27 Wandering Acolytes

A couple of hours passed, and George was still not finished with the introductions. It seemed like each wandering acolyte was waiting for their turn to have a conversation with the 'erudite' alchemist guest that Lady Emma had come with.

An old man with eyes brimming with wisdom and intellect came forward. Despite his old age, his body was strong, meeting the standards of preparatory knights. George knew his true identity however. Behind his appearance that matched that of an experienced mercenary, the old man was actually a necromancer: "Greetings, George. People call me the 'Wise One', but I would prefer you calling me by my name: Tirus Veras, and I have been a resident of Melvinger City for as long as I can remember. The Veras Family has been dominating the vine market in Melvinger City for centuries, and I have long since taken over the family business, dominating the market further. When you have the time, I would love to show you my oldest and best collection of liquor!"

George nodded to the friendly gesture: "This would be my pleasure. I am afraid that I will not be available in the near future, unfortunately. Although I am a rank 2 acolyte, I also happen to come from a knight household. I came to Melvinger City to prove my skills as a swordsman, and earn the Starlight Powder award!"

Tirus nodded: "I knew that you were a knight from your attire and strong gaze. Normal acolytes cannot walk with such confidence and strength, I am afraid. Tell me more about yourself"

George instantly lied: "Although I want to keep my identity secret, I am actually from a noble household back in the Sarad Kingdom. However, it turns out that my tutor discovered my magical talent at a young age, and became my master. I learned alchemy from him, but he unfortunately died of old age. Seeking magical ingredients, I left my home and travelled through the Great Plains, nearly died at the hands of dire wolves, and moved from town to town in order to sell my brewages"

Tirus smiled: "What a story...How old were you when you made the trip?"

George carefully answered: "Thirteen"

Actually, his story suggested that it all happened a long time ago, and after turning into a knight, George was actually taller and more muscular than the average adult. However, he was still a teenager biologically, having reached 14 a few weeks ago.

"This is a very young age to leave one's home indeed, but the path that we wandering acolytes walk is not an easy one", Tirus nodded, "Lady Emma has been supplying us with spiritual potions. Is it the only recipe you have mastered"

George laughed awkwardly: "Yes...Until I can make a large profit out of them, I don't plan on changing recipes. It took me a lot of time to be able to reimburse the ingredients cost after all"

Tirus smiled: "I can only imagine...If potions were easy to make, everyone would be an alchemist. Still, to be able to brew potions at your age is an impressive feat. I myself tried to brew potions in the past, but only ruined myself. Fortunately, I had enough foresight to realize my lack of talent before indebting myself"

George and Tirus continued to talk. Unlike other acolytes, Tirus was very erudite. He knew many shadow elemental theories, and also shared his knowledge about negative energy sources. However, neither of them revealed their true identity as dark path acolyte to each other. Still, George learned quite a lot from this single conversation.

"I suppose I will come and watch your performance at the Knight Festival, then", Tirus laughed while parting with George, "I usually do not enjoy the barbaric matches promoted in the Knight Festival, but since it is a friend that participates, I will make sure to bet and cheer on you"

George smiled.

From noon to dawn, George had engaged in conversations. Some seemed like an interrogation, while others were filled with endless praises. The wandering acolytes did not lack courtesy, but they were very insistant on him joining the Melvinger Magical Society, invitation to which George carefully accepted. Although he did not plan on staying in Melvinger City for a long time, it was undeniable that his progress in his knight cultivation was several times faster than it used to be at the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.

One reason for that was the fact that he could focus on his knight training, and possessed John Billing as a sparring partner. In addition to the catalysts working in tandem with his knight breathing technique, his progress which was already lightning fast, now surpassed common sense.

At this rate, it would only take a couple of years before he would be able to reach the peak of the knight realm, and as a body refinement acolyte, this was something he looked forward to.

"How was it?", Lady Emma said, sighing in exhaustion, "They are not usually like that...but they were very excited. Alchemists would never roam by themselves in the wilderness, and they were all eager to receive you in the Melvinger Magical Society"

George nodded: "They were alright. They seemed a bit ignorant, but I guess it is only to be expected from a small wandering acolyte organization"

Lady Emma nodded awkwardly. She, too, was part of this 'small' wandering acolyte organization: "Thank you for tonight"

George smiled: "Have you prepared what I told you about?"

"Yes. My father has accepted your proposal. If you prove yourself in the Knight Festival, he will train you like he trains his own son, and share with you the various techniques that allowed him to reach the Grand Knight realm. In exchange, you will only sell potions in Melvinger City through the Billing Household"

George smiled upon hearing this. He did not plan on returning to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy before reaching the Grand Knight Realm, as well as rank 3 in his acolyte cultivation. After all, why would he return to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, when Lady Emma could supply him with a nearly endless supply of negative energy stones, allowing him to progress twice, or even thrice as fast as normal?

Furthermore, there seemed to be interesting schemes ongoing, as George looked at the Mayor's bandages with utmost interest. His corrupted body was not the result of a decades-old injury.

The image of the pale necromancer Tirus Veras was deeply engraved into his mind.