Chapter 17: The Alchemy Apprentice

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Alchemy Apprentice

Fourteen candidates followed Caleb Hart toward the academy grounds, with Marcus among them.

Xavier watched his friend join the others and felt quietly relieved. The security position seemed like a good fit for Marcus, and if he got the job, he would finally have the stable income he needed to build a comfortable life with Clara. Marcus had always wanted a family of his own, and Xavier sincerely hoped that dream would come true.

After all, Marcus had been the one person who had consistently stood beside him through his loneliest years.

Xavier gave him one last glance before following the academy employee.

A few minutes later, they arrived at another building. A sign above the entrance read:

ACADEMY LOGISTICS HALL

Xavier slowed down. Mira had mentioned this place before. The Logistics Hall handled the academy’s valuable supplies, including elixirs, magical materials, equipment, and combat manuals. If this was where the academy intended to place him, it could be far more useful than he had expected.

Could I really be working here?

The thought immediately reminded him of his system. Having access to valuable resources would make his investments much easier to manage. Instead of constantly selling system rewards outside and attracting unnecessary attention, he might be able to exchange them through the academy’s internal system.

If the academy allowed resource for resource exchanges, he could obtain what he needed without anyone questioning where his money or valuable items came from.

Xavier kept that possibility in mind as he followed the employee inside. The building was heavily protected, and the dense mana made it obvious that the academy took its supplies seriously.

They continued through several corridors before stopping in front of a wooden door.

ALCHEMY ROOM

Xavier stared at the sign. The employee turned toward him.

"This is your new workplace," he said.

"My workplace?" Xavier repeated. "But I don’t know anything about alchemy," he added.

"You’ll find out soon enough," the man said.

He gave Xavier an unreadable smile before walking away.

Xavier watched him leave. As the employee disappeared around the corner, he heard the man mutter to himself.

"An alchemy apprenticeship at his age. He’s certainly lucky," the man said, shaking his head.

"I wonder if he actually has the talent for it," he added.

After a brief pause, he added, "Well I am not surprised, seeing how he had casually brought out a Second Tier elixir at a government matchmaking event and handed it to that crippled woman, he must have real connections and someone powerful behind him."

Xavier heard the entire conversation. His eyebrows lifted. He wanted to go shun him about how he spoke about Mira but what impression would he give on his first day at work?

Let it be Xavier. You’d find your opportunity

His mind drifted back to how easily he had bagged this position.

So I’m actually an alchemy apprentice? That was certainly unexpected.

He thought.

Alchemists were highly respected, and even First Tier alchemists could enjoy considerable status. Unfortunately, becoming one required more than simply wanting to learn. Talent, instruction, and access to proper materials were all difficult to obtain.

Xavier had somehow been given all three opportunities at once. The only question was whether he could actually learn.

Why did they choose me?

He still couldn’t understand it. But there was no point worrying about that before finding out what awaited him. If he failed, he could always look for another job. And if the academy decided he wasn’t suitable for anything, Xavier still had enough money to live comfortably for a while. He could simply go home and spend more time with Mira.

The thought made him smile. With his mind at ease, Xavier pushed open the door.

A strong herbal fragrance immediately filled the air. Before he could step inside, a deep voice came from within.

"You finally made it," the voice said.

The room was dark. A moment later, the lights came on. An elderly man was sitting at the far end of the room.

Xavier froze. The man’s face stirred an old memory.

After his grandmother had died, Xavier had gone through her belongings and found an old photograph. The young man standing beside her in that picture had remained in his memory ever since.

Now, looking at the elderly man before him, Xavier recognized him.

It really is him.

The old man noticed his expression and smiled.

"You recognize me?" he asked.

Xavier nodded.

"I remember seeing your photograph among my grandmother’s things," he said.

The old man chuckled and stood.

"My name is Gideon Lowell. I was a close friend of your grandmother," he said.

Xavier’s expression softened.

Gideon studied him for a moment before speaking again.

"Your grandmother asked me to look after you if I ever had the opportunity. This position is part of that promise," he said.

He gestured toward the room.

"You’ll work here from now on. You’ll assist with herbs and elixirs, and I’ll teach you the basics of alchemy," he said.

Xavier hadn’t expected such an arrangement.

"Thank you, Grandpa Gideon," he said, bowing respectfully.

Gideon smiled and picked up two books from the table.

"Start with these. The first will teach you about medicinal herbs and their properties. The second contains my own alchemy notes," he said.

Xavier accepted them carefully.

Gideon then placed a set of keys in his hand.

"These will give you access to this room and the storage areas you’re permitted to enter. Don’t lose them," he said.

Xavier looked at the keys before Gideon’s expression turned serious.

"There are valuable things stored here, Xavier. Some of them are worth more than most people could earn in a lifetime," he said.

He held Xavier’s gaze.

"Don’t let greed make you do something foolish. Stealing from this place is one mistake I won’t forgive," he said.

Xavier nodded.

"I understand," he said.

Gideon’s expression eased slightly.

"I’m going into seclusion soon. If everything goes well, I’ll return as a Fifth Tier alchemist," he said.

He gave Xavier one last look.

"Until then, learn properly and don’t disappoint your grandmother," he said.

"I won’t," Xavier promised.

Gideon nodded before leaving the room.

Once he was gone, Xavier looked down at the keys and smiled.

Steal? With the Investment 10,000x Multiplier System, there was no reason for him to steal anything. As long as he could obtain resources legitimately, he could use them for investments and let the system do the rest.

And if the academy truly allowed valuable resources to be exchanged for others of equivalent worth, then this new position could solve one of his biggest problems.

For Xavier, the alchemy room wasn’t merely a job. It might be the safest place he could have found to grow his system.