Chapter 631: Corrosive - 631
Skymender held the glass up and was shocked by the sight.
The glass vial was completely missing the part of it that had entered the poison. Cracks ran up the remaining part of the vial. It was close to completely falling apart.
Skymender looked down confused. If the poison could melt the glass, why wasn't the cauldron melting?
As if on cue, a drop of poison fell from the bottom of the cauldron. Skymender jumped back as the bottom of the cauldron began to dissolve as if it was melting.
A few drops splashed onto his arm, instantly corroding his skin. He hit the drops with his other hand, but he felt corrosion on it too. Luckily, the liquid was not unstoppable. The few drops quickly ceased their corrosion properties and were flicked off by Skymender.
His cauldron, the table, and the floor were not so lucky.
The cauldron had become scrap metal, which hurt Skymender's heart. It had been very expensive.
The table had a huge hole through it.
The floor was beginning to corrode as well, though the poison showed signs of stopping. He made sure his papers were okay before studying the situation.
The poison eventually stopped corroding the floor. After all, it was a limited amount and did not have the ability to infinitely corrode.
There was a large hole in the floor, about as deep as Skymenders ankle, but as wide as two of him.
It did not seem like much damage, but the floor was made of pure concrete and even a sledge hammer would have difficulty cracking it.
It seemed that, although making it was possible, storing it was impossible.
However, as he thought, Skymender had an incredible thought. It seemed difficult, but after thinking of it, he couldn't help but try it. Unfortunately, he did not have a cauldron to make it at the moment.
He left the room, surprising Melly. She had become used to him staying as late as possible.
They left and returned home. Skymender immediately found one of the more important servants and requested ten cauldrons exactly like the one he had before.
She smiled, but hesitated.
"Lord Skymender… The materials to create that are exceptionally expensive. Even Baron Sky may take notice."
Skymender waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. He won't mind. Probably."
He mumbled the last part under his breath, but the servant didn't hear him.
"Alright then. If you say so. However, such a creation can only be made in the Imperial Capital. I can send a few servants out immediately in a noble carriage carrying your order, if that is what you want."
Skymender nodded. He had known it would be impossible to create around these parts.
It would also be possible in the Royal Capital, but it would be more expensive there and the wait would still be fairly long.
Skymender could use his fathers money to some extent, but he didn't want to push the limits.
The servant relayed his orders and he had a wait time of around thirty days.
Until then, he sent someone to the nearby city to have a much lower quality cauldron made, but one that looked the same.
It would be done by tomorrow. Just in case, he ordered ten of them.
Hopefully, his father wouldn't notice the expenses.
He went to sleep and woke up the next day, ready as always.
His father did not say anything to him, and Skymender soon found himself in the room after school. It had been cleaned up a little bit from before.
After all, this room was occasionally used in teachings. Skymender found a new table and placed a new cauldron on it.
It was definitely inferior compared to before, but it would do as long as he did not create anything corrosive.
Though, after many uses, it may deteriorate.
Skymender began to use different materials, experimenting with amount and timing.
He did not plan to have any success, just seeing how different materials interacted with each other and their various changes
Most importantly, he continued experimenting with blood. He still felt that it was something with the most potential.
After all, it should logically carry the characteristics of the being it came from.
The Echo Chameleon's blood made a gem change color, so by association, it should work with all animals.
Skymender tried various methods over multiple days, gaining a lot of information over various subjects. Like this, he was able to steadily progress in this field of study.
Thirty days was not a short time, and there was much that he could accomplish in that time.
After a week, he began to write a book recording all of the information he had learned. Scattered papers were getting too messy and hard to organize.
It would not be published or shared, just a record of his studies and findings.
As he wrote, he saw the marks on his hand and arm.
It came from the corrosive poison that he had got on him.
It was slowly starting to heal, but he wasn't sure if it would ever be the same.
Regardless, he already had a permanent mask. Nothing else would likely change his appearance as much.
Speaking of that, it was about time to change how it looked. Since he could customize it, he may as well make it fancy.
The next day, after school, he did not go to his "Club", but entered the city. He was familiar with it, having visited multiple times. To be honest, it was on the verge of being a simple village, barely considered a city.
A Baron having a city in their territory was already rare. After all, most simply did not have enough care to create an entire city, which would take loads of money and effort.
Even if they were planning to live there, making it a city would be too difficult for it to be worth it.
The Sky Barony's city was partially formed through natural migration, and the rest was the pushing of Baron Sky, this one and ones of the past.
They were quite lucky to have it.
Chapter 632: New Mask - 632
There were very few tall buildings above two stories, as well as a lack of a central building above them all, as was custom in most cities.
However, it still counted as a city nonetheless.
Skymender made his way to the hospital, his carriage receiving astonished and excited looks from all who saw it.
Here, he was akin to royalty.
Skymender quickly arrived and made his way inside.
As if expecting him, he was quickly met by multiple doctors. Upon sharing his goal for coming, he was brought to another section of the hospital. He met with someone that was half a doctor and half an artist.
He specialized in making better looking medical assistants.
For example, a cane could be customized to look elegant or aged. A brace for a broken bone could be designed with tiger patterns. A mask on the face could be recolored or drawn on.
Of course for Skymender, the options were much greater than others. In fact, as long as his request did not exceed the artist's capability, he could do whatever he wanted.
Skymender thought long and hard before coming to a decision.
His current mask only covered his mouth and nose, but he would design a mask that would cover the entire bottom of his face.
It would be white with golden patterns on the outside.
He stated his idea to the artist, who immediately nodded. He drew up some sketches, and after slight changes, declared that it would be done by tomorrow. Without a doubt, the artist would put his heart and soul into it, especially since it would be created using real gold, a chance he may never get again.
Skymender believed in his abilities and returned home for the day. Skipping school, he returned the next day.
He was instantly brought to the artist, whose eyes were clearly tired. He must have not slept at all.
However, he was clearly excited.
"Lord Skymender. I have completed your new mask to the best of my ability. It has already been incorporated with the same technology on your mask, meaning it is as efficient as your current one and ready to wear." The artist said excitedly.
He then opened the box he was holding, allowing Skymender to see inside.
Skymender saw it and smiled. It was just as he had imagined it.
He gave the artist a nod and spoke. "Very good."
He kept his words short since his throat was still injured and always would be. The artist smiled at his acknowledgement.
Skymender took off his mask and breathed the fresh air. However, he soon felt his breathing become difficult. In less than an hour, it would be hard for him to breathe.
Skymender took the mask out of the box and put it on. For the first time in a while, he felt good. The mask covered more of his face, but it also gave balance.
The pure white fabric and the golden patterns made him seem even richer than he was.
Luckily, the gold was not very expensive since it was in a very small amount. Skymender paid the artist a handsome amount for his good work and left.
Upon returning home, he was greeted by his Mother and Father.
They were surprised to see him wearing a new mask. However, they instantly found it more pleasing to the eye. The other mask looked awkward since it was just a circle on the face.
This made it look much better. It also looked very expensive, but also worth the money.
Baron Sky knew exactly how much money Skymender had been spending, but as long as it was not wasted, he could endure. After all, they made plenty of money. Skymender's spendings combined were around 1% of their yearly profit. This was definitely a large amount, but it was okay since he was, after all, their son.
His mother came closer and studied the mask for a while, but his father continued on with whatever he was doing. His mother soon left, leaving Skymender as the only member of the Sky Barony in the house.
There were servants, but nobody else. Even after living so long, this was a rare situation. He returned to his room and saw Li Youcai standing outside of it.
"Back so soon, Lord Skymender?" He asked.
Skymender nodded.
"I like the new look. I received a letter for you from the Imperial Capital."
Li Youcai handed him a letter. It was naturally from a noble at least, but it was not marked.
Skymender opened it and saw some words written down.
"A pity about your injuries. However, it has not knocked you down. Admirable. A master of poison could be greatly useful to the Empire, but there are very few who survive to reach that level. Most either die alongside the way or get scared into stopping their experimentation. Don't die. Don't give up. I don't want to be disappointed - Imperial Scholar. P.S. Have you ever considered becoming a scholar?"
Skymender was surprised. He did not expect the Imperial Scholar to have noticed him enough to send him such a letter.
Although he had reached the top in the intelligence exam, it had only been because of the adjustment for age.
Yet, the Imperial Scholar had clearly been keeping tabs on him. He even knew about him practicing poison, though it was not as if he was trying to hide it.
This changed his thinking about the Imperial Scholar. Perhaps he had plans for him.
As for becoming a scholar, Skymender had indeed thought of it. It did not seem like a bad path to take, nor an exclusive one. He could still practice poison or research while becoming a scholar. All that one needed to become a scholar was wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge.
Of course, to reach such a level, talent and the correct disposition was needed.
Being a scholar was about being above normal people. Noble scholars were rare since they were born above others and tended to be arrogant, but commoner scholars were like nobles among commoners.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
stone 
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