Young Alchemist

Enzo glanced at the unconscious leader of the Crimson Serpents and decided he might as well sign a master-servant contract with him as he had done with Mikell, the leader of the sewer rats. Enzo approached the unconscious leader of the Crimson Serpents, a smirk playing on his lips. He pulled out a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid and uncorked it.

"This should do the trick," he muttered, tipping a few drops into the man's mouth.

The leader's eyes fluttered open, confusion evident in his gaze. Before he could fully regain his senses, Enzo's hand shot out, gripping the man's chin firmly.

"Listen carefully," Enzo said, his voice low and commanding. "You're going to sign a contract for me. I know, I'm generous for not killing you."

With an innocent smile on his face, Enzo finished, "No need to thank me."

The leader's eyes widened in recognition, but before he could protest, out of the corner of his eye he saw Young Miss Sophia's unconscious body sprawled on the floor. The man's resistance crumbled, replaced by a terrified expression.

"Good," Enzo purred. He produced a scroll, unfurling it with a flourish. "Now, let's make this official."

As the leader signed his name in blood, Enzo felt a surge of satisfaction. Another piece had fallen into his hands.

"Excellent work," he said, rolling up the scroll. "Now, tell me everything you know about your superiors in the Crimson Serpents and the descendants."

The leader's words tumbled out in a rush, spilling secrets about the Crimson Serpents and the existence of something Enzo had started to suspect since he saw the special envelope in the safe.

"You're saying that the Bayloff family is secretly in charge of the Crimson Serpants? That 'Viper', the rumored leader of the Crimson Serpents, is just a puppet for them?"

"Yes, sir." The leader said, inclining his head. "It's a known secret among us branch leaders and our superiors. But no one under us is to be told, for if the government were to find out, they might not look as kindly on the Bayloff family as they do now."

When the leader finished, Enzo nodded. "You've been very helpful. Now, forget this conversation ever happened. Act like nothing changes if we come into contact again; act as you would as the leader of this branch of the Crimson Serpents."

With a wave of his hand, Enzo stood, brushing off his clothes and surveying the room.

He grabbed the unconscious Sophia and tucked her under one of his arms as he ran out of the room.

While running, he pulled out his phone and scrolled through a list of names until he pressed a certain number.

Ring!

Ring!

"Yes, this is the Country Z special forces offices; how may I help you?"

"Pax, what's up, man? Remember Enzo from college? Boy, I have a story for you!"

====

Ari diligently stirred the mixture, controlling her alchemical flame under the cauldron.

Every few minutes, she would add another herb to the cauldron as she slowly hummed a small tune.

Behind her stood two alchemy grandmasters capable of crafting Tier-7 pills.

"The 47th Princess is very skilled for one so young. We should rope her into the Alchemy division," Wu Shia said, stroking his whispy beard.

Fan Shia nodded. "I agree, Brother Wu, but we must not forget her backer. We must ask Grand Elder Chen her permission before extending the invitation."

Wu Shia smirked as if having caught Fan Shia in a trap. "I already got Grand Elder Chen's permission. My master gave me a pill to bribe her."

Fan Shia gasped. "Grand Elder Lee gave you a pill of the 8th Tier?!"

Wu Shia's smirk widened.

Fan Shia took a step back, the shock on his face growing until he looked ready to burst. "You- You can't possibly mean…"

"Indeed," Wu Shia said, his lips practically growing wings and flying away, "Master entrusted me with a half-step Tier-9 pill."

As the two kept up their pompous talk filled with cultivation jargon only true webnovel addicts understood, Ari relaxed her energy.

"Done!"

The exclamation broke the conversation between the two Tier-7 Alchemists, who glanced at each other and nodded.

"Princess, may we inspect the pills?" Wu Shia asked.

Ari nodded as she wiped the sweat off her forehead.

The two walked over and removed the cauldron lid, taking a look inside. Wu Shia took out the pills, and Fan Shia swiftly stored them in an artifact that would both keep them safe and determine their grade.

While the result was processing, Wu Shia turned to look at Ari.

"Now, Princess, by the looks of these pills, it seems as though we're about to welcome our newest Tier-1 alchemist into our Phoenix Clan."

Fan Shia nodded. "It's not every day that someone as young as you gets interested in alchemy. Normally it's us old fogies."

"Indeed. It will be nice to have a new face around here." Wu Shia seemed to realize something and added, "That is if you pass."

Ari bowed to the two. "It seems like I'll have to disappoint you then, masters."

Wu Shia and Fan Shia exchanged glances, Wu Shia growing more pale every second.

'Did I just waste a half-step Tier-9 pill?'

'Master told me to wait until after the test. Damn! Master's going to kill me!'

"Although this was a test to become a Tier-1 alchemist, it seems I accidentally created a Tier-3 pill."

"I'm sorry to have disappointed you this much. Many apologies."

Wu Shia collapsed to the ground as Fan Shia roared with laughter, holding his belly as he, too, fell over, clutching his stomach.