—-
If even Scar took the time to warn Kieran, then he knew that Isadora was more dangerous and well connected than the typical Alchemist, especially since she managed to obtain a residence in an area as illustrious as the Hero’s Sanctuary.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be Isadora that Kieran would have to fear retaliation from but her connections instead.
After talking for a few moments longer, Kieran placed the two quest items inside his inventory before leaving Scar’s buildings. As instructed, Kieran followed the strong scent of herbs, fruits, spices, and many other aromas.
Doing so led Kieran beyond a garden that utilized every square inch to cultivate many rare ingredients that would make a player’s jaw drop once introduced into the player base. Every ingredient present could act as the foundation in many Rank Ⅳ potions. A Rank Ⅳ potion would be the equivalent of a blacksmith forging Unique-Grade weapons.
Soon enough, Kieran came across a building much different from the rest. Whereas the Hero’s Sanctuary was filled with pristine ivory buildings that gave it a celestial environment, this building resembled a spacious cottage.
The aged wood seemed to shine with an uncanny resemblance to glass. Surrounding the building was shrubbery with delicate berries that seemed fragile enough to bust with the faintest of touch. This setting was definitely one belonging to an Alchemist who relied upon nature to fuel their discoveries.
As Kieran approached the door, he heard the tune of a faint hum on the other side as he raised his hand to knock. ‘Could she be engaged in potion-making already? Then… if I knock, would I be disrupting her?’-.
The last thing Kieran wanted to do was intrude upon Isadora’s work and ruin his chances of completing the quest before they even started. From what he remembered, Alchemists employed different tactics to keep their focus during the tedious process. In Isadora’s case, it seemed she hummed amongst other things to pass by the time until her products were ready for evaluation.
Kieran stood before the door for a few minutes until the humming finally stopped. Only after ceasing for more than ten seconds did Kieran muster the courage to knock upon the door. It was neither loud nor soft, but it was sufficient to announce his presence, or at least he thought so.
A spellbinding voice sounded from the other side of the door just a few seconds after his knock. “Hmm? That’s a depth I’ve never heard before. Judging by how soft the knock was, I presume you aren’t an Awakened Being.”
Upon hearing this comment, Kieran’s expression changed slightly. He began to wonder how this individual could gauge his evolution depth without analyzing him. ‘Could this be the effect of whatever tool or talent she’s in possession of?’
While Kieran asked himself these questions, Isadora’s charming voice continued on the other side. “Are you here because of Scar? If so, come in.”
‘Oh? I thought Scar was grumpy because he failed; why does it seem like that isn’t the case? I wouldn’t be welcomed if Scar’s relationship with this lady wasn’t amicable,’ Kieran thought while turning the doorknob and opening the door.
Contrary to what Kieran expected, what welcomed his sight was an orderly workstation where everything seemed to have a predetermined place indicated by the labels beneath them. Unlike the typical messy environment of an Alchemist, where their failed concoctions and extract wastage were strewn about, Isadora’s place could be said to be the home of a neat freak!
Once Kieran turned his head slightly to the left, he noticed a lithe figure dressed in loose-fitting white robes similar to a trenchcoat. Their long blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun with what seemed to be a writing utensil stabbed through it to hold it in place. Isadora’s lilac eyes slowly glanced in Kieran’s direction while casually studying him.
One of Isadora’s arms crossed underneath her bust while her other arm softly rubbed against her cheek. “Although I invited you in, I’ll tell you the same thing I told Scar—if you want something from me, you’ll have to provide something of equal value. He should already know that I abide by the law of equivalent exchange.”
“Laws of equivalent exchange,” Kieran muttered. This was something he had heard before and not just inside Zenith Online. The law of equivalent exchange Isadora spoke of, in simple terms, was a version of the laws of physics that should govern the world.
However, the presence of Mana made that simple law obsolete to a certain extent. As a result, Alchemists developed a rule that they could abide by indefinitely—the law of equivalent exchange. It stated that an equal price must be paid for every transaction, whether it involved material items or nature.
Regarding Scar’s request, Isadora didn’t believe his past help was equivalent to what he was asking. After all, she had experienced Scar’s power on the battlefield firsthand. She was well aware of how destructive and dangerous the power he wielded was. And now, he wished for her to manipulate those forces on her own. She was unwilling to take such a drastic risk without insurance that something of equal value would be given.
Meanwhile, Kieran was at a loss because he didn’t possess anything of value aside from the quest materials!
“If I may… then what is it that you seek?” Kieran questioned. Although he didn’t have anything of value currently, getting his hands on some wasn’t impossible; it was extremely dangerous.
“I am not certain. But that doesn’t mean it will remain so in the future,” Isadora replied while keeping her analytical gaze. She seemed to be studying Kieran at a deeper level because her eyes narrowed continually
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