The hidden route of the Demons of the Chasm (2)
Chapter 31: The hidden route of the Demons of the Chasm (2)
"I'm really here… not just as a guest or apprentice…." Bruno was a step away from going through the threshold of Mr. Wetherell's residence, incredulously gawking at the tall fence.
Its gates were open for him, and no one dared to stop the young man. Yet, Bruno felt like he hadn't done anything significant to enter inside and follow his teacher.
Yes, Beelzebub was already on his way to Wetherell's workplace. He told Bruno to follow him and absorb as much knowledge as possible, then he would expand on it and explain everything the young alchemist missed or not understood.
Knowing it was his chance to become a man like Mr. Wetherell, Bruno went past the threshold and caught up to his teacher, smiling.
The corners of his lips were lifted by nervousness, often seen in young people like him arriving in the best alchemist's hands. Guards, disciples, and other personnel working under Mr. Wetherell had witnessed so many of those smiles that Bruno's appearance wouldn't have made them bat their eyes on him…
…if they were here, that was.
Everyone was dismissed from work by Mr. Wetherell, leaving the whole residence empty. Only his guards were on standby near the gates, waiting for Beelzebub and Bruno. Now that these two had gone inside the house, they returned to their usual work, which was odd since it was too quiet.
Once inside, Wetherell greeted his master and his young student. "Welcome to my humble abode, Master David! Without further ado, allow me to guide you to my workplace! I have prepared everything you have asked for!"
"Thanks." Beelzebub smiled and coolly followed the old man.
On the other hand, Bruno had his neck twisting left and right as he looked at the exquisite interior of the best alchemist's residence. As far as the house went, it was like a castle for the young alchemist, with every wall decorated by paintings of various resources.
Wetherell had seen some of them on his delegations, but most of the art was the product of many artists' imagination whose brushes followed Wetherell's description of rare resources his ears had the pleasure to hear about.
Every art was encased in intricate frames and protected by tough glass.
Having lost some of his attention to the picturesque resources, Bruno nearly lost his teacher and quickly ran after him to enter Wetherell's workplace. That should be the real vault of resources that Bruno would be able to see in person!
It'd be a great loss if he were to miss even one precious ingredient!
And when Bruno entered the workplace, he momentarily became overwhelmed by the mixed fragrance of various ingredients, patiently waiting for Beelzebub's touch on the long table. The young man felt his hair standing erect as his nostrils flared up, his body igniting with excitement, adrenaline, and passion.
The sparkling eyes of Bruno swept through all resources while Beelzebub calmly assessed their worth and quality.
Long before Bruno's eyes finished their races across the table, David's voice rang out. "This will do. I need a few more things for my plan, but I can replace them by mingling what we have at hand. I'll teach you a few ticks for that, Wetherell, Bruno."
"Thank you!" Wetherell bowed, unable to hide his excitement.
Bruno didn't hear his teacher as he wondered about the black fruit and what exactly it was.
Beelzebub faintly smiled at his friend, then turned to Wetherell. "I had Aric give me a list of his friends' flaws. Today, we'll focus on curing their problems to bring them back to their peak condition. I want you to ask around others for their flaws, as we need as many forces as possible. Tell them you can cure anything."
In this way, Beelzebub would kill two birds with one stone. He'd teach Wetherell some high-quality alchemy, give him tips, and have him prepare ingredients under his experienced eye. At the same time, he'd strengthen the Williard Village's forces before the impending clash with the demons.
At last, Beelzebub stepped before Wetherell's cauldron. He spat his flames in a unique demonic way, then, with a flick of his fingers, he caused water to flood the pot's interior.
Beelzebub threw a round stone that didn't need any preparation to the cauldron. "Bruno is already aware of it, but I'll repeat myself. We shape wonders. How we do it does not matter as long as we achieve the desired result. It can be a primitive or modern method — that does not matter. Just like how high-level battles of swordsmen look like a dance, our high-level method of preparing ingredients is also akin to exquisite and elegant craft."
He then grasped a bone of a forest monster and started drawing lines on it! The way Beelzebub held a knife was gentle and precise, turning him into a royal sculptor. He knew exactly how to shape mana veins dwelling inside the bone, but as he noticed in the corner of his eyes the twinkling eyes of two students, Beelzebub aligned the bone with his eyes and silently twirled it in his hands, looking like a man admiring his own craft.
Well, he gave them a taste of what it seems to look elegant, at least.
Beelzebub then wrapped scraps of the bone in a small cloth, telling Wetherell they would use it later to create another pill. The prepared bone sank into the cauldron in which the water instantly filled the drawn lines. The color of the bubbling water turned gray then!
"H-How does it exactly work?! Is it really the same bone I have been using for years?!" Wetherell gasped.
Bruno's eyes shone brighter.
Beelzebub then began the lecture.
-
"I'll prepare a weapon against the demons now. If you have a weak will, feel free to leave me alone." Beelzebub spoke to the two students, whose heads were burning with knowledge.
A headache they had never ever felt in their lives had attacked them…
That was a price for working together with Beelzebub!
But Wetherell and Bruno insisted on staying up late. "We'll stay!"
David nodded and shoved his hand into his pocket, bringing out the blue pearl with an emerald star inside.
The masterpiece's time had arrived.