Chapter 38: Rebecca’s Clever Tactics
For most people, the potions acquired from the auction were mere novelties, but for Rebecca, they held a different kind of value.
She could analyze a potion’s ingredients simply by smelling and tasting it. No matter how complex the formula or intricate the process, a single sip and a few seconds of savoring were all she needed to replicate it.
This ability stemmed partly from her heightened senses of taste and smell, and partly from her extensive knowledge of alchemical ingredients. She had memorized their properties and flavors to the point where she could write the most comprehensive and detailed alchemy textbook in the world, given enough paper and time.
In life, she hadn’t possessed such an extraordinary ability. Analyzing an unknown potion required specialized equipment, especially for toxic or non-consumable potions. But now, as an undead, her already exceptional senses were amplified, and her immunity to toxins eliminated the need for specialized equipment. She was a walking, talking analytical machine, capable of discerning the ingredients of most potions in the world with just a taste.
“Impressive, right? My tongue is amazing!” Rebecca said proudly, emerging from the potion testing room, followed by Leona and Flora. Abyss trailed behind them.
They had tested several potions in the room. Abyss had even consumed one that promised “the blissful feeling of a full night’s sleep after a long day of work.” A wave of relaxation washed over him, making him stretch and sigh contentedly.
“Amazing! I want to learn that too! You have to teach me!” Leona said, impressed by Rebecca’s ability to decipher potion formulas with a single taste. But she wasn’t interested in advanced potions. She envisioned Rebecca memorizing the recipes of delicious dishes and drinks, allowing Abyss to recreate them, ensuring access to gourmet food wherever they went.
“Your tongue is truly remarkable, Rebecca. I’d call it a divine tongue,” Abyss said, his voice filled with genuine admiration, his face still relaxed from the potion’s effects. He too, thanks to his high toxin resistance, could analyze potions through tasting, but his skills paled in comparison to Rebecca’s. “I’m truly impressed.”
“Heehee, thank you,” Rebecca said, giggling, sticking out her pink tongue playfully.
Leona and Flora, wanting to try the potion-infused drinks at the bar, headed towards the ground floor, while Abyss and Rebecca, with the alchemists’ gathering approaching, decided to try their luck downstairs.
The staff member from the auction was still sitting in the hall. He watched them leave the room, their laughter echoing behind them, a puzzled expression on his face.
“My god… Did they do that in there? How scandalous… Damn it… I wish I had three lovely girls to keep me company…” he muttered to himself.
…
“Here’s some spending money. It should be enough for your drinks tonight,” Rebecca said, handing a handful of imperial coins to Leona and Flora as they reached the basement level, where the bar was located. The bar was bustling with activity, filled with alchemists chatting and drinking, along with a few ordinary patrons. The shelves behind the counter were lined with a variety of unusual bottles, clearly concoctions brewed by alchemists. “The old Alchemy Club had a small bar, but this one is much larger. I used to spend about one or two hundred imperial coins here per night.”
Leona eagerly accepted the coins, the shiny metal clinking pleasantly in her small hand. She quickly counted them, her eyes widening as she realized there were ten one-hundred imperial coin denominations.
“Spend it all, don’t hold back,” Rebecca said, smiling, patting Leona’s arm.
Flora, observing their interaction, smiled knowingly. She understood that Rebecca’s display of wealth was a way of appeasing Leona, providing her with a sense of financial security. Despite being a princess, Leona was more naive than most common girls. Give her good food, good drink, and a bit of respect, and she would trust you like a well-fed kitten.
Rebecca was clever. Aware that she was the newcomer in Abyss’s inner circle, she was actively working to build rapport with the others. Although her affection for Abyss wasn’t deep yet, she was serious about winning his heart, not just engaging in a childish infatuation. This proactive approach was probably one of the reasons she had become so successful at such a young age.
Flora saw through Rebecca’s tactics but chose not to expose them. She didn’t dislike Rebecca. Despite her methods, Flora sensed her sincerity, her genuine desire to be accepted and loved by the group, not to manipulate them.
Leona, her hand in Flora’s, skipped towards the bar, eager to try the unique potion-infused drinks. They quickly found a table and settled down, waving at Abyss and Rebecca, signaling them to go about their business.
“Let’s go. I’m eager to see this gathering of bold alchemists. It didn’t exist when I was alive,” Rebecca said, taking Abyss’s arm, smiling.
Abyss nodded, and they headed towards the stairs leading to the lower basement level.
Following the student’s directions, they easily found the iron door she had mentioned. They could hear voices from inside, muffled conversations filtering through the metal.
A male student sat by the door, reading a book, likely a poor soul forced to guard the entrance by his mentor.
“Hello, is this where the alchemists are meeting? Can we enter?” Rebecca asked politely.
The student glanced at them, his voice impatient. “Who are you? Academy students? This room is for important figures in the alchemy world. Go away.”
“What if we can prove we possess the same level of expertise as those inside?” Abyss asked, his voice serious.
The student looked at Abyss’s emerald eyes, feeling a sudden wave of drowsiness. His impatience grew. “You want to enter? Fine, solve this problem. If you can’t, leave.”
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