Chapter 55: Chapter 055
"What does it cost to become a Beyonder?" asked Bradford.
"Well, the average price of a Sequence 9 formula as far as I am aware is 200 pounds. The ingredients for the Sequence 9 potion can cost up to 400 pounds. So you need at least 600 pounds to get started if you try to start by yourself" said Alvin.
"600 pounds is not that unaffordable" said Bradford.
"Well, the price nearly doubles as you go up. And the ingredients become much rarer" said Alvin.
"How come you do not have many potions formulas, Mr Hans? Bradford tells me that you have sufficient wealth with you. If formulas are only worth 200 pounds, wouldn't it be easy for you to purchase some?" asked Audrey.
"Well, the sale of the formula is not the issue. Anyone can sell it. What matters is its genuineness. What if the potion formula you were sold was incomplete or straight-up wrong? Hence, unless it is a trusted seller, or there is a just arbitrator who can not only identify the genuineness of the formula but also has the trust of the buyer that he wasn't in collusion with the seller, there will be no sale of formulas. I only managed to get the Hunter and Warrior formulas because they were being sold in a gathering hosted by a reputed and knowledgeable man" said Alvin.
"So is there no hope of us finding our required formulas in the near future?" asked Audrey sadly.
"Nothing is impossible Miss Hall. Perhaps the next gathering I manage to attend may have some seller and arbitrator who meets the criteria. One can never know. I will certainly keep my eye out for the appearance of the Spectator and Apothecary formulas. But most of my contacts are back in Enmat Harbour and the surrounding areas, where I won't be returning in the near future, and I don't know many Beyonders or their circles in Backlund. So I would suggest you keep an eye out for local Beyonders, who would probably know the local gatherings, and trusted places to get the required formulas" advised Alvin.
"How do the potions work? After you drank the Hunter potion did you become an expert Hunter? If I consume the Apothecary potion, will I become an Apothecary who knows how to make medicine along with readymade formulas?" asked Bradford.
"No. The potion just gives you amazing qualifications in the field, other than whatever direct enhancements they give. If you consume the Apothecary potion, you won't become a qualified Apothecary straight away, nor will you know any medicine formulas. The only thing that potion will give you is physical enhancements, like touch, taste, and sense of smell that will allow you to distinguish materials better, and the ability to quickly pick up the properties and uses of a variety of materials even without training. You will not learn any formulas automatically, but if there is a pre-existing formula, if you study it, you can identify the function and role of each step and ingredient in that formula, and thus improve it by adding or removing ingredients and steps, and thus are capable of creating your own formulas. You won't become a master Apothecary overnight, but you can pick up all the skills a regular person would need years to comprehend in a matter of weeks if you take the potion" said Alvin.
"So do you think I should collect books and formulas right now, so that I can become qualified as soon as possible after I become an Apothecary?" asked Bradford.
"Yes. And while you are at it, start learning and practising a bit too. I was able to quickly master all my abilities and improve upon them, because I enjoyed hunting long before I took the potion and was already well versed in it" said Alvin.
"What should I do to prepare to become a Spectator?" asked Audrey.
"Well, I would say learn to remain calm when there are stressful situations around you, watching and observing others, reading a few books on psychology, body language and facial cues. I don't know too much about the Sequence to advise you more than that" said Alvin.
"Is the Beyonder world dangerous?" asked Audrey.
"It has its own flaws. There is plenty of misfortune that comes with being a Beyonder, but it is better to understand and dispel those rather than depend on other Beyonders to do the same" said Alvin.
Bradford and Audrey kept asking Alvin a few more questions, which Alvin answer as he felt appropriate. Then, the sound of a bell was heard in the distance, which indicated that it was midday.
"Well then, I should be leaving now. Pleased to meet you Miss Hall" said Alvin curtsying.
"Of course. And you can call me Audrey" she said returning the curtsy.
"Bradford knows my current address. If you have any matters to consult me on, whether it is for the care of this squirrel or about Beyonders, I would be more than pleased to answer if you write to me" said Alvin.
He then bade farewell to Bradford too, as he left the manor.
After re disguising himself as Alvin Jonas, he came back to the bar and sat down on the counter. As he was sitting, he spotted a familiar figure walking into the bar.
"Miss Derecha! My humble bar is lit up by your presence. So what can I do for you?" asked Alvin as soon as he spotted her.
Xio walked up to the counter, leaned in closer, and said, "I have a commission"
"Sure, tell me about it" said Alvin.
"A person is refusing to abide by the terms of an oral contract. But I can't catch him, he is too slippery. So I want to you to help me catch him" said Xio.
"Actually, I was responsible for arbitration between the two people. I want to beat him till he agrees to fulfil the terms of the contract. He is a perty thief with a lot of money as far as I know. Whatever he has on him is yours as the reward" she continued.
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