"Alright."
How intriguing... Just like that, with payment on the line...? Selina couldn't help but let a corner of her mouth twitched.
"Then I'll hold onto it." She playfully dismissed as she turned for the nearby table.
Darkwill watched with reluctance as the cunning lady took her seat gracefully.
I've just moved the alchemy station back to the supply room, and now I'm going to return it again!? Darkwill scowled at himself, letting out an exasperated sigh.
But look on the bright side! The customer earlier fancied the lady! This will at least garner ten people, which should be enough for the main ingredients!
Darkwill put quite the pricing on his products, giving high regards to mummy powders. A substance enhancing performance in bed.
However, since this silver-haired lady had been frequenting his shop. He's forced to conceal this to maintain an image.
I would definitely earn more in selling mummy powders than lousy medicines... He grumbled inwardly before leaving the counter with acquiescence.
...
After finally placing the station back with great effort. Darkwill turned to Selina.
During the time he was regretting his life choices. He had already set a standard for mentorship.
Thus, he called Selina, who was now reading her second book pertaining the study of human anatomy, particularly the functionality of varied fluids in the body.
"Ms. Roy!" Darkwill slightly raised his voice.
Earlier, Selina had offered to help in moving the station. However, just like the previous one, Darkwill denied it, saying that she might make mishaps and break it.
Ending in chapter four, Selina propped herself from the chair and returned the books in their respective categories before making her way to Darkwill.
"The fee will be by weeks, amounting to eighteen soli." Darkwill felt a quiet rush of satisfaction about his abilities.
He's now able to properly leverage it as much as he wants to this lady.
Selina thought for a moment before settling. "Very well. I don't have any problem."
Helping the poor is my passion after all... Selina almost giggled at her musing thought.
Darkwill was caught off guard momentarily. This woman... She can spend such an amount so casually.
With effort, he clasped his hand and said. "G-Great! Then we'll begin with the properties of the herbs and what makes them used in medicine-making.
"Afterwards, we'll transition to making medicines that cure illnesses."
Selina smiled softly and nodded.
Darkwill deliberated his words and began lecturing. "Firstly, you have to remember that medicines act for the people's health, fending any illnesses from either the body or mind. Because...
"We make them to preserve life." He emphasize.
Medicines... To preserve life... Selina took note of his word with care and diligence.
"Second, we deliberately took small samples from the ingredients or herbs not only to save portions but to also prevent excessiveness. For example."
Darkwill took a vial containing what seems to be a black powder with bits of bluishness over the surface.
He lit a small burner that functioned similarly to gas stoves, only in a miniature manner.
This invention have Mr. Gustav's name written all over it... Sigh, well, it would be really suspicious if it wasn't. Selina quickly noticed the tool's similarity to lab burners back in college.
"This liquid is Amantha extract, and this powder is a slumber flower's bud. Observe closely..." Darkwill said as his voice became lower.
Upon adding the powder.
The scent that was emitting from the extract suddenly became stronger. However, instead of inducing serene sensation, it became just a fragrance deprived of any effects.
Selina noticed this quickly and asked. "It's now just a regular perfume, what happened?"
Darkwill grinned with confidence and explained. "That is what happens sometimes when the ingredients pass a threshold instructed by the formula. Though you have to remember that sometimes, in other medicines or potions, any amount would suffice.
"In this case, the slumber flower is deemed as its central ingredient that had strong connection to the Evernight. With its excessiveness, it often times lost its effects in the process."
"I see..." Selina breathed lowly.
"Now, I'll explain the properties of the herbs and ingredients we have in stock. Follow me." Darkwill added.
...
After a long hours of mentorship lesson. Selina finally left the herbal shop, bringing with her another small bottle of Amantha extract with an additional agent she had concocted earlier.
The agent is called Moon Flower Sedative, the first medicine she sad created. Able to cure mild soreness, disinfect wounds and promotes healing and can also act as a stress relief due to its fragrance.
During the procedure, Selina also felt herself becoming more at ease and serene, stabilizing her mood and overall mentality.
Now boarded in a public carriage, she began pondering her progress in digesting her potion.
If this continues, after a month or two, I would finally fully digest the Apothecary potion... She murmured inwardly.
This is a good news if not for the formula being an issue... Where can I start searching for it?
Selina traced the rim of her sun hat vacantly as she stare at the passing buildings.
I also have an unpaid dept from Miss Justice. Added with Mr. Fool's 'trivial' attempt, this week or maybe month couldn't get any worse...
Rattling her mind of the multiple tasks she had to complete. She was forced to schedule them internally, a habit she used to do back in her days as a secretary.
The Fool's ritual attempt for us should be prioritized, since Mr. Fool expects it to be done by this week... This includes finding anything related to mysticism languages such as Hermes in order to translate them...
"****** ******* *****"
Selina muttered Mr. Fool's words he had spoken in Hermes under her breath. Rehearsing the pronunciation intently.
I wonder what it means...
...
The sun was at an angle, leaning West, indicating dusk is nearing.
The carriage arrived slightly east of Municipal Square.
After spending a penny. Selina alighted from the horse-drawn transport and made her way to her usual restaurant for take-outs.
It was a hassle to make a dish for a single person and could very well, add to her already exhausted body.
While take-outs proves to be more superior than cup-noodles back on Earth. Selina can't seem to help but attract eyes from guests and pedestrians alike.
When she entered and arrived at the reception. A man dressed appropriately with a matching jet-black waistcoat and long sleeved white shirt quickly noticed her presence.
He immediately took out his pen and notes, then asked with a smile. "Miss, the usual?"
Somehow, Selina felt uneased for being singled out from the previous customers.
However, since she had been frequenting the restaurant, she decided to shrug it off and nodded briefly. "Yes."
The man noted her order and hastily turned to the back door, where the kitchen is located.
After less than five minutes. a male server produced a paper bag containing three to four bento box, emitting aromatic smell that enticed Selina.
Desi Pie! Selina refrained from sudden impulse and unhurriedly took the paper bag.
She then withdrew a sum of soli added with a few pence and gave it to the server.
...
Upon entering her residence. and ascended to the second floor's lounge.
Selina first placed her take-outs onto a nearby table, near the window.
Her gaze drifted to the outside of the glass pane.
The dusk had already crept in and the gas lighters had begun turning the valves of the street lamps in order to prepare for the evening.
Selina's hand reached the window's and closed it, drawing the curtains afterwards.
Returning back, she made her way to her usual desk and produced a paper from the torn paper bags. However, she was still missing a quill and an ink.
Sigh... I forgot to bought them... Selina slumped her head so her fingers can reach her temples.
The house didn't have anything apart from kitchen utensils and furniture, which is why the house company had advised her to buy essentials immediately after moving.
I guess we'll need to trouble the Heath family for an ink and quill...
In acquiescence, Selina propped herself from the chair and arrived in the entrance hall through the a flight of stairs.
Afterwards she exited her residence and made just a few steps to reach the Heath family residence.
Her reached for the doorbell, signaling a presence of a guest through a soft chime.
The knob turned clockwise before it was pulled from the inside.
Martha, in her simple home outfit before showering for the night, looked at Selina and asked. "What seems to be the problem dear?"
She revealed a genial smile and added. "Do you want to dine with us again?"
Selina quickly pulled away slightly and replied. "Oh, It's alright Mrs. Heath, I've already have take-outs back in my residence. It would a waste..."
"I see, that's a shame... We're having Seared Mutton for dinner." Martha tried to entice Selina with her signature dish.
Selina retrained herself and said. "No really, it's fine... I've actually came here to ask if I could borrow an ink and a quill?"
"Oh." Martha seemed a bit surprised. However, she maintained her friendliness and replied. "Of course, wait here for a bit dear."
Selina sighed and nodded. "Alright."
Without even half a minute had passed, Martha returned with a glass cup filled with blank liquid, followed a feather, its tip submerged in the substance.
"Here, you can return it by tomorrow." Martha said softly.
Selina nodded once again. "Thank Mrs. Heath, have a pleasant evening."
...
When she returned to the second floor lounge of her residence. Selina saw a black feline loafing on the side of the desk.
She turned and noticed that the window's pane was opened, the latch came undid.
H-How did you managed to get in with the windows locked? Confused, Selina looked intently at the cat, who doesn't seem to bat an eye.
The feline seemed at peace and unbothered by its surroundings.
Seeing this, she sighed and muttered inwardly. Too smart to be comprehended...
Regardless, she gave a soft smile and said. "Here to accompany me again Falacy?"
With an ink and quill, Selina returned to her seat by the desk and turned to the cat.
Her hand rose to caress the feline's full, black fur. "I won't be staying up late from on now. Thank you for visiting me."
The cat let out an instinctive purr.
Selina let out a faint chuckle before shifting her attention to the paper and began scribbling, almost gibberish sentences in the form of Loenese.
In mid-way she halted and muttered under breath in recollection. "Was it 'espathre'? or 'iyespathre'?"
Selina shook her head and said silently. "Let's just settle for both since they almost sound identical."
After a bit more scribbling and rewriting. She was finally satisfied with both the sentence's invocation and vocal wording.
Since the pronunciation was written in Loenese and distinct toward its actual symbols and letters. The paper won't stir the force of nature in any manner.
With the first three lines settled. Selina began to recollect the subsequent sentences that came afterwards.
With all of this are done, she stored the torn paper to a compartment below one of the desk's drawers.
She first bade goodnight to the black cat before proceeding to do her night routine of showering then dinner.
Leaving the black cat to rest in the second floor living area.
Just before she was about to sleep. She recalled how the mysterious dreamworld didn't appeared when she had willed it or even when she had been hospitalized.
Strange... I thought it was a daily occurrence. Something similar happened before in the train, just when I was about to arrive in Tingen...
Perhaps it won't appear in certain occasions? Selina reasoned.
But wouldn't that be inconsistent? There won't be any clear relations... Even now, I'm confused why am I having this dream...
Selina subconsciously raised her index finger on her lips. I've also tried to enter it willingly before. However, it didn't succeed...
Okay, think... Could there be anything else that can trigger it aside from strong sense of fatigue? At least I'm certain that it responds to my emotions.
Alright, then let's try...
Then, for an hour straight, Selina experience a cluster of simulated emotions, either with great effort with the help of past recollection.
However, none had succeeded each time she closed her eyes.
In frustration, she propped herself from the bed and asked herself. If it's not emotion... Then what else it could be?
I've already tried varied means from sorrow, grief or even loss! What can I-
Suddenly, Selina recalled her first encounter. The world's clear naming of before the subsequent mild ravings that came after.
Child... Sense of longingness...
With this is mind, she simulated the feeling of being far, her desire to return to Earth and the dreadfulness of the possibility that she may never return again.
At this moment, Selina even forgot to lay herself on the mattress before this attempt.
However, the matter was already gone as her body suddenly collapsed onto the floor.
Her consciousness drifted upward.