ocean-life Chapter 75 – The Alchemist (4)
Chapter 75 – The Alchemist (4)
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
Chapter 75 – The Alchemist (4)
“Do you want to comprehend the mysteries?”
“Yes.”
“...What?”
Arkamis made a sound again.
Her eyes were filled with bewilderment.
“But...”
The sensation felt from Ketal.
The aura and force he exuded were clearly beyond human.
It was hard to believe he didn’t know about the mysteries.
“Do you want to comprehend the mysteries?”
“Is it a different concept of language?”
Ketal tilted his head.
Being asked three times made him think so.
“I’m talking about things like aura and mana. I want to gain that power.”
“...Wait a moment. Let me check something.”
Arkamis closed her eyes.
Ketal watched her with interest.
“Is that how you comprehend someone’s mystery?”
“Because there’s a mystery imbued in the body.”
If one reached a certain level, they could sense whether someone possessed mystery.
She briefly said as she sensed Ketal’s body.
As a result, she could tell.
Ketal didn’t possess any mystery.
Arkamis’ pupils widened.
“...Are you truly human?”
“Then what did you think I was?”
“A dragon?”
“A dragon?”
Ketal frowned.
“It seems there was a misunderstanding.”
Ketal and Arkamis conversed.
After hearing Arkamis’ story, Ketal stroked his chin.
“Do I give off that kind of aura?”
“Haven’t humans been afraid of you?”
“They have, but...”
He thought it was fear of his appearance, but it seemed that wasn’t all.
“Probably because they can feel intimidation and pressure from you. However, it might not be that strong once they get used to it. But I’m an elf, you know?”
Elves are beings of nature.
They live harmoniously with it.
Their sensing abilities are far superior to humans.
Arkamis looked at Ketal with a peculiar gaze.
“The aura I sense from you... isn’t that of a being in harmony with nature.”
No matter how strong a human is, they are still a part of this world.
Ultimately, they are born from and live with nature.
This is an inescapable natural order for humans.
But what she sensed from Ketal was different.
A deviation from the natural order.
That was the sense Ketal gave off.
“At least, it’s not an aura a human can exude.”
It’s closer to that of a predator.
There was unmistakable fear in Arkamis’ eyes as she said this.
“Is that why you thought I was a dragon?”
“Dragons are dominators, not harmonizers. So it didn’t feel strange.”
“Hmm.”
After thinking for a while, Ketal asked.
“Are all barbarians like that?”
“If they were, they would have dominated the world.”
Arkamis answered immediately.
Meaning no.
‘Is it a characteristic of the White Snowfield?’
Is it a peculiarity of the barbarians from there?
Or is it a trait unique to his existence?
The answer was unknown.
Barbarians of the White Snowfield don’t come out.
Ketal muttered softly.
“Is that why the elves attacked me?”
“What? Elves? What do you mean?”
Arkamis asked, surprised by Ketal’s words.
Ketal answered appropriately, explaining he met an elf village, and they attacked him.
Hearing his story, Arkamis nodded.
“To them, you are an incomprehensible monster. Humans would attack if a bear intruded into their village, right? It’s like that.”
“Is that so?”
Ketal’s face turned slightly gloomy.
Does that mean he will always be in a hostile relationship with elves in the future?
‘That’s sad.’
“...Wait.”
Arkamis’ face hardened after a moment of thought.
“Then, did you...”
“No. We resolved the misunderstanding and had a conversation. As an apology, I received this.”
Ketal took out a red jewel from his pocket.
Arkamis’ eyes turned wide like a rabbit’s upon seeing the jewel.
“World Tree’s Tear?”
“Is that its name?”
In the purest sense, it was solid.
It had high strength and hardness.
She doubted whether this body was truly made of flesh.
Arkamis, surprised for a moment, closed her eyes and focused.
Her mana extended into Ketal’s body, seeking the path to the mysteries.
And she soon realized that she couldn’t find the path of mystery in Ketal’s body.
“Huh?”
She focused her mind even more.
Her mana delved deeper into his body.
But she couldn’t see it.
She couldn’t reach it.
It was like trying to find a specific fish in the depths of an ocean with no visible bottom.
After a long search, she finally withdrew her hand.
Ketal looked at Arkamis with hopeful eyes.
“What happened?”
“...I can’t find it.”
Arkamis’ face was filled with confusion.
She couldn’t find the path of mystery in Ketal’s body.
‘What is this?’
Not being able to sense it at all was unexpected.
Disappointment lingered on Ketal’s face.
“Is it impossible after all?”
“Let me just say, it’s impossible even for wizards. They need to verify internally, and you can’t even do that.”
Not being able to sense the mystery at all was a first for her.
“Does that mean I can never obtain the mystery?”
An alchemist and a Sword Master couldn’t find the path of mystery.
She said it would be the same for a wizard.
Coming to a fantasy world and not being able to learn the mystery was very sad.
Ketal became depressed.
“That’s not it.”
Arkamis shook her head and said confidently.
“Who do you think I am? I’m an alchemist. I’ve made those who don’t know the mystery into superhumans.”
Even in a situation like Ketal’s, it wasn’t completely impossible.
“The path of mystery should exist in your body, so we can create a catalyst to activate it. I’ve helped quite a few people comprehend the mystery this way. It’s not impossible.”
“Oh!”
Ketal’s eyes sparkled.
“Is it possible?”
“It is possible. It’s just a hassle.”
Normally, she would have refused.
There was no reason to do such a troublesome thing without any compensation.
But this time was different.
She was an alchemist.
Not one who wielded power, but one who researched.
That body was special.
It was an anomaly she had never seen before.
It was worth researching.
Arkamis’ eyes glimmered with interest.
She nodded.
“Alright. I’ll help you.”
“Thank you!”
Ketal smiled brightly and grabbed Arkamis’ hand.
“Thank you so much! If you ever need my help, just let me know. I’ll be happy to assist!”
“Okay, okay! Let go of my hand!”
Arkamis pulled her hand back, her face flushed.
On the surface, it looked like a woman nervous about holding a man’s hand in an innocent situation, but the reality was different.
‘I almost attacked reflexively.’
Even though her perception of Ketal had changed, the sense of intimidation she felt didn’t disappear.
She felt a momentary sensation as if a carnivorous animal was pouncing on her.
She calmed her excited heart and spoke.
“The method is simple. We use a catalyst to infuse the path of mystery within you with mystery. After that, I’ll assist in circulating it. In the end, we need a catalyst... but the materials for it are quite expensive and rare.”
“Can’t we just ask Milena for it?”
“Do you think it’s that easy?”
Arkamis grumbled.
The reason for requesting the materials was Ketal’s personal need.
If she asked Milena for the catalyst materials, Milena would scrutinize the reasons and necessity.
She had often been rejected during this process.
‘So it’s for personal use, Arkamis. While I support you, I have no intention of funding such frivolous endeavors. If that is what you desire, please create a more useful artifact first and then we can talk.’
Arkamis involuntarily shivered.
Milena’s cold eyes from that time were still etched in her memory.
Thinking this far, Arkamis suddenly smiled.
“Ketal, you need this, right?”
“Yes.”
“Try persuading Milena yourself. Who knows? You seem to have a good rapport with her, she might agree.”
Ketal nodded.
Then, they went to Milena and explained the purpose of the catalyst and the materials required.
Each of the materials was extremely expensive and rare.
Even for the Akasha family, these were a significant burden.
They weren’t something that could be handed over lightly based on mere acquaintance.
Arkamis naturally thought Milena would refuse and scrutinize Ketal coldly.
She was looking forward to watching that unfold.
Milena spoke lightly.
“Understood. Since Ketal needs it, I will get it for you.”
“.......”
“Arkamis? Why are you glaring at me with such an aggrieved look...?”
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]