Legendary Soul Art

It was quite obvious that Blood Maiden was extremely stubborn and it would be hard to convince her. She showed no reaction to Number One's suggestion which forced him to change his tactic.

"I'm sure you think that my proposal is laughable because there is no way a young man like me could possibly get what you want. You already got everything a person of your status could get and you are comfortable just retiring in this place," Number One pointed out. "But what about other things that you couldn't get? What about  Soul Artifacts that you never dreamed of having the opportunity to study?"

"Even someone like Headmaster Blake couldn't convince me to work for him and he already offered to get me anything I want. The problem is that I am already happy and satisfied with my life. There is nothing particular that I want so your proposal is useless," Blood Maiden replied casually and gestured outside with her head. "You are really wasting my time now. I am about to close the store and enjoy the evening with my husband. Don't worry, I will tell him I rejected your job offer."

Luna was getting agitated with how Blood Maiden disrespected Number One but he wasn't that surprised. He was still a nobody in her eyes but that was easy to change.

"You said it's interesting that I managed to reach this far while being a White Talent. Let me show how I did it," Number One commented as he walked up to the store counter. In a matter of seconds, it filled with tens of vials of pills which finally moved the stubborn lady.

Number One turned around while displaying all the Heaven Rank pills he made and displayed the White Alchemy Flame on top of his palm. "Even though I have a White Talent, I am still the current best Alchemist in both Worlds. I also reached the rank of a Soul King and I'm very close to advancing to the next rank."

"I really doubt the first one but becoming a Soul Emperor at a such young age is impressive," Blood Maiden commented while gazing at all the supreme tier pills. "You shouldn't steal pills from your master and use them to pretend you made them. That's the most shameful act an Alchemist can do and it makes me disgusted. Take them and return them to your Master."

"Why would I lie? Is it really that hard to believe that a youngster like me is better than all old Alchemists? All of those pills were made by me and Headmaster Blake knows about it," Number One said honestly as he collected his goods. "Those pills will also appear in the auction very soon and you will hear about me."

Number One was trying to be polite and use his skills to prove his worth but he underestimated Blood Maiden's pride. She was also a craftsman and probably spent decades of trying to perfect her craft. Alchemy wasn't any different and required years to master.

"I understand it now. I thought news about the Legendary Alchemist cooperating with the Winged Soul Academy is fake but it seems to be the truth. Knowing how Headmaster Blake treats you, I'm guessing you must be the Legendary Alchemist's disciple," Blood Maiden wondered out loud while rolling her eyes. "To think you would be proud of using your Master's pills as yours and pretend to make them. Gross."

Now it was Number One's turn to frown. He received the Alchemy knowledge thanks to his heavenly space but it was now a part of him. Even if he suddenly lost the golden crystal, he would still remember everything. He would forever be an Alchemist with every pill recipe and every Soul Herb recorded in his mind.

'How about we leave and come back later after we settle the business with the Academy Board?' Nami suggested after noticing the tension. 'She will know you were telling the truth after the truth comes out.'

Number One wanted to first establish himself to be more believable but that obviously backfired. Even though he needed the method, he couldn't really use violence or blackmail as it was too risky. They had no idea how strong Blood Maiden was but Headmaster Blake's attitude towards her could tell them she wasn't any weak.

'It won't make a difference. She is too stubborn,' Number One replied in his mind while observing Blood Maiden from head to toe. He needed to find something she could possibly desire but nothing came to his mind.

"If you don't believe me then challenge me," Number One suggested. "Tell me the name of any pill you want, give me a single set of Soul Herbs and a room and I will come back with the pills right now. Its easy to prove my skills."

"And why would I do that? I really don't care," Blood Maiden replied impatiently and raised her arms helplessly. "I'm only bearing with you out of respect for your Master. Even if you were the best alchemist, that won't change a thing. I'm still not going to tell you anything."

Blood Maiden opened the door once again and kicked them, "Are you going to leave on your own or should I help you? I'm being nice but you are forcing my hand."

There were multiple people walking down the street and they heard Blood Maiden's voice. She clearly did it on purpose to apply outside pressure on them but that forced Number One's hand to pull the last trump card under his sleeve.

"And here I thought you would be interested in a Legendary Artifact you have never seen before," Number One commented quietly as he reached to the girls' waists and signaled to leave. "I was going to ask you to study it but I guess I will have to ask someone else. I should have guessed the Blood Maiden is already retired and her drive to be the best is gone."

Number One ignored the frown on Blood Maiden's face as he walked towards the exit but she slammed the door shut before they could leave. "Stop. What Legendary Artifact are you talking about?"

"So you keep kicking us out and calling me gross or disgusting but once you learn I have something of value, you suddenly want us to talk? Who do you think you are?" Number One replied sharply. "I showed you kindness from the beginning and you did nothing but disrespect us. It was a simple test and you failed it. I no longer trust you to work together so let us leave."

The situation flipped within seconds as Number One used her own strategy. He expected Blood Maiden would apologize and resume the negotiations but he underestimated her again. She didn't even respond to him and simply opened her palm.

Bang!

Number One couldn't even react when everything went quiet and his ears filled with pain. He momentarily felt as if he was carrying a whole building on his shoulders and he collapsed onto his knees. The sudden pressure was tens of times stronger than the Soul Training Rooms in the Academy and he couldn't hold his ground.

Nami and Luna were much worse as they were completely out. They instantly lost their consciousness and would fall face down against the floor if Number One wasn't holding them. He stared Blood Maiden down and she was taken aback by his resilience.

"To think you are this strong and can resist my full-on pressure," Blood Maiden commented casually as he approached them. "You should be careful at who you play with. I don't care who your master is. I will beat you up if you are lying about the Artifacts."

Blood Maiden didn't seem to be aware that his eardrums already recovered and he could hear her as she crouched to check his body. He couldn't even move an inch or else he would collapse to the floor like the girls.

'Are every Artifact Crafters this strong…?' Number One thought in desperation as his body found it hard to keep up. His regeneration was recovering his stamina to keep him stable but it was slowly failing.

It wasn't his main concern though as Blood Maiden had no shame. She began touching him all over in search of the Legendary Artifact and finally stopped at his chest. She looked at Number One's face while touching the hard surface of the Golden Crystal and her expression changed.

"So you weren't joking…" Blood Maiden muttered and stood up while closing her palm. The whole pressure disappeared in an instant and she locked the door without hesitation.

Number One had no time to lash out at her as he rushed to check on the girls. There was blood coming out of their ears and they were extremely pale but they woke up after a moment. He immediately fed them Revitalizing Pills and then glared at the Blood Maiden.

She only snickered and walked past them without care, "Don't act like you can do anything to me. You are still too young to play the big boy you want to be. Follow me to the office and leave the girls behind. They will be fine."