"Of course I know," Odis replied, "But you also know my businesses are expanding. If I don't advance soon, my status will far outstrip my actual strength, and that's quite dangerous." This was the excuse he had prepared long ago.
Max nodded, "Fair point," He took a deep breath, "Alright. If you're truly ready, I'll apply for the 'Melee Scholar' potion formula and ingredients for you later."
Odis had contributed enough to the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery to warrant these rewards.
"Good. Thank you." Then he added, "Do I have enough credit left to also obtain the Sequence 7 formula?"
Max set down his knife and fork, his expression turning serious, "Advancement isn't a joke. One misstep, and you could lose control! Especially for Sequence 7, which is already at the Mid-Sequence stage... The risks are substantial!"
"...I'd recommend waiting three to five years after becoming a 'Melee Scholar' before even considering it."
'If only you knew about the acting method,' Odis mused.
"I was just asking," he said.
"You probably qualify," Max picked up his utensils again, "But I'll need to confirm with Captain Ikanser. You know how rare these high-level formulas are on the market."
"I know." Odis muttered while cutting his steak.
The topic ended there, and they moved on to discussing international affairs and Backlund's latest gossip... though the city's abysmal weather inevitably came up as well...
...
That afternoon, Odis received the 'Melee Scholar' potion formula and its two main ingredients.
Only after returning to the backroom and laboratory of Gale's Herbal Shop did he unseal the formula:
«Sequence 8: Melee Scholar»
Main Ingredients:
- Complete pituitary gland of a Spotted Spirit Monkey...
- Intact flower of a Blood Hyacinth...
Supplementary Materials:
- Three pure black poppy flowers...
- 12 grams of dragon's teeth grass powder...
- 15 ml of goldenrod-infused hydrosol (aged one year)...
- 25 ml of purified water...
Placing the two main ingredients on the table, Odis gathered the supplementary materials from the shop's stock.
With everything prepared, he decided to advance that very night...
Just as he was about to store the ingredients, an imposing, mysterious figure materialized in his mind...
It was 'The Fool'!
Then the image faded, and was replaced by another... a middle-aged man of indistinct features in a prayer pose, murmuring in a low voice, "Great Mr Fool, please relay my question to 'The Hermit'..."
"...I wish to ask if 'The Hermit' possesses any other Extraordinary weapons besides the staff mentioned two days ago."
Odis recognized the praying figure... It was 'The World'.
Once the message ended, Odis pondered briefly before coming to a realization, 'Klein must've taken an interest in the Flamebolt...'
Assuming a prayer stance, he whispered, "The Fool that doesn't belong to this era... The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog... The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck..."
"Honorable Mr Fool, please inform 'The World' that I do possess another Extraordinary weapon, though I do not intend to sell it. However, I am willing to rent it to him if needed."
"The rental fee is 20 pounds per day. It is a revolver called 'Flamebolt', which, when loaded with specialized bullets and infused with Spirituality, can fire projectiles slightly larger than fists, each imbued with flames."
"Bullets must be purchased separately at 1 pound per round."
....
~Unit 15 Minsk Street, Cherwood Borough~
Having already traded for the Sun Brooch with Old Man 'Eye of Wisdom', Klein couldn't help but marvel at The Hermit's offer, "So cheap!"
The enchanted bullets he had bought at the Eye of Wisdom's Beyonder gathering cost 10 pounds each.
It's probably because the Flamebolt bullets only added a minor fire effect with no extraordinary properties, making them far less effective against creatures like 'Werewolves' and 'Zombies' compared to proper enchanted ammunition... {T/N: 'Werewolf' and 'Zombie' are the respective Sequence 7 and Sequence 6 of the 'Chained' Pathway...}
But they were affordable...
Klein considered renting them for Maric's use. The unexpected firepower would catch their enemies off guard.
'I'll take it...' Klein decided.
Then it struck him... 'The Hermit' had a sharp business mind...
Unlike other Beyonder gatherings, the Tarot Club had 'The Fool's' credibility as a guarantee. Renting Mystical items (even Sealed Artifacts) between members was entirely feasible.
Even if 'The Fool' was currently just a facade, Klein had no intention of exploiting that.
After some thought, Klein decided to rent not just the Flamebolt, but also the staff... its anti-evil properties would be invaluable.
Of course, the cost wouldn't come from his pocket. Maric would foot the bill...
....
~Unit 51 Henry Street, West Borough~
After securing Klein's order, Odis immediately began crafting a batch of specialized bullets.
By 5 p.m., the transaction was complete...
Under The World's guidance, Odis arranged two candles on a table and drew the symbol of 'The Fool' between them. The symbol consisted of a pupil-less eye with contorted lines.
Erecting a Spiritual Wall, he offered the Flamebolt, the staff, and 30 bullets to 'The Fool' through a sacrificial ritual.
The rental period lasted until the following day at 5 p.m... Because of this, Odis guessed that Klein's operation was likely tonight.
With the deal done, Odis carried on with his usual routine, working at the herbal shop until past nine.
After dismissing Kain, he locked up, turned off the gas lamps, and retreated to the backroom laboratory.
First, he meditated to stabilize his condition. Then, he began brewing the potion.
Cleaning and drying a beaker, he verified all ingredients were ready before adding three pure black poppy flowers, a spiritual material which is distinct from ordinary poppies, their blooms and pods possess potent anesthetic properties.
Next, he measured 12 grams of dragon's teeth grass powder on a scale. This was a versatile and commonly stocked ingredient.
Using a graduated cylinder, he portioned 15 ml of golden liquid (goldenrod hydrosol aged for a year). Finally, he added purified water.
These spiritual materials did not react at all in the beaker... The flowers were floating, and the liquids remained unblended.
Now came the main ingredients.
First, the Spotted Spirit Monkey's pituitary gland which shimmered with faint starlight... It was almost ethereal in its beauty.
As the ingredient entered the beaker, the spiritual materials reacted instantly, sizzling audibly.
Then, Odis unsealed the box containing the Blood Hyacinth. The crimson flower lay within, as though freshly plucked from a pool of blood.
Despite its appearance, it occasionally twitched like a dying creature's final spasms.
Dropping it into the beaker, the solution erupted into boiling bubbles, swiftly thickening into a viscous fluid streaked with red and white.
Taking a deep breath, Odis raised the beaker and drank the potion...