Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3138: Chapter 3139: Sterling’s Apparatus

"Don’t search for it!" Midora suddenly shouted.

Angel paused for a moment and silently looked at Midora.

Midora seemed to realize that his reaction was a bit excessive. He closed his eyes and slowly exhaled before speaking: "Since you mentioned the Life Forbidden Zone, you should know that any Alchemy Forbidden Zone is not something to be easily touched."

Angel nodded: "...Nail Granny has told me."

Midora was silent for a moment: "I believe Nail Granny wouldn’t gloss over this topic. You should have some understanding of the Alchemy Forbidden Zone."

Back then, Ivor touched the Alchemy Forbidden Zone in front of Nail Granny and disappeared, and he’s still lost in it to this day.

So, whenever Nail Granny mentions the Alchemy Forbidden Zone to juniors, she won’t casually skip over it.

Since Nail Granny has already warned Angel about the dangers of the Alchemy Forbidden Zone, Midora knew that hiding it was meaningless. Moreover, Angel himself mentioned the issue of Life Alchemy, clearly deducing Lady Baoxiya’s actions.

Thinking of this, Midora exchanged glances with Antonio and slowly said: "Although Lady Baoxiya hasn’t revealed any results regarding Life Alchemy, anything involving the Alchemy Forbidden Zone requires extremely rare materials that probably can’t be bought outside, only obtained through the Research and Development Institute’s library of Demonic Materials."

Antonio chimed in: "Indeed, no matter how carefully and in batches Lady Baoxiya exchanges, it only slightly delays the probability of being discovered."

Every action leaves a trace.

"From her points expenditure and enlisting to find Life’s rare materials—these traces basically confirm she’s secretly conducting Life Alchemy."

Angel: "Does Dean Muse know about this?"

Antonio nodded: "He knows, but Dean Muse hasn’t stopped Lady Baoxiya’s actions."

Midora sighed: "Life Alchemy is a forbidden zone, but it’s not absolutely prohibited. What’s not prohibited, is permitted."

"Given that Lady Baoxiya is secretly continuing forbidden research, it means she’s internally conflicted. If we bring it up, she might act recklessly like Dong La, making us enablers."

"So, concerning Lady Baoxiya’s actions, we can only handle it coolly."

Whether it was Midora or other members at the Research and Development Institute who noticed, they’re playing dumb while knowing the truth.

"Since you know Baoxiya is involved in Life Alchemy, I hope you also won’t meddle in this matter." Midora looked earnestly at Angel.

Angel nodded: "I understand."

In fact, when he learned from Regina that Baoxiya was suspected of conducting Life Alchemy, Angel decided not to involve himself in Baoxiya’s research.

That’s also why when Lady Baoxiya wanted to see Angel, he decided to meet Midora and Antonio first before seeing Baoxiya.

It’s not only to express his stance but also to hope they provide advice on how to respond if Baoxiya continues to ask him to find special Magic Patterns.

Previously, Angel could brush it off, but since he does need Baoxiya now, continuing to brush her off would feel awkward for Angel.

After hearing Angel’s account, Midora and Antonio did not immediately think of a response strategy for Angel but instead showed a peculiar expression.

Midora: "Didn’t you say before that the Magic Pattern Baoxiya asked about was obscure and you couldn’t find it? But now you seem to know where it can be found?"

Angel: "I indeed didn’t find the Magic Pattern Baoxiya consulted, but... I roughly know where it might be found."

"I see." Midora and Antonio showed a look of understanding and didn’t continue to inquire, as this clearly involved something secretive.

Midora: "If she really uses Qi Li’s matter to exchange for special Magic Patterns, my advice is not to exchange."

Qi Li can tolerate the scent of the material library for a while, but if Angel trades special Magic Patterns with Baoxiya, the result would be unpredictable.

If Baoxiya follows Ivor’s path of self-destruction, it wouldn’t be good.

In Midora’s view, Baoxiya’s personal value far outweighs Qi Li.

However, Angel’s current request is centered on "Qi Li." If he’s just simply advising Angel not to exchange, then why did Angel come to hear their opinions?

Therefore, if Baoxiya indeed uses Magic Patterns as an exchange condition, if they ask Angel not to exchange, they need to think of a way to solve Qi Li’s problem.

Midora contemplated for a moment and said: "Baoxiya has a high status among Fragrance Wizards, which means she has a lot of influence in the scent circle. If you refuse her, it would be almost impossible to find another Fragrance Wizard to resolve Qi Li’s matter, as other Fragrance Wizards wouldn’t agree."

"However, the Fragrance Wizards initially agreed for Qi Li to clean the Number 1 Material Library, provided Qi Li could genuinely accomplish this, I believe they wouldn’t continue to make things difficult."

"So, the best and least offensive solution is still to have Qi Li finish cleaning the Number 1 Material Library."

"You may feel like things are back at the Origin Point... No, that’s not my point. I mean, if Qi Li follows the procedure to clean the Number 1 Material Library, it would indeed take a long time. But what if she doesn’t follow the procedure?"

"Not follow the procedure?" Angel thought for several seconds and seemed to understand Midora’s point, frowning: "Is the master suggesting I hire someone to help?"

Midora shook his head: "No, you won’t find anyone."

Moreover, the task of cleaning the Number 1 Material Library is one that no one wants to undertake. If Angel indeed refuses Baoxiya, even if Baoxiya doesn’t mind, others might target Qi Li upon learning of it.

With Baoxiya’s status in the scent circle, it would be impossible to find anyone to assist.

"My point is they can solve the problem at its root." Midora said: "The reason Qi Li needs to spend a long time in the Number 1 Material Library is due to her slow speed in extracting scent molecules. If we can speed up the extraction of these scent molecules, her stay can be shortened."

"Accelerate the extraction of scent molecules?" Angel frowned: "Is that even possible?"

Scent molecules are essentially a form of energy with a specific structure that needs to remain stable, as any anomaly might cause structural damage and extraction failure.

The method for extracting such scent molecules is an experience-based practice accumulated over countless years by Fragrance Wizards, so how can one simply say to accelerate it?

Midora seemed to understand Angel’s concerns and explained: "It’s not about accelerating through technique, but using an Alchemy Tool."

An Alchemy Tool? Scent molecules can be extracted with an Alchemy Tool?

Angel looked at Midora with some surprise. If scent molecules can indeed be extracted using an Alchemy Tool, this would be an explosive piece of news for Fragrance Wizards!

It’s important to know that the most troublesome task for Fragrance Wizards is extracting scent factors, especially from excrement. That’s why they usually let their assistants or hire apprentices at a high price to do the extraction. However, to create the finest fragrances, they must endure discomfort and personally select top-grade scent factors.

If alchemy tools could be used for extraction, it would drive Fragrance Wizards mad who have long been troubled by the scent of the Number One Raw Materials Vault! Even if the extracted scent factors do not reach top quality, it’s fine; they have methods to enhance the quality. Even if it’s not perfect, achieving top quality is not a problem.

Seeing Angel’s amazed expression, Midora explained: "It’s not the universal kind of alchemy tool you’re thinking of, but something that a member of the Research and Development Institute accidentally refined..."

He understood all too well how astonishing it would be to use alchemy tools to extract scent factors.

If someone truly invented a universally applicable alchemy tool for extracting scent factors, every Wizard standing in the Fragrance pit would definitely have one.

Unfortunately, no one has refined such a universal tool; instead, an Alchemist who took an unusual path accidentally refined a similar device.

"Sterling’s Anomalous Structure Molecular Stabilizer," Midora said, "that’s the name of the alchemy tool. Its original purpose was for microscopic research."

"However, because it can stabilize the structure of gases, if used to extract gas factors, it can stabilize gas factor structures for extended periods. Once the structure is stabilized, the extraction speed can be accelerated."

"Currently, there’s only this one device. Moreover, due to the inclusion of uncontrollable factors during refinement, even if disassembled, it would be challenging to investigate and replicate it."

Also, because it is not universally applicable, Fragrance Wizards typically do not consider this tool.

Moreover, the tool itself is of very high value; using it to extract gas factors is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Of course, there’s another important reason: the owner of this device... is rather difficult to deal with.

"Sterling... Anomalous Structure Molecular Stabilizer." Angel murmured softly, emphasizing the name ’Sterling’: "Is this Sterling, the one from the Punk Theme Park?"

Midora nodded: "Yes, that’s him."

Angel had never met Sterling, but he knew Sterling was also a member of the Research and Development Institute. His research focus is mechanical alchemy, which is currently mainstream in the Southern Domain. However, Sterling is following a unique path within mechanical alchemy, with a major focus on mechanical nerves.

Using mechanics to substitute nerves, just the thought of it seems unconventional for the Southern Domain, yet he really paved a way forward.

He even earned a nickname related to it: ’The Nerve Wanderer.’

He was specifically recruited by Director Muse to join the Research and Development Institute with his background as a freelance Wizard.

The above is Sterling’s general background.

And his personality, Angel had heard related rumors from various sources... He is a Wizard who is fixated on money.

As long as you can pay the price he demands, he can do anything for you, even sell his own body to you, it’s not impossible.

He could be said to be the easiest person to negotiate with in the Research and Development Institute, except for Gandolf the Holy Light Walker.

The premise is, you can afford the price.

"If you could borrow this device from Sterling and give it to Qi Li to use, she could speed up the extraction of scent factors. What used to take one or two years to complete might be reduced to one or two months with this device," Midora said.

Although, to delve into it, using such a high-end device for the low-end manual work of extracting scent factors seems a bit of an overkill; if it weren’t related to Lady Baoxiya, Midora probably wouldn’t have mentioned this method.

But now weighing the options, Midora still felt that paying a price to borrow this tool from Sterling would be more worthwhile.

Moreover, Midora could guess that Angel’s attention to Qi Li’s matter was undoubtedly related to Kanter. In his view, if a price were to be paid, it would also be Kanter’s burden to bear; Angel merely needed to convey the message.

So, this method might be the best of both worlds at the moment.

"If I were to ask Sterling to borrow this device, what price would I have to pay?" Angel thought for a moment and asked.

Midora: "Sterling’s price always varies depending on the person. I can’t say for sure what he would want specifically. However, I remember that Ancient Ciro once sought to borrow this device from him, with Antonio acting as the intermediary."

Midora looked at Antonio beside him, and the latter nodded: "Yes, Mr. Ancient Ciro indeed borrowed this device. At that time, when he borrowed the device for six months, Sterling set two conditions, allowing Ciro to choose one of them."

"The first condition was for Ancient Ciro to pay him 20 points of credit."

"The second condition was for Ancient Ciro to refine three different kinds of Moon Silver according to the blueprint provided by Sterling."

"Ancient Ciro chose the second condition."

Without Antonio explaining further, Angel could also understand Ciro’s choice.

If converted, 20 points of credit equals approximately 200,000 Magic Crystals.

200,000 Magic Crystals just to rent the device for six months is a significant loss.

Moreover, credit can be exchanged for various precious materials in the R&D Institute’s materials library that are unavailable elsewhere. As such, credit is always in demand.

The first condition, directly excluded.

The second condition is practically Sterling tailoring a special condition for Ancient Ciro.

Ancient Ciro’s nickname, "Moonlight Silver," is because no one can surpass him in mastering the transmutation of the alchemy material "Moon Silver."

And Moon Silver is the foundational material for mechanical alchemy.

Ciro’s ability to manipulate Moon Silver into various forms has made a significant contribution to the currently popular mechanical alchemy in the Southern Domain.

Also, because of this trait, Ciro became a member of the Research and Development Institute.

Sterling’s second condition, in essence, was to have Ancient Ciro create three customized versions of special Moon Silver for him.

This might consume some effort from Ciro, but it would definitely not be too challenging.

So, in choosing between the two options, Ciro would naturally opt for the second.

Considering Sterling’s price for Ciro, if Angel goes to Sterling, it would probably be similar.

However, the time Qi Li would use the device wouldn’t be as long as half a year; it might only take one to two months to complete. Thus, it might only require around 10 points of credit?