I watched as Reginald Talbot's retreating figure disappeared into the crowd. His thinly veiled threat lingered in the air between us.
"Don't mind him," Evelyn said, waving dismissively. "Reginald has always had a flair for the dramatic."
"You two have history," I observed, not phrasing it as a question.
She sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Everyone in River North has history with the Talbots, one way or another. They're unavoidable if you deal in herbs."
Eamon cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should continue exploring the convention?"
I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. The confrontation with Reginald had drawn unwanted attention, and I preferred to blend in rather than stand out.
As we walked away, I couldn't help noticing Evelyn's lingering gaze on . There was sothing calculating behind those friendly eyes.
"Will you be attending the main event?" she asked, falling into step beside .
"What exactly is this main event?" I countered.
"The unveiling of the Thousand-Year Ginseng," she replied. "It's quite the spectacle. The Guild only reveals it once a year, and they never sell it. Just showing it off is enough to maintain their prestige."
I considered this. "If it's not for sale, why draw crowds to see it?"
Evelyn smiled knowingly. "Power, Master Knight. In our world, rare herbs are power. The Guild reminds everyone annually that they possess what others can only dream of owning."
Her words resonated with . I had been thinking similar thoughts lately about my own resources compared to those of figures like Dexter Blackthorne. The disparity was stark, and I needed to close that gap quickly.
"We'll see," I told her. "For now, I'd like to explore what's actually available for purchase."
Evelyn gave a small bow. "Then I'll leave you to it. Perhaps we'll et again at the central pavilion." With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"I don't trust her," Eamon muttered once she was gone.
"Nor do I," I agreed. "But she might be useful. Let's focus on why we're here."
We spent the next hour exploring the convention's offerings. I purchased several herbs that would be useful for refining pills, carefully noting prices and quality. The wealth of knowledge on display was impressive, and I absorbed as much as I could.
As we turned a corner, a small, unassuming stall caught my attention. Unlike the others with their vibrant displays, this one featured only a simple wooden counter with a black cloth draped over it. On top sat what appeared to be thin strips of translucent material.
"What's this?" I asked the elderly man behind the counter.
He looked up, his wrinkled face breaking into a smile that revealed several missing teeth. "Ah, a discerning eye! These, young master, are strips of Best Thin Armor."
"Armor?" Eamon questioned, peering at the translucent material. "It looks like paper."
"Not paper," the old man chuckled. "Special material, very rare. Stronger than steel, lighter than silk. One strip can stop an arrow or blade."
I picked up one of the strips. It was indeed incredibly light, almost weightless in my hand. "How does it work?"
"Place on skin, it bonds temporarily. Creates invisible shield. Very good protection," he explained, miming the action of placing it on his arm.
"May I test it?" I asked.
The old man hesitated, then nodded. "Small test only, please. Valuable rchandise."
I placed the strip on my forearm, where it seed to lt into my skin, becoming completely invisible. I could feel a slight coolness where it had been applied. Uploaded by the *) team.
"Strike here," I told Eamon, pointing to the spot.
Eamon looked uncertain but delivered a light chop with the side of his hand. The impact should have been enough to cause pain, but I felt almost nothing—just a dull pressure.
"Impressive," I admitted, genuinely intrigued. "How much for a set?"
"Fifty strips for twenty Fasting Pills," the old man replied.
I nearly choked. Fasting Pills were valuable and difficult to refine. Twenty would take considerable ti and resources.
"That's quite steep," I said.
The old man shrugged. "Best protection, best price. These save life when needed most."
I considered my options. The armor would be invaluable, especially given the enemies I was making. But I couldn't spare twenty Fasting Pills imdiately.
"I can offer you ten Fasting Pills now, and deliver the other ten in three days," I proposed.
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm. Ten now is good. But who guarantees other ten will co?"
"My word," I replied firmly. "And I can leave collateral if you prefer."
Before the old man could respond, a voice cut through our negotiation.
"I'll pay twenty-five Fasting Pills right now."
I turned to see a young man approaching, dressed in expensive robes with an embroidered emblem I recognized from the central pavilion—the Celestial Apothecary Guild.
"And who might you be?" I asked, keeping my voice level despite my annoyance at the interruption.
The newcor barely spared a glance. "Jasper Monroe, Third Rank Alchemist of the Celestial Apothecary Guild." He addressed the old rchant directly. "I need this Best Thin Armor for guild research. Na your price."
The old man's eyes widened at the ntion of the guild. "Ah, Young Master Monroe, this is honor! But this gentleman was first..."
Jasper scoffed. "And offering paynts in installnts. I'm offering more, all at once."
The old man looked uncomfortable, caught between two potential buyers. "Perhaps... gentlen could bid?"
I frowned. I couldn't match twenty-five Fasting Pills imdiately, and the young alchemist knew it. He was deliberately trying to price out.
"Actually," Jasper continued smoothly, "I don't have Fasting Pills on . But I do have this." He produced a small jade bottle. "A Recovery Pill, refined personally by Elder Greene of our guild. Worth at least thirty Fasting Pills."
The old man gasped, his eyes fixed on the jade bottle. Recovery Pills were indeed rare and valuable, capable of healing serious injuries in minutes.
I could see I was losing ground quickly. The Best Thin Armor would be invaluable to , especially with threats like Reginald Talbot lurking. I needed to act.
"Let make another offer," I said firmly. "I'll refine a Fasting Pill right here, right now. You can verify its quality before making your decision."
A hush fell over the small crowd that had gathered around our negotiation. Refining pills wasn't sothing done casually in public—it required skill, concentration, and usually a proper environnt.
Jasper laughed. "You claim you can refine a Fasting Pill here? In the middle of a market? Without proper equipnt?"
"Within one hour," I confird, eting his gaze steadily.
The old rchant's eyes widened. "Young master is alchemist too?"
"I have so skill," I replied modestly. In truth, with my inherited knowledge, I could indeed refine a Fasting Pill almost anywhere, though it would be taxing.
Jasper's face darkened. "Don't be ridiculous. Proper pill refinent requires a controlled environnt, specialized equipnt, and hours of concentration. Even I wouldn't attempt it here."
"Then perhaps your skills are more limited than you think," I suggested calmly.
The crowd murmured at my bold claim. Challenging a guild alchemist publicly was either very brave or very foolish.
Jasper's expression twisted with anger. "You dare question my abilities? Do you even know what the Celestial Apothecary Guild represents in River North?"
"I know that true skill speaks for itself," I replied. "I offer to demonstrate mine. Will you do the sa?"
The old rchant looked between us, clearly torn. "Young masters, please. No need for conflict."
Jasper composed himself, forcing a cold smile. "Very well. Let's see this miraculous pill refinent." He turned to the rchant. "Old man, I'll give you my Recovery Pill now. This... amateur can attempt his refinent. When he fails—and he will fail—our deal stands."
The old man hesitated, then looked at . "And young master's offer?"
"If I successfully refine a Fasting Pill within the hour, you sell the Best Thin Armor for fifteen Fasting Pills total—the one I make now, plus fourteen to be delivered in three days."
The rchant nodded slowly. "Fair terms."
Jasper stepped closer to , lowering his voice. "You're either incredibly skilled or incredibly stupid. Which is it, I wonder?"
I t his gaze without flinching. "You'll find out soon enough."
He held my stare for a mont longer, then scoffed. "Old man," he called to the rchant, "be ready to accept my Recovery Pill when this farce ends. I don't have all day to watch amateurs embarrass themselves."
The crowd around us had grown, sensing the tension of competition. I could hear whispers spreading—word of the challenge between an unknown visitor and a guild alchemist.
I began gathering the herbs I would need, focused and thodical. This would be challenging, but not impossible. I had refined pills under far worse conditions during my training.
Just as I was laying out my materials, Jasper stepped forward again, his face now a mask of contempt.
"Before you waste everyone's ti," he announced loudly, "the crowd should know exactly who they're watching." He pointed at the emblem on his robes. "I am Jasper Monroe, Third Rank Alchemist of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, personally trained by Elder Greene. My pills have saved countless lives across River North."
He turned to face directly. "And who exactly are you, claiming such extraordinary abilities?"
The crowd's attention shifted to , waiting for my response. I hadn't intended to draw this much attention, but there was no backing down now.
"My na is Liam Knight," I stated simply.
"And your credentials? Your master? Your training?" Jasper pressed, clearly expecting to have none.
Before I could respond, the old rchant spoke up. "Perhaps we should let young masters' skills speak for themselves?"
Jasper wasn't satisfied. "No, I insist. If this man claims he can refine a Fasting Pill in one hour, in the middle of a market, the crowd deserves to know his qualifications."
I was about to speak when Jasper suddenly laughed, a realization dawning on his face.
"Wait—Liam Knight? From Havenwood City?" His eyes widened with recognition. "I've heard of you. You're that lucky commoner who stumbled upon so ancient technique and now pretends to be a master. You have no formal training, no lineage, no real understanding of the arts you claim to practice."
The crowd murmured at this revelation. I kept my expression neutral, though his words stung with their partial truth. I had indeed "stumbled upon" my knowledge rather than earning it through traditional ans.
"My origins don't matter," I replied evenly. "Only results do."
"Origins are everything in our world," Jasper countered. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild has five hundred years of tradition, knowledge passed down through generations of master alchemists. You have what—a few months of practicing techniques you don't even understand?"
He turned to the rchant. "Old man, reconsider. Would you rather have a pill from a respected guild alchemist, or one from an untrained pretender?"
The old man looked uncertain now, glancing between us.
I remained calm, though inside I was seething. This wasn't just about the Best Thin Armor anymore—it was about proving myself against the established powers that continued to look down on .
"Let be clear," I said, addressing both the rchant and the crowd. "I may not have centuries of tradition behind , but I will refine a Fasting Pill of the highest quality within the hour. Judge by my work, not by my background."
Jasper smirked. "Bold claims from soone with no standing. Old man, make your choice. My Recovery Pill from the Celestial Apothecary Guild, guaranteed effective and available imdiately—or this outsider's promised miracle."
The rchant hesitated, clearly conflicted. The crowd watched in tense silence, waiting to see which offer he would accept.
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