...
A few monts later...
Not long after Shateur and the mbers of the Duvelle family left the promotion test room, the atmosphere eased up.
While there were still those talking about what had just happened and observers who remained mindful of the power dynamics, no one caused any more trouble as the grade five Apothecary promotion test officially ca to an end.
Although Izroth turned down the recruiting requests of so organizations and families, he did make a connection or two. After all, he was not against mutually beneficial relationships so long as he had a good feeling about the other party.
’Originally, I planned to talk to Apothecary Rozomius first and then seek out Avia, but... Who would have thought she would be the first to approach and ask to speak?’
Izroth had already left the promotion test area.
As for Worldly Skies and Celia—Izroth had no idea where Celia ran off to. More surprisingly, neither did Worldly Skies. Even after sending her ssages, Celia seed to answer in an evasive and suspicious manner as if she were hiding sothing.
Worldly Skies, on the other hand, accompanied Izroth to the tenth floor. However, Izroth requested to speak alone with Varuu for a bit.
After Varuu accepted his request, she allowed Worldly Skies to use one of the rooms on the tenth floor.
Typically, those rooms were reserved for special guests of Apothecary Head Varuu. But, she decided to make an exception due to her good mood.
At the mont, Izroth stood in a spacious room filled with elegance and luxury. There were all kinds of rare treasures, exotic herbs and other items that Izroth had never seen before in RML.
The room Izroth stood in was located on the tenth floor of the Apothecary Guild’s man building. Those who had the ability to set foot on the tenth floor were few and far in between. It was for the simple reason the entire floor belonged solely to the Head of the Apothecary Guild, Varuu.
"I want to thank Apothecary Izroth again for allowing to witness such an entertaining sight. Shateur Duvelle and his Duvelle family have been sinking their fangs into the Apothecary Guild for generations. Your actions, both intentional and unintentional, have helped to make it easier for to move officially and behind the scenes." Varuu said as she snapped her fingers.
Out of nowhere, a small but sturdy wooden table along with two cushioned chairs appeared.
Varuu took a seat on one of the chairs as a teacup neatly placed upon a matching saucer materialized before each seat, accompanied by a teapot that had faint traces of steam flowing from its spout.
"If Apothecary Head Varuu wishes to thank , I am not the type to turn down a reward when offered." Izroth said casually as he sat across from Varuu.
"It has been a while since I have t soone as bold as you. Most people would have been pleased to simply earn my favor." Varuu replied with a slight grin as she tapped the table twice.
The teapot levitated over to the teacup in front of Varuu and filled it with tea. It then floated over toward Izroth’s teacup and did the sa before it returned to its initial spot.
"Perhaps Apothecary Head Varuu will find the words I am about to say rather arrogant. However, I often find that it is others who must earn my favor—not the other way around." Izroth stated with his eyes closed as he took in the scent of the tea.
The tea had strong yet refreshing floral notes that reminded Izroth spring. He took a sip before he placed the teacup back onto its saucer.
"You are right. I do find it arrogant." Varuu responded calmly as she placed the teacup to her lips.
She then set the teacup down and continued, "But, I also believe that one’s arrogance should match their achievents. Apothecary Izroth has made quite the na for himself on the battlefield. And, after the events of today, your na will begin to spread off the battlefield and into the ears of the nobles of Amaharpe. You have earned the right to display this level of arrogance. That aside, I have already given you three rewards."
"Oh? Were not all of those ’rewards’ to your benefit as well?" Izroth asked as he opened his eyes.
"Who said a reward has to benefit one side?" Varuu comnted.
"I never expected the Head of the Apothecary Guild to be so parsimonious."
"I have to make a living sohow."
"You must struggle quite a bit to earn a living as a grade nine Apothecary."
"So days are harder than others. But, I manage."
A light amused smile ford on both Izroth and Varuu’s faces.
’If not for Divine Appraisal, I would have never suspected that she is a true dragon in disguise. It’s no wonder she was able to keep it a secret for so long. Or, is it that true dragons are not as closed off as other races believe them to be?’
Wherever he went in RML, Izroth had read or heard that true dragons were a prideful race that very rarely interacted with outsiders. Even when they did, the true dragons were always depicted as being overbearing and constantly looking down on other races. But, what else did one expect from a race born with an innate Source who could reach the legendary realm just by sleeping and going about their life?
However, Kayn and Varuu, the two true dragons Izroth had t so far, was nothing like the true dragons he read or heard about. Of course, the two were more than capable of being overbearing—especially to those they deed an opposing force or threat. But, neither of them appeared to look down on others rely for existing before them.
’It is said that true dragons seldom descend the Dragon Palace. If so, those two can already be seen as being rather eccentric. Though, at least in Kayn’s situation, it was to participate in the first team’s selection. Varuu, on the other hand... If any of what I read about true dragons is real, she is on the extre side of the eccentric scale. From a human’s perspective, it is no different than soone dressing up as a monkey just to hang around monkeys.’
Izroth did not know if Varuu had any ulterior motives for pretending to be a human. But, at the very least, his Divine Appraisal revealed that she liked humans. Izroth did not take this to an that Varuu had humans best interests at heart. But, what did that matter? After all, it was not as if all or even most humans had the best interests of their own species at heart.
As for the three rewards Varuu ntioned—Izroth had a good idea of what she was referring to.
One of Izroth’s rewards was acting as his guarantor for his contract with Shateur.
The number of people in Danaharpe who could act as a guarantor for a contract where one side was the Head of the Duvelle family could be counted on one’s fingers alone.
There was no one else present in the promotion test room capable of acting as the contract’s guarantor. And, it was thanks to that contract that Izroth managed to secure a property in Danaharpe that may have otherwise been unattainable for the foreseeable future.
As for the other reward, it was Varuu guiding and controlling the situation in such a way that led to Izroth being able to suggest to the contract in the first place.
Those two being considered rewards was why Izroth ntioned that it was also to Varuu’s benefit. Both things, while could be seen as rewards, was also a way of helping Varuu keep Shateur and the Duvelle family in check.
The last reward, although Izroth was not absolutely certain, he believed it had sothing to do with the Harnessing Energy Pills.
Rozomius ntioned that they usually only gave out two pills for the grade five Apothecary promotion test, but the number just happened to increase by one this ti around due to Varuu’s "gracious" nature. This made it possible for Izroth to keep one Harnessing Energy Pill for himself, while also gifting one each to Worldly Skies and Celia.
"I do not mind giving you credit for two of those rewards. But, is it not too shaless to count the Harnessing Energy Pills when I had to earn it myself? What would you have done if my answers were not the best for all three questions?" Izroth questioned.
"Apothecary Izroth is soone capable of curing the Holy Maiden and besting an experienced grade seven Apothecary in the Right of Challenge. Surely, you do not expect to believe that your answers would have been lacking, do you? It was no different than handing them to you on a silver platter. Besides, I know everything that goes on inside the Apothecary District, let alone the Apothecary building itself. Two talented companions—it would have been a sha if only one of them could have taken the Harnessing Energy Pill. Or, even worse, if Apothecary Izroth chose to give up his pill for the sake of his companions." Varuu responded serenely.
"I can’t say that your assessnt is wrong." Izroth replied in a carefree manner as he raised his cup to drink once more.
"That aside, what you have done is worth much more than these three rewards alone. In truth, I planned on visiting the Holy Maiden once things settled down. However, for reasons I cannot go too deep into, I am currently unable to leave Danaharpe. I did not anticipate that the Holy Maiden’s condition would deteriorate so rapidly. If Apothecary Izroth did not intervene, I fear the worse may have co to pass." Varuu said remorsefully.
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