Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1197: Young Sword

’No, as much as I’d like to, I don’t have the time to look into it personally. Since that’s the case...’

"Yi Ying, follow him and gather as much information as you can. Report back to me if you learn anything of interest. If you’re discovered, fall back immediately and return to my side." Izroth said quietly.

Not long after Izroth spoke, his shadow moved slightly as a part of it broke off and rushed toward Pierce in the distance. This shadow was, of course, Yi Ying.

Yi Ying wasted no time following Izroth’s orders as she stayed in a shadow form that was hard to detect and quickly approached Pierce before secretly settling into his shadow.

’Hopefully, Yi Ying can learn something useful.’

Meanwhile, Pierce stepped forward and made sure to lead with his shoulder that clearly contained his grade four Apothecary badge.

"Apothecary Pierce, welcome back." One of the guards greeted respectfully.

Pierce walked right by the guard without offering so much as a single glance or word.

Not long after Pierce was far away enough, the guard clicked his tongue in an annoyed manner.

"Damn arrogant brat..." The first guard muttered.

"Hey, watch your words. If the wrong person hears you, it won’t end with just your career being over." The second guard next to him commented quietly.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I just hope that I’m assigned to the Blacksmith District next time. They may be a bit rowdy over there, but at least they don’t look down on you." The first guard scoffed.

After watching Pierce walk through without waiting in one of the lines, Izroth did not know whether it was due to his status as a grade four Apothecary or his obvious noble status.

’Forget it. It’s quicker if I just message her to find out so that I don’t waste any time-’

Sniff... Sniff. Sniff.

Out of nowhere, Izroth sensed a presence next to him. However, when he saw that person’s actions, he was taken aback.

Standing next to Izroth was a young petite girl who looked to be in her mid to late teens. Her pale green hair was tied up neatly and her mint green eyes seemed to contain a deep level of curiosity. Though most surprising was the young girl’s attire—it was one that Izroth had seen before.

’She managed to get this close without me sensing her presence? No, more importantly, what is she doing right now...?’

"Oh... Oh..!" The young girl exclaimed as finished sniffing Izroth and stood up straight.

She then said excitedly, "Hey, is that really a transforming cauldron on your arm? I’ve heard about them before, but it’s my first time seeing one up close! Did you craft a pill that experienced Pill Rebirth recently?! Are you also an Apothecary? What are you doing standing all the way back here? Are you going to enter the Apothecary District, too?"

There was a sparkle in the young girl’s eyes as she spoke.

’She’s certainly more energetic compared to the others I’ve met from that place.’

The were two main reasons Izroth did not have his guard up against this person despite their unusual actions. The first was their attire and the second was that he was close enough to view their information through the system.

Name: Young Sword of the Thousand Blossoms, Celia

The young girl who approached Izroth turned out to be a part of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms.

Since Izroth had already maxed out his fame with the Order of a Thousand Blossoms and he was one of its Honorary Saints—there was no way its members would hold any ill intentions against him.

Though, more surprisingly, the young girl turned out to be a player.

’A player with a title in their name—it’s not something you see every day.’

The Order of a Thousand Blossoms may not be a huge organization, but it still had a leader that reached the peak of the legendary realm. It also had a rich heritage and long history in the Mortal Realm. It was not easy for players to join such an organization unless they possessed exceptional skills.

But, what interested Izroth the most about Celia was the fact that she could tell that he crafted a pill that underwent Pill Rebirth just by smell alone.

A pill undergoing Pill Rebirth was an extremely rare occurrence. Therefore, even if she was able to see it firsthand once or twice, to remember its scent and be able to pick up on it in a crowd near the Apothecary District that emitted a plethora of medicinal smells was no simple feat. She could even tell that the armlet on his arm was a transformed cauldron.

’Young Sword... She must be on her Blooming Journey.’

Izroth learned quite a bit during his time spent on the Thousand Blossoms Peak. A Young Sword was someone who was granted permission to descend the mountain and explore the world in order to gain experience. This time period was called the Blooming Journey. And, every member of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms who wanted to receive an official title and inherent the true skills of the order had to undergo it.

"Shouldn’t you greet someone before you start a conversation with them?" Izroth said calmly.

"Ah, I thought since you were also a player that you could see my system information. Is it bugged for you? Hey, can you really not see it?" Celia questioned in a slightly troubled tone.

"That’s not... No, never mind." Izroth decided to set the matter aside.

Celia blinked a few times with a confused expression. However, she quickly regained her previous excited energy as she said, "You’re... Ah, Izroth! Hahaha, what a coincidence! You have a name similar to the person who recently become an Honorary Saint for my order. Ah, but I’m pretty sure his name was Isotobe. No, or was it Ismoth? Well, anyway, I heard that person was a skilled Apothecary who cured the Holy Maiden when even those grade seven and grade eight Apothecaries failed to do so. The reason I started my Blooming Journey so early was to search for a way to heal the Holy Maiden, but I guess everything I did turned out to be useless hahaha. Well, in the end, it’s a good thing. I’m sure big sis Sychia and big sis Jade are happy now that the Holy Maiden is all better."

Isotobe? Ismoth? Izroth did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Indeed, it sounds like good news. You’ll have to excuse me. I have a previous appointment to keep." Izroth said as he began to walk toward the entrance into the Apothecary District.

"Ah, wait, you’re going in just like this? So you really are an Apothecary! Are you also here to participate in promotion test held every six months? Are you also aiming to become a grade five Apothecary? Why don’t we go together?" Celia said as she hastened her steps to follow alongside Izroth.

’Also?’

Izroth halted his steps and asked, "Are you saying that you’re a grade four Apothecary?"

"That’s right! My master said that I’m a fast learner and as long as I awaken a remotely compatible Natural Energy this time around, I will have a bright future as an Apothecary." Celia explained.

"I see. Also, did you say that the promotion test is being held every six months? Was it not supposed to be held once a year?" Izroth inquired as he continued to walk toward the entrance.

"Usually, it is held once every year. But, I heard that after the war started, the higher ups fought to hold it twice a year instead." Celia answered.

A visible frown found its way onto Celia’s face as she pouted and puffed up one side of her cheek.

"That’s not fair. I’m answering your questions, but you aren’t answering any of mine." Celia commented.

"I did recently craft a pill that underwent Pill Rebirth—back at the Thousand Blossoms Peak. If you want more details, I’m sure the Holy Maiden wouldn’t mind discussing it with you as a fellow Apothecary." Izroth said as he approached the entrance and showed his Apothecary badge to the guard.

"Welcome, Apothecary." The guard said respectfully after briefly examining the badge.

Izroth placed the badge back into his inventory and proceeded to enter the Apothecary District.

Meanwhile, Celia had paused her steps.

Izroth, Apothecary, Thousand Blossoms Peak, Pill Rebirth, Holy Maiden—Celia’s mind began to connect the pieces together.

"Hm?" The guard noticed Celia just standing near the entrance unmoving.

"Are you also an Apothecary-" The guard started.

"Ah! I remember now! Izroth! His name was Izroth! Wait, then that guy—was he the Honorary Saint we were told to treat as we would the Holy Maiden herself?! Stupid, what Isotobe? You didn’t even greet him properly! If my master find’s out how I behaved in front of him- No, if the Holy Maiden also finds out, then won’t I be stuck sorting cherry blossom petals and studying for at least a month?!" Celia said as she grabbed the side of her head in a panic.

"Ah, wait! Isoto- No, Izroth! Hold on a moment!" Celia said as she quickly flashed her grade four Apothecary badge at the guard before chasing after Izroth into the Apothecary District.