Chapter 95: A Feather from Legend

“Thank you to everyone who came here today!” 

Ellis said this, but her eyes were fixed solely on me. 

She looked utterly thrilled. 

It seemed she was excited to show off the research she’d prepared just for me. 

…There was no way I could slip out now. 

My plan to sneak away midway because it felt too burdensome had failed. 

Ellis stepped up to the podium. 

“Since it looks like everyone’s here, I’ll start the presentation right away!” 

She rubbed her hand over the orb placed on the dais. 

Then, an image formed on the wall behind her. 

How fascinating. 

It was a magical tool I’d never seen before. 

“This week’s topic is about crops!” 

‘Huh?’ 

Doubtful voices rose from all around. 

“Did she just say crops?” 

“Did I hear that right?” 

… 

“Crops? At an alchemy conference?” 

Their confusion was only natural. 

I felt just as bewildered. 

Out of all the things in the world, why was she so fixated on my crops? 

“Look at this! It’s the vitality extracted from the crops.” 

Ellis pulled a small glass bottle from her bag. 

Iridescent liquid sloshed inside, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. 

But the audience remained indifferent. 

“What about some vitality?” 

“Extracting vitality is the most basic of basics.” 

As they failed to hide their disappointment. 

“The most fundamental aspect of alchemy is the processing and extraction of materials. However.” 

Ellis lifted the corner of her mouth in a sly grin. 

“This has a concentration of a whopping 99 percent! Pure vitality!” 

“99 percent?!” 

The hall erupted in an instant. 

“Really? Is that even possible?” 

“I can’t believe it.” 

“No matter how many extractions you do, 99 percent is an impossible figure.” 

Their eyebrows shot up. 

Unlike before, they were all ears now. 

Ellis calmed them down and added. 

“It’s too early to be surprised!” 

At her meaningful smile, everyone’s eyes widened. 

“What more is there?” 

Gulp— 

They swallowed hard, hanging on her every word. 

“With just one! Just a single extraction! I obtained pure vitality!” 

Startled. 

This time, jaws dropped. 

“No way! Just once?” 

“That’s impossible!” 

“If it’s true, it’s an unprecedented event!” 

Their faces lit up with even more excitement. 

They spat out words, practically foaming at the mouth. 

…Was it really that big a deal? 

As someone who knew nothing about alchemy, I couldn’t relate at all. 

“What on earth was the material?” 

“Exactly! Crops!” 

“C-crops?” 

Their expectant faces sank in an instant. 

Doubt took their place instead. 

“Not just any crops! Crops touched by a fairy’s hand!” 

“Oh!” 

They nodded as if it all made sense now. 

“Crops blessed by a fairy? That could explain it.” 

“Those aren’t ordinary crops at all.” 

“Yeah, exactly.” 

They nodded to each other. 

Then, one person raised their hand high. 

“So, what difference does a high concentration make?” 

“Right. Efficacy is what matters most.” 

“Even at 99 percent, it’s all about how you use it.” 

While they chattered away, Ellis pulled something from her bag. 

“Uh… that’s…..” 

It was something familiar to me too. 

“It’s a divine elixir infused with vitality. I call it Witch’s Detox Juice!” 

“Witch’s Detox Juice?” 

“Drinking this neutralizes all harmful toxins!” 

At the same time, research data unfolded on the wall. 

“Gasp!” 

The attendees who saw it were stunned. 

Their eyes bulged so wide it looked like they might pop out. 

“Truly incredible!” 

“This is a top-tier antidote!” 

“Ugh.” 

The endless stream of admiration made me shrink back. 

It was burdensome and embarrassing. 

Argh! I couldn’t take it anymore. 

As I tried to stand up and slip away. 

“If it weren’t for this person, I never could have created this amazing antidote!” 

Startled. 

…She was going to mention me?! 

I looked at Ellis and shook my head frantically. 

But it was already too late. 

“He’s right here in attendance! Uh…! Where are you going? Fabir!” 

I dashed out of the conference hall before the attention could shift to me. 

Murmur, murmur. 

“Who’s Fabir?” 

“Where? Where?” 

***

The conference hall had turned into a complete uproar. 

But Fabir had already hurriedly left. 

However, someone had caught sight of him. 

“Interesting.” 

It was the woman sitting next to Fabir. 

She stood from her seat and leisurely exited the hall. 

At the entrance, her waiting secretary fell in step behind her. 

“Did you enjoy the conference, Your Majesty?” 

“Yeah. It was fine.” 

Crops touched by a fairy’s hand. 

So, there was someone out there farming with the help of fairies? 

This was the Magic Nation. 

It overflowed with mages and alchemists, and many among them researched spirits. 

But a presentation on farming using fairies? 

It had never happened before. 

Especially since fairies only appeared in deep, dense forests. 

Who would even think to till fields in a place like that? 

“Really interesting.” 

She boarded the prepared carriage. 

It was white with sacred golden patterns. 

Strangely, it moved on its own, without any horses. 

The secretary who boarded alongside her addressed her. 

“Your Majesty the Demon King, we’ve received word from the Empire.” 

“Interesting news?” 

“They say they’re proceeding with a peace treaty with the beastkin.” 

“So the beastkin are finally kneeling before the Empire.” 

“No.” 

“Then?” 

“The proposal came from the Empire first.” 

Her eyebrow twitched. 

“The mighty emperor of the Empire extended a hand to the beastkin?” 

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. 

“Interesting. There must be something behind it. Dig into it.” 

“Understood.” 

She shifted her gaze out the window. 

“Today really has been full of interesting events.” 

 ***

“Fabir! Where on earth did you go?” 

Ellis’s voice called out to me. 

The conference must have ended. 

I snuck over to her side. 

“Miss Ellis.” 

“Huh? Fabir!” 

Ellis jumped in surprise. 

“Where did you disappear to? You bolted out of the hall so suddenly—I was really worried!” 

“Ah, um, I had to use the restroom urgently.” 

I couldn’t bring myself to say I’d fled because it felt too overwhelming. 

With Ellis’s personality, she’d definitely apologize. 

“I see.” 

I quickly changed the subject. 

“The conference seems to have gone well, so now you’ll help me, right?” 

“Of course! Let’s go right away. This way!” 

I followed her to the Magic Association’s information room. 

After pulling back the curtain and entering the small room, a compact space appeared. 

A deep purple cloth covered the round table in the center. 

A faint scent of incense wafted through the dimly lit room. 

“Welcome.” 

A woman seated at the table greeted us. 

We sat down across from her. 

“What are you looking for?” 

“I’m searching for Thunderbird materials.” 

“Thunderbird?” 

She looked a bit taken aback. 

“Hmm… It’s such a rare material. It might be difficult to find.” 

“Please try.” 

“And don’t be too disappointed if I can’t.” 

She reached out both hands toward the orb in the center of the table. 

Then, she waved them through the air as if stroking something invisible. 

It was a form of divination. 

Sparkle. 

Soon, a faint light emanated from the orb. 

“You said you were looking for Thunderbird materials, correct?” 

“Yes! Did you find any?” 

“Head to the auction house today.” 

“Today?” 

“You’d better hurry. The auction is about to begin soon.” 

“Thank you!” 

I dashed off toward the auction house. 

The auction house was right near the Magic Association. 

I quickly scanned the auction list posted on the wall. 

“Let’s see… Ah! There it is!” 

It was a Thunderbird feather. 

“…Starting bid at 50 gold?!” 

My mouth hung open. 

What kind of feather cost that much? 

The price was outrageous. 

“It’s a mythical creature, after all. What do you plan to do now?” 

“I have to participate in the auction.” 

“Huh? The price is definitely going to climb higher.” 

“I have a bit of money saved up from before.” 

I had no idea how high it would go, but who knew? 

I had to try as far as I could. 

Who could say when Thunderbird materials would show up again? 

Step, step. 

People streamed into the auction house. 

“The auction looks like it’s about to start. Let’s head in quickly.” 

I nodded and stepped into the auction house alongside Ellis. 

The people gathered inside all exuded an aura of refined elegance. 

“Look over there.” 

Ellis whispered. 

“Blue Mage Tower, White Mage Tower, Red Mage Tower. Nearly all the top mage towers are represented. What do you think they’re all here to buy?” 

“Um, yeah.” 

Surely they weren’t all after the Thunderbird feather? 

I shifted restlessly. 

My legs started to tremble. 

I did my best to suppress the anxiety bubbling up. 

At that moment. 

“We will now begin today’s auction.” 

At the host’s announcement, the room fell silent, all eyes focused forward. 

“The first item is quite the standout.” 

Auction staff carefully placed a cloth-draped item on the podium. 

“Now, behold.” 

As the host lifted the cloth. 

Shine. 

Iridescent light sparkled from within. 

The feather, as long as a human forearm, gleamed with a beautiful sky-blue luster. 

“The feather of the Thunderbird, also known as the King of the Skies!” 

…That was the Thunderbird’s feather. 

For a brief moment, I was completely captivated. 

It was just a feather, yet it radiated an undeniable noble dignity. 

“The mythical creature, the Thunderbird. The bird that commands the storms!” 

The host spoke in a voice brimming with overwhelming emotion. 

“You are gazing upon the feather of a legendary beast!” 

“Wow…” 

Gasps echoed from all around. 

“So that’s the Thunderbird’s feather?” 

“It’s truly incredible!” 

Click, click. 

Participants even pulled out expensive magical tools to photograph the Thunderbird feather. 

They were all here for a chance to lay eyes on rare materials, even once. 

“I wonder who will be the lucky owner to claim this Thunderbird feather!” 

The auction house’s atmosphere grew feverishly heated. 

“Are you all ready to participate?” 

The more intense it became, the more my heart burned with urgency. 

“Starting bid: 50 gold! Increments of 10 gold! The auction begins now!” 

Whoosh! 

Paddles shot up in rapid succession. 

“Number 84, 50 gold!” 

“Number 52, 60 gold!” 

“Number 72, 70 gold!” 

In the blink of an eye, it breezed past 100 gold. 

“The excitement is intense! Raising increments to 20 gold!” 

I couldn’t back down now. 

I thrust my number 77 paddle high into the air. 

“Number 77, 200 gold!” 

At this rate, I should be able to snag the Thunderbird feather, right?