27 Hunt 1 (2/2)

As the group began talking, Sam excused himself: ”Big-sis, I saw an interesting thing on our way. I want to buy it. so I will be back in a few minutes.”

It was Sam's first time coming out, so Maya didn't mind: ”ok, but take Molly and Rose along with you.”

Sam nodded and left with Molly and Rose...

.......

There was a human habitat just near to this Dooms forest. Though it was risky for a habitat to be here. But to merchants this place was prosperous. Because the merchants could even sell their items at double price here!

Walking in the street of this habitat, Sam asked: ”did you observe something strange about Big sis friends?”

Rose spoke: ”what's strange about them, young master?weren't they a lively bunch.”

Sam asked: ”Molly, you?”

It was odd for her young master to repeat the question, so Molly thought, {it might be that young master observed something strange about Lady Maya's friends. So, what did he saw weird about them?}. Molly thought for a while, but she too was unable to point outany unusual thing about Maya's friends: ”No, young master.”

Now that he knew his maids answer, Sam Smiled: ”it seems not only Bis-Sis Maya, but you both also need some teachings.”

Rose curiously asked: ”what teachings young master?”

Sam mystically smiled: ”you will experience it soon.”

While talking, Sam's group reached an alchemy store.

This store belonged to alchemy association and was looked after by a long white dressed scholar like old-man. Who had a goat-like white beard on his face. This old man was called Padhaku Saleem (Padhaku means studious). And Padhaku was the first-grade alchemist!

From the counter Sam took a small parchment and a quill, then he wrote some herbs name. He gave the list to Padhaku: ”bring me these herbs and provide me with an alchemy room.”

Listening to Sam's meaning that is he wanted to do alchemy, padhaku snorted inside {Hmph! A young Brat like you want to do alchemy!?}. But he didn't show the contempt he had for Sam on his face, because Sam was his customer.

However, when he glanced the list, his Alchemist Ego was hurt. He flared: ”you brat! You want to build a second-grade alchemy pill! Are you out of your mind?”

”do you think you are a second-grade alchemist!? Even I who aged 600 this year is only first-grade alchemist!”

”do you know how hard is it to become.....”

But before he could finish his vociferate, Sam showed him the Alchemist licence.

Seeing the card, Padhaku's eyes enlarged, and they nearly bulged out! He was shocked! The licence wasn't of 1st grade or 2nd grade, it was of 3rd grade! And it was a genuine licence issued by alchemist assosiation!

Sam took back his licence: ”now can you show me the alchemy room?”

Padhaku came back to his senses. He suddenly bowed and apologized: ”This old man has eyes but failed to see a great person like you. Even though it shameless but I beg you to forgive this insolent fool your excellence!”

Padhaku didn't lift his head up. He continued his bowing posture. He was waiting for Sam's forgiveness.

Sam didn't think much about it. Since the opposite party asked for his forgiveness he gave it: ”it fine... lift your head up, I forgive you. now Show me the alchemy room.”

Only after hearing Sam's forgiveness did Padhaku lift his head up. He inwardly sighed, {thankfully this great alchemist pardoned my rudeness... Now I really feel shame being rude to such benevolent character!}.

Padhaku brought Sam to an alchemy Room which was just backside of the alchemy store. Molly and Rose also followed behind.

Shortly, Padhaku brought the listed herbs, and after giving the herbs to Sam he nervously just stood there.

And seeing Padhaku wanted to say something, Sam asked: ”what is it?”

Padhaku anxiously spoke-out: ”your excellence, can you allow me to watch your alchemy process?”

Letting Padhaku watch his alchemy was a simple thing to Sam. But to Padhaku it could be a life-changing chance. Means, Padhaku could gain some enlightenment from just watching Sam's alchemy, and could break to the second-grade alchemist stage!

Since Sam was using Padhaku's things for his purpose, he decided to let padhaku watch his alchemy: ”ok, then observe it.”

Sam's words were like sweet melodies to Padhaku's ears. He was pleasantly surprised. Respect towards Sam increased in his heart, he thanked Sam: ”thanks for giving me a chance, your excellence.”

Sam nodded then he took the black-cauldron which was already present in this room. He lit the origins fire just below the cauldron, and then he put the main herb inside the cauldron.

while doing alchemy, he asked: ”what do you think.... what differentiates the first-grade herb from a second-grade herb?”

Padhaku Saleem thought for a while, and answered: ”mana quantity.”

Sam lightly smiled: ”yes, you are correct. Since you know this, then tell me why did I put the main herb first instead of putting the auxiliary herbs?”

same as the previous time, Padhaku thought for a while before answering: ”it shouldn't matter... if you put the main herb first or last.”

Sam replied: ”you are wrong, the order matters.”

Padhaku didn't believe, he argued: ”but I seen senior alchemist putting herbs irregularly and successfully forming pills.”

Sam was still burning the main herb. Actually, he was slowing things willingly.

Sam plainly explained: ”because they were skilled so they wouldn't care about the order. But I can tell you this for sure, a first-grade alchemist who just entered into second grade would always burn the main herb first.”

Sam continued: ”and as to why we need to burn the main herb first..... because a second-grade herb has excess mana. Which could become an instability factor if not taken care off. Now observe what I am doing.”

Padhaku really felt grateful to Sam for explaining things up. If it were any other third-grade alchemist in Sam's place, he wouldn't even bother with Padhaku.

Sam burned the waste then a sudden sweet-aroma swept through the room: ”feel the odour carefully, you could find mana in it.... this is the excess mana one need to remove before liquifying the herb.”

Now sam put auxiliary herb inside the cauldron. He then burned the waste. After a while, all the herbs liquified. Then liquid soon condensed and formed 8 yellow coloured pills.

Surprisingly don't know when Padhaku already fell into contemplation.

Sam took seven pills from the cauldron and left with Molly and Rose.

however, the girls sure had interesting expressions... Molly and Rose were looking dumb.