Chapter 52 The Fall and Revival of the Alchemy Workshop

So, the key to breaking through the level bottleneck was right here all along! All this information was usually hidden away, and Luo Yong truly hadn’t done as Astrologer Hera advised—being “constantly vigilant.” In fact, he’d become somewhat addicted to masquerading as other professions...

Ahem.

What a mess this has become.

Come to think of it, ever since he’d unlocked the disguise ability, Luo Yong had barely checked his own status at all! Realizing this, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Why bother going to Bolengai? To hell with becoming a legendary mage! From now on, he would be the legend of this otherworld!

Leaving the inn, Luo Yong once again disguised himself as a Swift Gale Swordmaster. At least within this camp, that was the only and necessary identity he could assume.

As he approached his alchemy workshop, Luo Yong’s earlier surge of ambition faded, for he spotted Selina from afar—her small figure gazing toward him. Delight and timidity mingled in her expression, hope flickering in her heart while she braced herself for disappointment. She clung tightly to the counter beside her, as if by merging with it, Luo Yong would have no way to drive her out...

But how should he resolve this problem now? Was he truly destined to form a juvenile mercenary group?

Despite his thoughts, Luo Yong still walked slowly back to the alchemy workshop. He had originally planned to head straight back to Gaoge Camp. Now that he knew how to break through his level cap, he was eager to go hunt monsters immediately, to illuminate those dim cards one after another, find the hidden one among them, and once he completed the set, the restriction would vanish!

Yet, faced with the little girl stubbornly refusing to leave his workshop, Luo Yong simply didn’t have the heart to evict her. He couldn’t bring himself to face a little girl sobbing her heart out.

“Master, you’re back! Dodo worked very hard today—I didn’t slack off at all! Selina was very well-behaved too...”

Before Luo Yong could speak, as he and Selina exchanged glances, Dodo had already finished her report—complete with self-congratulation—so full of human quirks that she seemed less an alchemy sprite and more a person.

“Selina, I’ve asked around. There’s a place in the camp specially designated for children like you...”

“I’m not leaving!” Selina interrupted, tears welling up again as she pleaded, “Please don’t make me go. I’ll be good... I don’t want the potion to improve my constitution anymore...”

As she spoke, she placed the bottle of potion Luo Yong had given her back on the counter, her gesture timid.

Just as Luo Yong was at a loss for what to do, footsteps sounded behind him.

“Swift Gale Swordmaster Luo Yong, your alchemy workshop is unregistered and thus illegal. If you don’t wish to be closed down...”

“I’ll close up today. I’m done.” Luo Yong cut him off before he could finish, turning around with utter indifference.

He was heading back to Gaoge Camp anyway.

But how odd—the workshop had been open for so long, yet only now someone came to discuss registration. No doubt, some sore loser had reported him...

Even such a friendly little alchemy workshop gets reported? That’s just ridiculous!

Luo Yong grumbled inwardly. It was probably that nearby alchemy institute stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

“Uh, what did you say? You’re closing? What do you mean?” asked the mercenary before him, scroll in hand, ready to deliver his prepared speech.

The most important thing was the fee! Fees! Opening a shop in the camp required a permit, and to pass inspection, you had to pay! But you just up and say you’re done? This mercenary had his own quota to meet, and hearing Luo Yong declare he was quitting, he panicked, exclaiming, “You can’t just close! The shop must stay open! And it must expand, become bigger and better! Otherwise—”

“Otherwise what?” Luo Yong gazed at him without a trace of emotion.

Dodo and Selina regarded him with bewildered looks.

“Otherwise... Otherwise...” The mercenary, unnerved by their differing stares, faltered. Of course, the real reason couldn’t be revealed.

“You’ve been open for so long, you can’t just suddenly close. It’s not reasonable!”

After a long pause, this was all the mercenary could come up with.

“My business is losing money. I can’t keep it going, so I’m closing. Perfectly reasonable,” Luo Yong insisted, still emotionless.

...

Fine, you win!

The mercenary shot Luo Yong a fierce glare, knowing full well he was lying, but unable to find a better excuse on the spot. He could only leave for now, intending to return better prepared, perhaps with reinforcements next time.

Watching the man leave, Luo Yong turned back to find Dodo and Selina regarding him with a peculiar gaze—one big, one small.

Noticing his glance, Selina’s expression shifted, tears welling up once more.

“All right, all right, you win.” Luo Yong hastily tried to comfort her, “You don’t have to leave. However, I’m preparing to leave this camp. Are you really planning to come with me?”

“Eh?” Selina’s face was blank for a moment, as if she hadn’t anticipated such a question.

“Leave the camp? Go where?”

“To the place I came from—Gaoge Camp,” Luo Yong replied.

“Is that your home?” Selina asked innocently.

“Not quite, but... you could say so. Anyway, it’s where everything began. My teammates are there.” As Luo Yong spoke, a trace of wistfulness surfaced in his eyes. Then he leaned toward Selina and whispered, “There, I’m the captain of a team!”

He even showed her the sword-and-shield badge hidden under his cloak.

“That’s a real badge!” Selina exclaimed in surprise and delight. She hopped off her chair, raised the little stick she used as a staff, and performed a mage’s salute, announcing, “Reporting for duty, Captain! Recruit Selina reporting in!”

“It’s too early for that...” Luo Yong chuckled, shook his head, took the little stick from her, tossed it aside, and ruffled her hair. “For now, you need to study alchemy with Dodo and become a little apprentice.”

He’d already thought it through—only this way could he take Selina away from Riba Camp with proper justification. Any other reason wouldn’t do.

“Eh?” Selina still didn’t quite understand, gazing at her discarded stick with a trace of regret.

“Dodo, pack up—we’re leaving,” Luo Yong ordered.

“All set! Dodo is ready!” The alchemy sprite put away two beakers and some alchemy materials, waved her hand, and the tiny workshop vanished, leaving only faint traces behind.

Moments later, Luo Yong, Dodo, and Selina appeared together at the Mercenary Guild’s main hall. Under the watchful eye of the disgruntled mercenary from before, they completed the registration process, opened a new alchemy workshop, and received their license.

Then, the three of them moved to another service window.

“What business are you here for?” asked a woman dressed as a warlock, her tone devoid of emotion.

“Alchemy proficiency assessment,” Luo Yong responded coolly.

First, Dodo needed to become a certified alchemist. Then Selina could officially become her apprentice. The three of them could leave Riba Camp together, causing no trouble for anyone.

Otherwise, you couldn’t just take someone away at will. All this had to be properly logged.

“Alchemy proficiency assessment?” The warlock glanced at the three with curiosity. In this ramshackle, impoverished camp, with its meager resources, a newly registered, insignificant shop wanted to take an assessment?

Ahem! No, according to procedure, they did need to be tested—couldn’t open a shop otherwise. Still, this was the first time anyone had ever tried to register a private alchemy workshop here, so no one had expected it...

Usually, only larger towns bothered with such things, and those taking the test were wealthy, influential types—typically elderly scholars...

But these three were so young, even if they’d learned alchemy from the womb, what could they possibly produce? Any materials given to them would just be wasted!

Still, since the paperwork was done, she had to arrange a test, perhaps just as a formality. Later, they could find an excuse to shut the shop and revoke the license.

“Ahem, all right—Alchemy proficiency assessment, coming right up! However...” The woman hesitated, appearing troubled. “The person in charge of assessments must be booked in advance, and they might not have time, and...”

Luo Yong rolled his eyes. If he weren’t worried about leaving unfinished business behind, he’d have left this wretched place long ago! He was in a hurry to go hunt monsters and level up!

He’d already collected almost all the spider monster cards—just two big ones left, probably on the lower level of the crypt, plus one rare little monster and a hidden card. Once he had them all, the level 5 restriction would be gone and he could climb levels quickly!

How could he waste time here?

“Who’s taking the alchemy assessment?” At that moment, an elderly voice came from the stairs. Down came an old man in a plain mage’s robe, hair thin, beard scruffy, his appearance unkempt.

“Ah, Lord Bill, why are you down here? Did the noise disturb your rest?” The warlock woman jumped to her feet and hurried to his side, shooting Luo Yong and his companions a fierce warning glare as she passed.