章節 24: Melvinger Magical Society (1)

A couple of weeks passed by, and George continued to grind his physical and magical attributes through physical training, spars and meditation.

[You have completed a full cycle of the [Optimized Basic Abyssal Bone Forest Meditation Technique] and successfully absorbed a negative energy stone]

[Your vitality rises by 0.05]

[Your spiritual force rises by 0.05]

"Success", George exclaimed, satisfied at the notifications monitoring his progress.

Inside the room, however, lied a woman. Lady Emma Billing, the Hidden Flower of the Billing Household, the true heiress of Melvinger City. Yet, this woman who should preserve her dignity and pride showed eyes filled with lust.

George was an appealing man. His muscles and wisdom made him extremely reliable, but the true reason why Lady Emma wanted him, and even yearned for him was due to his alchemical skills. For wandering acolytes, love was quite a foreign concept. Most marriages would happen for the sake of benefits, and it didn't take a lot of calculations for Lady Emma to understand that marrying George would result in her own success.

However, George was not someone who would give in to lust. He kept inviting Lady Emma over and over again, satisfying this relationship. However, he was the one in power. He made sure to make her understand the risks of trying to control him.

"I can sense that you are nearing the limits of a rank 2 acolyte...I did not know that negative energy stones were so efficient at raising the spiritual force of acolytes"

Inwardly, George smirked.

'Well, for a grade 1 talent, the effects would be so small that it would feel like wasting magic crystals. But as a grade 5 talent, I can absorb roughly 80 to 90% of the negative energy contained into the stone, hence acting as a catalyst for my meditation. It seems like I will be able to break through the rank 3 acolyte realm in a couple of months at this rate'

"The Melvinger Magical Society has extended an invitation. After I sold them spiritual potions, they were all dubious about the fact that my family had recruited an alchemist willing to supply us with potions...If you were to show up, my family would earn a great deal of influence, which would cement our position as the leading main noble family in Melvinger City...", Lady Emma spoke while hugging George.

"I have already supplied you with four batches of potions, yet you want me to waste time by meeting a couple of rank 1 and rank 2 wandering acolytes?", George asked as if he was hearing something ludicrous, "I would understand it, if you were pressured by a rank 3 acolyte, but you told me that there was no such powerhouse in Melvinger City"

Lady Emma sighed: "Indeed, there is no one who has reached this realm. The Melvinger Magical Society only has 13 members currently, and most are rank 1 acolytes with little attainments. However, they all possess a great deal of knowledge and experience. Who knows? Most of them live in hiding, working as tailors, blacksmiths or nobles on the side while cultivating magic in secret. They all have some sort of experiment going on, and your knowledge and insights as an alchemist would be a huge help to them"

George titled his head: "Why would I impart my knowledge to them? It is not like they are directly affiliated to me, or the Billing Household"

Lady Emma nodded: "Doing so would greatly help my family's influence. My household's spy network has already notified me about four, or even five wandering acolytes entering the city after hearing of an alchemist's presence. The higher my family's reputation in the region, the more wandering acolytes we will attract. Ultimately, this will allow us to create a magical organization!"

George shook his head: "Although I will continue to supply you with spiritual potions after winning the Melvinger Knight Festival, you are not strong enough to manage a magical organization"

Lady Emma nodded: "Which is why I need the support of the Melvinger Magical Society. Even rank 3 acolytes would not dare to threaten us, with my father being a Grand Knight, and the Melvinger Magical Society being united"

George changed the subject: "How is your own experiment going?"

Lady Emma smiled: "Sacrificing prisoners and thieves in the prison to harness their hatred and manifacture artificial negative energy stones is very efficient. However, the mayor and the other noble families have noticed my household's activities. It must be said that we were usually very quiet and careful about that, but your arrival made us sacrifice dozens of prisoners a day. Although no one cares about those sacrifices, they are still human beings and we have received inquiries about it..."

'Rumors spread quickly. Criminals are monitored by guards, and their absence is easily remarked. Since only main noble families have access to the prison and have enough authority to personally sentence them to death, it raised suspicions. How annoying...'

George raised his voice: "Your father is a Grand Knight. Naturally, no one dares to say anything!"

Lady Emma shook her head: "Actually, the mayor is the head of Melvinger Magical Society, and he is a light path magus. All three main noble families possess a grand knight. If he wants to, the mayor can oppose my family, for now..."

"Hence, the reason you want me to attend is to advocate the fact that I am part of the Billing Household?", George spoke, understanding the scheme

Lady Emma blushed: "I...In order to calm him, I said that I could control you. Inviting you to the Melvinger Magical Society would be proof of-"

"Of the leash you have on me...", George said aloud, "Now...How do you plan on compensating me for ruining my image?"

Lady Emma stayed silent: "..."

George took Emma's hands and slightly pressured her: "I will allow this...and follow your suggestion to attend the Melvinger Magical Society Meeting this time. But do not forget your place. Your family is only rising because I decided to support you. Although you are the wealthiest family in the town, I actually do not need you guys to sell potions, since there are plenty of wandering acolytes willing to buy them from me. I am using you because it allows me to fully focus on my alchemical and magical studies as well as my knight training. I am vital for your survival and rise, but you are just an option that I can discard anytime. Never forget this"

Lady Emma felt a bit of fear upon hearing George: "I apologize...I fully understand what you are saying, and I did not mean to offend you by any means...this will be beneficial to you too..."

George smiled.

Lady Emma was a useful pawn, and she had subconsciously submitted herself already.

Greed was a strong motivator. As long as it did not go against his interest, he would continue to use her.