A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 175: A Family of Madness - II

The Alchemy Association, an autonomous and independent organization of sorcerers, is more loosely structured than the Etheric Academy and the Tower of Babel, with fewer members, yet it holds a pivotal position within the empire's sorcerer system.

Firstly, most extraordinary artifacts are produced by alchemists, and most extraordinary materials can only be successfully processed by them. Secondly, among all the branches of sorcerers, alchemists are… the most powerful.

Ansel was unsure where the stereotype of alchemists in games and entertainment of that world, who only tinker with tools in their workshops and have weak combat abilities, originated from.

However, in this world, the power of alchemists is unquestionable.

Alchemy is creation, and creation is one of the most complex and difficult tasks in this world.

Alchemists possess an absolute mastery of the ether, a profound understanding of various essences, the most complete and perfect equipment, and even an inexhaustible reserve of etheric crystals. Under the same stage, it is almost impossible for an alchemist to lose to other sorcerers.

This is true in combat, but what about other fields?

The casting mediums that can enhance the effects of sorcerers' spells, all kinds of wonderful and precious extraordinary artifacts, materials that must be specially processed during casting or research... No sorcerer would be foolish enough to offend an alchemist, just as every sorcerer aspires to become an alchemist.

At this moment, these elites who stand at the top of the sorcerer field, who all sorcerers must respect and even treat carefully for fear of offending, are now like waiters in a restaurant, surrounding a distinguished guest who has come to the Alchemy Association. Their obsequious and eager-to-please demeanor is even more humble and pleasing than that of a waiter.

"Lord Ansel, I have ten teeth of a lava dragon here—"

"Lord Ansel! I dug out something from the ruins of the previous dynasty last month—"

In the Alchemy Association, these frenzied alchemists surrounded Ansel in layers, and Seraphina was stunned by this exaggerated spectacle, looking blankly at these sorcerers who were frantically trying to give Ansel this and that.

Fortunately, the surging crowd hadn't surrounded him for long before someone helped Ansel break free.

"Disperse."

A solemn voice with an echoing effect reverberated in the spacious and luxurious hall of the Alchemy Association. All the alchemists surrounding Ansel froze in place, then involuntarily cleared a path for Ansel.

The young Hydral looked up, and an elderly man with white hair and a kind face was waving at him from the second floor.

"Lord Parla, long time no see."

Ansel greeted the old man with a smile, "Your Linguistic Charm technique is becoming more and more refined."

"Just a mediocre trick."

Parla Selceus, the current president of the Alchemy Association, one of the nine highest seats in the Etheric Academy, and even these two identities combined are not as heavyweight as his identity—

Flamelle's extremely rare... true student in the field of alchemy.

"But you, Ansel," the old man laughed and stroked his white beard, "When we all couldn't guess who you would choose as your pact head, you found a genius in the North who could bear the power of two pact heads."

He looked at the young man downstairs with a gentle smile and an approachable demeanor, and couldn't help but sigh softly, "Just two pact heads... and you've become so strong."

Only a true powerhouse could see the changes in Ansel.

That was the aura of a demon born in the abyss gradually awakening, the intimidation of that unparalleled power being somewhat replenished... Otherwise, Evora wouldn't have been so thrilled at Ansel's return, and the words Soren said to Ansel at the time were not a joke.

Of course, these powerhouses respected Ansel. From the moment Ansel was born, they maintained a certain degree of awe.

But this awe came from the identity of Hydral, and now the awe... has begun to lean towards the power Ansel himself possesses.

"Come up first."

In front of Ansel, a series of steps appeared out of thin air, directly building a path to the second floor for Ansel. The old man said kindly, "I can't let the teacher know that I've neglected you."

Ansel nodded slightly, then stepped onto the stairs floating in mid-air. At the same time, he turned his head to look at the girl who was looking left and right at the stairs, seemingly worried about their stability, and reached out to her with a light laugh.

Seraphina's cheeks flushed slightly, but she extended her hand to Ansel without any hesitation. The moment their palms touched, she immediately tightened her grip on Ansel's hand, and the chaotic thoughts in her heart vanished instantly.

Parla looked at Seraphina's slightly reddened face and Ansel's genuine smile and gentleness, first surprised to the point of being stunned for a full two seconds, then a benevolent smile appeared on his aged and kind face.

He watched the young boy and girl, hand in hand, step by step up the stairs, seemingly seeing a similar yet different scene in his eyes.

"I came to visit without notice, I hope you won't blame my audacity."

"Audacity?"

The old man chuckled, "There are countless people in the Alchemy Association who are hoping for your audacity, just look at them—"

His scepter pointed to a group of alchemists in the hall on the first floor, who were eagerly looking up at Ansel, and he said somewhat unhappily, "They are all hoping to get to know the teacher and rise to the top in one step, the young people of today..."

The old man shook his head, "They don't focus on the right path, they just think about taking shortcuts all day, speaking of which, Ansel."

"Hmm?"

Parla suddenly changed the subject, saying seriously, "When will the teacher come back? As his student, I think it's very necessary to visit as soon as possible."

Seraphina looked at the kind old man in utter shock, seemingly amazed at how thick the old man's face could be, while Ansel just smiled, "Soon, a week to half a month, he should be back."

"That's good... there's plenty of time, I can also prepare a gift well."

The old man who said this, first looked at Ansel, then glanced at Seraphina without revealing anything.

-->