When they arrived at Alvis Alchemy, Gregory was glad that Umbrose and Elsa had stayed behind or they would have needed two carriages. Entering the business, they were greeted by the smiling receptionist, Rhea.
“I’d like to speak with Alvis,” Hao said after greeting Rhea in return.
Rhea looked apprehensive, but just nodded and went through the door into the back.
“Making them worry?” Yukiko asked her father. “That means you have something in mind.”
“A worried man is more willing to make a deal,” Hao smiled slightly.
“As you’ve taught me,” Yukiko said.
“Well, considering that you’ve told me you don’t need any other enchantments, this is going to be our sole stop today. I might as well get the best I can while I’m here.”
A moment later, Rhea came back out, giving them a worried smile. “Alvis will be right out, sir. He is in the middle of making a batch of pills and can’t stop without losing the supplies.”
“Ah, of course,” Hao said, mildly perturbed.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Rhea asked.
“No. I believe this will require me speaking to him directly,” Hao said.
“Is it likely to take him long?” Yoo-jin asked.
“Maybe a quarter of an hour,” Rhea admitted.
Hao’s eyebrow went up. “A quarter-hour?”
“He’s making the pills for your daughter and her group, sir,” Rhea said, clearly hoping that would mollify Hao.
“I see…” Hao exhaled. “Some tea would be good, then.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back,” Rhea said, hurrying into the back again.
“We need to tell them we’re seventh rank now, too,” Gregory said.
Hao turned to look at Gregory. “Did you say rank seven?”
“Yes. We reached it this morning,” Yukiko said. “We’ve been hoping to keep it secret until we fight in the tournament, but we do need to tell them, at least.”
“You’ve gained more than a full tier in a year?” Yoo-jin asked slowly. “Isn’t that… wrong?”
“It goes against what I know of magi,” Hao said. “It should take you longer to advance as you go, not less time.”
“Well, we aren’t training the way others do,” Yukiko reminded them.
“That is very true…” Hao nodded slowly. “Hmm… I do hope they are as secretive about their customers’ needs as they have said they are.”
“We’ll find out shortly,” Yoo-jin said. “What has your clan said about your growth?”
“They’re just as shocked,” Yukiko replied.
“They were,” Jenn nodded. “They aren’t sure if it’s a record for reaching this rank or not, though.”
“It will surely bring eyes to your clan,” Hao said.
“And there will be more by the end of the tournament,” Gregory said. “Nessa, Daciana, and Victoria are all seventh rank novices.”
Hao’s eyebrows rose again. “It’s as if your clan attracts magi who grow fast.”
Gregory, Jenn, and Yukiko exchanged glances, all of them feeling a little bad about keeping secrets from her parents.
“It does feel that way,” Gregory said after a small delay.
“Here we are. Tea,” Rhea said, coming back into the room with a tray. “I have two pots, with orange for you two, and lotus leaf tea for the apprentices. Lotus leaf tea is best for spirit path magi, but can still be useful to all magi.”
“Thank you,” Hao said, turning to Rhea. “We’ll be glad to wait a little longer to speak with the alchemist.”
Rhea visibly calmed as she poured tea for them. “Thank you, sir. I’m sure he will come as quickly as he can.”
~*~*~
It was a little longer than a quarter-hour before Alvis came out of the back. “I apologize for the delay, Master Warlin. I have the items for your order, so I can send them with you instead of having them shipped up to the academy, if you’d like.”
Hao stood with a neutral expression. “I came to talk business, and though the tea was nice, I was kept waiting for longer than I’d hoped. Your assistant assured me that you were unable to pause while making the pills?”
“She is correct. If I had tried to stop, it would have ruined everything,” Alvis said. “The loss of supplies wouldn’t have been minor, considering their strength.”
“Yes. As a merchant, I can understand not wanting to lose profit in such a manner.”
Alvis relaxed a little. “I’m glad that you understand. What can I do for you?”
“The three of them will be leaving the academy to go train with their troops after this academy year ends. I need to know what you can do for them when it is uncertain where they will be.”
“Yes, I understand,” Alvis nodded. “We could make a large batch, clearly marked with what rank they should be before they take them, that could go with them. The additives will degrade slightly over time which is unavoidable. Even in a storage-enchanted item, the additives still lose potency. That would likely be the best way forward, but that would be a bit bulky if you wanted me to supply them for an entire year.”
“A storage-enchanted item would make transport easier,” Hao said. “I could see about acquiring one. I’m sure a number of enchanters here in the city have a few.”
“I would be surprised if they didn’t,” Alvis agreed. “The only other option would be to engage a spatial magi to transport the additives directly to them, but that is prohibitive.”
“Hmm…” Hao said, clearly considering the option.
“Father,” Yukiko said, “we have an item that can store things. It shouldn’t be a problem to have them made ahead of time.”
“I see,” Hao said. “Very well. I will make sure the account is added to so you can continue to supply them while they are here. When this academy year comes to an end, they will let you know where they are in tier and ranking so you can prepare a full year’s worth of additives for all three. Armsmaster Watashi will be the one to hold the account as he has been. I will, of course, also be back for the last tournament, so we can settle everything.”
“I’m glad we’ve arranged this business dealing,” Alvis smiled widely. “I do believe it was the reason I was contacted by Aether’s Guard to produce supplements for the magi they’re planning to invite to their clan after the tournament.”
“Ah, so a profitable contact came from this?” Hao asked with a sharp smile. “That’s good. I’m sure you’ll keep that in mind when the end of the year comes and we haggle the price of the initiate supplements for them.”
“Of course,” Alvis said, his smile going a little stiff.
“Not a lot, just a little,” Hao chuckled. “After all, we’re both men of business.”
The stiffness faded slightly. “Of course. Do you want the finished supplements now?”
“Please,” Yukiko said. “Also, just so you are aware,” she said, slipping her medallion out of her kimono, “we’ll need the next set to be stronger.”
Both Alvis and Rhea’s eyes widened at the sight of seven sunflower yellow rings glowing on her medallion. They looked at Gregory and Jenn, who had also produced theirs.
“So fast…” Rhea whispered, her lips curling into a big smile. “If it became known they used your supplements…” She trailed off when she realized she’d spoken out loud.
Alvis had nodded at her words, then froze.
“I see… Maybe a deal could be arranged?” Hao smiled like a shark smelling blood. “Once the tournament is over and their strength is known, of course.”
Alvis looked torn— he knew Hao would push for all he could, but the potential profit of it being known that it was his supplements that’d helped three apprentices reach the seventh rank before the first apprentice tournament could be huge. “I look forward to speaking with you after the tournament,” Alvis finally said to Hao.
“As do I,” Hao chuckled.
“Rhea, go bring the supplies for them,” Alvis said. “We don’t want to delay our honored customers any more than we already have.”
“Yes, sir,” Rhea said, rushing into the back.
~*~*~
“Thank you. We won’t be long,” Gregory said.
“I’m interested in meeting the crafter,” Hao said. “Yu was very pleased with the bracelet you gave her.”
All five of them entered Rough Gem, and the receptionist straightened up. “Can I help you?”
“Gregory Pettit. I had some items commissioned,” Gregory said, moving to the front of the group.
“Oh, yes, sir,” the receptionist said. “Give me one moment, please.”
“I can’t wait to see what the mystery gift is,” Yukiko said from Gregory’s left.
“Me, neither,” Jenn said from his right.
A minute later, the receptionist returned with the crafter following them. He was holding three longish and flat boxes as he came to the counter.
“Ah, Pettit. A repeat customer is always good,” Blon Wesla, the owner, said with a large smile. “I have the pieces here.” He set the boxes on the counter in front of Gregory. “I do hope they are what you wanted.”
Both Jenn and Yukiko stirred beside him, their eyes focused on the boxes. Gregory, seeing their intent expressions, gave Blon a nod. “I’m sure these will be perfect, but I’m going to present them now.”
Blon smiled proudly as he stood there, waiting to see the reactions.
Gregory pulled the topmost box to him and opened it. The silver metal of the bracer gleamed, nearly identical to Yukiko’s bracelet in coloration. The shiny surface had the clan’s emblem engraved onto it. Smiling, he turned it over so the straps could be seen, but also so they could see the other surprise. Sunken into the back, on the opposite side from the flaming shield, were several gems. The gems formed a series of hearts, one set inside the next. In the center was a peridot, which was surrounded in turn by golden topaz, then bloodstone, and another peridot as the outermost stone.
“You both love me, as I do you, and you also love each other,” Gregory said softly. “This was the best way I could think of to represent it.”
“It’s lovely,” Jenn said with a trembling voice.
“I agree with our wife, dearest,” Yukiko said.
“Why a bracer?” Hao asked, looking on from a few feet away.
“Because we also need protection for ourselves, and to guard our hearts,” Gregory said. He pulled the bracer out of the box and turned to Yukiko. “May I?”
Yukiko pulled her kimono sleeve up for him, and Blon cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I thought you might not consider it, so I took the step of having these made for you.” He held out some cloth to Gregory.
Taking them, Gregory smiled. “I see. Thank you.” He pulled one of the three sleeves onto Yukiko’s arm before strapping the bracer over it.
“That’s much better than just bare metal. Thank you, sir,” she told Blon. She touched Gregory’s face and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “And thank you, dear one.”
“My heart…” Gregory murmured before turning to Jenn.
Jenn already had one of the cloth sleeves on her arm, and she gave him a smile. “If you would, please, dear one?”
“Gladly,” Gregory said, pulling a second bracer out and strapping it to her arm. “For our warrior.”
Jenn beamed as she flexed her arm, getting used to the feel of her new accessory.
Gregory turned to put his own on, only to have Yukiko take his arm. “We’ll handle this,” she told him.
Jenn and Yukiko got his on together, and he was smiling the entire time. When they finished, he kissed both of their cheeks. “Thank you.”
“I am always happy to see my work is appreciated,” Blon grinned, “moreso from champions of the academy tournaments.”
“My thanks,” Gregory told Blon. “I will return if I have more items that you can craft.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Blon said. “I wish you all a good day.”
As they left the shop, Yoo-jin examined the bracer on Yukiko’s arm. “They do good work. We should come back here before we leave the city.”
“Agreed,” Hao said. “A crafter who appreciates their customer’s reactions is one who values his work.”
