Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Seems like they, too, know that they don’t have the means to keep these senior pharmacists,” Gaget said with a cold smirk. The President of the Tower of Dusk was protecting himself by doing this. That was the sad truth about smaller forces and factions. They’d never be able to save the good things that they had. Most of the time, it might even lead to a tragedy of destruction.
After going down to register an appointment, Gaget waited for the senior pharmacist to arrive, just like everyone else. At this moment, something happened that made everyone feel exasperated. There was not a single chair in the spacious hall that the guests could sit on. Although the guests were not that weak and could manage standing for a while, it was too embarrassing to just stand and wait.
In fact, there was a special reception room in the Tower of Dusk, but the mages simply couldn’t wait to use magic to destroy those outsiders. How could they possibly provide them with a resting area? Made to stay in the hall, they would probably leave sooner, and the chances of the pharmacists being poached would be greatly reduced. What was not to love?
Fortunately, the first pharmacist appeared a short while later. According to plan, one of the forces smiled and walked towards them in preparation to present them with the gifts. After one of the pharmacists accepted the gift, the person who presented the gift tried to speak. However, the pharmacist waved his hand in annoyance, turned around, and left the hall, leaving the other party behind.
However, no one got displeased with his standoffish attitude. To them, it was normal for senior pharmacists to be short-tempered. It would be strange otherwise. They might even doubt the capabilities of the pharmacists if they did not have an eccentric attitude. Hence, the person who presented the gift did not mind it, and instead just shook his head regretfully and left, feeling a little comforted that the pharmacist had accepted his gift.
The pharmacists began to walk down one by one while the forces presented the gifts in an orderly fashion. It was finally Gaget’s turn.
In fact, when others saw the leader of the White Shadow, Gaget, arriving in person, they could already guess what he was going to do there. Everyone was suspicious, and they shifted their attention onto Gaget. Although they hoped to see him prove that it was possible to recruit senior pharmacists, they did not want him to succeed in recruiting any, either.
Everyone stared at Gaget while he walked towards the senior pharmacist Wilkinson. Staring at the handsome and arrogant face in front of him, Gaget began to get a little distracted, and he sighed while thinking to himself, He’s so young, yet he’s already a senior pharmacist. When will he become a pharmaceutics Master?
“Respectable Mr. Pharmacist, please let me introduce you to the President of White Shadow…”
Upon hearing the introduction by his confidante, Gaget snapped back to reality, and quickly put a smile on his face. He respectfully said to Wilkinson, “Dear Mr. Pharmacist…”
Gaget and castellans could be considered buddies and brothers. However, Gaget had no choice but to suck up to the pharmacists for the sake of the White Shadow.
His confidante gasped in shock and turned red after thinking about the words that his leader had said and the things that he had done to bootlick.
However, Wilkinson was not that interested, as all he could think about was pharmaceutical theories. He frowned in annoyance, and coldly said, “Did you ask to see me for the sake of this? I don’t have that much time to waste talking to you about these pointless things.” He then turned around and left.
Gaget wished he could give himself two tight slaps. He’s a senior pharmacist. He has heard all kinds of compliments. Since when does he have to listen to my praises? Seeing that Wilkinson was about to leave soon, he frantically said, “Please wait a minute, Mr. Pharmacist. I was being too long-winded. I do have something to discuss with you, Mr. Pharmacist.”
Wilkinson pinched his nose and turned around to say to him, “Cut straight to the chase, then. Stop talking to me about such rubbish. Be careful, I might just get someone to chase you out.”
“Yeah…” Gaget replied. Although he was the leader of the dignified White Shadow, he had no choice but to swallow his pride now. However, despite being reprimanded by a young man, he didn’t feel ashamed at all, because everyone here had experienced it more than once before, be it an ally or a rival. He grabbed the prepared gift from his confidante, and presented it respectfully while saying, “Dear pharmacist, this is a gift I specially prepared for you this time. I hope you can accept it.”
Why did he have to beat around the bush? He could have just said that he was going to give me a present, Wilkinson thought to himself with a look of displeasure. He grabbed the gift from Gaget to see that it was a flat black-colored sandalwood box, on which there were designs painted in gold, making the box look exceptionally exquisite. Fortunately, the pharmacists were not powerless. Wilkinson held onto the box with one hand, and removed the lid with a loud thud using the other.
Opening the gift in public immediately upon reception was another offensive, provocative tactic that Lin Li had deliberately taught to the pharmacists. By doing so, others would be able to see the value of the gift; hence, the next time another person gave them a gift, it’d have to be of a higher value. Although the young pharmacists could not be bothered to tease those who brought gifts, they decided to do it since it was Master Felic’s request. They wouldn’t lose anything anyway. It was not even the pharmacists’ concern whether it was rude to open the gifts right away.
At the instant that the box was opened, everyone else gasped in shock, while Wilkinson remained composed because he had seen enough not to be phased by it. Gaget had indeed spent a bomb on the gift.
The oblong wooden box contained a set of test tubes that were often used by pharmacists when preparing chemicals and potions, though they were not made of glass. Wilkinson recognized at a glance that the test tubes were made of very precious Crystal of Clear Skies. Although it was not as precious as the Crystal of Eternity, it was also a rare and precious material.
The carved test tubes that were made of the Crystal of Clear Skies had an excellent catalytic effect on the medicinal materials during the preparation of potions, and could shorten the reaction time, especially for those which required a long one. Simply put, it might take just two or three days for Wilkinson to prepare a potion successfully with such a set of such test tubes while others might need 10 days to prepare the same potion.
The test tubes were absolutely attractive for pharmacists. It was no wonder that Gaget would select them as a recruitment gift. Gaget had spent a hefty amount on them, but it was not an issue of money, because the test tubes could not necessarily be bought with money.
It could be said that in the battle for the pharmacists in the Tower of Dusk, some of the merchants who had made mistakes in their investments now indirectly benefited from them together with the other residents of Black Clouds Town. There were barely any senior pharmacists in the Breezy Plains, and the expensive pharmaceutical equipment was rarely sold. They were mostly just precious gems that added glory to the store. But now, not only were there plenty of people who were rushing to buy those items, the prices were soaring all the time too. Hence, those merchants who’d almost bankrupted suddenly got a new lease on life.
If the forces could successfully poach the pharmacists, they would benefit the most, but if they failed…
Wilkinson put the lid back onto the wooden box, nodded, and said, “Well, it’s a superb present. Someone, come over and help me bring this back to my room.” He called a mage apprentice of the Tower of Dusk, and instructed him to send the set of Crystal of Clear Skies test tubes back to his room.
Seeing that Wilkinson had taken things away, Gaget secretly heaved a sigh of relief. As long as he accepted the gifts, there would be a chance for discussion. At this moment, everyone around him was feeling rather regretful because everyone knew that Wilkinson was the best pharmacist here.
“What else do you have to say?” asked Wilkinson, who sounded just as aloof and annoyed as previously, even after accepting the gift. It was as if accepting gifts was a waste of his time.
Gaget looked around, and finally said the things that he had prepared earlier on. “Dear Mr. Pharmacist, may I have the honor to invite you to the White Shadow? We may not have the best conditions, but we’re very famous in the Breezy Plains. I can assure that you’ll be our most valued guest.” He then introduced Wilkinson to the status of the White Shadow in the Breezy Plains and promised to give Wilkinson a higher position than he had now if he were to join the White Shadow.
Of course, Gaget was not planning to give his position to Wilkinson. In fact, despite their extremely high status, unlike Archmages and level-16 or 17 Warriors, pharmacists could not pose a threat to a leader even though they had a great influence. The greatest concern for leaders during recruitment was the fear of getting replaced by powerful combatants. As for pharmacists? No way.
After Gaget had finished speaking, he looked at Wilkinson with anticipation, feeling his heart pounding rapidly in his chest as if was about to jump out of his throat.
Silence filled the air in the hall; everyone was waiting to hear Wilkinson’s answer with complex emotions. They hoped that he could answer straightforwardly, but at the same time, they also didn’t want to see the White Shadow gaining an advantage.
“What for? I don’t have the time!” Wilkinson answered without hesitation. What a joke. I’m receiving guidance from Master Felic here. What can I do over at your place? I might as well return to Alanna.
Gaget was dumbfounded, and he began to wonder if his words were too vague for Wilkinson’s comprehension. “Mr. Pharmacist, what I meant was… I hope that we can receive your help. I promise you’ll definitely make great progress in the White Shadow and we’ll provide the best resources for you.”
“You?” Wilkinson scanned Gaget from head to toe condescendingly before continuing in a hostile manner, “The White Shadow? Who do you think you are!?” Before giving Gaget the chance to even speak, he turned around and left the hall.
Was that it?
Gaget stood rooted to the ground in shock while a ringing sound formed in his ears. He felt like his soul had left his body, and he suddenly couldn’t sense anything.
After seeing what had happened, the people of the other forces had no idea if they should be happy or worried themselves. Should we continue to send the gifts? Was it really possible that these pharmacists would be recruited by their own forces? Every gift cost a significant amount of money. If their efforts were to be in vain, it would be a huge loss for all of them.
Gaget snapped back to reality, and said to his subordinates, “Seems… Seems like we’re not showing enough sincerity…”
Yes, the rejection faced by the White Shadow does not mean that we won’t succeed in soliciting some pharmacists. Their sincerity has not moved that pharmacist, but we can show more sincerity than they did! Regardless of the purpose of Gaget’s words, those people whose faith had been somewhat shaken once again grew determined to poach some pharmacists. Besides, they couldn’t quit at this point. After all, they had invested so much into the plan, and would have nothing left if they were to give up. It was a gamble where one would be eager to recoup their losses because leaving would mean losing everything for good.
“Master Felic, this is a set of test tubes they just sent that are made of Crystal of Clear Skies. I think you’re the only person eligible to use it.” Wilkinson, who had been treating the gift-givers hostilely in the hall just now, gazed at the test tubes in awe and handed them to Lin Li.
Lin Li reached out and took out a test tube from the wooden box nonchalantly before staring at it beneath the sunlight. He then put it back again while saying, “Yes, it’s made of Crystal of Clear Skies, but the craftsmanship is inferior. Leave it behind for a while. I’ll help you fix it.” As a master of working with gems and diamonds, the test tubes indeed weren’t too attractive to him.
At first, Wilkinson thought that Lin Li was embarrassed to accept his gift, and thus said that he would fix it. However, not long after, he knew that every word Lin Li said was true when he saw a pristine test tube placed in front of him.
