rian smiled slightly under the lamp, with a hint of shyness: "I will continue to improve the formula’s stability to ensure long-term storage won’t lose activity."
Louis nodded in affirmation: "These can be directly produced in batches. Set up production lines, establish quality control and tracking systems, prioritize supplies for the front line and rescue units."
He withdrew his gaze, eyes showing unprecedented approval, "Excellent, now we have both smarter interrogation tools and supplies that sustain combat power at the rear."
Finally, rian slowly opened the sealed silver-gray box.
Cold air escaped from the cracks, pale blue vines writhing in the soft light, their sap shimring like ice crystals.
The temperature in the air seed to plumt, even the light from the lamps took on a chill.
"Frost Leaf Vine." He whispered, his tone almost like a chant, "The sap it secretes can stabilize magic power fluctuations, suppressing mania and anger. In the Northern Territory, it is one of the most precious resources, and to think Red Tide would cultivate so many."
rian took out a thin-necked bottle, the liquid inside gleaming in the light with a soft blue-white glow.
"This is Frost Leaf Calming Potion. When aerosolized, it can quickly create a calming field, letting agitated magical beasts swiftly calm down and suppress the group rage effect."
rian placed the bottle on a tray, and then took out a syringe slightly thicker than a finger, its needle wrapped in fine silver thread, the liquid inside glimring with a crystalline blue sheen.
"And this is the enhanced injection agent, Frost Heart Control Needle." He paused for a mont, looking up at Louis.
"Used in conjunction with the Breath Charm and the miniature soundfield inducer, it can amplify the compliance effect after injection, making controlled beasts obey commands and act stably for a limited ti."
He signaled for the assistant to prepare a demonstration.
The isolation cover descended, and a young magical beast was fixed on a transparent platform, trembling slightly.
rian operated the syringe, slowly injecting half a tube of the agent into the beast’s neck, then attached a thin tal charm between its fur.
As the inducer next to it started, slight ripples arose in the air.
The young beast’s breathing gradually steadied, the fear in its eyes receding, replaced by an eerie calm.
It obediently crouched down as if guided by an invisible will.
"After injection and inducer use, beasts enter a controlled training window." rian’s tone remained restrained.
"Aggressiveness is suppressed, and the ability to learn and respond to specific commands is significantly enhanced. The drug effect lasts for about an hour without causing organ burdens."
Louis approached to observe, his gaze gliding over the still young beast, his tone low: "This not only reduces casualties but also allows us to directly enlist magical beasts for combat.
If controllable taming units are established at the front line, the mobility of the Red Tide Legion will be greatly enhanced."
Louis looked at the cald young beast, the corners of his lips slightly raised: "Well done, rian. Your results far exceed expectations."
For a mont, rian didn’t know how to respond, only bowing his head in slight awkwardness.
Suddenly Louis inquired: "Could you suppose if this agent were used on larger magical beasts, like Frost Giants?"
rian hesitated, remaining silent for several seconds before cautiously responding: "Theoretically... yes, but no one has tried. The dose may need to be amplified tenfold, and the inducer field also enhanced, otherwise it’s hard to cover such a size. Highly risky."
Louis chuckled, a chilling mirth in his smile: "Then let’s try it."
rian’s complexion slightly changed, timidly murmuring: "But... there’s no sample of a Frost Giant here, without physical experintation..."
"There will be in a while." Louis interrupted him.
rian was stunned and hadn’t fully understood the young lord’s aning.
Louis then diverted the conversation: "Apart from these, are there any other results?"
"Temporarily... no." rian instinctively shook his head, then hastily added, "But I have several concepts.
Like the Inspirational Detection Insignia, made from the spiritual factors of Shadow Moss, it can detect lurking magic power waves. Also, the Cold Breath Charm, treated by cold extraction from the Fire-Scaled Viper’s venom gland, can suppress magic energy burning."
He paused, his voice slightly trembling: "These are still just prototypes, but if given a few more months, Red Tide’s alchemy system will be completely different."
Louis silently scanned the neatly arranged bottles and lights on the lab table; in just a month, this alchemist had produced such results.
He quietly said: "Excellent, rian. You’ve turned waste into wealth."
Louis raised his hand, and the attendant behind him carried a heavy wooden box. When the lid opened, the gleam of gold coins shimred under the light. It weighed several thousand pieces.
"This is your reward." Louis calmly said, "Your research has enough impact to change Red Tide’s dynamics."
rian’s eyes widened, evidently never having seen such an amount of money.
Having been confined in the laboratory since childhood, he almost didn’t understand the significance of these gold coins, yet he knew it was a substantial grace.
He promptly knelt to bow: "Thank, my lord... thank you!"
Louis extended his hand to lift him up, his voice still calm: "You don’t need to. Just continue doing what you excel at."
After Louis left, the laboratory returned to tranquility.
rian was still sowhat dazed, as if not completely recovered.
Until the assistant softly reminded him, he returned to his senses, exhaling.
He glanced at the box shining with gold, suddenly saying to the several alchemy apprentices beside him: "Each of you, take a handful of gold coins."
The air imdiately reverberated with a series of gasps.
The apprentices exchanged glances, then extre shock appeared on their faces.
These were real gold coins, nearly equivalent to their salaries over several years.
Once confird rian wasn’t joking, fiery enthusiasm glead in the young apprentices’ eyes.
They almost rashly but excitedly lunged at the wooden box, each grabbing a large handful of gold coins, unwilling to let go despite what they couldn’t hold.
The room filled with laughter and exclamations, the entire laboratory bathed in warmth and bustle by the gold’s glow.
The apprentices reverently bowed to rian, their words full of respect and gratitude.
Soone even teared up, repeatedly thanking him.
Watching their sincere joy, rian felt a rare sense of satisfaction flood his heart.
This feeling of respect and trust had never been present in the Green Tide Guild.
That night, he personally carried the box of gold coins back to his dwelling, a small three-story house close to the workshop.
Moonlight slanted in through the window, reflecting on the box’s golden glow, dazzling him.
rian carefully placed the box in a corner of the room, sitting on the bed’s edge, watching the flickering light.
He actually didn’t know the true purpose of the gold coins, but understood in his heart that it’s sothing belonging to him.
The respect, reward, and warmth here were things the Green Tide Guild could never offer him.
Red Tide City, this barren land of the Northern Territory, was far better than the Federation.
rian finally felt he might genuinely find peace.
......
The next day’s morning fog had yet to dissipate.
rian awoke to a knock at the door, a servant respectfully informing, "Sir, Lord Louis requests your presence in the outer district."
He hurriedly donned his coat, following the attendant to board the carriage.
The wheels rolled over the stone path, producing a deep grinding noise. Along the way, the street scene gradually shifted from orderly comrcial zones to desolate military zones, the cold wind howling, the air tinged with scents of blood and snow.
When the carriage halted, he found himself standing in a vast open area in the outer district of Red Tide Territory.
A training ground enclosed with iron fences.
rian instinctively hugged his notes, raising his head, instantly stunned.
In that field of white, dozens of Frost Giants were bound by thick chains, rings embedded in their flesh, lined up in neat rows.
Each standing several ters tall, eyes flickering with dull and suppressed light, occasionally emitting faint roars from deep within their throats, mixed with tallic friction sounds.
rian’s mind went blank, last night’s phrase "There will be in a while" echoed in his ears.
He gazed at this astonishing scene, never imagining such words would co true in just one night.
The row of towering shadows made him question reality.
Just what kind of person Louis was, and what sort of power could capture dozens of Frost Giants overnight.
The cold wind brushed against his cheeks, his fingertips trembling gently.
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