System Change

Chapter 409: Roman and Freia

I thought you would never ask, Roman said with a cheery grin on his face. When the prince came flying in on that beautiful beast, I just knew that there had to be more. And here you are!

Go figure, Derek said with a snort. But yes, youre right. During the raid, we were able to get quite a few different types of material. He held up a ring that hed filled with an assortment of materials. This has some claws, hides, organs basically a bunch of different parts of multiple kinds of dragonkin inside.

Both Freias and Romans eyes went wide, and Derek saw the halfling lick his lips in anticipation. Roman reached out toward the ring, but Derek pulled it back out of his reach.

Not so fast, he said, to Romans dismay. I wasnt finished. It also has a variety of other materials from monsters in the dungeonincluding beasts like griffins and lynxes, along with a few other things. During the last trialthe one before they fought the Starfury Leonarus, theyd fought multiple beast types, and Silvi had been meticulous in collecting material from them.

Basically, if she thought there was any possibility that a material could be used in cooking, then she was sure to have picked it up. To that end, shed already cooked up some of the weird octopus theyd fought during the trial, and it had been delicious. Unfortunately for Roman, Derek didnt have a lot of those materials, as Silvi was pretty serious when it came to her ingredients.

Finally, after watching both alchemists stare at him like lost puppy dogs, Derek gave in and flicked the ring into the air. The halfling alchemist jump multiple feet off the ground and snatched the flying ring before coming down and examining it.

Oh Amazing Roman muttered as he went over the items inside the storage device.

So, do you think you can make anything good with them? Derek asked.

I dont know, Roman looked up and replied. You can never know whats waiting to be created until you run tests. But I can only imagine that materials from beasts such as wyverns or wyrms will be full of possibilities. Perhaps strength or vitality potions, even. I do doubt they will be able to help produce and fertility potions such a shame, considering those are best sellers. Dragonkin are well knownat least in legendsto have very low fertility rates rates even lower than full-blooded elves.

Oh I didnt need to know that, Derek said.

Everyone should know that, Roman said. Fertility rate is even worse once a dragon grows powerful. It is the same with all powerful creatures. The more power you gain through the great system, the harder it is to conceive. Of course, that power usually also comes with increased longevity to counter that problem, and luckily, we can produce potions that increase the success somewhat. Which is why, as I told you before, my virility and competence potions are best sellers and allow me to afford materials for my passion projects.

Still not something I need to know, Derek said.

He is very proud of his virility potion, Freia said from behind Roman.

And why shouldnt I be? Roman clicked his tongue and moved over to a table.

Yes, yes, Derek said as he watched Roman pull out a couple of the smaller materials and set them on the table in front of him. Freia quickly rushed over with her notebook. We are all very proud that you can create potions that help old nobles create more snotty nosed heirs

Not just nobles, Roman corrected as he took out a weird-looking lens and examined the materials more closely. Usually, if someone is powerful enough to need one of my potions, then they are easily able to afford it. So, though nobles create most of the market, as they are worried more about having heirs than most, there are many adventurers, both active and retired, that also have need of my potions.

If you say so, Derek said. Anyway, what is all that worth to you?

What is it worth? Roman looked up at Derek and blinked rapidly. You mean

What? You thought I was just going to give it to you for free? Derek asked while shaking his head. You should know better than that.

What do you want? Roman finally said after a few moments of silence.

I dont know, Derek said. I certainly dont think I need any gold, though.

No, I guess you would not, Roman said. What if I give you half of anything I produce from the materials?

What happens if it all ends as failures? Derek said. Then I would just be out materials and cooking ingredients for Silvi with nothing to show for it.

Hmm Roman bit his lips. Fine Half of anything I produce with your materials, and free production on a number of orders of any potions I can already craft as long as you buy or provide the materials.

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How many? Derek asked.

I dont know, Roman said. Each recipe is different, so some potions are much harder to produce than others.

Alright, Derek said with a shrug. He really didnt care much about ithe just didnt want to lose in any deals.

Really? Roman asked. Just like that?

Yeah, Derek said. Why not? If you want, I can try to think of something to counter with

No, no, no Thats good. Its a deal, Roman said as he reached out with his hand to shake Dereks.

Good. Derek shook the halfling alchemists hand. Get with Malorie and Rudy and they can sort out all the details. I dont do any of that stuff, he said, but what he was thinking was, At least until Malorie decides to take that vacation I better get any deals done quicklybefore that happens.

Ugh Roman sighed. Cant we just do it here? With a basic contract? Those two are so difficult to deal with.

Nope, Derek said. Either them, or I can take back the materials and you can pretend that you never saw them.

Fine Roman sulked. Is there anything else you wanted?

Other than that, Derek replied. How are things going?

Were out of Void Beast material, if thats what youre asking, Roman answered. We made are final deliveries a while ago. Your manager should have all the accounting for it.

Did crafting all that help you out? Derek asked.

My skills and level have never been better. The halfling grinned. Crafting so many potions created by materials not of the Great System was a huge boon on my skill levels. And the experience was just as goodthough, I have hit the bottleneck on crafting such potions, so any leveling experience or skill experience I earn is almost nonexistent now. Still, those potions and the stats they give are more than enough to make up for no longer receiving experience for crafting them. And, since I have taken a break from creating those Potions of Permanence, there is a good chance that the next couple I craft will give me at least some experience again.

Thats great! Derek said.

Yes. Roman nodded. I am now level 235, and very close to achieving 236. And almost all of my main crafting skills have achieved the elusive level 20. For that, I am thankful.

Then this new batch of materials

Could be vital to my leveling, Roman said. Also, do you plan on obtaining more Void Beast materials?

Derek thought about his promise with Avery to take him hunting and nodded. I do. Im not sure when I will be doing it, but I definitely have plans to tackle some more Void Beasts. Why?

I was hoping to get your permission to allow Freia here to try her hand on making the potions, Roman asked, and Derek saw Freias eyes widen in shock at the declaration.

I thought you were all about not sharing your recipes, Derek said.

I am, but she is my apprentice. Since I have personally obtained all there is to out of the recipe, it is time to pass it on, Roman explained. Under a strict contract, of course.

Of course, Derek laughed.

It is not usual that I receive enough of a single material to grind the experience into the ground, if you will. My plan has always been to begin passing recipes down once I achieve level 250, but now is as good a time as any with Void Beast materials. Roman then walked back around the table, close to Derek, then leaned in conspiratorially and gestured for Derek to do the same. Finally, with Derek bending down and his ear close to Roman, the alchemist whispered, Not to mention her research has been vital in the creation of new potions. Her work with herbology is second to none.

I see, Derek said as he pulled back away. Well, it will be a shame to lose materials, but that cant be helped. Who am I to keep your apprentice from increasing her skill level? Go ahead. What he didnt say was that Void Beasts were the easiest and most abundant material that he could come by since he could summon them at will, and since his last foray with his Void Call skill, hed become much stronger and was no longer scared hed call one that he couldnt handle.

Great! Roman said.

Just work it into the deal with Malorie, Derek said, instantly deflating Roman once again.

Very well, Roman replied.

Now, Derek started. How did Brandi do while I was gone?

She is a fantastic alchemist and a very fast learner, Roman said. She also has a multitude of alchemy skills that I have never seen before. Its a shame that she has been stopping by less and less. She seems to be intrigued by movement potions latelyas that is all shes questioned me about. Though, I have not seen her make any progress on that front.

Roman still didnt know about Brandis real class it seemed. It wouldnt be terribly hard for someone like Roman to find out about it if he really looked into it, as Alanah had done, but the halfling didnt have a reason to. And since she had sort of specialized her class into smithing, Derek suspected Brandi would be spending even less time with Roman.

Shes very into doing things on her own, Derek said.

As I have found out, Roman replied. Still, she is an amazing talent. I even had thoughts about taking her in as a full apprentice instead of just a student, but I actually believe that would hinder her amazing progress. She has a talent for making unusual connections and instructing her in only in my process would hinder that creativity.

Derek smiled. He enjoyed hearing one of, if not the, best alchemist in the entire kingdom praise Brandi for even more than her work ethic. Anyone could look at the time she spent crafting and know that he was a workaholic, but only someone who truly spent time teaching and observing her would see her creativity.

Thank you for all youve done for her, Derek said with a bow. Ill make sure to let Malorie know to go easy on you during your discussions. Since Brandi is her daughter, Im sure shell do so.

That would be great, Roman replied happily.

Derek nodded, then decided it was time to leave. Well, thanks for the talk. You can go ahead and get started with those materials. I trust that you wont try to pull one over on me. Just go see Malorie whenever you have time.

Will do, Roman said.

Thank you so much, Mr. Hunt. Freia came forward with her notebook and bowed deeply. These new materials are much appreciated. She turned her head and eyed the ring on the table.

Dont mention it, Derek said with a wave. Ill catch the two of you later. I look forward to see what new potions you create this time.

With that, Derek turned and left the room. Behind him, he heard Freia half shout, Oh no! I forgot to have him test my potions!

Then, Romans voice sounded out, Stop moving, dont chase him. Hell be back soon enough.

Derek shook his head and smiled wryly. He really didnt feel like being a guinea pig today. Hed have to move his next visit to Romans Potions and Brews to the bottom of his list. Unless he finds a way to make a new brew that will work for me. That would be nice, he thought as he walked out the door to the shop. Where to next?