Chapter 451

Chapter 451: High-Ranking Alchemist

Soon, a list that made even Zote – who handled rare materials daily – feel weak in the knees was delivered to Kanis.

Ten batches of materials equivalent in value to Volcano Potions.

This was the bet agreement Midi had made with Kanis.

Yet there was obvious room for manipulation.

After all, materials deemed "equivalent" to Volcano Potions didn’t necessarily need to match Lava Flowers, fire lizard hearts, or Magical Smoke.

Having won, Midi unapologetically selected the most valuable options.

Discreetly, he also included materials to boost his cultivation level – mainly those related to Radiance of Darkness and Dragon Breath.

Whether obvious or hidden, all shared one trait: exorbitant cost.

So expensive even a core family member would feel his heart bleed.

“Now you and Kanis are archenemies,” Hawke remarked while watching Kanis storm off, sighing slightly.

Ultimately, Martial Arts Master Hawke had escalated the initial conflict.

Yet it was Midi who now faced Kanis’s wrath.

Midi merely smiled. “What’s fated can’t be avoided. Master Hawke’s invitation to join Death Scorpion opened a new world for me. That favor matters far more than this triviality.”

“Thank you, Midi.” Hawke gratefully clapped his shoulder.

Having proven his alchemical prowess, Midi warranted Hawke’s friendship regardless of their rapport. But this genuine bond clearly pleased the martial arts master more than cold transactions.

Midi found relief in this. Within this vast, merciless family, having an ally who’d supported him from the start beat facing struggles alone.

Their camaraderie left Master Zote envious. Meanwhile, the forgotten Black Dragon High Priest pouted nearby.

“Mr. Midi! Don’t forget me!” Veyna seized his arm, her curves pressing against him as she shoved Hawke aside.

“Lady Veyna, what’s this?” Midi forced a smile.

Dark elf women – especially Black Dragon priestesses – baffled him. Even Galantis, who favored him, turned terrifyingly willful at times.

His strategy remained keeping distance and playing dumb when provoked. But how could he feign ignorance when the High Priestess clung to him?

Midi shot Hawke and Zote a pleading look, but both shamelessly averted their eyes.

“I worked so hard as your witness!” Veyna’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Will you surface humans always discard tools after use? So heartless!”

“Never!” Midi hastily denied. “I’m deeply grateful for your help. Just name any request – I’ll fulfill it.”

Both Hawke and Zote’s eyelids twitched violently.

Midi instantly regretted his words. She’d been waiting for this! Normally he’d evade, but who was he now?

An alchemist. A Death Scorpion-recognized high-ranking alchemist!

What could the other party possibly ask an alchemist to do, if not something obvious?

Sure enough, as soon as Midi finished speaking, Veyna, who had been tearful moments earlier, instantly brightened, her expression shifting as swiftly as a flipped page. “Since you’re so generous, Mr. Midi, I’ll speak plainly. How about a few refined Dragon Breath Potions to soothe my fragile heart?”

A few?

Refined ones?

Back then, Midi had crafted just one ordinary Dragon Breath Potion for Galantis out of gratitude.

Now Veyna demanded multiple refined versions—what audacity!

Why not just rob him outright?

Midi nearly blurted those words out, but upon meeting her striking yet intimidating gaze, he bit them back.

“One. That’s my absolute limit,” Midi said after a long pause, sighing heavily.

“But Master Midi wields Dragon Breath Fire. Brewing these potions should be effortless for you. Five, perhaps?” Veyna pressed.

A throbbing ache bloomed in Midi’s temples.

Haggling had never been his strength, least of all with a strong-willed woman who subtly flexed her status.

After much back-and-forth, they settled on one refined Dragon Breath Potion and two standard ones as Veyna’s fee for acting as witness.

“Don’t dwell on it, Master Midi,” said Zote, clapping Midi’s shoulder as they watched Veyna depart. “You’ll still keep most of your winnings. Even Death Scorpion’s elders get squeezed by her—we’re no exception.”

“Consider it disaster prevention,” Midi replied with a nod.

Yet his obsidian eyes glinted with hidden calculation.

Veyna’s extortion had cost him dearly, but not fruitlessly.

Her demand proved she valued his skills, forging a bond of mutual interest.

For a newcomer like Midi, such connections were protective charms.

Between Hawke’s friendship, Zote’s respect, and now this, he’d secured his foothold in Death Scorpion.

Three potions seemed a small price for long-term gains.

If Veyna continued her “requests,” their transactional ties would deepen into reliable alliance—exactly what Midi needed.

Extra potions were mere trade fodder anyway. A Black Dragon High Priest’s favor far outweighed them.

His true aim wasn’t status or potion hoards, but a fighter recommendation slot in Mososbury City.

Alchemy was his ticket in, with potion-making merely the first step.

The real challenges—and opportunities—awaited at the Alchemy Workshop. Every second counted.

Kanis stormed off in anger. Veyna left satisfied.

After a long discussion, Hawke left the Alchemy Workshop with a smile.

Midi, however, remained behind.

He became the first uninvited guest in centuries to secure the position of senior alchemist during his initial visit to the Death Scorpion family’s Alchemy Workshop.

Having resolved to grant Midi this favor, Master Zote personally guided him through every detail.

A senior alchemist’s role within the Death Scorpion family carried both immense power and equally heavy responsibilities.

Typically, only certified alchemy masters held such positions.

Though Midi’s skills were personally taught by Eighth Apostle Rot and lacked public recognition, his core potion spoke for itself.

Yet mastering a single formula—even an exceptional one—wasn’t enough.

Overseeing the Death Scorpion’s Alchemy Workshop meant managing unimaginable daily resources.

Rare materials and precious potions flowed into Midi’s personal alchemy laboratory at his command.

He gained access to secret formulas normally kept hidden, effectively making the clan’s entire treasury his arsenal.

Within generous quota limits, Midi could claim any materials available. For unavailable items, he could issue acquisition orders under the family’s name.

Brewing potions containing Radiance of Darkness became effortless.

He could now drink such rare concoctions like water if he chose to make them.

This resource control came with strict obligations.

Each senior alchemist must weekly produce specified potion types and quantities without refusal. Materials consumed counted toward their quotas—a perpetual transaction where meeting targets maintained status.

Three failed weeks demoted offenders to powerless assistants.

Such were the ironclad rules governing both Death Scorpion and the wider Shaded Realm.

Like all practitioners, alchemists waged their own battles.

Though no blood spilled here, their struggles determined everything: identity, status, and survival through resources.