Suspicious Gaze

"Miss Helene, we will be under your care for today!” greeted the up and coming young alchemists assembled in the Royal Alchemy Center. “Please treat us well!”

“Please, no need to be so formal,” replied Helene warmly. “To tell you all the truth, I am also a novice in this part, so we’re standing on equal ground.”

The alchemists looked at each other, confused to hear Helene’s remark. At this point, it had been a common knowledge that nobody rivaled the Holy Saintess in terms of potions crafting. To hear the Saintess herself proclaimed her inexperience in front of them was something unexpected for the apprentices.

Whisperings kept getting louder, perhaps Helene also realized that. But before she could ask what was going on, one of the alchemists raised his hand, unable to hold back his question any longer.

“Um, Miss Helene, are our ears deceiving us? Because we just heard you said you were a novice,” asked one of the alchemists, followed by noddings of his colleagues. “I mean, you are our country’s national treasure, that’s why you are the Royal Saintess. Your expertise in potion making is considered the best around the land, even the King acknowledged your skill!”

Hearing that long compliments made Helene blushed a little bit. It seemed she could never get used to be revered as a public figure. After a long deep breath, Helene shook her head and turned her gaze upon the apprentices, ready to satisfy their curiousity.

“Your words are too kind, young man,” began Helene. “While it’s true that I have been entrusted with such a task, there are still tons of things I haven’t known yet. Therefore I myself am a student who keeps learning everyday,”

“Such a humble statement,” remarked that alchemist. “But we honestly couldn’t believe that Miss Helene still has something to learn,”

“Oh, I do,” responded Helene. “For example, like what we are going to do today, I can tell you that I am a complete beginner for today’s subject.”

That alchemist still had something to say, it seemed, but Helene already turned away, leading all of them to the storage room in the back of the facility.

“Now before we start, does anybody here have any idea what is waiting for us behind this door?” questioned Helene. The alchemists shook their head in confusion.

“Well, feast your eyes on this, then!”

Helene opened the door and what was inside the storage shocked the alchemists to the core. Some younger female apprentices couldn’t take it and went unconscious on the spot. Meanwhile some others could only stare in horror to witness the mutilated body parts of the demons.

“I know that perhaps for some of you, this is the first time you’ve seen this. Trust me, I was as disgusted as you are when I saw it before,” commented Helene. “But thanks to Sir Alex’s wisdom, my eyes were opened and ---”

“Objection, Miss Helene!” interrupted the alchemist who asked Helene before. “What are we going to do with these abominations? Don’t tell me we are going to incorporate these grotesque stuffs into our crafts?”

“100 points for Gryffin-, er I mean 100 points for you!” Helene congratulated the alchemist. “Youths these days sure have some serious quick thinking, better catch up or else I’ll get left behind.”

“Alright, let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” continued Helen. “Boys, if you would be so kind to assist in moving these demons’ remains to the main station while the girls will be preparing the utensils needed for further process.”

Despite their reluctance to work with those repulsive things, the alchemists half-heartedly followed the Saintess’ order.

After all of the demons’ body parts laid on the large table, Helene began to explain the basics of potion crafting she just learned from Alex.

“So as I said before, I am still an amateur in this part. Nevertheless, as the person in charge, I will take the liberty of demonstrating what I know to all of you here,”

Helene started showing the results of her study, occasionally peeking at the recipes written by Alex. The gloomy atmosphere which enveloped the room before, gradually turned into amazement as the alchemists began to realize the infinite possibilities of crafting they could possibly dream of.

“Holy, Miss Saintess consecutively created Elixir after Elixir like a breeze!” shouted them in awe. “Normally, out of 10 attempts, only one which will be successfully crafted, yet now not even once the Elixir crafting failed!”

Helene smiled to see her pupils expressed their approval.

“This is just the beginning, lads! Why don’t you come join me here and show your creativity?”

The apprentices swarmed the working station to follow Helene’s lead. Guided by the recipe, they started producing on various potions, each with a powered-up version thanks to the unlikely ingredients they were introduced to.

Horat who had been peeking from afar couldn’t contain his disapproval anymore. He went out from his hiding, intending to put a stop to this foolish madness.

“Miss Helene, what a peculiar sight you’ve been displaying,” greeted Horat cynically. “If I hadn’t known you any better, I would have strongly suspected you of practicing black magic.”

“Sir Horat, to what do I owe this honor?” replied Helene. “It’s all thanks to Sir Hero, surely his wisdom knows no bounds!”

“Ah, you mean that overrated individual, huh? I couldn’t care less about him,” smirked Horat. “Such a terrible influence he brought over, resorting to distasteful means like this,”

“Please don’t be fooled by what you see, Sir Horat,” persuaded Helene. “At first, the alchemists here were also against this, but in the end, as you can see, they could finally accept this method.”

“Hmph, you have better things to do, Saintess,” remarked Horat ignorantly. “Like answering the call of your Elders from the Shrine”

Helene frowned. She didn’t remember having an appointment today.

“Don’t tell me you forgot,” continued Horat. “The old folks at Shrine have been waiting like forever, you know!”

Although unsure, Helene decided to leave the Alchemy Center to proceed forward to the Shrine.

“Well, if you say so, then I shall take my leave. Now, if you’ll excuse me,”

After making sure Helene left the place, Horat smiled as his plan became one step closer to be accomplished.