Chapter 48: Return

It was midday, and the summer sun was scorching the earth with intense heat.

Ace changed back to his original appearance. He did not plan to enter the city using his new persona, Iron Face Fire Fist.

A Divine Descendant with considerable strength would certainly attract the attention of the city-state’s specialists responsible for Noble affairs. Medimus City-State spared no effort in attracting Noble immigrants with clean backgrounds.

Even a large number of skilled Freemen cannot compare to a Seasoned Divine Awakened, much less a Pseudo-Hero.

Ace had driven a carriage when he left, but he could only return on foot. Fortunately, the compiled knowledge on medicine and Magic was safely tucked away in his satchel.

Cimali Port may also have noticed him. After all, in the eyes of the Priesthood, he was a genuine blessed individual who had demonstrated a miracle.

Ace speculated that they probably expected him to come into contact with them once he transformed into a Half-Merfolk.

He entered the city and did not rush home. His father should be managing the estate affairs. He planned to wander around for a bit and then go to his teacher Peter’s home.

After wandering for a while, Ace arrived at the local commercial district.

“Wine for sale! Wine for sale! Fresh silver wheat beer from the Ace Estate! One gulp, a cool summer!”

An old man was pushing a wooden cart carrying two large barrels and many ceramic jars, loudly hawking his goods.

Ace hadn’t expected the beer recipe he had left in the five-year plan to be successfully developed by Carson and the others.

“Old man, how much is this silver wheat beer?”

Ace walked up to the old man and asked.

“If you want to drink a few sips now to quench your thirst, I’ll scoop one spoon into a ceramic jar for you. That will be 1 Silver Thales. If you want to take it home or gift it, including the ceramic jar, it is 2 Silver Thales.”

The old man looked at Ace, his clever little eyes darting before settling into a look of sincerity.

“That ceramic jar is too expensive. I’ll bring my own ceramic jar from home to fill.”

“You don’t understand, young man. These ceramic jars aren’t made by me. They are top-quality ceramic jars produced by the Ace Estate. Look at the material, the luster, tap it—listen to how clear the sound is. The Ace Estate calls this pottery Ceramics, and they are very precious. Using one to offer a drink is much more impressive than using an ordinary ceramic jar.”

Ace smiled at the old man’s sales pitch.

“Alright, give me three ceramic jars, filled with three jars of silver wheat beer.”

On his way to Teacher Peter’s home, Ace carried the jars of beer, his mood light and cheerful. The alcohol, flour, and other products from his estate had been a great success. Even without relying on printing, the estate could sustain its independent operation.

In another two years, when he obtained formal Citizenship, this small independent kingdom would be stable and could serve as the great rear base for his path as a Wizard.

Ace arrived at Peter’s villa, watching a group of children, presumably there for literacy lessons, walking into the villa. A sense of immense change suddenly rose in his heart.

The days he struggled to save money for literacy felt as if they were just yesterday, clearly visible. Yet, he was now firmly on his own path to the supernatural, having already built the basic framework of the Wizard’s path.

Ace shook his head, clearing away these trivial thoughts, and stepped into Peter’s villa.

“Scholar Ace! Is that really you?”

A girl with fluffy flaxen hair quickly walked toward him from the courtyard, her face showing surprise and disbelief. It was Daina, who should have been working at the library.

“Of course, it’s me. It’s good to see you, Daina. I thought you were at the library.”

Ace smiled and bowed slightly to Daina, replying.

Daina nervously adjusted her clothes, her cheeks slightly flushed, and bowed deeply in return.

“I—I am resting today. I wanted to come to Scholar Peter’s place to audit his lecture on Logic.”

She paused, then whispered, “I really wanted to hear your lecture. Last winter, I visited your estate and learned that you had traveled around to research the New Medicine. Have you gained a lot?”

“Haha, if you want to learn Logic, you can ask me after I finish meeting my teacher. As for the New Medicine, I have indeed gained a little insight.”

Ace’s hearty laughter drew the attention of many people listening to Peter’s lecture under the trees in the courtyard, and they gave him displeased looks.

Subsequently, some people recognized Ace. Peter heard their conversation, stopped his lecture, and looked toward the entrance.

“Haha, my proudest student, Ace, is back.”

Peter’s goatee bounced up and down rhythmically, indicating his good mood. “I was just lecturing them on Logic. I didn’t expect you to arrive. Everyone, come listen to the author of Logic Book (Volume One) explain it himself.”

Ace modestly declined for a moment, but unable to resist the enthusiasm of the crowd, he continued Peter’s topic and lectured for a while.

In the afternoon, Ace and Peter chatted pleasantly in the reception room, drinking silver wheat beer.

“I can’t believe you only took half a year to collect and compile so many effective medicinal formulas and materials, and even pioneered the technique of anesthetic surgery. I always thought you were a genius, but I never expected you to be this much of a genius.”

Peter said, highly admiring Ace after hearing about his experiences.

“Teacher, you are too kind. It is all thanks to your excellent instruction, and I must also thank Senior Morton for his enlightenment. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Senior Morton. Has he gone somewhere?”

Peter looked at Ace with appreciation for his humble demeanor. This was the student he admired the most: diligent, talented, and always humble.

“Your Senior Morton. I recommended him to the Grand Regent to serve as a confidential secretary. Although it is a low-level public office, it will allow him to gain experience.”

Ace saw Peter stroking his goatee with a hint of pride, knowing that the position of confidential secretary to the Grand Regent was not as simple as it sounded.

The Grand Regent is the highest public office a Citizen can hold. If compared to his past life, it was equivalent to a national prime minister. Serving as a confidential secretary to the Grand Regent certainly meant a bright future.

Morton had served Peter loyally for so long. Such a recommendation was both touching and satisfying.

“That truly calls for congratulations to Senior Morton. It is also thanks to your extensive network, Teacher, that you take care of students like us.”

The two continued chatting for a few more sentences. Ace was about to steer the conversation toward Peter’s treasured copper mirror, which was his main objective. Just then, he heard Peter clear his throat.

“Ace, Daina is a good girl. She is dedicated to academics and admires you greatly. You should lecture her more on Logic and the New Medicine in the future, hahaha.”

Ace found this comment a bit bewildering. However, Daina was indeed a promising talent. Her seriousness toward academics, not just Logic, made Ace think she might be a good candidate for a Wizard apprentice.

Without the diary Daina had found, Ace might still be wandering outside the gate of the supernatural. Ace was willing to repay Daina and introduce her to the world of Magic.

The problem was how to push her mental power past the limit. The Wisdom Potion was fraught with risks. Ace had nearly died even with the minimal dosage. Guiding someone onto the path of Magic required careful thought.

Perhaps the Blessing Runes he obtained recently could help. Ace needed more experiments.

The body organs of ordinary Monsters are sometimes Mana-“contaminated” and can serve as good Casting Materials. Perhaps they could be compounded, similar to brewing a potion, to create a decent Blessing Imprint Potion.

Ace was definitely unwilling to use this low-grade material blessing on himself. He wanted to use material from potent low-level Monsters to create a stronger blessing. However, for a method to push mental power past the limit, ordinary Monsters might suffice.

Peter noticed Ace had fallen silent and gently cleared his throat.

“Teacher, I just had a sudden flash of inspiration and momentarily lost focus. Could I perhaps borrow your copper mirror? I want to record this inspiration right away.”

Ace spoke to Peter as if he had been suddenly jolted awake.