Chapter 17: The Alchemist’s Return

The Alchemist Guild had valid reasons for establishing such stringent rules. These regulations served to prevent opportunistic individuals from exploiting the esteemed title of alchemist for swindling and deceit.

Consequently, the guild directly and mandatorily stipulated the necessary qualifications for any alchemist to practice their craft.

In his lifetime, Lei Yin had been a Second-tier Grand Alchemist. To achieve such a rank by the age of twenty was an exceptional rarity, a true prodigy in any region.

Indeed, Lei Yin had been but a single step away from ascending to the esteemed rank of Alchemist Grandmaster. Yet, it was then that the calamitous incident struck.

The scandal erupted, utterly destroying his reputation. His very qualifications as an alchemist were called into question, and even his girlfriend ultimately deserted him.

In the end, he was poisoned to death within his own home. For a once-revered Grand Alchemist to suffer such a fate was an irony beyond words.

Nevertheless, it was this very tragedy that paved the way for Lu Yuan’s rebirth.

The little girl’s words served as a timely reminder to Lu Yuan. Despite Lei Yin’s ruined reputation, he remained a registered Grand Alchemist within the Alchemist Guild.

Furthermore, he was still listed as one of the promising young core members of the Alchemist Guild’s Ussultar City North Branch.

Ever since Lei Yin’s girlfriend had departed, he had been utterly devastated. From that moment on, he had never once set foot in the Alchemist Guild again.

“An Alchemist Guild, a core alchemist of the Ussultar City North Branch…” Lu Yuan murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “By that logic, I still possess a certain standing.”

He acknowledged, however, that the accompanying reputation had, for all intents and purposes, utterly soured.

Regardless of the circumstances, a visit to the Alchemist Guild was absolutely necessary.

This trip was not only for Merlin’s sake but also crucial for Lu Yuan’s own future trajectory.

****

Ussultar truly lived up to its reputation as the magnificent capital of the Sollefer Kingdom. Even in the crisp embrace of early morning, the grand thoroughfares teemed with vibrant prosperity and the clamor of countless voices.

Occasionally, the city guards would march past in perfect formation, the rhythmic clang of their armor echoing crisply through the dawn sky, like the resonant peal of a morning bell.

Within Ussultar City, there existed three distinct Alchemist Guild branches, alongside a singular Royal Alchemist Headquarters. These branches were strategically positioned in the city’s southern, northern, and western sectors.

The headquarters, notably, resided in the eastern quarter, precisely in the direction of the Imperial Palace. This placement alone vividly underscored the transcendent status alchemists commanded in this world.

Lu Yuan, with Merlin by his side, walked for a considerable time, navigating several rather lengthy streets. After a good while of traversing the city, he finally slowed his pace to a halt.

He then gazed upwards at the truly magnificent and imposing structure that now loomed before them.

The building boasted a remarkably distinctive design. Its overall form vaguely resembled an enormous alchemist’s crucible, used for grinding medicinal ingredients.

Around its perimeter, windows designed like glowing fire vents punctuated the walls, while a colossal glazed dome roof sloped gracefully downwards from the towering apex, enveloping the chambers below.

Just outside the imposing structure, upon a colossal, bluish-grey stone tablet, five ancient characters, their strokes faintly blurred by time, shimmered with a subtle, ethereal luminescence.

“Alchemist Guild!”

Lu Yuan murmured the words softly to himself, his steps halting at the grand entrance. He could distinctly perceive a faint trace of Lei Yin’s lingering emotional turmoil emanating from the place.

Was it resentment? Unwillingness to accept his fate? Or perhaps a deep, lingering attachment? Lu Yuan could not truly discern the complex tapestry of emotions Lei Yin had harbored for this very spot.

Little Merlin, who had been quietly accompanying him, stepped forward and gently tugged at Lu Yuan’s sleeve. “It’s alright, Uncle,” she reassured him. “Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you.”

Lu Yuan couldn’t help but let out a soft, wry chuckle. It seemed the little girl believed he was overcome with emotion, stirred by the surroundings and recalling some painful memories from the past.

While the *trigger* for emotion was indeed present, Lu Yuan himself felt no personal sentiment. Taking the little girl’s hand firmly in his, he stepped through the imposing doors of the guild.

****

As Lu Yuan led the little girl through the entrance, one of the burly guards stationed at the guild doors cast a profoundly complex gaze upon him.

“What’s wrong?” his fellow guard, standing vigil beside him, couldn’t help but inquire. “Was there an issue with that man who just entered?”

“That man who just passed,” the burly guard replied, “was Lei Yin.”

“Lei Yin? You mean that degenerate who utterly tarnished the reputation of our Alchemist Branch?”

“Indeed,” the burly guard rumbled, his voice low and gruff.

“If my memory serves me correctly,” his colleague remarked with a cold sneer, “today is the very day the higher-ups are conducting qualification reviews for our core alchemists.”

“To think, after all that transpired, he still possesses the sheer audacity to show his face here at the guild!”

The burly guard remained utterly silent. Having stood watch here for many years, he was intimately familiar with every member of the guild, Lei Yin included.

Lei Yin had always been a genuinely good man, devoid of the typical arrogance that afflicted many other alchemists. He treated everyone with an unwavering gentleness and respect.

In his younger days, the burly guard had been a mercenary, perpetually tormented by a host of old, debilitating ailments. It was Lei Yin who had compassionately cured him of those life-threatening conditions.

Having personally experienced Lei Yin’s profound kindness, he harbored a deep, heartfelt disbelief towards all the rumors swirling about the man.