บท 106: A Rainbow of Emotions

Early at dawn the next day, Allen went to the kitchen to cook up tea.

After making tea, he filled the already prepared teacup and called out, "Edwin?" However, he didn't answer back.

He called out one more time, nevertheless, it was still quiet. Allen went into the boy's room and saw that he was still sleeping soundly.

Allen placed his hands on the bed. He exerted force on his hands and threw over the bed.

-thud-

Edwin woke up from his sleep and angrily scanned the surroundings, "Who's that?! I'm going to..." When he spotted Allen, he immediately shut his mouth up and greeted him.

"You are going to what?" Allen asked. Referring to the other's unfinished sentence.

On the other hand, Edwin and just made a short laugh, "It's nothing. It's nothing!" Shakings off the question.

The boy stood up and politely asked, "What are you doing here, Allen?"

"Waking you up." He replied and fixed the bed back to its original position, "It's much better if you go to the harvest lands early. New mana plants and internal energy plants grow daily there, specially during dawn where there aren't many people."

"Okay, I'll get ready." Edwin replied with a smile.

Allen nodded and left his room. As soon as he left, Edwin's smile became stiff, 'Did somebody ever get a continuous good night sleep because of him?!'

He then proceeded on taking a bath.

It wasn't actually necessary to take a bath for him with his level of strength, he could use internal energy to expel all the filth from his body. Nevertheless, he took one because he felt more refreshed than taking the 'shortcut'.

After the bath, he wore a gray shirt, tight black pantaloons, and leather boots. Of course his satchel won't be left behind, then walked to the kitchen and saw Allen preparing breakfast.

"Where's my white robes? I couldn't find it.", Edwin asked.

"It's covered with your blood, so you are going to wear a cloak instead." Allen threw over a green cloak which Edwin caught hold of; then the former added, "Sit down and eat."

"Alright." Edwin followed and sat down.

Like how people who were as powerful or were adepts need to sleep, they also had to eat meals regularly or take fasting pills; unlike the ones as strong or were wizards, who could live without doing those things.

It was a seemingly simple difference, however, that stark distinction showed the disparity of power between the said two levels.

That's why when an internal energy practitioner became as powerful as a wizard or adepts becoming wizards, they were nearly above everyone in almost anywhere.

Right after he finished eating, Edwin bid goodbye and left the villa.

Allen cleaned up the dining table and changed his clothes with the same ones he used during the auction, then also left the villa with the sun already peeking through the horizon.

He later arrived in front of a palace-like building, which was none other where the auction had taken place.

Staying outside for a few moments, he entered the structure afterwards.

Today, although the auction was already over, there were still a number of people visiting that location.

Allen passed through an entrance to a separate room which lead him what it seemed like a museum. He stopped in front of an object surrounded by a transparent glass cover.

The object had an oval shape and was twice as a large as a fingernail; in addition, if one had a careful eye, they could notice that that thing had multiple layers.

It was none other than Allen's merged pill.

"You were really a made-up genius in your generation." Somebody stated beside Allen. "It's a pity that you were a coward and ran away."

"Before I left, I felt you were a douche bag." Allen turned his eyes at the old man beside him. "You are still a sadist until today, Esmund."

"At least you still remember me, kid!" Esmund cracked a smile. "Look at you, you are a young man now and as powerful as a wizard too! The last time I saw you you were still easy to kill."

"What do you want to talk with me?", Allen asked.

"Straightforward, I see. But based on the tone of your voice, you still haven't obtained back your emotions." Esmund and pointed at his own right eye, "And you still didn't heal your right eye yet." He shook his head in disappointment.

After a pause, the old man added, "I guess you are still clueless, boy."

"If I'm only here to get mocked, then I'll just see myself out." Allen turned around and was about to walk away when Esmund halted him.

"Don't be impatient!" Esmund stopped Allen from walking away, "I called you here for a job."

"If it involves killing, I'm not going to participate in it." Allen replied.

"Heh, I take it back, you don't really remember me." Esmund snickered. After which, Allen resumed walking towards the exit.

Esmund caught up to him and held his shoulder, "I know what you want." He took out a little shining shard from his pockets and continued, "Here's a Soul Shard. I hope you could change your mind." Then the old man stuffed it in Allen's hands.

"I'm still not going to do the job." Allen replied back.

"What about this then?", Esmund then peeked out another Soul Shard from his pockets, albeit this time, it had a rainbow color.

Allen glanced at it then looked at the other's eyes, "The last time I used that shard, the only thing I felt was utter regret." He still refused the job and just exited the building.

"Your body is still greedy." Esmund shook his head and grinned, "He still kept the Soul Shard that I gave him."

***

In an early morning on a certain day...

"Junior brother Allen!" Airein called out from afar and ran over. When she got close enough, she pulled Allen's hair towards her which nearly made him stumble to the ground.

"What do you want, senior sister?" Allen asked without any change of expression. Disregarding the fact that his hair was being pulled.

"Senior brother Gavin wants to talk with you." Airein let go of the other's hair.

"You didn't have to be very loud." Allen fixed his hair back to the way it was. "There are people still sleeping."

"Hehe, but Senior brother Gavin told me to as loud as possible." Airein chuckled.

-bam-

A stomping noise originated from right behind Airein, making her jump in fright and turn around to see what it was.

"Oh? Senior brother Gavin!" Airein smiled when he saw the older apprentice.

"I told you to be as loud as possible?" Gavin pondered while looking at the sky as if he's recalling something. "Well, there are people that are still sleeping, so I probably told you that." He made a stern narrow look towards her afterwards.

"Hehe..." She chuckled again. With a blink of an eye she sprinted away like a cheetah, leaving dust behind on the wake.

Gavin turned his head to Allen and said, "The branch chief wants to see you."

Allen: "Chief?"

"Yes, the chief.", Gavin nodded and explained. "The organization of alchemists here in Alchem Town is just one of the branches of Alchemist Union."

The both of them walked side-by-side and Gavin continued, "The current leader here is Esmund. He's from the central region and sent by the Union itself."

"Why does he want to see me?" Allen asked.

"I don't know." Gavin shrugged, "Maybe something important. After all, you are extremely talented, they say. Probably better than I am."

"You won't be angry if I surpass you?" Allen questioned again.

Gavin shook his head in response and said, "I'd be happy instead if somebody does surpass me. Being the best of the younger generation is so stressful." He breathe out hot air as he recalled the hard assignments that had been given.

"I won't be able to beat you, they say you're the cream of the crop even if compared to the other best of the best of different branches." Allen replied.

"Don't be so negative! You already have a dead face while you're still not enthusiastic. Try to smile for once, junior brother. You will look much better if you do that." Gavin patted Allen's back, "I think it's been a year since you arrived here. How time flies by."

"Mhm.", Allen nodded, scratched his eyepatch, then remained silent.

...

"Here's the office of Branch Chief Esmund." Gavin and Allen stopped in front of a two-floored stone bungalow. The former knocked on the door and reminded the latter, "Be respectful, alright? I'll go somewhere else now, I still have an unfinished task to do."

Gavin then left Allen behind in the area. Later, the latter entered the house by himself when he heard someone called him from inside.

As soon as he entered, the voice called to him again to climb upstairs. He immediately went to the second floor and spotted two doors. One of the doors was slightly opened while the other was closed; then he entered the first door.

"Close the door."

Allen followed the order then looked at the seated person. The man was wearing a mantle of deep color and there was a symbol of the Union on the left part of his garment, showing his high position within the organization; in addition, his hair was also turning gray.

"Have a seat." The old man pointed at the seat at the other side of his desk.

The young Allen took a sit. Afterwards, the man immediately introduced himself, "You probably already heard of me. My name is Esmund, branch chief of the Alchemist Union in this particular region." He then showed a smile that made him look like a humble sheep.