calr when everyone else was panicking. The enforcers began listing. She had the curt and bored tone of soone who had repeated those sa words countless tis.

Kai kept to the rehashed story he had agreed with his family. Hed been coming back from playing in the fields when the accident happened. He ran back to his house where he found his parents and they all went to safety outside the town walls.

Speaking of the rebels would garner unwanted attention and risk exposing Flynn. Not that Kai knew much about the rebels' plans anyway. There hadn't been any official announcent yet, but it was clear the Republic knew of their involvent from what they asked.

With patience, Kai entertained the series of questions he'd already answered less than half an hour ago. He hoped the culprits would be brought to justice, but he wanted to stay as far away as possible from the investigation. The Republic was on a war footing, and he didnt want to get caught in the middle.

If you rember any detail or notice sothing suspicious you can report it to the first officer you see. The governor has offered a generous reward for any useful information a citizen can provide.

Having said her piece, the enforcer marched to question another passerby. The woman hadnt given him a glance throughout the whole conversation.

Hopefully, Zerith will figure it out.

Weirdly, Kai hadnt seen him yet. The man always seed to be everywhere, but he had disappeared since the raid.

Hes probably busy dealing with this ss.

Thank the spiritsand probably his FavorKai managed to reach the rchant district without getting stopped again. Streams of people filled the usually quiet neighborhood, with different groups of ard guards warily observing the street.

Many rchants employed private security for their residences. Kai heard this area had seen intense fighting during the raid. Located in the southern side of town, it managed to hold till the enforcers organized resistance to push the pirates back.

Reishis mansion stood proudly, looking unaffected by the attack, though the shiny gate didnt sparkle like a mirror this ti. Getting a hold of the rman had been surprisingly complicated. Hed already co by the day before but had been inford the rchant wasnt ho and politely sent away.

Waving at a servant carrying a package, Kai waited for soone with the authority to let him in. A minute later, the familiar butler with his pristine maroon uniform hurried towards him, giving him a short bow.

Master Kai, what a pleasant surprise, the man glanced at a silver pocket watch. We didnt expect you so soon. Master Reishi is currently busy, Im sure youll understand. Im afraid you might have to wait a while. Maybe you could co back later.

Its fine, Kai raised a hand to stop him. I dont mind waiting.

Of course, this way. The butler let him inside.

Is Reishi fine? Was he here during the raid?

Master Reishi is in good health, he is very busy dealing with the fallout of the raid. The man opened a door for him, stepping aside to let him pass. Were sowhat short-staffed at the mont, but dont hesitate to let know if there is anything I can do for you, Master Kai.

The butler made another short bow and was gone before Kai could add anything. He hadnt missed how the man only answered half his question.

Guess Ill just have to ask him.

He sat cross-legged on a plump couch. Strings of mana began weaving between his hands. He needed to catch up on his training. Getting kidnapped had thrown his schedule into chaos.

Better not to fall into bad habits.

Ti flew as he lost himself in creating mana constructs. Contrary to his previous visits, no servant ca to check on him. He didnt know if he should consider that rude, but he preferred not being interrupted.

It was about three hours later when the door finally opened, and Reishi walked inside carrying a pile of ledgers and papers in his arms.

Kai absorbed the mana of the three-layer structure he was working on, glad to see him safe and sound. The rman didnt realize he had company. He sat at his desk and began flipping through his docunts murmuring to himself in an unknown language.

Hello? Ive yet to learn how to turn myself invisible.

Reishi?

The rman jumped in his chair, letting out a small shriek. Fumbling with his pockets, he pointed a mat black stick towards him. Whatever it was, Kai noticed it was pulsing with many layers of enchantnts.

Just , Kai raised his hands in a peaceful sign.

And I didnt even intentionally scare him. What a scaredy-cat.

Kai? Reishi relaxed slightly, putting his black stick back into his pocket. What are you doing here?

I ca to see you? Kai watched him worriedly. I stopped by yesterday, but they told you didnt have any ti. Today I was told to wait here by your butler. Are you alright? He wasnt an expert in rfolk biology, but the orange crest on his head was flopping to the side and his blue scales looked a shade paler than usual.

Yeah, soone probably told . I must have forgotten. He straightened the pile of papers before him and continued sifting through them. Things have been pretty hectic after what happened, and the Republic had kept busy till yesterday. So, what did you want to talk about? Ive got a lot of work to do.

Kai took the seat across from him, leaning forward. Are you okay, okay?

I thought hed present with a twelve-step plan for the future of our business or ditch .

Im fine. Reishi waved him away.

Maybe you should take a small break.

I cant, one of my vessels has been stolen by those damn pirates, two warehouses were burned down, and I lost five employees. I need to finish sending compensation to their families yesterday. Then I need to check our stock and revise my plans. My employees need instructions and

Okay, hes definitely not fine. Maybe this is the first setback he suffered.

Youre going to take a break right now, Kai pulled a fold of papers away from him. Im sure your employees can survive an hour without you.

Give it back, Reishi demanded, pald hands vainly reaching over the desk.

Nope.

The rman glared at him. You know I can have you thrown out of my house with one word.

Then do it, because I wont leave until you take a break. Kai t his fuming gaze with firm determination.

Im almost sure he wont do it. That would be embarrassing.

As his eyes were starting to water, Reishi finally blinked and fell back in his chair. Fine! He marched to the red velvet couch and sat down, pouting like a moody teenager.

Sotis I forget hes still eighteen.

Kai called a servant to bring tea and took a seat across from him. His troubles about breaking the Second Seal could wait. Im always here if you need help or soone to talk to.

Do you know how to lead a business? Reishi grumbled.

I know enough and Im a fast learner.

The rman looked skeptical. He sighed deeply, sinking into the puffy couch. Thank you, but Ill figure it out. I started with a ship and one gold, it wont be a problem to rebuild.

With a knock, the butler ca in carrying a tray and left bowing after receiving one glance from Reishi.

Kai poured the spicy blend of green tea for both. Did sothing happen during the raid? Were you caught up in the fighting?

I was at my warehouse near the docks, we hid in a cloaked storage room, Reishi added three sugar cubes to his cup, slowly stirring.

That doesnt sound too bad.

We werent discovered until the very end. There was so kind of explosion and the enchantnts started to fail. I was sure we were going to die. I decided running out would give us a better chance.

Reishi stared blankly at his tea. When we ca out, I almost thought that soone had cast an illusion. The place had been completely razed to the ground. There was nothing left. Just ashes and burnt corpses. Except for two people fighting each other.

Pirates?

I think one of them was a pirate captain, while the other was an enforcer. I tried to help him, but it didnt make much of a difference.

Kai had thought the Republic had simply waited for the raiders to leave. It was a bit surprising to discover they fought so hard to push them back.

So the enforcer won? If Reishi was safely sitting before him after all.

He did, the rman took a sip. But he also died from his injuries. He saved my life and I couldnt help him. I tried everything I had, but I Maybe if I had co out sooner, I couldve made a difference

Kai found his mouth completely dry. He had to force the words out of his throat. Who was the enforcer?

The captain of the garrison, I think his na was Zerith.

Why him? Why couldnt it be another naless officer?

Reishi looked at him. Did you know him?

I t him a few tis. Kai entrusted himself to Improvisation, he didnt want to make the rman feel worse.

Zerith was one of the first people he t in Sylspring. Always popping up with his ridiculous excuses each ti he visited. Eccentric and more than a bit nosy, but still a reassuring presence.

He had helped him during the selection on his first visit. The man had imdiately figured out that he was downplaying his skills, but the Republic had never co to bother him over that.

Thinking back, after his teachers had left, the enforcers barely questioned him. He thought Elijah was to credit, but the Republic could probably have bothered him much more if they wanted.

I should have trusted him more. Now its too late.

They had never been particularly close, but the captain had beco one of the constants of his life. One of the few he had remaining.

Kai. Are you listening to ? Reishi raised his voice.

Yes, sorry. I was just lost in my thoughts for a mont. What were you saying?

I asked if you needed my help. Or did you only co to check on ?

Oh, yes. Kai smiled with Improvisation. I also wanted to ask you about what you wanted to do with our business. If you want to cut your losses, I understand.

I cant believe I didnt inform you sooner, Im sorry, Reishi moved a hand over his eyes. Perhaps Im actually too tired. We might need to reassess our strategy, but no, I want to continue. Selling only in Sylspring might be a problem, so Ill need so ti to decide how to proceed.

Yay, Ive not been fired.

Unless you want to stop? Reishi probed. I can void our contract if you want to do sothing different.

Kai hid his surprise. No, its fine. Take all the ti you need. I also need a break to reassess my plans.

The rman smiled at the news. Was there anything else? Taking a break with you was nice, but I have a lot of work to do.

There is one thing its a bit personal. Kai glanced at the door.

No one can hear anything when the door is closed. Im happy to help if I can.

Gathering his thoughts, Kai described his dilemma. He explained most of his reasoning, except Viryas cube. The rman never tried to pry when he skipped over details.

How much worse would my profession be if I took one right now?

Reishi had almost managed to hide his surprise completely, though his blue eyes peered at him with noticeable intensity after his revelations. Well, I cant say for sure. It would depend on what you do in these last two and a half years, but it will probably be significant.

I shouldnt do it then? His head hung low.

At least I have my answer, even if its not the one I hoped for.

As long as you stop trying to get yourself killed, that would be the better choice Reishi scolded him. You shouldnt be so reckless with your life.

Not you too!

I dont intentionally look for trouble.

Well, if it finds you so often, there must be a reason, the rman pointed out, biting his lip. There is also another possibility to solve your problem.

"Really, what? Kai perked up.

Reishi hesitated. Like with skills, profession can also be discarded.

That seed like sothing that should be common information, he frowned. Why did nobody tell that before?

Because nobody does it. Abandoning your profession is often fatal, and always dangerous. Who wants to erase all their efforts anyway?

The warnings fell on deaf ears, the only thing Kai could see was a third path opening before him. Hed need to consider it carefully, but this would take care of his biggest concern.

If the Guide allows it, its possible to survive without permanent damage, right?

Reishi sighed like he already regretted his words.