“Are you okay, Chang’an?”
Stepping out of the crowd’s view, Falling Snow Maple Leaf turned to her close friend.
Moon Chang’an shook her head, then sincerely bowed to me in gratitude. “Thank you, little sister. We’ll gather the money to pay you back as soon as we can, cough cough…”
Perhaps due to her frail condition or something else, she broke into a few coughs before finishing her sentence.
As expected, just like in my past life, she’s a sickly beauty.
Moon Chang’an’s appearance seemed perfectly normal to me. After all, I knew quite a bit about this big sister from my previous life, including her real-world chronic illness.
The reason I stepped in to help was because of her renowned title in the Alwyn Empire from my past life—
Divinely Descended Alchemist.
I turned around, sizing up the female player named Falling Snow Maple Leaf. I had never heard of the Alwyn Empire’s famed alchemist god having such a close friend by her side.
But considering how Moon Chang’an was treated in my past life, and the fact that I couldn’t possibly remember every single detail, it wasn’t surprising.
“I didn’t help you just so you could pay me back.” I retracted my gaze and spoke up. “Besides, you two don’t exactly look like you’re in a position to repay me.”
“Don’t underestimate us, kid. I’ve got some savings,” Falling Snow Maple Leaf said coolly, feeling slighted.
“If your savings could solve it, that situation earlier wouldn’t have happened, right? And I’m guessing you’re still quite short, aren’t you?”
As if I’d hit the nail on the head, she fell silent.
Seeing this, Moon Chang’an hurriedly chimed in, “Don’t worry, little sister. I’m an alchemist. I’ll gather the money soon enough…”
“But from what those guys were saying, you don’t seem all that reliable, big sister.”
“I’m… I’m sorry.” Moon Chang’an faltered, her voice growing faint.
“But no matter what… cough cough, we’ll make sure to gather enough to pay you back, little sister. Please believe us.”
“I already said, I didn’t help you for the money.” I sighed, repeating my earlier statement. “Anyway, just follow me for now.”
“If you’re taking us to some human trafficker, I’ll sell you first.”
“Who’d want me when I’m this charming… Wait, there are no human traffickers in this game! Hurry up and follow me!”
Originally, I’d planned to head to the National Library to work on my dungeon storyline. But this unexpected situation cropped up, and since it was on the way, I decided to bring them to my other destination for the day—
Triss’s rented alchemy workshop.
The place bustled with alchemist apprentices coming and going, counters lined with an array of potions, and a lively crowd of customers on one side of the shop.
Though she’s a bit of a dummy, Triss’s years of living in Faerns weren’t for nothing. In just a few days, she’d managed to get the workshop running smoothly.
Falling Snow Maple Leaf and Moon Chang’an were still puzzled, but when I led them to the third floor and opened the door to Triss’s private alchemy room, their confusion was answered—
A petite figure was facing away from them, chugging milk as if trying to make up for all the growth she’d missed out on.
“…” ×3
As if that explained anything.
“Miss Triss, they’re here.” Fortunately, Hill, who had arrived earlier and was curiously browsing the potions on the shelves, spoke up just in time to break the silence.
“So soon…?”
Caught off guard by Hill’s reminder, Triss choked on her milk, quickly wiping her mouth and turning around to assume a serious demeanor.
“Adventurers from afar, what brings you here?”
She discreetly hid the milk bottle behind her back.
“Honored Miss Triss, I’m here to recommend a suitable alchemy apprentice. Remember the promise you made last time?” I pursed my lips, playing along with Triss to salvage the situation.
“Of course I remember.”
Catching my warning glance, Triss didn’t dare act high and mighty. She shifted her gaze to the two behind me. “These two, then?”
“To be precise, this one.” I pointed to Moon Chang’an beside me.
Only then did Falling Snow Maple Leaf and Moon Chang’an realize that this tiny loli before them was a Master Alchemist.
When Moon Chang’an received the quest titled “Master Alchemist Triss’s Guidance,” she couldn’t help but let out a small gasp. “This…”
Just as she was at a loss, a trade request popped up on her game interface.
Instinctively accepting it, she froze at the sight of the various materials listed on the trade panel.
“If you’re willing, big sister, sign this contract, accept the quest, and submit these materials.”
Though guided by my voice, Moon Chang’an wasn’t foolish. She knew these materials were valuable, and combined with my earlier conversation with the Master Alchemist, she could guess this was an incredibly rare opportunity to study under a master.
With that in mind, she hesitated, looking up at me.
“Are you, little sister, trying to sign me on as your exclusive alchemist?”
“Just take a look at the contract, big sister.”
Hearing this, though she wanted to say more, Moon Chang’an focused on the agreement I handed her.
“A contract of servitude?”
Falling Snow Maple Leaf glanced over.
I stuck out my tongue at her.
But even if it were a servitude contract, both Falling Snow Maple Leaf and Moon Chang’an were visibly moved after reading it.
The contract was straightforward: I’d provide the funds for alchemy, Moon Chang’an would handle the crafting, and if the potions were sold, we’d split the profits 70-30, with her taking 30%.
Compared to guild alchemist contracts, this offered an extra 10%—a rate usually reserved for chief alchemists.
“Cough cough, I can’t take this much. 20% is more than enough.”
Moon Chang’an shook her head, confusion in her eyes. “And… why choose someone like me?”
“Intuition. I believe you’ll become an amazing alchemist, big sister.”
I smiled slightly.
“But in Blue Shadow, I’ve already wasted so many materials and failed so many times. My success rate is far lower than other alchemists. Even so, is it okay…?”
“The past doesn’t define the future. If you don’t try, how will you know if you can do better? I believe in you, big sister, so don’t let my trust in you down.” I shook my head, my gaze fixed firmly on Moon Chang’an’s gentle, beautiful face.
“I…” Moon Chang’an opened her mouth, still hesitating slightly.
Seeing this, Falling Snow Maple Leaf patted her shoulder, speaking calmly. “A few failures crushed your confidence? That’s not the Chang’an I know.”
Bolstered by such trust and encouragement, Moon Chang’an fell silent for a moment before her hesitation faded. A unique, charming smile spread across her gentle face.
“Then… I’ll do my best!”
Soon after signing the contract and submitting the materials, Moon Chang’an officially became Triss’s first true player apprentice, assigned a spot nearby.
Seeing the new entry in her sub-profession alchemy tab—a special mentorship mark that boosted proficiency and crafting success rates—Moon Chang’an quietly resolved to prove herself.
With Triss’s prepared herbs and alchemist tools at hand, she immediately set to work crafting potions.
I could understand her mindset. Receiving such rare recognition from someone else meant she couldn’t let them down, especially with such generous terms.
To avoid disturbing her, we left the alchemy room.
But the moment the door closed, Falling Snow Maple Leaf cast a faint glance my way.