Chapter 215 Chapter213-Alchemy
In the illustration, the dragon was enveloped in purple scales.
Five large and sharp horns protruded from its head.
The dragon's limbs and its entire frame were shackled with chains, the other ends of which disappeared deep into the flanks of the valley and the depths of the earth, with fiery red runes circulating on them.
This was the Angry Dragon Haviss.
Lady Rhine gently closed the book, exhaled a breath, and mused about Ethan, whispering to herself, "Mr. Black Dragon possesses such a formidable Holy Light power, it appears he isn't simple. Perhaps I should give it a try, he might bring about some changes in this war destined for failure."
As she spoke, a decision formed within her.
A brilliant light ignited in her eyes.
Foresight, a unique ability belonging to Rhine.
This ability didn't grant Rhine immense power but endowed her with wisdom.
To foresee the future, and then reset the current plans based on the forthcoming outcomes, thereby altering the possible future.
This ability was incredibly potent.
More precisely, it pertained to the realm of time.
If space was a domain that only deities could venture into, then time was a taboo not even deities dared to touch.
It was a privilege of the Creator, where any individual who trespassed would encounter terrifying repercussions.
Yet, Rhine was an exception, inheriting this ability at birth.
Of course, utilizing this power came with a price.
The future was uncertain; the foreseen future didn't necessarily depict the true future, and visualizing these future images consumed Rhine's own lifespan, potentially exposing her to unknown perils.
Like now.
In Rhine's perception, a purgatorial landscape unfolded.
The sky was gloomy, continuously traversed by silver lightning, exerting an immense oppressive force on the observer.
On the ground, rolling magma was everywhere, accompanied by crowds in frenzied flight.
Likewise, there were hills made of monster corpses.
At the center of the scene stood an unprecedentedly massive dragon.
The dragon boasted a golden body but at its chest area, there were six symmetrical patterns.
These patterns recessed inward, showcasing a fiery red hue.
Rhine observed closely, realizing that those were not mere patterns but flowing lava. Yet, this was not the most shocking revelation.
Under the claw of the unfamiliar dragon, the Angry Dragon Haviss was being trampled, half its body pressed directly into the soil.
One of its wings was torn off completely, lying on the ground as purple Dragon Blood sprayed out.
"The Angry Dragon has been killed!"
Rhine was immensely shocked.
It was the Angry Dragon!
For many years, all sorts of means failed to kill the Angry Dragon, yet in the future, it was indeed slain by an unknown dragon!
Rhine forced herself to calm down, turning her gaze to the strange dragon.
In the foreseeing image, everything should have been static, yet when Rhine focused on that dragon, she was horrified to notice its pupils seemed to contract momentarily.
Its gaze suddenly fixed upon her, as if for an instance she was stripped bare, every secret of her body laid bare to another.
Rhine dared not continue to watch, hastily exiting the foresight state.
Then, "Puh—"
Bright red blood sprayed from Rhine's mouth.
She felt an exhaustion she hadn't experienced in a long time.
She tried to steady her breath gently, yet could not settle the turmoil in her heart.
"What exactly is that unfamiliar dragon?"
"Moreover, I was clearly foreseeing Black Dragon's future, why did such a scene appear? Black Dragon? Could it be that Black Dragon is related to that unfamiliar dragon?"
Rhine couldn't help but ponder.
At this moment, a knock sounded from outside the door.
"Commander, it's me, Eileen."
"Come in."
Rhine tidied up the desk and then responded to Eileen's request.
Eileen opened the door and walked in, noticing that something was wrong with Rhine, she asked with concern, "Lady Rhine, what happened?"
"I'm fine."
Rhine shook her head and then asked, "Eileen, what brings you here?"
Eileen voiced her request, "Lady Rhine, I wish to head to the battlefield now. My sword has been thirsting for monster blood."
"But your arm has just recovered."
"Also, Eileen, you should be a commander leading the soldiers, not a knight charging into the battle. The former is much more important to us."
Lady Rhine advised.
In her view, Eileen's command was much more vital.
"I understand."
Eileen nodded, her gaze firm as she continued, "But Lady Rhine, if I don't go to the battlefield now, there may be no other opportunity. The mentor has already told me, Angry Dragon Haviss is about to break free, and when that happens, we will have no choice but to abandon Maya City and flee. This is almost my only chance to hunt monsters, and I do not wish to miss it."
Lady Rhine remained silent for a long time.
In the end, she agreed to Eileen's request.
"Alright, I grant your wish, but you must be cautious."
Eileen nodded solemnly.
However, Rhine did not let Eileen leave, but started asking her some questions about Ethan, "Eileen, how much do you know about Mr. Black Dragon?"
"To be honest, not much."
"He was introduced to me by one of my subordinates. Initially, Black Dragon requested to go to the front lines to hunt monsters. As you know, these foreigners come to the front lines solely to earn points, most of them are incredibly cunning. They stand by, watching other soldiers charge, only to make their move when the monsters are weakened."
"However, from what I sense, Black Dragon is not that kind of person."
Eileen offered her opinion.
Lady Rhine nodded and then allowed Eileen to leave.
After Eileen had left, Rhine stood up and walked over to a floor mirror.
She gently brushed aside her hanging hair to reveal a patch of white hair hidden amongst the strands — the price to pay for glimpsing the future.
"Black Dragon, is your arrival a blessing or a precursor to a greater disaster..."
A sigh echoed in the room before everything returned to silence.
...
At the residence of the elderly apothecary John.
After Ethan helped old John arrange various instruments they brought, a smile crept on John's face as he asked Ethan, "Black Dragon, are you interested in learning about pharmacy? Or should I say, alchemy?"
"Old John, what do you mean?"
As they became more familiar, the way Ethan and old John addressed each other became more casual.
Old John said with a smile, "Alchemy is a field reserved for the geniuses. It is extremely difficult for ordinary people to even get started. But you, you're different. Right from the start when I saw you, I sensed the talent in you. You are a natural-born alchemist, possibly even having the potential to become the greatest alchemist."
"I'm not quite convinced."
Ethan didn't exhibit excitement at old John's praise; instead, he teased jokingly, "Old John, haven't you said this to many people before?"
"Nonsense!"
Old John retorted, his beard quivering with indignation.
Subsequently, he stammered, "Well, not many, just about a dozen or so. But Black Dragon, I wasn't lying; you genuinely possess the talent to become an alchemist."
"So, you want to take me as your apprentice?"
"Exactly!"
Old John responded directly, adding, "Not an apprentice like Eileen, but a true heir to whom I can pass on my legacy. You are worthy of this."
Seeing Old John speaking so seriously, Ethan set aside his playful demeanor.
Learning alchemy seemed to be a good suggestion...
However—
"What can alchemy do? Create reagents?"
Ethan was fundamentally a pragmatic individual.
His knowledge about alchemy was limited and it often seemed like a mystifying field, something to beguile people with, according to stories he had heard from others.
"Create reagents? Boy, you are underestimating alchemy far too much!"
Old John remarked indignantly.
He harnessed his inherent energy, conjuring a green flame in the palm of his hand.
The flame morphed, transitioning into a line segment.
The segment began to rotate, constantly splitting, and finally formed a highly intricate pattern mid-air.
It was a design created from countless connected line segments, which collectively resembled leaping flames.
"Alchemy is about discerning the very essence of the world, the principles governing various forces!"
"In ancient times, alchemy was regarded as the supreme discipline. It was said that mastering alchemy equated to mastering the world. However, with the loss of the 'Book of Alchemy,' the practice fell into decline."
Old John said, his voice laden with wistfulness.
He continued, "Potions are just a small aspect of alchemy. The scope of alchemy is vast; one could say that everything in this world is connected to alchemy."
"Of course, the most important point,"
A sly smile suddenly emerged on Old John's face.
He poured himself a cup of hot tea, pointing at Sherry who was sitting beside Ethan, and said, "Young man, if you wish to resolve the Bloodline issue this young lady bears, it's imperative for you to learn alchemy."
"What do you mean?"
Ethan's expression changed as he turned to look at Sherry.
Sherry, in turn, looked at Old John, respectfully asking, "Mr. Apothecary, what problem do I have?"
Without beating around the bush, Old John explained, "The shadow Bloodline within you is not complete. Even though you may not feel anything amiss now, as your power continues to grow, the influence of the Bloodline will become apparent. If not addressed, it could even lead to your demise."
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