Episode 318
Episode 318
'Is he really okay?'
Yoner couldn't understand it.
Her sister Yoanen's specialty was pushing alchemists to their limits until their minds collapsed.
The more absurd part was that she harbored no malice while doing so.
She was simply devoted to alchemy.
Yoner had expected Lee Han's face to be contorted or stained with pain when he returned.
Though he was the top student in their year—the same madman who'd taken every magic course at Einrogard—so he probably wouldn't run away...
Still, enduring Yoanen's obsessive madness completely would be impossible, wouldn't it?
Yet Lee Han's expression was utterly serene. Like a windless lake.
"Did you... not start working yet?"
"Here. <Dobruk's Soul-Returning Elixir>."
Yoanen lovingly shook the flask containing the potion as she gazed at it.
Though Yoner had seen this potion several times before, she could tell this one was different.
'That deep color... is that the hue of mana? If so...'
A friend summoned to assist with work requiring stronger mana than usual.
Yoner couldn't help but think of Lee Han.
"Did you help with the work?"
"Yes."
"Was it difficult?"
"I only took on an assistant's role."
"Eh... eh??"
Yoner was baffled by Lee Han's words.
Not just supplementary or miscellaneous tasks—he'd taken on the role of Yoanen's assistant.
Yoner knew exactly what being Yoanen's assistant entailed. There was absolutely no way her sister had just sat idly by.
"Are you... okay??"
"It was difficult. But Lady Maykin here handled most of the work."
"No need to be so modest. Thanks to you, we've created a fine potion."
Yoanen looked genuinely satisfied. Seeing such a rare expression honestly surprised Yoner.
She rarely ever made that face unless...
It was an expression that usually required grinding through dozens of alchemists to appear...
"Are you really okay? No, just tell me what happened step by step."
"Let's not do this here. We'll talk over lunch."
Yoanen granted her sister and her sister's friend some rest time.
Her uncharacteristic generosity left Yoner stunned once more.
"We can have lunch!? While working!?"
"Don't be so rude in front of our guest. They might misunderstand."
"...!!!!!!"
Yoner could only blink in frustration.
Who was it that usually ignored meals and everything else to focus on work until it was done?
When the lead alchemist Yoanen didn't eat, her assistant alchemists naturally couldn't eat either.
The workshop had many seasoned alchemists, but none ever volunteered to be Yoanen's assistant.
Usually, some unlucky newcomer would take the role, only to flee in tears later...
"...Fine. Let's just eat. Lee Han."
"We should go back to the mansion for lunch."
"Meals are provided in the workshop. Working alchemists don't get charged, so don't worry."
Lee Han, who'd been about to leave, stopped and nodded.
"This is a good workshop."
"...How can you say that after seeing what you saw when we entered earlier..."
Pahuseok, an alchemist who'd worked in the workshop for eight years, didn't pay much attention even when Yoner of the Maykin Family visited with a friend.
Whether it was Yoner's friend, His Majesty the Emperor's friend, or anyone else—no one lasted long as Yoanen's assistant.
The previous record was about 23 minutes, so they'd probably make some excuse and leave in 15.
That's why Pahuseok couldn't help but be shocked when he saw the red-haired girl and black-haired boy sitting at the table ahead, eating lunch.
'What!?'
Apparently, Pahuseok wasn't the only one surprised. Other alchemists were whispering while staring at Lee Han.
"What's going on?"
An alchemist dipping flatbread into spiced bean soup asked quietly.
"...Looks like the new assistant survived."
"What did you say!?!"
"Shh. Your voice is too loud."
"Ah, no... My apologies. I was just so surprised."
Pahuseok nearly dropped the fried rice bowl he was holding.
To last the entire morning as Yoanen's assistant...
And astonishingly, he even came out for lunch.
That must mean Yoanen permitted him to go eat lunch.
"How on earth...? Is it because he's the Young Master's friend?"
"Lord Maykin isn't the type to show favoritism."
"Right, he's definitely not that kind of person."
The workshop alchemists quickly agreed.
Yoanen wasn't the type to go easy on someone just because they were his younger brother's friend.
If he were that flexible and considerate, the dozens who'd attempted the assistant position wouldn't have all been driven away.
"Unless... unless... this is just a wild thought, but could there be a possibility...?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"That he passed as an assistant..."
"Does that even make sense!"
The workshop alchemists firmly denied it.
There was no way Yoanen would approve someone as an assistant so easily.
There had to be another reason.
"But other reasons... Moreover, from what I know, that Wardanaz family boy recently defeated a mage from Baldrogard and even ba—"
"Whether he defeated a mage or even slayed a basilisk, that's irrelevant."
"Huh? You knew about it too? News travels fast."
"What are you talking about? No. Anyway, that's not the point. You know an alchemist's skills are completely separate. Jumping to conclusions is the worst habit an alchemist can have. Let's wait until we ask Lord Maykin directly. It probably wasn't an assistant role."
"I suppose..."
Soon, when Yoanen appeared, several alchemists quickly approached to ask questions. Pahuseok was among them.
"Lord Maykin. That young man hasn't left yet... Did he perform well as an assistant?"
Even as they asked, the alchemists expected a different answer.
Perhaps he had spent the morning doing inventory checks or familiarizing himself with tools...
But Yoanen shook a potion vial with evident satisfaction.
"...!!!"
"This... this can't be!"
"Does the blood of the Wardanaz family overcome even Lord Maykin's madness?"
The alchemists tried to accept reality, but it wasn't easy.
How could someone so young possibly...?
"Truly remarkable... Is it because he's from Einrogard?"
"You know that has nothing to do with it. That mage who ran away last time was also from Einrogard."
"Ah, right. This isn't the time."
One of the alchemists snapped back to his senses and began piling food onto a plate.
Over fresh oysters seasoned with spices, he lightly poured his own stamina-recovery potion—the one he had been saving to drink himself.
Another alchemist took out smoked eel and sprinkled his precious mind-recovery powder over it like seasoning.
Pahuseok stirred a focus potion into pumpkin porridge. It was a potion he had been hoarding, but this student had earned it.
Thud—
"??"
"Please have this as well."
"And this."
"This too."
"...???"
Lee Han, who had been chatting with Yoner, was bewildered as the alchemists added more dishes to his meal before leaving.
'Is this some kind of initiation ritual for newcomers?'
"What does this mean?"
"It means they want you to last long and not collapse."
Yoner sighed as he explained.
Given how alchemists working under Yoanen tended to fall like autumn leaves, it was only natural for the workshop alchemists to have such expectations.
Of course, from a friend's perspective, the workshop alchemists' actions were quite unpleasant.
In short, they were telling him to take the potions and endure for a long time.
Hearing Yoner's explanation, Lee Han smiled faintly, touched.
"This is truly a wonderful workshop."
"Lee Han. I think your standards for calling something 'good' are way too low..."
Even after the meal, Lee Han performed his tasks splendidly.
No matter what work was assigned, Lee Han completed it in one go. Seeing this, Yoanen showed no signs of wanting to send him back to Einrogard.
"You've worked very hard."
"Not at all. I learned a great deal."
Having finished all his tasks, Lee Han shook hands with Yoanen.
It wasn't that the work hadn't been difficult, but the pouch of silver coins Yoanen had given him made him forget all about the fatigue.
To pay silver coins while assigning work similar to what Einrogard professors would give—wasn't he a far better person than them?
"Big Sis. Let go."
"...When do you think you'll come next?"
"I said let go."
Yoner whispered. Yoanen still hadn't released the hand she was holding.
"This week, I have too many other commitments to attend."
"What about next week?"
"I believe next Wednesday is free."
"Then will you come and help next Wednesday?"
"I'll do my best."
"Should I send someone to the Wardanaz family in case you forget?"
"No need. I'll remember."
Only after Yoner stomped on her foot several times did Yoanen finally let go of the hand she was holding.
As Yoanen waved and retreated into the workshop, Lee Han muttered in a slightly concerned voice.
"Lady Yoanen has a bit of that Einrogard professor vibe, doesn't she?"
"A bit? A bit?!"
"Ah, right. Yoner."
Lee Han took out the ring and helmet he had brought. Seeing artifacts she hadn't seen before, Yoner grew intrigued.
"What's this for?"
"To sell."
"...Huh?"
Lee Han explained where he had obtained these artifacts and why he wanted to sell them.
Had other friends been present, they might have said, 'But we're mages—selling artifacts like these just for money feels a bit off, doesn't it? Let's disassemble and study them instead!'
But Yoner understood immediately.
"I see. If that's the case."
"Right? I was thinking of checking out the shops in the central district."
Since the central district of Granden City was where the city's nobility resided, there were shops that traded in rare artifacts.
Lee Han planned to visit such shops and ask, 'How much are you willing to offer?'
"Want me to introduce you to a shop I know?"
"I'd appreciate it, but are you sure?"
"Yeah. After what my sister put me through, I owe you at least this much."
"It's not like I was really put through..."
Ignoring him, Yoner guided the way.
'Greenbell's Rare Treasures? Is this a shop run by the Greenbell family?'
Lee Han grew intrigued upon recognizing the name of a family he had encountered during his visit to the Dalkard family's mansion.
Despite the sun beginning to set, a bright light streamed from inside the windows.
By observing the color and brightness of the mana glow, one could estimate the purity of the mana and whether expensive or cheap artifacts were being used.
'Definitely a high-end place.'
"Welcome."
A spotlessly dressed clerk bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the ground, greeting them with utmost courtesy—a natural response given the status of the visiting guests.
Inside, a few other customers had arrived earlier and were examining artifacts while listening to the clerks' explanations.
"So this bracelet supposedly increases luck, is that right?"
"That is correct, sir."
"How much luck does it increase? Can I draw the card I want?"
"I'm no mage, but I believe luck isn't something that can be quantified in such a manner, sir."
"Ugh... Is there anything else? Something more reliable... like... shuffling the deck exactly as I want... or seeing the opponent's cards... that sort of..."
The clerk's eyebrows rose slightly.
Though it was an artifact shop, not all artifacts were for sale.
Being a dignified establishment, they didn't deal in blatantly deceptive artifacts.
The clerk's expression now seemed to say, 'As a noble, are you really looking for artifacts meant for cheating?'
"N-no! I'm not planning to use it for card games!"
"Gainando?!"
Gainando turned his head in surprise upon spotting the two friends, then quickly covered his face with his cloak.
"I'm not Gainando."
"......"
"......"