Earth's Greatest Magus

"Even if I agree, the young man can't have his body tempered right now. We are sort of fully booked at the moment, all the cauldrons are being used," said the dwarf master in a dry tone. But in Emery's eyes, it was as if the former was sorry that he couldn't meet Klea's expectations.

Still not willing to give up, Klea tried to change the direction she approached the matter. "Well, of course not right now, master. I mean, I am sure a great facility like yours is always full all year round."

She then chuckled, before suddenly turning serious saying, "Maybe… later on today..? I'm sure that you, the master of this facility, have full say in whose turn it is to be tempered.."

Klea's words seemed half effective this time as a contemplation look appeared on Master Dulin's face. Alas, while the dwarf master was still considering the matter, the girl already expressed her gratitude and said, "Since it's settled, maybe we can start by checking Emery's condition first.. There is no point if he can't be helped ..do you agree master?"

Dazed by the Egyptian Queen's unrelenting efforts, the dwarf master could only absentmindedly nod his head. "..Er, yes of course."

The dwarf master then called for one of his staff and quickly installed the equipment needed for a full, comprehensive check-up that would inspect every nook and cranny of one's body from top to bottom.

Under Klea's persuasive eyes and encouragement, Emery stepped onto the equipment and waited while the machine did its job. Before long, a list of information about his physique appeared on the translucent screen in front of him.

[Skin - 75% - good]

[Flesh - 76% - good]

[Muscle - 83% - superior]

[Organs - 81% - superior]

[Veins - 80% - superior]

The dwarf master opened his mouth when he saw the data. "There has actually been an average increase of five percent since your last check-up."

Emery explained that the most likely thing that caused this to happen was when his bloodline was upgraded. On the other hand, the dwarf master found the changes amusing but he didn't elaborate further.

Now that the results of Emery's body examination were out, it was time for important news.

Unfortunately for Emery, Master Dulin believed that his physique was already at the peak of its physical condition. The dwarf master reasoned that even with a month's worth of upgrade, he would at most experience another average increase of five percent across the board.

Before Emery could answer, Klea said.

"We'll take it!"

Taking no notice of Emery's stunned gaze, Klea swiftly helped make a suitable schedule for him to undergo the tempering. A week every month until the end of the academy year – that would put Emery's physique to its maximum physical tempering.

Then, they were presented with a list of types of tempering, with a corresponding price tag.

[Elemental Body Tempering - 2.000 contribution points]

[Alchemical Body Tempering - 5.000 contribution points]

[Heavenly Body Tempering - 10.000 contribution points]

Once again, Klea beat Emery from speaking. "Only the best for Emery – the Heavenly Body one!" She said excitedly.

"Very well," said Master Dulin dryly. "For 7 days, That will be 70,000 contribution points."

"Of course, master." Emery was ready to pay with spirit stones when Klea once again opened her mouth.

"Master…" the dwarf master turned his head hearing her voice. "There must be a privileged acolyte discount, right?"

"Ah, yes.. It's a ten percent discount.. No, I mean twenty…"

"What about an employee discount..? I mean, he's currently working for you, master."

"Ahh, of course… that will be … er …thirty percent."

"That's great, master!" replied Klea cheerfully. "But… isn't Emery your brother's disciple? That makes you his respectable master too."

Turning his face away from her, the dwarf master raised his hand. "Forty.. Forty is the maximum… can't go any higher."

Worried that the girl would be able to think of something else, Master Dulin went ahead and quickly prepared everything, ensuring a cauldron was open for Emery's tempering procedure. Though beforehand, he made sure to tell Emery to sign a contract that stated the facility won't be held accountable for anything that happened to Emery post-procedure.

Thanks to the dwarf master's efforts, Emery was able to enter a body-tempering cauldron that day, and would stay for seven days there.

Seeing that he was already in the procedure, Master Dulin heaved a sigh of relief thinking that it was finally all over. Unfortunately for the dwarf master, the girl's smile clearly meant she wasn't done yet.

"Master… What about me..? I really like to be the subject of your greatness too…"

In response, the dwarf master said, "Actually, this facility is only for privileged acolytes or esteemed magus, so I'm afraid…"

Upon hearing that, Klea's expression suddenly turned to that of great sorrow. "..Is that so? I understand, master… I thought you are the master of this facility.. But… I understand…" The faint sound of sobbing could be heard from her.

Sweating bullets, the dwarf master seemed to fall into contemplation. "Er… Yes.. I am the master.. I guess, yeah. Because you're helping to obtain those precious ingredients for me, I think I could make an exception."

Seeing the dwarf being played under Klea's hands, Magus Shena excused herself and left the workshop. As soon as the workshop doors closed and she was in the distance, loud boisterous laughter resounded down the long hallway.

With this, both Emery and Klea spent their next 7 days tempering their body inside the boiling cauldron. Their bodies were both submerged in black liquid – the dwarf master's secret blend of ingredients, and tempered by the cauldron heat and the medicinal properties.

The process was certainly not a relaxing hot bath. To refine the body, one needed to endure the excruciating pain caused by the skin and muscles being strengthened. It was an entire seven days of hellish experience, but each day Emery was comforted from his pain with notifications popping up.

[Battle power increased by one]

Even though it was indeed as the dwarf master said, that tempering didn't give Emery as much benefit as the first time around, every added battle power point was still very beneficial to him. Hence he persevered.

When the seven days period finally passed, the two of them examined their physique together.

[Emery Ambrose]

[Battle power: 250 (256)]

[Skin - 75%(77%) - good]

[Flesh - 76% (79%) - good]

[Muscle - 83%(84%) - superior]

[Organs - 81% (83%  )- superior]

[Veins - 80% (81%) - superior]

****

[Kleopatra]

[Battle power: 70 (92)]

[Skin - 42%(58%) - average]

[Flesh - 36% (55%) - average]

[Muscle - 41%(59%) - average]

[Organs - 43% (63%) - average]

[Veins - 40% (62%) - average]

When Klea came out of her cauldron, the girl's skin glistened beautifully under the light. She had received a total of thirty percent improvement in her overall physical quality, and so it was not surprising that the girl felt much stronger than before.

"Thank you, Master Dulin," said Klea sincerely. In fact, she was so happy that she hugged the dwarf master and gave a kiss on the latter's forehead.

Now that their business was over, the couple walked out of the tempering facility with renewed vigor and made their way back to the spirit cave.

When they arrived, Emery was confused to see Klea suddenly giggling by herself.

"What's wrong, Klea?" He asked worriedly.

Not immediately answering, the girl took out a bottle of liquid, and as she gave it to Emery, saying, "This is the main reason I get myself a tempering as well."

When Emery opened the bottle and smelled the liquid inside, he quickly realized what it was. He looked at the girl with a surprised look, which made the girl giggle once more. The liquid was actually Master Dulin's Heavenly Body Tempering potion.

Turning his eyes, Emery looked at the girl's cheeky smile with a mixed feeling.