Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1198: Izroth’s Test

...

A few moments later, Celia caught up to Izroth and wasted no time offering her apologies.

"I’m sorry! Hahaha, I didn’t know that you were that Izroth." Celia said as she rubbed the back of her head with a somewhat troubled expression.

She then continued, "I apologize for my late greeting. I am the Young Sword of a Thousand Blossoms, Celia. It is a pleasure to meet the Honorary Saint of our order."

Celia gave a partly clumsy, but respectful greeting—as if she were trying her best to mimic something she learned in a hurry.

Izroth inwardly shook his head at Celia’s actions. She may be a bit eccentric and behave in an overly familiar manner; however, Izroth believed himself to be a good judge of character. And, from what he could tell, Celia was not a bad person. Although, sniffing someone upon meeting them was still a little much.

"Is this your first time visiting the Apothecary District?" Izroth questioned.

Celia’s eyes lit up when she saw that Izroth did not seem to dismiss her or show any signs of being upset by her previous actions. This caused her to release a small sigh of relief.

Celia quickly answered, "This is my first time visiting Danaharpe, but I’ve already been around the Apothecary District numerous times since I’ve arrived. If you need someone to show you around, I’ll be happy to do so!"

Celia figured this was her chance to overwrite Izroth’s previous impression of her and hope that somehow this all didn’t find its way back to her master and the Holy Maiden.

Of course, Izroth could see right through Celia’s intentions.

"You don’t have to change the way you behave. However, if you want to accompany me, you’ll have to refrain from sniffing people you just met and asking too many questions." Izroth stated.

Celia blushed lightly as she said while twiddling her fingers, "Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t go around just sniffing random strangers. It’s just that it was the first time I seen a transformed cauldron and the medicinal aroma coming from it were so interesting..! I couldn’t help myself... I really do enjoy being an Apothecary..."

The more she thought back to her previous actions, the more embarrassed Celia became.

No wonder he seemed like he was in such a hurry to get away from her. Should would also flee from a stranger who just suddenly started sniffing them and asking a bunch of questions.

Celia let out a long dejected sigh.

’She reminds me of that guy when it comes to anything involving magic. But, unlike him, I suppose at least she’s capable of self reflecting and knows some shame.’

Celia’s intense passion for being an Apothecary reminded Izroth of Valentine’s love for magic. At the very least, Celia did not drool at the sight of interesting pills.

’No, perhaps it’s too soon to make that judgment...’

"Anyway, I understand. I’ll do my best to control myself!" Celia said with a determined look in her eyes.

Out of nowhere, a small object flew toward Celia was she was taken off guard. She reacted quickly and caught the object in her hand.

"Every ten ingredients you name, I will answer one of you questions. If you can name all the ingredients, I’ll allow you to keep it." Izroth said in a carefree manner without halting his steps.

Celia looked down into the palm of her hand. The next moment, her eyes widened in shock and shimmered with excitement.

"T-this... How could you toss something so precious so casually?! Wait, no- Will you really answer my questions if I can guess the ingredients and let me keep it?!" Celia hurried after Izroth as she held the pill in her hand as if it were a delicate flower.

Just now, Izroth had given Celia a pill. Not just any pill, but the Hundred Death Poisoning Pill that had undergone Pill Rebirth.

Back when he crafted the Hundred Death Poisoning Pill for the Holy Maiden, he produced two Hundred Death Poisoning Pills that experienced Pill Rebirth. Naturally, one of them was consumed by the Holy Maiden. As for the other pill, Izroth kept it in his inventory.

"I am not one to go back on my word. I will give you one hour. Of course, seeking outside help is not allowed." Izroth stated nonchalantly.

’There are a total of 36 ingredients used to craft the Hundred Death Poisoning Pill—one of which is the Blood of the Immortal Hydra. The other ingredients are also all poisonous, something that most Apothecaries around her grade shy away from. If she can name at least ten ingredients, it will be worth bringing her into the Mystical Realm Palace.’

Besides Worldly Skies, Celia was the only grade four Apothecary Izroth had came across in RML among players. Even if she had the help of an organization like the Order of a Thousand Blossoms, it was still impressive that she was able to reach such a level through her own efforts.

After Izroth’s words, Celia shifted her full focus onto the Hundred Death Poisoning Pill. She furrowed her brows in a full display of concentration as she carefully inhaled the scent of the pill.

When uncovering the ingredients in a pill, one had to perform a number of tests using their cauldron. Because of this, there was always the possibility that the pill would be destroyed in the process. It was also why Izroth gave Celia an hour.

As for Celia running away with the pill, Izroth was not worried about this in the slightest. Even if she could somehow escape Danaharpe without him noticing, Izroth was someone who saved the life of her order’s Holy Maiden. Would she really risk offending such a person just for the sake of a single grade five pill while simultaneously ruining her place in the Order of a Thousand Blossoms?

’That should keep her busy for a while. Now, the coordinates...’

"Spined Serpent Venom, Juugarian Tree Sap, Stargazing Leaf, White Scorpion Toxin, Night Scowler’s Bane..." Celia began to list off ingredients one after another.

In the blink of an eye, Celia had named off exactly ten ingredients that were used to craft the Hundred Death Poisoning Pill.

"Can I ask my first question now?" Celia inquired eagerly.

Izroth halted his steps and he turned to look at Celia.

As if sensing Izroth’s brewing thoughts, Celia said with a proud smile, "I have a trait called Memory Scent. As long as I smell something once, I will always know what it is regardless of what form it takes on."

"You’ve gone around sniffing poisonous herbs? You’ve developed quite a bad habit." Izroth said as he inwardly shook his head.

"Ah, you won’t take back what you said before because of my trait, right?! You can’t go back on your word!" Celia said in a panic.

"I only said that you could not seek outside help. Traits and skills are a part of your own ability. Rest assured, my word still stands." Izroth reassured.

Celia let out a small sigh of relief as she quickly regained her spirit.

"Then, I will ask my first question. How did you cure the Holy Maiden?" Celia asked with an unexpected serious expression.

’Oh? I didn’t expect this to be her first question.’

Celia may have been a part of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms, but her current rank did not allow her to know more than what she was told.

The news of the Holy Maiden being plotted against by her own senior sister and outside forces, while also being poisoned over what was possibly decades by something supplied by one of the Great Clans was a situation that could not be handled recklessly.

Most likely, it was kept strictly under wraps. Including Izroth and a few people close to him, only those higher up in the order and the forces who failed to remove the Holy Maiden from the picture was aware of everything that transpired.

Izroth kept his word and explained the situation to Celia. He spoke about the living poison, the Spirit of Mana of that Fifth Great Clan, Yuveil’s betrayal and everything that went on during his time on the Thousand Blossoms Peak.

In truth, Izroth could have simply told Celia about the crafting process of the Hundred Death Poisoning Pill and living poison. However, he knew that alone was not the intent behind her question.

Celia was someone who left early on her Blooming Journey to find a way to heal the Holy Maiden. More importantly, she was highly conscious of her own skills as an Apothecary. She knew that it was close to impossible to succeed where even a grade eight Apothecary failed. It would be arrogant of her to believe so.

Nevertheless, Celia still chose to venture out with the slightest hope of finding some answers.

Not giving up even when a situation seemed completely hopeless, seeking answers that those with greater knowledge failed to uncover...

’This kind of person can’t help but to go far on the path they walk.’