From there, she saw tools made for crushing, distilling, mixing, and brewing. While materials are neatly arranged in vials on the side of the station.
"Let's start..." Darkwill said in a strict tone.
"First of all. Let me introduce to you the tools that are to be used..."
While speaking. Darkwill sneaked a habit, probably due to his first time teaching or the tense of teaching someone as beautiful and attentive as Selina.
His hand rose to his head as he slumped his body and arms onto the counter from his right.
His fingers met his glabella and as if he's contemplating on what to teach, he tapped it thrice.
After doing this seemingly normal action. He proceeded to list down the functions of each tools, what they're used and their possibility of dysfunction.
While Darkwill is in touch with his teaching side. Selina thought to herself. That habit is similar to Mr. Fool's. Is this just a coincidence? What will happen if I mimicked it?
Multiple questions rose into her mind, but she wouldn't dare blurt them out. In fear that she might mistake its meaning and is actually just a common habit amongst the elders.
But Mr. Darkwill doesn't seem to be an elder...
"Now, moving on to the formula..." Darkwill said in a progressive tone.
The sudden transition startled Selina, forcing her to recall Darkwill's previous lecture while also maintaining her attention to the current topic.
Thanks to her enhanced memory given by her potion. Selina managed to absorb the knowledge and recalled the previous topic deeply as if it was rehearsed in her mind multiple times.
Darkwill's lecture continued for half an hour. Afterwards, Selina was taught with the brewing process of basic ointment for mild wounds and massages.
"The brewing will begin by distilling the water and crushing the herbs into powders.
"For starters, let's begin making an Amantha extract." Darkwill explained the extract's functions and essence.
"It acts as an ointment to sooth people into sleep. To make it, we have first wrap a night vanilla, a slumber flower and a chamomile, one from each materials with a cloth.
"Then use this wrapped cloth as a distiller for the oil. Remember to use oil or wood sap wax as a base for the ointment."
Selina nodded and did what Darkwill had instructed.
In doing so, she made an oil with moderate violet hue solution.
"Correct, now pour it into a container. Use a normal one, meant to let the ointment rest for awhile.
"Also, add more essential herbs to further its effects."
Without another word. Selina followed Darkwill's order and poured the distilled oil into a glassware.
"Seems you're well verse in listening and following." Darkwill amused.
"Let's move on to the next ointment..."
The session continued for about five hours. Darkwill instilled basic knowledge and procedure in making an ointment, the first category for producing a medicine. While Selina managed to memorize multiple formulas, ranging from a simple ointment, to essential oils all the way to her first liquid medicine.
Afterwards, Darkwill gave his consent to Selina for a leave for tomorrow and today as noon is already nearing.
"Thank you Mr. Darkwill, I hope you have a pleasant evening. I'm really sorry about tomorrow..." Selina said in with guilt.
Although it might seem like Darkwill was against it as Selina only had a few more days. Inside, he felt relief and agreed regardless.
After that, she bid farewell as she left the establishment for the nearby public carriage stop.
The sun was still present above the sky and the carriages have yet to return to their respective company or house.
This gave Selina an opportunity to save a few pence. It also made her realize that she have million pounds under her name once more.
"Why am I being petty on cash?" Selina gave herself a faint self-deprecating smile as she finally boarded a carriage.
...
Inside of the Evil Dragon's Bar. South Coast of Tingen City.
Swain was tending someone from the counter. The customer had a white hair, not from the natural birth but from an old age and wore a classic black robe.
"How had you been Old Neil? Heading to the underground market?" Swain said in a pleasant voice, incomparable to when he first conversed with Selina.
The old man smiled and said. "Gathering essential oils and scented candles for my apprentice. And besides all that, I wanted to see the old friend of mine."
Swain returned the same expression and said. "Glad you're doing fine. Care to share a drink?"
The old man shook his head. "I'm already old Swain. Anymore alcohol would destroy me, same goes for you who are much older than me."
Just as Swain was about to retort. The bar entrance opened.
From there, he saw the silver-haired woman again from yesterday that tried apply for a waitress.
"That woman... Sigh, she's here again..." Swain heaved a weary breath.
"Who?" Old Neil asked.
"That silver-haired lady entering."
Swain then pointed to the woman from the entrance with his eyes.
"What's wrong with her? She seems harmless?" Old Neil followed another question.
"I don't know her and from when she first arrived, she already asked if she can be this bar's waitress.
"She's beautiful, young, and refined. She also seems to have gained higher education... It made me suspect her sudden request to be accompanied by a hidden agenda." Swain listed verbally.
"And you know my customers... Sometimes, they can be out of hand. I don't want to keep looking out for her as if it's my daily job."
Old Neil paused for a moment, then nodded nonetheless. "I understand you... But why do you think that she came here for that?"
"Because she insisted on getting accepted." Swain sighed in resignation.
I can hear both of you... As the two old men are conversing. Selina already reached the counter next to them and caught fragments of their exchange.
Choosing to set it aside. Selina prepared herself and asked from the corner. "Good afternoon Mr. Swain."
Swain first looked at Old Neil, then returned to Selina and replied. "About the waitress application?"
Although it's a guess, Selina's eyes gleamed at Swain's suspected acknowledgement.
Just as she was about to raise a question. Swain abruptly added. "No. Go find another job."
Selina's mouth was left agape. I haven't even said anything!
Feeling lost. In spite of his response, she still tried. "But won't it help you in minor inconveniences?"
"You will only add on to it." Swain responded in a mocking manner.
Selina went silent for a few seconds. Then, with a sigh she said. "Alright..."
Seeing this, Old Neil couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Ahahaha... Young lady, might we know your name?"
Ah!
Selina was startled by the sudden voice coming from couple more seat before her.
With an impeccable, polite smile. She responded. "Selina Roy. A Pleasure to meet you."
Old Neil let out a few more low chuckle and said. "Neil Townsend... But you can call me Old Neil. Pleasure to meet you as well young lady."
Still maintaining her mannerism. Selina asked out of curiosity. "What brings you here Mr. Old Neil?"
At that moment, she instantly realized her words and added. "If it's not bothering you."
Old Neil return the same manner and replied. "I'm just here to buy essentials and to check my old friend every once in awhile."
"How about you young lady? You don't seem to be here only to probe Old Swain about your application as a waitress?"
Selina hesitated on answering Old Neil. Probably due to a slight wariness of strangers, she fought it for now and said. "I'm also here to buy essentials in the underground market."
"Hahaha, so you also knew about it?" Old Neil replied with interest.
Mr. Old Neil... You're quite an enthusiastic gentleman... Selina remarked inwardly.
"I was just about to go there... If you want I can accompany you and introduce the underground market while we're there." Old Neil added.
A slight skepticism rose within Selina. Subconsciously she patted her dress for the gun holster, ensuring that it was still strapped. She nodded and replied. "I'm not aware of anything within as it is my first time actually visiting it. So please do."
Selina then revealed a soft smile as a way to display geniality.
Old Neil nodded with a faint expression from earlier. "Then let's head there."
The two, with Old Neil on the lead. Went into a series of staircase from the trapdoor of the bar.
Darkness loomed the area as plums of fire illuminates the descending oath ahead.
It didn't take long before Selina saw multiple colored lights intermingled by the end of the staircase.
From there, they finally reached a convention. An avenue filled with glowing multicolored lights.
Crowds of people come and go from each section. Some paused to inspect different merchandise while others briskly pass the beckoning stands.
Each store features indistinct products. Ranging from crystalline, strange, liquid substances and materials. Charms and pendants dangling with metallic and crystalized luster. While finally having scented candles, essential oils and vials containing unknown liquids.
The scenery made Selina pause and think for a moment. How could such a wide area be accommodated below a bar?
Seeing Selina's awed expression. Old Neil laughed and said. "You see... All this was because the bar was near the coast. The process of making this market is best to keep a secret."
A secret? Selina's cautiousness was alerted yet her curiosity piqued.
"Let's go.
"Ah! I forgot to ask. Young lady, what essentials do you search for specifically?" Old Neil asked in a polite tone.
Selina remained silent for a few seconds. Before saying. "Oils, herbs and possibly a brewing set."
She tried to conceal her true motive in a reason she can tie a connection to.
"Well, luckily, I'm in good terms with a person who can provide those essentials at cheaper price than anyone is this market! I'll introduce you to him!
"Oh and a brewing set? Is it for a coffee?" Old Neil followed with a somewhat expertise-displaying smile and more with a question.
"No, it's actually for something else... What about you Mr. Old Neil? What essentials do you search for specifically?" Selina answered and returned with the same manner.
"Nothing much, I just need an extra candle, essential oils, and other materials."
Selina thought for a moment about Old Neil's response. She inquired with a polite smile. "It seems we've both got separate needs, Mr. Old Neil. I must assume you'll only be here for a short while?"
Old Neil nodded briefly and said. "Yes, but I can extend it for a bit as I introduce this place to you."
The two pressed on from the mildly dense avenue. Selina on high alert for any suspicious things she might encounter while also ensuring her revolver in place.
Old Neil first explained the structure of the underground then transitioned to each sections of the market. Progressing from the usual area for merchants selling oils, herbs, powders, and candles.
As they walk, they suddenly encountered a young man, pale and sickly on the skin with black, messy, oily hair. Wearing an old linen shirt and blue jeans that the working class usually wore.
He trembled continuously as he remained rooted on a corner. His eyes darted as if he had been seeing things around, voice struggling to construct from his successive words.
"E-E... very one... No! No...!" The young man yelled helplessly and insanely as the pedestrians moved on to their day, feigning ignorance to his behavior with indifference.
Upon seeing this, Selina turned to Old Neil and asked out of curiosity. "Who's that man?"
She pointed at the helpless man on the corner using her eyes, who is trembling in fear.
"Oh, that young man's name is Ademinsaul. He's uhh..." Old Neil abruptly paused as he seems to thought of an excuse for the innocent young lady.
"Just a crazy person... I mean, most underground markets always had one right?"
There are more!? Selina echoed the tidbit she caught from his explanation with disbelief.
"It's best not to get closer to him." Old Neil advised.
Afterwards he resumed his pace, assuming Selina would continue as well.
Then, just as she could follow Old Neil. Ademinsaul suddenly laughed hysterically as he yelled and pointed at Selina. "HAHAHAHA... You!"
With craziness in his voice. He added. "You have no future! HAHAHAHA... Poor, poor you!"
This startled and frightened Selina, prompting her think. What? Why is he...
At that moment. Ademinsaul's eyes began to bleed slowly. His mind edging to madness as he raised his voice once more. "You don't have a future!"
Then, a string broke within Ademinsaul as he began to become amused with anything he sees.
Deep within his losing mind. He said maniacally. "...HAHAHAHA you're futureless!
"Oh! Oh! I know!"
Selina couldn't give her own words as the maniac man blurt out unusual remarks one after another.
With a bit of thought. Ademinsaul assumed a name, a title, then laugh even more as he added in a jester.
"Ms. Futureless!"