Chapter 623: Research and Leaving - 623
He started with the blood of various special animals.
The Echo Cameleon, along with the Shadow Mole and the Star Bird all had similar traits to one another. They were all masters of disguise.
The Echo Cameleon, despite its large size, could blend in almost perfectly anywhere. Luckily, it rarely ate meat, and even if it did, nothing bigger than rats.
The Shadow Mole had only ever been spotted at night. As for where it was in the day, nobody had ever discovered it. The Shadow Mole had a completely black body, blending in with the night.
The Star Bird could emit a white light that made it seem like a star in the sky. Each of these beings were masters of disguise, and as a result, their blood was valuable.
The Echo Chameleon's blood was not quite as rare since there were methods to find it developed over the years, but the Star Bird and the Shadow Mole could only be stumbled upon by chance.
Therefore, the price he had paid for this was not low at all. Yet, even with the high prices, he had only gotten a small amount. It was not only these three species either.
It had gotten to the point that his father wrote a letter expressing how ridiculous his expenses were.
He naturally understood and reluctantly stopped spending.
Skymender did not use only the tools in the research laboratory. He had read historical records of ancient research methods and came to a conclusion that, while the current tools were faster, more efficient, and more diverse, there was a certain ancient tool that seemed better for what he was doing.
It was known as a cauldron. Although it was indeed simplistic, when made correctly, it did everything Skymender needed it to do. And it did it better than the scientific instruments in the research institute. Perhaps one day, the cauldron would be completely replaced.
But for now, it was still the best option.
Skymender had a custom cauldron made for him. In stories, the cauldron was used to concoct powerful pills that could increase a person's lifespan by thousands of years, or propel their strength into a different category.
Here, it would help Skymender create a material for the purpose of hiding information from others' eyes.
This had long stopped being solely about reading books in private even in public. He had thoroughly found interest in this.
Skymender began to mix the bloods together, starting with the Echo Cameleon, the Shadow Mole, and the Star Bird.
A flame lit up under his custom made cauldron, which was orange in color, and it slowly began to heat it up.
Skymender made sure to balance the heat around the cauldron in all areas.
He took a clean metal stick and began to mix the blood in the cauldron. It slowly began to boil, ultimately becoming a bad smelling black substance. He had expected this, but he had to try.
Luckily, he had used a very small amount.
He wasted the black substance and added the same proportions of the same three bloods. This time, however, he threw in a substance that could be both a solid and a liquid. When hit hard, it acted as a solid, but when sitting, it would act as a liquid. There were a few such materials in this world, and Skymender was able to get his hands on plenty of them. They were not really rare, and could even be created if necessary.
This section of the research institute, around 50 years ago, was actually responsible for the ability to create it.
Everything mixed together under the heat and stirring. The substance slowly dissolved into a liquid under the heat and mixed with the blood.
Skymender noted every single change he saw.
It had neither succeeded nor failed, producing a substance that did not seem to have any unique use. Regardless, Skymender stored some of it and labeled its properties. Who knew if it would be useful in the future.
He continued on for hours and hours until the day passed. He packed up his things, left, and came back the next day.
This formed a cycle of research and learning. At some point, Old Lee and his apprentice started to occasionally watch him. They naturally knew the branch of research he was practicing, but they had not paid attention to it beyond the books. Skymender was researching stuff they had never imagined. He was also using an ancient tool, something quite interesting.
It was hard to tell if he was actually researching or just playing around.
Though, knowing Skymender, they naturally guessed that he was actually researching.
A week passed, and another.
The end of his trip to the Imperial Capital was closing in on him. He naturally had to leave early and get home early in order to prepare for the new year of school, despite the fact that he had basically already learned everything he would need to learn to graduate.
It was a responsibility that he could not ignore, no matter what he was doing or how advanced it was.
During his last few days, he did not research, but began to buy stuff from the Imperial Capital. He knew that his father had asked him to stop spending so much, but it was almost impossible to get half of this stuff outside of the Imperial Capital.
He also began to pack everything he had already bought, adding a few more carriages filled with materials and tools.
He also did not forget to bring some research books with him. Although they were not focused on his topic, it was not impossible for him to learn something from them.
Even inspiration could completely change things.
It did not take all his remaining days to pack up, but he just decided to leave early. Before leaving, he said goodbye to the Fatty, as well as Duchess Vass and her daughter.
The next time he came, things would be different. He would come much older, and his entire experience would vastly transform.
As he sat in the carriage, watching the walls slowly fade away, he muttered to himself.
"Next time, my visit will not be nearly as simple."
Chapter 624: The Emperor's Prophecy - 624
Like on their way to the Imperial Capital, a ten day journey ensued.
This time, they were coming back with more than they came with.
However, not everyone was so lucky. Skymender's intelligence had allowed him to not only prevent loss, but to gain. In the Imperial Capital, with countless hidden undercurrents, it was a truly impressive feat.
As the carriage departed, at the top of the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and the Imperial Scholar looked out the window.
"You truly value him that much?" The Emperor asked.
"Indeed. If he does not become my successor, then there is less than a ten percent chance I will find someone else I am satisfied with before the end of my life." The Imperial Scholar said.
"He is indeed talented, and still young, but to value him to such a level seems excessive, no?"
The Imperial Scholar laughed. "Naturally, the talent and potential to grow make me like him more, but most importantly, he is ruthless."
The Emperor did not understand. "How exactly? He has done nothing of the sort."
The Imperial Scholar laughed again. "The fact that even you can't find a hint of it is what makes him even better. I can tell you something, but you have to promise to forget about it completely."
The Emperor nodded. "I doubt I'll care."
The Imperial Scholar did not laugh, though he could have once again.
"You don't think it was a coincidence that he saved the Duchess's daughter, do you?"
The Emperor stayed silent. His expression did not change, but deep inside, he was putting all of the pieces together.
Naturally, there was not any evidence pointing towards Skymender, but it was possible to form speculation. However, even that had been thrown out on account of his age and background. There was no reason for him to have done such a thing. He had grown up peacefully with a loving family.
However, with what the Imperial Scholar said, the Emperor could put two and two together.
"I see."
The Imperial Scholar smirked as he looked out the window, though the Emperor did not see it.
From now on, the Emperor would be wary of Skymender, just as he was wary of the Imperial Scholar.
Qualifying to make the Emperor wary at such a young age was terrifying.
In fact, even the Imperial Scholar wasn't 100% sure that Skymender had done it. Everything had simply been handled too cleanly.
He was only 10% sure, but that was enough for him. He had a feeling that Skyender had done it, and he would trust nothing more than his gut.
The Imperial Scholar muttered to himself. "You owe me a favor, brat."
He then turned to the Emperor. "If that boy matures before I die of old age and we can work together, the chances of success can be higher by at least 5%"
The Emperor's calm eyes snapped open. "You're sure?"
The Imperial Scholar nodded. "At least 5%. Maybe more."
The Emperor took a deep breath before calming himself. "I see."
His wariness had transformed into something much more important, desire. From now on, he needed Skymender to grow and become as intelligent as his potential would allow.
Because even a 5% increase could change the future of the world. For the sake of his Empire, his people, and most importantly himself, he would not even let a 0.1% increase slip by without grabbing it.
He looked into the distance, where the sun stood high.
"First, the house. Second, the kingdom. Third, the Empire. Finally, the World."
The Imperial Scholar unnoticeably shivered.
The prophecy of the current Emperor was known to very few, but those who understood it would feel fear just looking at him.
Because he was the one fated to rule the world.
Nobody knew how it came about, or where it was found, but those words seemed to take form and travel through the brains of everyone around.
First the house. Because the current Emperor was not born of the Imperial Family. He was not born of a royal family. He was not born of a noble family. He was not even born of a wealthy commoner family.
Known to less than ten in the entire Empire, the current Emperor was born the homeless child of the lowliest of commoners.
That was until he took the house. The house referred to a noble family. Then, the Kingdom. The Ergen Kingdom's king was nothing more than a subordinate at that time. Finally, the Empire. He ascended to the Imperial throne, silently and without noticeable change.
Every step was fraught with danger and the risk of failure. Every breath could have been his last. His journey was the most legendary ever confirmed to be true. Every moment marked by blood and sacrifice.
The Emperor could not be manipulated or underestimated, for anyone who truly knew him respected him, and they knew that if anyone could rule the world, it must be him.
The Emperor left the room, and the Imperial Scholar thoughtfully looked out the window.
"The sky doesn't move, but the world still rotates. Will you truly stop at the world, fated one?"
The journey back was even more boring than the one to the Imperial Capital. After all, he had once been going to a land of mysteries, but was now returning to the place he knew the best.
He wasn't sad to return, there was just not much anticipation. After all, he could have stayed in the Imperial Capital if he had truly wanted to, but hadn't.
He now had Hope in addition to Li Youcai. Honestly, he didn't care much, but he had indeed gained a new personal servant.
Looking at his bag of books, he had basically read them all. Good thing he was going back. it would have been hard to buy them if he was in the Imperial Capital, despite the fact that they should have been easier to find.
There were no interruptions or surprises on the way back. There were no bandits or passed out future servants.
The most interesting thing to happen was hearing a nearby wolf howl.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
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