章 7: Deals and Plans
Trajaan watched as Leylin looked through the book as the scientist searched for a master to learn from. He already knew that Leylin would pick the Potion Master Kroft which he wanted. Potions would net him and Leylin huge income on top of the wealth he already had.
Suddenly Leylin spoke.
"I am going to choose Mentor Kroft."
The old man was a little surprised.
"Alchemy? You wish to become an alchemist? The effort and resources invested are extremely horrifying! Do you want to change? I think Dorotte suits you well."
Trajaan answered for him.
"Dorotte has his prized apprentice while I have a sizable sum of Magic Crystals to support him. Through my support, I am sure that Leylin will be able to return my investment."
That made Leylin nervous as if he failed it was possible Trajaan would use him as an experimental subject.
Leylin nodded.
"I have also acquired some knowledge in this field beforehand. I am sure I can succeed."
The Old man still decided to warn him.
"The mortal world's perception of alchemy is totally different from that of the world of Magi."
The old man shook his head. seeing Leylin's resolute gaze, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Since you have already decided, so be it. It is good you have a backer with wealth."
After speaking, the old man took a quill pen and scribbled it on the parchment paper.
"Here are your belongings, follow the shadow slave to where Kroft is."
The old man handed a sack over to Leylin. Leylin bowed deeply and even nodded to the remaining acolytes, before leaving through the large door. Once he was gone Trajaan walked back to wait for the rest of the acolytes to choose their masters as he had more important business to handle.
But during the time as the Acolytes took their pick, he began to plan. He knew that Kroft had some potions that Leylin would work on that would benefit Magi, and him. At the same time, he wanted to learn several spells and seals as working with Daemons was dangerous.
If even a Primarch like Fulgrium fell to Chaos because of ignorance. He was not ignorant like the Primarch and once he bound a Bloodthirster to his armor he would be protected from most magic.
And he already knew of two perfect Bloodthirsters for the job. Either Skarbrand or Ka'Bandha. To rob the blood god of his two greatest Bloodthirsters would be a risk, but the gain would totally make up for it.
As for the Lord of Change, he wished to bind to his Spear, he knew only one that would do. Aetaos'rau'keres, the Slayer of Souls. A Lord of Change is so powerful that even Tzeentch feared what he could become.
Once he buffed his armor and spear with some of the strongest Daemons he would truly be a force to be reckoned with.
'Now I just got to find a way to bind them.'
Once the last acolyte picked he walked up to the old man.
"Alright then, let's deal with all the legal information. I have the same status as a Rank 2 magus so I would like to expect the same pay."
The old man cleared his voice with a nod.
"Yes, we are going to give you some living quarters and a lab that is perfect for Magus. Making one for a Rank 2 one will be tough so forgive us."
Trajaan did not mind.
"That is fine. As long as I have even a Rank 1 lab will be helpful."
"You will be given both the standard meditation technique along with a Rank 2 Darkness meditation technique."
Trajaan shook his head.
"No need. I rather have the Meditation Technique's worth in Magic Crystals."
The old man nodded.
"You will receive information that is equal to the price of the Meditation Technique. Fair?"
Trajaan felt that was a good start.
"Alright then."
The old man reached for his storage treasure and pulled out two crystal balls.
"In that case, for the moment follow this Slave ghost. He will lead you to a Rank 1 Lab that has no one that owns it."
Trajaan walked off as he followed the ghost. As he was already a Rank 3 Acolyte, he just had to increase the strength of his mind rune until he broke through to the Rank 1 Magus. This step would take much longer than being an Acolyte.
But the potions that Leylin would make would also help him out. Now he just needed time to delve into his research which was time he had. During his deep thought process, he arrived in front of his living quarters which were made for human-sized people.
He sighed as he drew in the power of the warp and began to change the matter and reality of the room. Before long he made something that was made more to his size which was quite impressive.
He looked at the slave ghost and waved it away.
"I will find the lab later. You can go."
It bowed and left him alone as he entered the room which had a giant door made to his size. Now that he was in his living quarters, he felt he could relax for just a moment.
He had no need to remove the armor as it was a second skin for Custodes. Custom made to fit their bodies. Each one was functionally immortal and their bodies could live without eating for centuries.
For the moment he began to read through the memories of the Knights, the Storm Sprite, and the Crow. All those memories were truly his in a second which was both a curse of blessing of the Apollonion spear.
To Constantin, it was torture, but for his mind which was enhanced by the power of a Primarch, he was much better suited to use the spear. The true boon was the Storm Sprite memories.
This one was several centuries old, and he knew many spells and how to control storms.
'Useful.'
But one piece of knowledge stuck with him.
'Seals of the Storm.'
As they sounded, they were a series of runes that worked with lightning to seal and torture spirits into submission. They were used to create artifacts as many used the souls of powerful creatures.
'Now this is something I can work with.'
Fabius Bile's own Daemon Mace worked as he kept the Daemon tortured and in pain. If he could learn Skarbrand's true Daemon Name along with several seals he could totally control the Bloodthirster once it was sealed into his armor.
As for Aetaos'rau'keres that would be much harder as every Lord of Change had hundreds of fake names. Finding out the true name of this particular Lord of Change would be even harder.
'For now, I must be patient.'
---
Trajaan did not leave his room for the entire night as he searched the memories of the sprite for useful knowledge. He learned 10 spells which he could use as he could call on Warp Lightning. As for the Knights, he learned their Breathing Technique.
And to top it off, it was a Grand Knight Technique that he would give to Leylin. If Leylin was to help him in his Daemon research he could not allow any bit of weakness in his apprentice. A strong body and spirit would be needed to deal with Daemons.
But once the night passed, and he felt Leylin wake up after he meditated, he left his room to meet Leylin before he went to speak to his teacher. When Leylin saw him coming he bowed a bit.
"Sir Trajaan."
Trajaan waved his hand and sealed the sound so no one could hear them speak.
"Leylin, I see you had a fruitful night just as I had. Now, I have some things to speak to you on. Your A.I chip is your greatest advantage in this world. I will supply you with the Magic Crystals for you to become a great alchemist. So be ready for that."
Leylin nodded.
"I will not fail you."
With that, Trajaan left Leylin alone to attend his classes. Once Leylin was gone Trajaan returned to his living quarters. For the moment he could take it easy, but as soon as Leylin began to sell his potions he would begin to read through all of the tomes of the Academy.
The more he learned about souls and seals the better he could work on his Daemon Binding. If he could make a pact with Vashtor, or Khorne he would be even better. But knowing Khorne, he would want an offer of skulls of powerful warriors or even of Magi.
The skull of that Storm Sprite could have been a good offer, but Vashtor would want knowledge and souls.
'I do know of some beings who could work with me. The Daemon Primarchs could be great allies in this world. I can work with Magnus to free him from Tzeentch as he does not like Tzeentch at all He would be a good intellectual ally, and maybe even Angron if I can get him free from Khorne.
Mortarion is a big risk as his mind is quite lost. I definitely do not want that freak Lorgar around. But in truth, Perturabo is probably my best bet for a start. Chaos Undivided is still not safe, but a lot better than corruption by a single Chaos God.'
For now, he checked on his Spatial Artifacts that contained his money. He had 85,000 Magic Crystals which he got after the Magi bought parts of the Thunder Sprite. He kept its crystalized Blood and its skin, but the rest of the creature had been sold.
'I know, Dorotte.'
Trajaan sent Dorote a message which confused the lich as he was busy training his apprentice.
'Dorote, it is me, Trajaan. I need to talk to you.'
'Trajaan? How are you doing this?'
'Never mind that. I need you to meet me at my room as soon as possible.'
Dorote thought about it before he accepted.
'Alright.'
He informed his student that he would be stepping out for a time. Trajaan did not have to wait very long before he saw the black robbed skeleton at his door.
"Trajaan, what was it you needed to talk to me about?"
"I will cut to the chase, are you interested in making a deal with me for benefits?"
Dorote was instantly interested.
"What benefits?"
"A way for you to advance past the Rank 1. I can feel that your soul will find it very hard to advance to the Rank 2."
Dorotte sighed as it was the truth.
"Yes, it is how I made myself a lich to prolong my life. I want to advance, but I just can't seem to push past my energy restraints. I need the energy to keep my life and energy to advance. A bad joke I have to say."
Trajaan crossed his arms.
"I have something to offer you. A deal to say."
The green lights in his eye sockets lit up.
"Yes, you see Leylin my student has a unique talent to make potions. He is super skilled at the art beyond his talent ranking. I want you to support him and I guarantee that he will return your investment. You can even watch him prove this point.
By doing this, we can reap the rewards of his potions as that boy has talent. You sell the potions, and you get to keep a share of the profits. I am sure you will eventually have enough resources to in time progress in your rank.
Or at the very least get stronger."
Dorotte did not think someone like Trajaan would have any reason to lie.
"If what you say is true, then I would be more than happy to invest in Leylin. However, would you invest in my student?"
"If you help Leylin progress, then I would be more than willing. You must know that I am not a Magus, I am a psyker. I can do what a Magus can do, but differently. I could teach you how to become a psyker, as I have already become a Rank 3 Acolyte.
My people created a Meditation Technique for me, so if I can become a Magus on top of being a Psyker, why could you not become a Psyker on top of being a Magus."
He had seen how Trajaan could toy with Rank 1 Magus like they were children. Being able to become a Psyker as Trajaan called it drew his attention.
"You can make one a Psyker?"
He nodded.
"I can, others can't. I won't be able to do it so soon as your mind is not ready to become one. Becoming a psyker is a dangerous task, far more dangerous than a Magus. Would you take the risk?"
Dorotte nodded.
"I would take the risk to gain power. Though I will first have to see if Leylin is as good as you say he is. If he is, we shall make a deal and I shall support him full-heartedly. I will even protect him from the greed of other professors. Though we might have to bring Kroft into this deal. He is Leylin's official master."
Trajaan nodded.
"Yes, in time. We will inform Kroft once we begin to reap the rewards. Though we should at least let him keep a part of his wealth. He will need it to keep improving after all to make better potions."
"I like the way you think. Inform me when you are ready to show me his talent."
He began to walk away which made Trajaan felt working with Dorotte would truly be a boon. But finding Dorotte a better body would probably be the better option.
"He knows how to deal. Now, to inform Leylin."
Trajaan connected to Leylin to inform him of what was to happen.
'Hey, I just made a deal with Dorote. When you start to make potions show him.'
Hearing that went against Leylin's plans to keep low-key.
'But I planned to stay hidden.'
'No need. You have me and Dorote to protect you from the greed of the other Magus. I will help you hide the A.I chip hidden until you can make me a copy. I could steal it from you, but I rather not. So do your best and get ready to show Dorote your worth.
You have a month.'
Hearing what Trajaan told him Leylin sighed. He planned to lay low and act like his talent was worse than Merlin's. Yet Trajaan who had the power to do as he liked made him change his plans.
'But without him I would not get this chance.
Trajaan wanted to laugh, but he cut the connection. He needed to talk to Kroft now and maybe some other Professors and Magus. The more connections he made the better.
---
Very quickly the month deadline went by. In that time Trajaan had been reading through the Magus information he could get his hands on and he had learned much in that time. He focused on seals and souls, but for Leylin he had been hard at work meditating and learning.
He had become a Rank 1 Acolyte which allowed him to manipulate mana as Trajaan called it. He had practiced in Potion Making and he had already made several in just that time. He had a full chest of them whichTrajaan and Dorote would sell and split the profits three ways.
If each potion was worth around 15 to 20 crystals, Trajaan and Dorote would each get 5 while he got to keep the other 5 or more if he was lucky. It only costs one Magic Crystal worth of material to make at least a few potions so his profits would be huge.
He was still profiting, but not the full price he would get if he was alone. Currently, Dorotte, Trajaan, and Leylin were in Trajaan's lab. The undead lich observed Leylin and saw his progress.
"He became an acolyte faster than his talent suggests?"
Trajaan nodded.
"That is because he is almost a tier 4. Now, why we are here? Leylin, show him your skill with potions."
Leylin nodded feeling nervous. If Dorotte saw or felt his A.I chip, his greed would likely make him gun for his life.
'Calm down Leylin. As much as you hate to admit it, Trajaan is strong.'
He began to focus on the strength potion he had made many times in the past week. His expression turned solemn, as he picked up a Blood Vitality Fruit. He placed the Blood Vitality Fruit into the white basin. He picked up a pounding tool and smashed the fruit into a pulp. The red juices flowed out, and an alcoholic scent was emitted from it.
After filtering out the mashed Blood Vitality Fruit, he poured the red juice into a beaker. All the while Dorotte observed and had to say so far he was doing well. Despite it being an elementary potion, it would still sell well to the many acolytes.
And once Leylin improved, he could make Magus-level potions as well no doubt. Leylin turned on a black candle stick with light blue flames at the bottom of the beaker. Within minutes, the red juice in the beaker started to boil, and a few flecks of black powder constantly jumped about in the bubbles.
Leylin picked up the glass rod beside him and stirred the contents of the beaker.
"Marliwoosha!"
A thread of spiritual force traveled through the glass rod and entered the bubbling liquid, and a few wisps of black gas continued to be produced. It was the poison inside the Blood Vitality Fruit.
This was why only a level 1 acolyte and above could start to practice making potions, as a few steps required the usage of energy particles. After all of the black gaseous substances were expelled, Leylin placed the liquid, which was even more crimson than before, into a test tube.
The next part was to prepare the rest of the Blood Vitality Fruit and Silk Fruit together. He succeeded the first time which impressed Dorote. He then completed the potion and turned around to present what he made to Dorotte.
The Lich was not an alchemist, but he himself knew the quality of them. He reached out and took the potion from Leylin.
"I have to say you proved your words earlier Trajaan. Your student is quite skilled. This can sell for 20 magic crystals. And this is just a basic potion. When you rise in rank you will be able to make better and rare potions.
Making yourself, me, and Trajaan great returns. Yes, I believe you Trajaan."
"I never lied. Now, when do you want to make our contract? You will buy potion recipes while I will supply the ingredient costs. As for the other aspects of our deal, I will complete it once I feel you can endure well."
Dorotte nodded.
"Yes, I agree. This is all the proof I need. Leylin, I will support you in your alchemy endeavors and help you rise in rank. However, don't think you have to rush. Become a strong Magus and then you benefit from your talent."
"Thank you Professor Dorotte."
Dorotte shook his head.
"Thank Trajaan. He brought to light your talent in alchemy. We are just making use of your great talent. I shall take my leave, keep practicing your craft Leylin."
Once the lich was gone, Trajaan looked at Leylin.
"You heard him. Keep practicing. I will tell you this now, I know of a location that contains an advanced Meditation Technique perfect for you. Once you become a Rank 3 Acolyte, I will take you there. But before that, you must become a Grand Knight and a Rank 3 Acolyte.
Here."
Trajaan placed his finger on Leylin's forehead and transferred him the Grand Knight Breathing Technique he got from the 20 knights. His A.I chip-deciphered it, and hopefully, Leylin would fuse it with his own Breathing Technique.
With that taken care of Trajaan handed Leylin 1,000 Magic Crystals.
"Here, use them for your research, ingredients, and the like."
Trajaan's profit would be more than worth it as Leylin would be loyal if you could benefit him. For as long as Trajaan was stronger, Leylin would not betray him, but that did not mean he trusted Leylin.
He never would make that mistake.
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