The two women who had left returned, carrying brewed tea whose fragrance refreshed Damien's mind.
Damien took a sip from the ambrosial tea and his eyebrows raised when he found it highly pleasant to drink. He did not doubt that he had never come upon such a fine tea or even the top-notch ingredients used in it. He doubted whether they used the extremely rare and precious Saint Grade herbs as the ingredients.
Leon Xeton and Damien exchanged civilities while Falko stood silently in a corner, taking quick glances at Valentina, trying his best not to stare too long to not irk her.
Leon Xeton talked about how he was researching Damien's Supreme Tier Pills these days to study its profundity and determine whether he can reverse engineer it. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recreate it and said that Damien's ethereal fire was the only explanation.
However, he didn't probe about his etheric fire. He already knew Damien refused to tell the Alchemist Society about his bizarre etheric fire.
Leon Xeton also casually inquired about what happened between Damien and the Eternal Zephyr Merchant Guild. Damien didn't hold back at all as he told him the blunt truth.
Leon Xeton said that they had somehow pacified the Gale Empire, and Damien need not worry about them anymore.
Damien also told him that he had disguised Valentina as a little girl with ugly scars to temper her by experiencing the world on her own. He said that he never expected her to be kidnapped in broad daylight right in the middle of the Rong Imperial City.
Leon Xeton sighed and expressed his sympathies that such a lovely girl had to suffer for a while in their hands.
He thought that the reason for her face always carrying around a wary expression was because of that.
Suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind as he asked Damien, "Why don't you enroll her at the Xeton Ethereal Foundation?"
Damien's curiosity sparked as he asked, "What kind of a place is that?"
Damien had heard some vague rumors about the place being some kind of institution, but he still wanted a clear idea.
Leon Xeton had a surprised expression seeing that Damien didn't even know about the most prestigious ethereal institution that nurtured the most prominent powerhouses in the world and still continues to.
However, he explained, "It's similar to the Rong Ethereal Court you had seen in the Rong Empire but on a much bigger scale with various establishments and provisions. They hold organized classes, both practical and theory, which are taught by brilliant instructors. You will get a complete idea once you visit there. Actually, you have come at the right time as they are currently holding the yearly assessment exam batch-wise and would go on at least for a few more days.
"Though they only admit geniuses among geniuses, I am sure your disciple could easily enter without an issue. And probably, if you send a request to them, they might even directly admit her as an elite disciple due to her obvious talent and status. They have a certain number of slots that they fill by taking in some top-notch geniuses directly without going through the assessments. Every disciple in the Xeton Ethereal Foundation would have an extremely golden reputation and prestige across the world. They would also receive the best teachings in the world that would turn them into powerhouses."
Damien nodded, but inwardly he was thinking that a perfect opportunity was lying before him.
He said, "Well, I will think about it and let Valentina think over it as well."
Leon Xeton was surprised that a head-strong person like Alchemist Azrael would still ask for his disciple's opinion when she was his personal disciple. In his perspective, the personal disciples would usually follow every word their masters say without any question. As they know that their masters would only say what's best for them.
However, he didn't bother about it and said, "Sure, there's still time. Meanwhile, we have arranged a very beautiful villa for you two. Its name is the Ocean Haven Villa. I am sure you would love it."
He knew that Damien must value her a lot to respect her opinion and wishes.
Leon Xeton took out a small green tablet and continued, "This is the tablet which you can use to enter the villa. You only need to pass your ethereal or soul energy, and the villa's gateway formations would let you in. You can also give others access to your villa by letting the tablet recognize their aura as well. Of course, without your permission, they can't make the tablet recognize them. There is also no need to carry this tablet around and can be kept inside the villa itself."
Damien was pretty impressed by the system. He took the tablet and said, "Thank you for making the arrangements."
"Hoho, not at all. It's the least we can do for one of the most talented alchemists belonging to our Alchemist Society. We take care of our own best." Leon Xeton said in an earnest manner.
Damien nodded and asked something which was in his mind for a while, "By any chance, are Saint Grade herbs available here?"
"Of course, although they are very scarce and most expensive among herbs. Do you perhaps want to buy them? If you want to, all you have to do is send a request to me, and I would sell it to you if they are available. But do remember that even the cheapest Saint Grade herbs cost at least 1000 Blue Spirit Stones.
'1000? What the fuck...they are so damn expensive.' Damien roared inwardly, being shocked at hearing the price. He barely had over 10,000 Blue Spirit Stones. However, thinking how they were used to concoct Rank 7 Pills and above, he felt that it made sense.
Damien didn't need any Saint Grade herbs for now, but he asked just in case he needed it. He was not surprised that ordinary people could not buy Saint Grade herbs as they can only purchase them from the Guildmaster himself.
Such extremely precious herbs obviously would be in the safekeeping of the Guildmaster.
After talking for a while, Damien took his leave but decided to tour the building with Valentina. The two maids showed him around, and he even bought himself a good Earth Ethereal grade sword nicknamed 'Knightfall'.
He asked Valentina if she wanted any weapons, to which she surprisingly said there was no need. And that she would show him the reason why later. Damien was curious to see what surprise she had in store for him.
However, he saw her inspecting many weapons closely and studying them.
The two soon exited the building and proceeded towards the Ocean Haven Villa, which was located in a quiet and luxurious area without any other buildings or villas around.
It seemed as if the villa was located on an oversized private estate that spanned at least a few kilometers.
However, when the Ocean Haven Villa came into his sight after passing through the gateway ethereal formation, he was awe-struck at such ingenious and stunning architecture.
It was like he had entered a different world, a world in which only he and Valentina was present.
The whole villa seemed to be a sort of glasshouse, but one couldn't see what was inside. There was even a beautiful waterfall behind the villa and several elegant courtyards spread around the estate.
The villa itself was half as huge as the Rong Imperial Palace!
The garden had a luscious plot of grass, which was flanked by neatly trimmed bushes. A greenhouse stood in the center of the garden, housing all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and more exotic flowers. The rows of flowers were forming a miniature world of their own, full of mysteries and wonder.
He even spotted a few Peak Level Sky Grade herbs!
'This...seems like they haven't spared any expenses to make my stay comfortable.' Damien had to give it to them for arranging such a paradise-like home for him.
Even Valentina liked the surroundings and felt comfortable being surrounded by such greenery and beautiful scenery.
She liked that she and Damien would be staying alone in this huge place for quite a while.
Damien had told her why he was here, especially the fact that he was doing all this for Lily, that he had only two years to help her.
Valentina didn't care at all what would happen to Lily but thinking that it was her Big Brother's wish, she had to force herself to not think about unnecessary things. At least for now, she was glad that she had Damien all to herself.
She was determined to become way closer to him soon enough. She was already eyeing Damien with an intense gaze like a predator.
Damien turned around, feeling her gaze, and asked with a smile, "Valentina, do you like it?"
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