After the Emperor smiled, Sartor no longer hesitated. He drank what the strange man had called a "spiritual elixir." No reaction showed on his face, even after the liquid slid down his throat. He didn't feel it reach his stomach—as if he had swallowed something that simply vanished into thin air.
Some idle conversation followed, then the Emperor rose and left with Tian.
I remained seated, slowly sensing odd changes within my body—only to be shocked by how completely the drink had disappeared. There was no trace of it. It was as if I had consumed nothing at all. A single tear fell onto the floor as I whispered to myself:
"What did I just drink? How do I get rid of something that doesn't even feel real?"
While Sartor wrestled with what would be the simplest of many challenges to come with Tian, the strange man walked side by side with the Emperor. The old man strolled with hands clasped behind his back, exuding calm confidence, until he suddenly asked in a light, almost playful tone:
"Tell me, Tian… what exactly did you give my beloved grandson?"
As soon as the question was spoken, ceasar stroked his beard, but his gait shifted—transforming his presence from that of a kindly elder to a prowling tiger. Tian sensed the danger. The Emperor might have been physically weaker, but he was not a man to be underestimated.
Tian raised both hands in surrender and forced a nervous smile:
"Easy now, Tiger of Trade. I didn't travel all this way just to ruin your relationship with my father. I may be strong, but that old man terrifies me—and you know his medical knowledge, of which I've inherited only a fraction, is enough to give anyone nightmares. What I gave your grandson was just a fizzy tonic our village elders use to trick the younger kids. Maybe it was originally made as a poison, but these days, it's nothing more than a party trick."
When Tian lowered his arms, the Emperor's shoulders relaxed—a small movement, but to an experienced eye, a clear sign.
They soon arrived at the guest room of the castle, where Bianca was seated, delicately sipping her tea. Tian bowed respectfully and joined her and the Emperor in enjoying sweets and tea. The ticking of the clock was the only sound in the room—until Yasmine entered to escort Tian to his new quarters in the annex behind the castle.
The path to the annex was paved in stone, leading to a modest house built in traditional Eastern style: paper doors, wooden floors. Yasmine opened the door and bowed, allowing Tian inside to inspect the space.
The house was simple, free of extravagance, but contained all the essentials for daily life. Yasmine left him to examine it at his leisure, taking her leave with quiet dignity.
As she walked back toward the castle's rear entrance, she lifted her head to face the thick white fog veiling the sky. Just before stepping inside, she exhaled softly:
"I hope the young master sees the sun someday…"
...
Ten minutes after the Emperor and Tian left, Sartor had regained his composure. He sat at his desk and began writing everything he knew about alcohol, pulling knowledge from every book he had read. But none of the characteristics matched the strange brew.
The pen slipped from his hand. He leaned back. His mind wandered, searching for answers—but his knowledge wouldn't help him decode such a mystery. Besides, he had completely forgotten about his physics lesson.
He had no love for physics—especially the mechanical kind—but he knew one thing: Yasmine never tolerated laziness.
"That drink might kill me one day… but if I skip my exercises, Yasmine will kill me first."
...
Yasmine was approaching Sartor's room. She deliberately adjusted her steps to produce a soft rhythm on the floor, giving him a warning—a chance to prepare.
She knocked gently, then entered with a slight bow before speaking:
"Young Master, Sir Tian is not only a renowned physician but also a sword expert. He will be your personal instructor, and he will also monitor your health."
Sartor raised an eyebrow.
"So what he gave me earlier… was medicine? That was the strangest thing I've ever drunk. No matter—study time."
...
The first hour passed pleasantly enough. Then began the torment: three solid hours of physics.
Steam curled from the coffee as Yasmine silently exited the room. Once she closed the door behind her, the seriousness on her face dissolved into a foolishly happy smile.
But that happiness was not to last.
Footsteps echoed from the dark hallway beyond…