[USER HAS ACHIEVED A NEW ALCHEMIST RANK: SILVER I]
[1 SIGIL SLOT IS UNLOCK]
[MAXIMUM PSYCHOSIS +25]
[PSYCHOSIS: 62/125]
[MAXIMUM MERCURY EXTRACT +50]
[MERCURY EXTRACT: 53/150]
[S.Y.S.T.E.M.]
[USER: Siderius Satterblade]
[ ATTRIBUTES ]
|Strength: 3|
|Agility: 4|
|Perception: 2|
|Stamina: 5|
|Endurance: 6|
[WITCH HUNTER RANK: OCULUS EXTIMA I]
[ALCHEMIST RANK: SILVER I]
[SIGILS SLOT: 1/2]
[SIGIL:
[MERCURY EXTRACT: 53/150]
[PSYCHOSIS LEVEL: 62/125]
The morning came and Siderius' effort was rewarded. Thanks to his True Aether, his soul was advanced to Silver.
Alchemist Ranks were simpler than Witch Hunter Ranks.
Witch Hunter marked their level by the mutations. While Alchemist marked their level by the enlightenment of their soul.
Silver, Gold and Platinum were the main three ranks of Alchemists. Each major rank has three minor ranks, exhibited by the number behind them.
Silver rank had Silver I, Silver II and Silver III. Once Siderius advanced past Silver III, he would be able to access Gold Rank.
Additionally, because his rank was now higher, the System also grew stronger.
The System was simply a tool to hold Alchemical Sigil, a simplified version of Seal, that was capable of activating by quick Signs.
Sigil was a direct product from the witch hunter making use of Alchemy.
Originally, with Siderius' weak soul, only one Sigil was able to be used. It was the pre-installed
Now that his soul was Silver rank, the System could hold more Sigil without straining his soul too much.
Siderius flexed his left wrist. The bracer appeared again. However, it was no longer the steel bracer with gray color, it was now shining a silver shade.
The System, Synaptic Yielding Synthesize Transceiver Embedded Module, connected directly with its user. Once its user changed, it would also change.
Now Siderius could add a second Sigil into the System that allowed him to use it in combat.
There were many kinds of Sigils that were invented by Alchemists and Witch Hunters throughout history. All the sigils fell into three types, offensive, defensive and utility.
For a beginner, Siderius always advised them to have Celera, an utility sigil that could enhance the speed of a hunter for a few seconds.
This sigil could be used both in attacking and defending. And therefore, the best beginner sigil.
For a more methodical approach, an utility sigil like Revela could be utilized. It could reveal trails that had just disappeared. Perfect for hunters that liked to trace their target.
Acuto was a very popular offensive sigil. It could sharpen a weapon temporarily, making it way deadlier. Or perhaps, the opposite approach with Induro, making the weapon more firm to deal more damage. A sharp sword that was not afraid of being chipped and hit like a hammer would vanquish any enemy.
Unfortunately, Siderius didn't have the core ingredient, Sulfur, to draw an offensive sigil. So offensive sigils were not an option.
Utility sigil needed Mercury, which he still had some store in the System.
Celera was perfect for beginning witch hunters, true. But those witch hunters were trained warriors and bodybuilders. This body had not been developed at all. Celera would be unnoticeable for Siderius. Revela was a waste of time.
So utility sigil was also out.
Siderius needed something that would help him survive. Something that could help him buy some additional seconds in the most dangerous situation.
There was no better option than a defensive sigil.
The material needed for a defensive sigil was also easy to find. He just bought a lot of them from Nadia.
It was at this time that Ashe woke up from her slumber. She opened her eyes for the first time after her 'awakening'.
For some reason, Ashe thought that she awakened and became a witch. The feeling was too similar to what she had heard about. But this was no magic awakening, this was truth-seeking enlightenment.
Everything was the same but also different. It felt like Ashe could see the world better, understand it more.
She was surprised to see herself laying in bed.
"Did you put me on the bed?" Ashe said.
"That's right."
"Oh…" Ashe blushed a little but quickly hid it away. She knew now that the man she had made a deal with was stone cold so she tried to be like him.
"You want to eat something?" Ashe said.
Siderius nodded.
The morning continued with Ashe cooking up some porridge for the two of them. Siderius could see that all the doubts had disappeared from Ashe's gaze.
She was still wary of him and didn't believe him fully. But after what happened last night, the girl finally understood.
"How should I address you, Snow?" Ashe said.
Siderius smiled. "As you are my apprentice, you can call me master."
"I understand, Master. I want to ask. Is this path…the truth-seeking path, able to help me acquire power that can face a witch?"
"Yes and no. Alchemy can help you achieve wonders. But pure strength? That is something else entirely. In time, I will show you."
"I understand, Master." Ashe nodded. She hesitated for a moment then continued. "Who are you really, Master? Are you really Snow, the actor that I saw on stage? Or do you only have his face?"
"There are questions that once asked will have terrible consequences, my apprentice. Consider it carefully next time you're in this situation.
But this time, I can tell you. I am Snow. That is the truth."
"I understand."
Ashe's eyes darted to the ground. She didn't dare to look directly at Siderius anymore. Not after what happened last night.
There were a thousand questions in her head. Where did he learn these pieces of knowledge? Why does he have such a grudge against witches? What is he trying to do?
The breakfast continued in silence as Siderius and Ashe finished their porridge.
"I need to use some of the tools in your house."
"Use them as you please, Master."
"I also need you to go buy me the knife like I asked. Do you think twenty bronze coins are enough?"
"Maybe, Master. But a good knife may need thirty, forty or even fifty bronze coins. Twenty bronze coins can only buy an average kitchen knife."
"Hmmm. Well, that will suffice for now."
"Master… If I may."
Ashe stood up and pulled out a box under her bed. Inside were a few hundred bronze coins and a few silver coins. It wasn't wealth in the eyes of a noble but for a commoner, that could feed them for a whole year.
"When I first got here, I used up all my money.
I didn't understand the life of a commoner. But after a while, it came to me… Eventually.
These are what I have left after selling all the jewelry and unnecessary stuff I brought with me from the clan.
If you want, Master, you can take it."
Siderius let out a gentle chuckle.
"My dear apprentice. I will need to teach you how to watch your back properly.
Never show your wealth, Ashe. Not even with someone you respect. There is nothing stopping me from killing you and taking the stash."
"But you won't, right Master? You're not that kind of man."
"Maybe. But against a crueler man, you would have died. So think carefully next time.
As for the coins, I won't take it for free. Consider it a debt. Buy me a good knife and I will repay you in one way or another."
"I understand, Master."
Ashe brought her coins and Siderius' coins with her and went inside the inner walls of Mucktown. At the doorstep, she stopped.
"You always tell me to watch over myself. I know I am very naive and have much to learn about the world. For that, I am grateful for your guidance.
But you act like I need to watch my back in front of you, Master. Even though you changed, I can still see that you aren't a vile man, Master.
If you were, you wouldn't act like that.
You are a kind man."
With that, she disappeared into the door, leaving Siderius to watch over her silhouette.
He wondered if what she's saying was true. Had he really changed? The cunning and ruthless hunter of the old world might not be himself anymore after his fusion with the soul of Snow.
But even Snow had his own demons.
"Only time will tell if you're right, my apprentice." Siderius mumbled to himself. It was a price he knew he might have to pay when fusing with another.
Once Ashe went to the market, Siderius proceeded with what he had been doing from before.
Engraving a defensive sigil needed salt. Siderius needed to extract salt from the rock salt he had bought.