The Herb King

In the Singler Household's mansion, Jade Kristine was cleaning her cauldron after a tiresome refining process. She has been practicing to refine 4th-Grade Pills, but her success rate still hasn't reached the standard of a Level 4 Alchemist. She could summon her Golden Pill Fire, but she couldn't even refine 4th-Grade Pills. "This is more difficult than I thought..." She muttered.

She already possessed the requirements to become a Level 4 Alchemist, but her refining skill is still not there yet.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Madam, Sir Aethelwolf and Sir Johann are here. They are waiting for your downstairs." A servant reported to her.

Jade Kristine furrowed her eyebrows when she heard this. "Tell them that I will be there." She said.

'Why did Sir Aethelwolf bring that old man here?' She thought to herself as she stepped out of her room. Aethelwolf promised him that he won't tell anyone about her secret so he must have his reasons for bringing Johann to their mansion.

She saw them in the guest hall drinking tea.

"Sir Aethelwolf, Sir Johann, what brings you two here?" Jade Kristine smiled as she greeted them, but then she noticed that there was actually a small kid hiding behind Aethelwolf's seat. She had a crimson red hair with a pair of big adorable eyes. 'Who is this child?' She wondered.

"Miss Jade, I believe we should speak in a more private space." Aethelwolf said as he put down the teacup he was holding.

Hearing this, Jade Kristine's eyes turned serious. "Follow me to my study."

She then brought them to her study and told the servants not to disturb them.

"Please take your seats first."

Aethelwolf took out the learning material he had prepared for Jade and handed it to her. "I smell the scent of medicinal herbs on you. You tried to refine a 4th-Grade Pill, but it ended as a failure. The information inside that paper can help you increase your success rate."

Jade Kristine's eyes widened upon hearing this and she immediately turned her gaze to the learning material and began reading it. The more she read the more shocked she was. "This is..."

"A simple gift for my student." Aethelwolf chuckled. He then added. "I brought Johann with me since he is also my Alchemy student. My schedule is packed this week so I couldn't teach you guys separately."

"Sir Johann is also your student?" Jade Kristine stared at him in shock. Johann was an individual that wasn't tied to any major force. He is a hermit who has declined the invitation of many powerful forces, but here he was, obediently sitting beside Aethelwolf.

"I never thought that Miss Jade is actually a student of Sir Aethelwolf. When he said that he was teaching another peak Level 3 Alchemist, I thought it was someone else." Johann laughed gently.

"Don't underestimate her, Sir Johann. Although Miss Jade still can't proficiently refine 4th-Grade Pills, she can already summon her golden Pill Fire. It wouldn't be long before she would reach the standard of a Level 4 Alchemist." Aethelwolf's words made Johann gasp in shock.

"Anyway, let's not waste more time. I came here to teach you two about the concepts of being a skilled Level 4 Alchemist. Listen closely since I won't repeat what I will say." Aethelwolf's expression suddenly turned serious as he started his lesson.

Jade Kristine and Johann adjusted their sitting posture as they listened attentively. The words that came out of Aethelwolf's mouth were very valuable to them and they couldn't afford to miss out on anything he says.

Meanwhile, Olivia could no longer fight the sleepiness and she ended up falling asleep on the sofa.

Aethelwolf smiled as he looked at her resting face. He then covered her body with a warm blanket.

"Sir Aethelwolf, who is that child?" Jade Kristine asked while looking at Olivia.

"My adopted daughter, Olivia." He answered as he gently rubbed her small head. He then turned his gaze toward Jade and Johann. "Continue reading your learning materials. I will ask you some questions later so you both better be prepared."

***

In the distant Dustin Empire, the Dustin Imperial Family secretly received a guest from the Ford Empire.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." A middle-aged man dressed in dark purple clothes cupped his fists at Emperor Erwin Dustin who was seated on his throne.

"To think that Ludwig Ford would actually send you here to deliver a message. Tell me, what does he have for me?" Emperor Erwin smiled at the middle-aged man.

"The elite soldiers we sent have failed on their mission. We can only abandon our initial plan. His Majesty, Emperor Ludwig, needs the help of the Dustin Empire to launch an attack on Vale City. It is the shortest passage that would lead us to Lion City. Our Ford Empire is willing to send 200,000 soldiers to lead the siege. I will also be there to personally lead the soldiers in battle!" The middle-aged man said with a calm look on his face. This guy is the Grand General of the Ford Empire, Lexter Ford. He is a peak stage Level 4 Esper who has absolute control of the Ford Empire's military strength!

Emperor Erwin revealed a look of interest when he heard Lexter's words. From the looks of it, the Ford Empire has already lost their patience and decided to brandish their claws! "The Ford Empire wants to take control of Vale City? That will be difficult. An army of that size would be noticed once you pass by Barden City." Emperor Erwin didn't want to send his soldiers on this foolish endeavor.

Lexter let out a smile as he said. "That's our goal. We want them to discover us and force them to send reinforcements to Vale City. Once that happens, Lion City will be left defenseless..."

Emperor Erwin's eyes widened. "You want our Dustin Empire to attack the defenseless Lion City? But wouldn't you lose a lot of soldiers for this?"

Lexter chuckled as he answered. "We only want the family heirloom of the Leone Imperial Family and your Dustin Empire can take anything that you find in Lion City!"

Hearing this Emperor Erwin was silent for a moment before he muttered. "Interesting..."