Independence
Everything was sorted out after Aaron arrived.
The Inquisitors who had swarmed the mansion, the trashed and ruined estate, and even my own physical condition.
Everything was resolved cleanly.
I even got to eat proper meals and sleep for two whole days.
Inside the mansion, which had been restored to its original state with a single wave of Aaron's hand, I washed up, ate delicious food, and slept soundly.
I also learned that the view outside the window I had always looked out of was actually a landscape created by Aaron's alchemy.
A vast meadow, a blue sky, and white clouds.
That was the pastoral scenery I had been looking at, but in reality, it was a bustling city filled with people.
Specifically, the Gidum Empire, the nation of demons.
And right in the dead center of the imperial capital, no less.
Now, when I look out the window, I can even see the imperial palace.
At first, I thought it was just another city within the city.
That was how truly, incredibly massive the Gidum imperial palace was.
Anyway, when I asked him about the green meadows, blue skies, and fluffy clouds I had been seeing all this time, his answer was remarkably simple.
"It is a subspace."
The scenery I had seen wasn't an illusion.
It was a subspace created by Aaron.
No, it was probably closer to a personal domain.
So those screams I heard yesterday about traps must have been the natural result of them trying to break through the traps laid out in the subspace.
The reason people didn't swarm the place despite Aaron performing such massive transmutations was likely due to that subspace as well.
"You are amazing, Master."
"It is nothing."
"But Master, about that deconstruction you showed me before..."
"There is a saying that all paths lead to the same destination when you reach the end. You were likely going to ask if what I showed you could ultimately be done with magic or swords as well, but it is different. Magic and swords cannot create. Creating and transmuting things is something only we alchemists can do."
"Then, when that transmutation touched the world—"
"I do not wish to limit your imagination by putting it into words."
Having said that, Aaron began slipping the necessary items from the mansion into a subspace.
"Will I be able to transmute a subspace someday too?"
"It should not be too far off."
"When can I do it? Even a small one is fine."
"For you, it should be possible starting from the 6th tier."
"That requires Alteration, right? As expected of a high alchemist."
Level 6, Circle 6, Tier 6—these were the stages where the word 'high' was prefixed.
They said it was the starting point where one began to transcend human limits, and it truly seemed to be the case.
I had personally faced the Vice-Captain of the Inquisitors, who could close distances and demolish walls with a single charge.
He had also completely healed his twisted limbs and rejoined the battle in less than two minutes.
Even that was only at the level of a Tier 5. I couldn't even begin to imagine how things would change starting from Tier 6.
"Then, do you alter space to make a pocket? Or do you alter a pocket into a space?"
"Think of it as twisting space through distortion, and then applying alteration, deconstruction, and enhancement to that twisted space to create your own dimension."
I still didn't understand even after hearing it.
I just gave a vague nod.
"I'll try it once I reach the 6th tier."
"Yes. That would be faster."
I stared at Aaron, who had become strangely kind, and asked the question I was most curious about.
"But Master, are we moving?"
"We are not moving."
Are we just going on a short trip then?
It made sense, considering how much I had suffered this time.
"Should I pack my things too?"
"Your things?"
Aaron turned to look at me.
His gaze clearly asked what belongings I could possibly have.
"I have things too."
I said proudly, pointing toward the warehouse.
Aaron's expression grew complicated.
"Is that a no?"
"It is too large."
"What if I carry it around as combining, transforming parts?"
"Must you unleash that thing upon the world?"
As I blinked, Aaron quickly corrected himself.
"Must you carry that around with you?"
I felt like I had heard something strange just a moment ago.
Master must be out of it because he's so busy, I thought.
I nodded, keeping that thought to myself.
"The Potion Launching Golem that saved my life is in there too."
"So you intend to advertise to the world that you are an alchemist."
"Ah."
Aaron stared at me for a moment before letting out a short sigh.
"Still, it might be useful in an emergency. If you can disassemble it, do so and pack it."
"Yes. Thank you!"
I immediately ran to the warehouse and began disassembling what I needed.
Since I was the one who had assembled the golem in the first place, taking it apart and putting it back together would be a breeze.
But as I was taking it apart, a thought struck me: I wouldn't be able to use it in an actual emergency.
It took way too long to assemble.
Yesterday was fine because the golem was already assembled, but what if it had been in pieces?
I would have been dragged off to the Holy Kingdom, disassembled just like the golem.
"Mmm..."
Still, I kept disassembling it.
In the end, it was the golem that had saved my life.
If I carried it around in pieces, non-alchemists wouldn't recognize it anyway, so there was no harm.
"Put it in here."
While I was working, Aaron handed me a backpack.
It was a backpack that fit my small frame perfectly.
Because of that, it looked like there was no way everything would fit inside.
But if Aaron was the one giving it to me, there had to be a reason...
I gasped.
A lightbulb went off in my head.
"Master, is this by any chance a subspace bag?"
"Yes."
"You just transmuted this, didn't you?"
"Most things should fit inside, so pack it well."
Aaron set the backpack down and walked out of the warehouse.
"Thank you!"
I called out my thanks to his retreating back and began examining the bag.
"I have no idea."
I couldn't figure it out just by looking.
It felt like some other transmutation had been applied in addition to the subspace, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't tell what it was.
It didn't tear when slashed with a knife, and it remained perfectly fine even when exposed to fire. It even deflected my deconstruction transmutation.
Eventually, I gave up trying to analyze it and reached my hand deep inside the backpack.
Wait, there's already something inside?
Feeling around, I could feel what seemed to be potions, books, and alchemy ingredients.
I'll have to ask Master later.
Putting off identifying the contents for now, I began sliding the golem parts into the backpack one by one.
"Whoa."
No matter how much I put in, the backpack didn't bulge.
Its weight barely increased either.
At this rate, I could probably fit my entire household inside.
So, I packed everything.
From all sorts of potions to rare metals, the blueprints for the Giant Combining Transforming Tyrannosaurus, and even the research materials I had been working on.
Since there was still plenty of room, I packed my clothes too.
Actually, I didn't really need to pack many clothes.
Since they were clothes that had undergone Aaron's transmutation, they had automatic cleaning and deodorizing functions.
So, if I had to pack, a set of pajamas, workout clothes, and casual wear would have been more than enough.
But I packed them all anyway.
Having them with me would give me a chance to study Aaron's alchemy later. Besides, I didn't want to leave behind the clothes my master had gifted me.
If I were actually a young child, I might have thought of this as a light trip, but I wasn't young.
In my past life, I was a proud twenty-five-year-old Korean man.
Of course, I was exempt from military service.
It was because I had no parents.
Anyway, I felt something in this situation.
Call it a hunch, but I had a feeling that once I left this mansion, I would be embarking on a very long journey.
"Are you done packing?"
"Yes. This backpack is amazing."
I bowed my head, showing off the backpack slung over my shoulders.
"Thank you, Master."
Watching me, Aaron let out a soft chuckle and handed me a robe.
"Wear this."
It was a dark blue robe that seemed like it would go well with my light green hair. It even had a hood, which would be perfect for hiding my face.
"Thank you."
"Take this as well."
"A necklace?"
"It is an artifact that will conceal the fact that you are an alchemist as much as possible. It will also hide the Tongue Workshop. Those of the 8th tier and above will be able to see through it, so do not let your guard down too much."
"Wow. Thank you. I'll always be careful."
I immediately put it around my neck.
It was closer to a choker than a necklace, but it wasn't particularly uncomfortable.
In fact, it barely felt like I was wearing anything. After a short while, I would probably forget it was even there.
Then, I remembered something I had forgotten.
"Master."
As if he already knew what I was curious about, Aaron spoke up immediately.
"The items inside the bag are simple potions and basic alchemy ingredients. There are also the Mana Remnants you frequently use, and books for you to study once your level rises. Also..."
Trailing off, which was rare for him, Aaron slowly continued.
"I have also included a book containing my personal insights."
"Ah."
Isn't this basically a secret manual?
A secret manual containing the insights of a 9th-tier alchemist was something you couldn't obtain even if you sold your soul.
"Is it really okay for me to receive something so precious?"
"It is because it is you that you must receive it."
With a smirk, Aaron patted my head.
"If my disciple does not receive it, who else would?"
I nodded, gripping the straps of my backpack tightly.
"You're right. I am your disciple, Master. Thank you."
"The rest are miscellaneous items. An identification plaque, some money, a map, and the like. The reason I stepped out briefly was to secure your identification plaque."
"I see."
As expected, my hunch was correct.
This journey was going to be a very long one.
I set the bag down for a moment and quickly put on the robe.
After slinging the bag over it, I pulled the hood low over my head.
Finally, I took one last look around the mansion where I had stayed for the past three years.
I felt a lingering sense of regret.
"Can I come back here someday?"
"There are better mansions in better places."
My regret vanished instantly.
I turned around without hesitation.
Aaron smirked at my reaction.
"Let us go."
"Yes."
Aaron had also pulled his hood low, just like me. Seeing him with his face hidden like that made him look like a very solemn and dignified alchemist.
"If you head straight in that direction, you will reach the coalition of the beastkin."
"The Barango Coalition, right?"
With the Gidum Empire as the center...
To the west lay the Barango Coalition, to the east was the elven nation of Silveria, and to the north was the dwarven nation of the Grimbar Coalition.
Further down, to the southwest, was the human nation of the Escart Empire, and to the southeast was the Luminarion Holy Kingdom.
Of course, the boundaries weren't perfectly aligned with the cardinal directions.
That was just a rough estimation of their locations.
"Yes."
"Should I go that way?"
"No, absolutely do not go toward Barango. A war will break out between Gidum and them soon."
I looked up at Aaron.
"Is the reason you are here because of that war, Master?"
"Yes. I have been staying here because there is something I need to obtain from the war."
"Then I won't go anywhere near the Gidum Empire or the Barango Coalition."
"A wise decision."
I wasn't worried about Aaron.
Having already witnessed what he was capable of, worrying about him was a complete waste of time.
Taking my eyes off the west, I looked toward the east.
"Then should I go to Silveria?"
"It will not be easy to adapt to their culture. Furthermore, the elves of Silveria hate alchemists even more than the humans of the Escart Empire do."
"Why?"
Aaron paused to choose his words, then shook his head.
"Find out for yourself. It will all be in the libraries."
"Okay. Then where should I go?"
The place Aaron pointed to on the map was the Escart Empire.
It was a human empire that openly banned alchemy.
"Is it okay for me to go there?"
"As long as you are careful, life will be more comfortable there than in other places. You could also go to the Grimbar Coalition if you wish."
"Why Grimbar?"
Aaron's lips twitched slightly before he spoke.
"If you keep your hood pulled down, they will mistake you for a dwarf."
I looked down at my body.
I felt like I had grown, but I was still tiny.
I didn't know what dwarves looked like, but with my height, I would definitely blend right in.
"I'll go to the Escart Empire. I think it'll be a bit easier to live there."
"In that case, it would be best to register as an adventurer first. Since war is imminent, there will be many merchant caravans heading toward the Escart Empire. I have marked the adventurer guild branch on the map. Just go there, show your identification plaque, and the receptionist will handle the rest."
"Okay. I'll do that."
Aaron stared at me for a moment, then knelt on one knee to meet my eyes.
"You do not ask any questions."
"About what?"
"Are you not curious about the reason we are leaving like this?"
Aaron had likely made this choice because he thought I would be in danger if I stayed with him.
After all, there was no guarantee that a raid that happened once wouldn't happen again.
"I think it can't be helped. I'm fine."
"You do not even ask why I am called the Third Disaster."
"I figured you'd tell me when the time was right."
"Are you still not afraid of me?"
"No. You're my master."
A smile played on his lips.
That smile no longer felt awkward.
If there was one change that had come over Aaron during the past three years, it was that natural smile.
"There was a reason I had to do those things."
"Yes."
"However, it is still a bit too early to tell you, so I will explain when the time comes."
"I understand."
"Even if you happen to realize my goal, do not interfere. It is my own matter to resolve."
"I will."
"Do not pick up and eat strange things."
"Yes."
"If a beast—no, a monster—cannot eat it, do not eat it either."
"Yes."
"Do not conduct experiments like setting fire to forests or diluting poison in running water."
"Yes."
"Do not try to teach a moving potion how to speak."
"Yes."
"Only use the Potion Launching Golem when you are in a true crisis. The limit of what you can load into it is an explosion potion combined with compressed remnants. Never load anything beyond that."
"Yes."
"If you think the Potion Launching Golem's power is too weak, modify it to make it stronger."
"Yes."
I answered out of habit, but realizing it was probably the wrong answer, I quickly changed it.
"No! I won't do that."
Aaron stared at me for a moment, then let out a sigh.
"...I wonder if it is truly safe to unleash you upon the world like this."
"I'll be fine."
"Yes, you will be fine."
Aaron looked as if he wanted to say more, but he ultimately closed his mouth and stood up.
I looked up at him and asked.
"When will I be able to see you again, Master?"
"Whenever you reach the level where you can seek me out."
Even though he was right next to me, he felt so far away.
It was probably because of that scene I had witnessed earlier, where he deconstructed the entire world.
"I'll work hard."
"Yes. See the wide world, experience many things, and always strive. If you do, you will naturally rise to great heights."
"Yes."
"Next time you visit, I hope you will show me that Giant Combining Transforming Tyrannosaurus as well."
"Yes! But a delicious potion comes first. I'll definitely make a delicious potion and spread it across the entire continent, so you must try it."
"I shall look forward to it."
I took a step back from Aaron, who was now smiling naturally, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for everything, Master."
Three years and five months spent with Aaron.
Having been his disciple through four calendar years, today, I became independent.