In an instant, a flash of regret crossed Cedric's expression. Just like Emery, he was a poor artisan with a poor background, without the backing of a rich old family like many of the acolytes out there. There was no way he had 100,000 spirit stones laying around.
Emery himself knew this and laughed, showing Cedric he was just asking as a joke. While the mood had lightened, Emery decided to ask him about something else.
"That aside… Do you know where I can find items that are out of stock in the academy hub?"
"You're looking for a rare item then? Well, I'm sure Golden City has access to more items than even the academy. You know, being one of the biggest trading cities in the universe and all…"
For this matter, Cedric brought Emery to a place they had previously visited.
[Golden City - Magus Guild]
Emery walked down the stairs along with Cedric to meet a familiar guy sitting behind his desk. He was currently busy with a big book and a quill on his side and occasionally, the horned, red-skinned man glanced at a stack of paper next to him, before writing its contents in the book.
"So, do you remember him? Believe me, he is the most knowledgeable person you can meet in Golden City!" Cedric pulled Emery closer to the man and pointed at him. In response, the horned man scrunched his eyebrows in annoyance.
"Seriously, Cedric, you again?! I know you have nothing better to do, but not everyone else has that privilege, you know?" Aeon put down his quill and glared at Cedric. At that moment, he saw Emery was standing next to Cedric.
"How are you, senior Aeon?" Emery smiled and asked.
"Ah, hello Emery! I'm good, thank you." Aeon smiled "Oh, I saw your fight in that Magus Games. Gotta say it was fantastic! You have no idea how much joy I felt when you knocked that smug golden noble to the dirt!"
"Do you see now, Emery? You have a lot of fans!" Cedric laughed.
"Indeed! Unfortunately, It appears I only have you as my fan! Stop bothering me!" Aeon smirked and pointed out.
They talked about things for a while, until Emery finally decided to tell them what he was looking for. He talked to Aeon about the void crystal, but as he was about to explain what it was for, they had already offered to help. It seemed they were sincerely on his side.
Emery was relieved that he didn't need the flimsy excuse he prepared beforehand.
Aeon looked to the left and right, ensuring no one was listening to them, and whispered close to Emery's ear.
"Hey, I know a place…"
"Yes, yes! I like the sound of this already!" Cedric exclaimed, loud enough for some people around them to look in their direction.
"What the fuck!? Cedric, shut up!" Aeon clicked his tongue and whispered.
Aeon talked about a place that was known for selling items that were not easily found. It was a semi-legal place, sort of similar to a universe-scale black market, which was the reason why Aeon tried to keep his knowledge of it under wraps.
Emery was about to shoot down the idea, citing that he had no spirit stones to offer, even if the item he needed ended up being there. However, Aeon insisted they should check the place first and find out more about the item. They could worry about the money later.
Everyone agreed to come, and Aeon told them to wait until his shift was over.
Emery and Cedric nodded before heading out to the front, where all the visitors gathered. Cedric ordered some cold drinks for the two of them, and they spent the time talking about various matters.
Emery talked to Cedric about the apothecary exams, along with his questions of what the next exam could entail.
Cedric told Emery the third exam would be more straightforward than the previous two.
"What do you mean?" Emery asked.
"Well, the exam could be very easy or very hard, it depends on your luck." Cedric answered.
The third rank exam would require the acolytes to create an original potion. In order to pass, they would usually need to create a Tier 2 potion with at least a level 3 originality score, or a Tier 3 potion with a level 2 originality score.
"This is why this could be really easy or hard depending on how lucky you are." Cedric explained. "They allow you to submit recipes beforehand, and if you have such a thing, you can come to the exam afterwards just to receive your reward."
Emery thought of his cleansing potion, the one he dedicated quite some time to master. Even with all his efforts, that potion was merely considered a rank 2 potion with the level 2 originality score.
Emery thought a little bit more about the exams and asked. "Senior, if they allow you to submit recipes you made before, can't people just cheat by submitting their family recipes or something similar?"
"That is also why I said the exam could either be very easy or very hard." Cedric said. "Yes, you are allowed to do that, and some acolytes have done that in the past. But, even though you have a recipe prepared, you still need to be able to concoct it… besides, not all families are willing to share their valuable recipes for something like this, right?"
Emery nodded, finally understanding what Cedric was talking about. He started to think about what he could prepare, when he remembered the acid potion he made that was still half-done. His acid potion was a tier 3, and if he managed to score well in the originality aspect, he would have the advantage of early preparation.
Before Emery got the chance to talk about his idea, Aeon had already finished his shift.
"You both ready now?"
"Yes. Let's go."
Aeon, Emery, and Cedric walked together towards a portal gate swirling hidden from the crowded city. The portal gate was stationed in a dark corner, unnoticed by most passersby.
When they arrived at the place, it was pitch-black.
"Is it night here? Should we come back another time?"
"No Emery, this is the planet's condition, 360 days a year of total darkness, with no moons and no stars in its proximity."
Aeon quickly took out a light torch, lit it with a blast of a fire spell, and said. "Ah, don't stray too far from the light, there are creatures lurking in the shadows."
"What planet is this?" Emery looked around and asked. The inability to see anything made him a little bit anxious.
"Welcome to Furia, Emery." Aeon answered.