Chapter 902 Antidote <TOC> Chapter 904 A Change of Attitude
Translator: SumTLMan
Eureka mumbled in a somewhat dazed state: Half-Step Mysterious, Half-Step Mysterious…
She had heard from Suis before that Angel had taken on this Half-Step Mysterious moniker, but she didn’t understand what it meant at the time. To her surprise, the reason turned out to be so profound!
Eureka’s expression seemed stagnant, outwardly unchanged, but inwardly she was on the verge of hurling a barrage of curses.
Mysterious? Angel had once touched the Mysterious Realm!
This was a level that countless alchemists would flock towards like bees to honey! And the Mysterious Object, was something all wizards would fight over without hesitation!
Even Half-Step Mysterious realm had a significance that far exceeded Eureka’s wildest imaginations.
Just as Eureka’s astonishment hadn’t yet subsided, Suis continued, “In addition, Angel has a few other nicknames, such as the Lion Hearted Thorn, due to his unique emblem being a lion’s heart entwined in thorns, or the Music Box Wizard, as Angel always had a penchant for crafting music boxes. Last year at the Ancient River auction, Angel’s newly promoted music box even fetched a sky-high price of two hundred thousand magic crystals, thus resetting the price ceiling for novice alchemy works.”
“Moreover, the ripple effects of that music box haven’t faded. Many wizards who hold a deep appreciation for musical arts are seeking Angel, curious about the name of the musical composition contained within his music box. They have sent countless letters to the Savage Grottoes, causing quite the inconvenience.”
Eureka swallowed hard. A novice music box sold for two hundred thousand magic crystals? This was simply a windfall!
To think, she couldn’t even muster ten thousand magic crystals at the moment!
She began to understand why Angel had spatial artifacts and numerous valuable potions… even if he didn’t craft them himself, he could undoubtedly afford them!
Previously, Blaire had mentioned that the Ashen Time’s “Whale Hunter” Piers held a peculiar respect for Angel, likely due to being aware of Angel’s identity.
“Recently, there’s been a stir in the alchemy world concerning the image of a high-rank alchemical item crafted by Angel,” Suis sighed as he recounted this, “Despite not yet being a formal wizard, he has already crafted a complete high-rank alchemical item. Coupled with his past experience with the Mysterious Realm, it’s almost certain that he will become a master of alchemy in the future. It’s simply a matter of time.”
“If it weren’t for the premature release of this issue of —Forest of Time—, Angel’s name would certainly have graced its pages. According to my sources, as long as Angel remains unscathed, his name is bound to feature prominently in —Forest of Time— a decade from now.”
Eureka, dumbstruck, couldn’t muster a word in response.
—Forest of Time— was, after all, the most authoritative periodical in the Wizarding World of the Southern Region. In the past, whenever Eureka would get a hold of an issue of —Forest of Time—, she would pore over it with an air of reverential anticipation. Every issue, brimming with novel concepts, innovative spells and cutting-edge research findings, offered her fresh insights and inspiration.
To be told that Angel was virtually guaranteed a spot in the forthcoming issue of —Forest of Time—, left her flabbergasted. She could scarcely believe her ears.
Eureka cast Angel a look that was a complex mix of emotions.
Ever since Angel returned to the Pat Manor, she had kept a close eye on his every move, yet she failed to spot any unusual behavior on his part. Angel, furthermore, had never even hinted at any knowledge of alchemy.
Suddenly, a realization hit Eureka, and her teeth clenched in indignation, “Could he have been intentionally concealing it?”
Suis, puzzled, turned to Eureka, “What do you mean?”
Eureka glared daggers at Angel, recollecting his activities at the Pat Manor over the recent past, particularly highlighting the instance when she asked Angel to fetch supplies from Rhodes.
“He knew full well he could craft potions, yet watched me flounder with the ingredients. He was surely just sitting back and enjoying the spectacle!”
Having heard her out, Suis could barely stifle his laughter, “Perhaps he really didn’t want to reveal his alchemical abilities. But think about it, even if he did, what makes you think he would assist you in potion making?”
“How dare he not assist?” Eureka retorted coldly.
Suis, helpless, chuckled lightly, “If you intend to coerce him using your power, he might indeed assist you in crafting a potion. But would you dare to ingest it?”
Eureka fell silent. In any other case, she would resort to intimidation. However, with skilled alchemists like Angel, who could easily incorporate seemingly harmless backdoors into their work, the slightest trip-up at a crucial moment could spell disaster.
“Don’t even think about coercion. In some respects, his status currently surpasses both you and me,” Suis paused briefly, “And considering the value his creations bring, I reckon the Savage Grottoes must have certainly taken measures to protect him.”
Suis’ words held some truth, but Eureka understood all too well that his character was, in fact, more audacious than hers. His genial facade when confronting Angel was likely due to his value proposition.
“Did you assist Leon simply due to Angel’s alchemy abilities, aiming to foster a close relationship with him?” Eureka inquired.
Suis nodded and then shook his head, “That was part of the consideration. Yet, my primary motivation to develop a rapport with Angel is for you.”
“For me?”
“Scarlet Sovereignty,” Suis softly voiced a name. “Angel crafted a replica of the Scarlet Sovereignty as well, and it is so convincing that it could almost be mistaken for the real thing.”
…
While Suis and Eureka communicated covertly, Angel was earnestly perusing Midora’s alchemical notebook.
This alchemy manual was a parting gift from Midora when he departed from Mechanical City. It documented Midora’s insights from his potion crafting experience.
Angel recalled that it contained detailed crafting methods for the Tide Spider Antidote.
The reason why Angel had the confidence to craft the Tide Spider Antidote was due to his stay in Sky Mechanical City. During that time, he was learning Potionology under Master Midora at his Magic Potion Hut and received hands-on guidance on several methods of potion crafting.
One of them was the antidote.
Though Angel had not successfully crafted it when he was in the Magic Potion Hut, he did not neglect Potionology during that period. He especially focused on the potions for which Midora had given him guidance.
As for antidotes, a type of lower-rank potion, he had successfully crafted them during his time on the Cloud Conch.
And the Tide Spider Antidote, although unique, was nothing more than a variant of the antidote.
After reading the crafting manual, Angel was almost certain that the crafting process was not much different from the antidote, albeit with a few additional steps.
After simulating it himself, coupled with Midora’s unique interpretation of antidotes, Angel was highly confident that he could craft it.
Having put away the manual, Angel didn’t immediately start crafting because he was still missing a key ingredient.
Most of the ingredients for the Tide Spider antidote can be found by Angel, as they largely overlap with those for common antidotes. However, there is one crucial component that Angel must obtain.
That is the venom of the Swamptide Spider.
The venom of the Tide Spider is not just the main ingredient, it also serves as a catalyst.
To acquire the Tide Spider’s venom, naturally, the Swamptide Spider needs to be located. Angel didn’t sense any trace of the spider in the vicinity, so he dispatched a scouting puppet to conduct a comprehensive search of the area.
The search process was smooth. A Swamptide Spider would not stray too far from its lair. Ultimately, Angel spotted a Swamptide Spider treading on water at a tributary of a river.
Its size was comparable to a calf, yet it was able to stand firmly on the water surface. It was pulling along a shallow-water alligator using its pale green spider silk.
Angel had previously spotted alligator bones nearby, it appeared that this Tide Spider was not satisfied with just Leon’s body size, intending to store more backup food.
Originally, Angel planned to kill the Swamptide Spider to extract its venom gland. However, Suis seemed quite interested in this particular spider. In the end, Angel didn’t kill it but instead used a phantom illusion to confuse it, making it believe it had ensnared a new prey and thus causing it to voluntarily spew its venom.
Having obtained the venom, Angel was undeterred by his surroundings and promptly started crafting the antidote.
The meticulousness of dosage and temperature control emphasized in Potion Making was something Angel had substantial experience with in his studies of enchantment. Therefore, crafting this low-rank antidote was not particularly challenging. This is why many Alchemists who study enchantment find it easier when they start learning Potion Making, and vice versa.
Angel employed a method of crafting from the School of Innovation. Although it could not be described as seamlessly smooth or naturally inspired, he accomplished the crafting in a systematic manner, and the antidote was successfully made.
While Angel thought his crafting process was quite antiquated, Suis, who also had some understanding of Potion Making, found it intriguing. This was because Angel incorporated unique techniques advised by the Potion Master Midora during crafting, all of which were worthy of careful analysis and learning for Suis.
Even though the crafting of the Tide Spider antidote was somewhat successful, Angel could not fully assure its efficacy in saving Leon.
Leon, after all, was merely a mortal. The antidote of the Tide Spider was primarily concocted using the venom of the Tide Spider itself, possessing an overwhelmingly potent medicinal property. He was unsure if Leon could weather the storm.
Suis seemed to see Angel’s hesitation. “It seems you underestimate Leon,” he said. “The fact that Leon could hone his will and practice his refining skills to break the boundaries of the mundane shows his resilience. Even if the antidote’s potency is overbearing, it still falls within the scope of lower-rank potions.”
Angel was aware that he might be overly worried, but since this concerned his only blood relative in this world, he had to be cautious.
Using the Eye of Nalda to confirm the effect of the antidote once more, and after inspecting Leon’s physical condition again, Angel then used the craft of administration to pour the potion into Leon’s body.
Almost instantly, Leon’s whole body began to quiver.
It didn’t take long for his veins to bulge, and an abnormal flush spread across his body.
“Ah——” Under such intense pain, Leon finally woke from the blissful dream created by the meandering juice.
Watching Leon, who was writhing in pain, Angel’s heart was filled with apprehension.
He had originally planned to drag Leon into the Wilderness of Dreams as a precaution. However, he knew that using the antidote of the Tide Spider would produce an extremely dominant effect. When the time came, Leon would surely awaken from the pain, so even if he entered the Wilderness of Dreams, it would be of no use.
Unless Angel mastered the real entry and exit rights of the Wilderness of Dreams.