I watched as Reginald Talbot''s retreating figure disappeared into the crowd. His thinly veiled threat lingered in the air between us.


    "Don''t mind him," Evelyn said, waving dismissively. "Reginald has always had a ir for the dramatic."


    "You two have history," I observed, not phrasing it as a question.


    She sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Everyone in River North has history with the Talbots, one way or another. They''re unavoidable if you deal in herbs."


    Eamon cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should continue exploring the convention?"


    I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. The confrontation with Reginald had drawn unwanted attention, and I preferred to blend in rather than stand out.


    As we walked away, I couldn''t help noticing Evelyn''s lingering gaze on me. There was something calcting behind those friendly eyes.


    "Will you be attending the main event?" she asked, falling into step beside me.


    "What exactly is this main event?" I countered.


    "The unveiling of the Thousand-Year Ginseng," she replied. "It''s quite the spectacle. The Guild only reveals it once a year, and they never sell it. Just showing it off is enough to maintain their prestige."


    I considered this. "If it''s not for sale, why draw crowds to see it?"


    Evelyn smiled knowingly. "Power, Master Knight. In our world, rare herbs are power. The Guild reminds everyone annually that they possess what others can only dream of owning."


    Her words resonated with me. I had been thinking simr thoughtstely about my own resourcespared to those of figures like Dexter ckthorne. The disparity was stark, and I needed to close that gap quickly.


    "We''ll see," I told her. "For now, I''d like to explore what''s actually avable for purchase."


    Evelyn gave a small bow. "Then I''ll leave you to it. Perhaps we''ll meet again at the central pavilion." With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.


    "I don''t trust her," Eamon muttered once she was gone.


    "Nor do I," I agreed. "But she might be useful. Let''s focus on why we''re here."


    We spent the next hour exploring the convention''s offerings. I purchased several herbs that would be useful for refining pills, carefully noting prices and quality. The wealth of knowledge on disy was impressive, and I absorbed as much as I could.


    As we turned a corner, a small, unassuming stall caught my attention. Unlike the others with their vibrant disys, this one featured only a simple wooden counter with a ck cloth draped over it. On top sat what appeared to be thin strips of translucent material.


    "What''s this?" I asked the elderly man behind the counter.


    He looked up, his wrinkled face breaking into a smile that revealed several missing teeth. "Ah, a discerning eye! These, young master, are strips of Best Thin Armor."


    "Armor?" Eamon questioned, peering at the translucent material. "It looks like paper."


    "Not paper," the old man chuckled. "Special material, very rare. Stronger than steel, lighter than silk. One strip can stop an arrow or de."


    I picked up one of the strips. It was indeed incredibly light, almost weightless in my hand. "How does it work?"


    "ce on skin, it bonds temporarily. Creates invisible shield. Very good protection," he exined, miming the action of cing it on his arm.


    "May I test it?" I asked.


    The old man hesitated, then nodded. "Small test only, please. Valuable merchandise."


    I ced the strip on my forearm, where it seemed to melt into my skin, bingpletely invisible. I could feel a slight coolness where it had been applied. <b ss="ref-3ec15d">Uploaded by the *) team.</b>


    "Strike here," I told Eamon, pointing to the spot.


    Eamon looked uncertain but delivered a light chop with the side of his hand. The impact should have been enough to cause pain, but I felt almost nothing—just a dull pressure.


    "Impressive," I admitted, genuinely intrigued. "How much for a set?"


    "Fifty strips for twenty Fasting Pills," the old man replied.


    I nearly choked. Fasting Pills were valuable and difficult to refine. Twenty would take me considerable time and resources.


    "That''s quite steep," I said.


    The old man shrugged. "Best protection, best price. These save life when needed most."


    I considered my options. The armor would be invaluable, especially given the enemies I was making. But I couldn''t spare twenty Fasting Pills immediately.


    "I can offer you ten Fasting Pills now, and deliver the other ten in three days," I proposed.


    The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm. Ten now is good. But who guarantees other ten wille?"


    "My word," I replied firmly. "And I can leave coteral if you prefer."


    Before the old man could respond, a voice cut through our negotiation.


    "I''ll pay twenty-five Fasting Pills right now."


    I turned to see a young man approaching, dressed in expensive robes with an embroidered emblem I recognized from the central pavilion—the Celestial Apothecary Guild.


    "And who might you be?" I asked, keeping my voice level despite my annoyance at the interruption.


    The neer barely spared me a nce. "Jasper Monroe, Third Rank Alchemist of the Celestial Apothecary Guild." He addressed the old merchant directly. "I need this Best Thin Armor for guild research. Name your price."


    The old man''s eyes widened at the mention of the guild. "Ah, Young Master Monroe, this is honor! But this gentleman was first..."


    Jasper scoffed. "And offering payments in installments. I''m offering more, all at once."


    The old man looked ufortable, caught between two potential buyers. "Perhaps... gentlemen could bid?"


    I frowned. I couldn''t match twenty-five Fasting Pills immediately, and the young alchemist knew it. He was deliberately trying to price me out.


    "Actually," Jasper continued smoothly, "I don''t have Fasting Pills on me. But I do have this." He produced a small jade bottle. "A Recovery Pill, refined personally by Elder Greene of our guild. Worth at least thirty Fasting Pills."


    The old man gasped, his eyes fixed on the jade bottle. Recovery Pills were indeed rare and valuable, capable of healing serious injuries in minutes.


    I could see I was losing ground quickly. The Best Thin Armor would be invaluable to me, especially with threats like Reginald Talbot lurking. I needed to act.


    "Let me make another offer," I said firmly. "I''ll refine a Fasting Pill right here, right now. You can verify its quality before making your decision."


    A hush fell over the small crowd that had gathered around our negotiation. Refining pills wasn''t something done casually in public—it required skill, concentration, and usually a proper environment.


    Jasperughed. "You im you can refine a Fasting Pill here? In the middle of a market? Without proper equipment?"


    "Within one hour," I confirmed, meeting his gaze steadily.


    The old merchant''s eyes widened. "Young master is alchemist too?"


    "I have some skill," I replied modestly. In truth, with my inherited knowledge, I could indeed refine a Fasting Pill almost anywhere, though it would be taxing.


    Jasper''s face darkened. "Don''t be ridiculous. Proper pill refinement requires a controlled environment, specialized equipment, and hours of concentration. Even I wouldn''t attempt it here."


    "Then perhaps your skills are more limited than you think," I suggested calmly.


    The crowd murmured at my bold im. Challenging a guild alchemist publicly was either very brave or very foolish.


    Jasper''s expression twisted with anger. "You dare question my abilities? Do you even know what the Celestial Apothecary Guild represents in River North?"


    "I know that true skill speaks for itself," I replied. "I offer to demonstrate mine. Will you do the same?"


    The old merchant looked between us, clearly torn. "Young masters, please. No need for conflict."


    Jasperposed himself, forcing a cold smile. "Very well. Let''s see this miraculous pill refinement." He turned to the merchant. "Old man, I''ll give you my Recovery Pill now. This... amateur can attempt his refinement. When he fails—and he will fail—our deal stands."


    The old man hesitated, then looked at me. "And young master''s offer?"


    "If I sessfully refine a Fasting Pill within the hour, you sell me the Best Thin Armor for fifteen Fasting Pills total—the one I make now, plus fourteen to be delivered in three days."


    The merchant nodded slowly. "Fair terms."


    Jasper stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. "You''re either incredibly skilled or incredibly stupid. Which is it, I wonder?"


    I met his gaze without flinching. "You''ll find out soon enough."


    He held my stare for a moment longer, then scoffed. "Old man," he called to the merchant, "be ready to ept my Recovery Pill when this farce ends. I don''t have all day to watch amateurs embarrass themselves."


    The crowd around us had grown, sensing the tension ofpetition. I could hear whispers spreading—word of the challenge between an unknown visitor and a guild alchemist.


    I began gathering the herbs I would need, focused and methodical. This would be challenging, but not impossible. I had refined pills under far worse conditions during my training.


    Just as I wasying out my materials, Jasper stepped forward again, his face now a mask of contempt.


    "Before you waste everyone''s time," he announced loudly, "the crowd should know exactly who they''re watching." He pointed at the emblem on his robes. "I am Jasper Monroe, Third Rank Alchemist of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, personally trained by Elder Greene. My pills have saved countless lives across River North."


    He turned to face me directly. "And who exactly are you, iming such extraordinary abilities?"


    The crowd''s attention shifted to me, waiting for my response. I hadn''t intended to draw this much attention, but there was no backing down now.


    "My name is Liam Knight," I stated simply.


    "And your credentials? Your master? Your training?" Jasper pressed, clearly expecting me to have none.


    Before I could respond, the old merchant spoke up. "Perhaps we should let young masters'' skills speak for themselves?"


    Jasper wasn''t satisfied. "No, I insist. If this man ims he can refine a Fasting Pill in one hour, in the middle of a market, the crowd deserves to know his qualifications."


    I was about to speak when Jasper suddenlyughed, a realization dawning on his face.


    "Wait—Liam Knight? From Havenwood City?" His eyes widened with recognition. "I''ve heard of you. You''re that luckymoner who stumbled upon some ancient technique and now pretends to be a master. You have no formal training, no lineage, no real understanding of the arts you im to practice."


    The crowd murmured at this revtion. I kept my expression neutral, though his words stung with their partial truth. I had indeed "stumbled upon" my knowledge rather than earning it through traditional means.


    "My origins don''t matter," I replied evenly. "Only results do."


    "Origins are everything in our world," Jasper countered. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild has five hundred years of tradition, knowledge passed down through generations of master alchemists. You have what—a few months of practicing techniques you don''t even understand?"


    He turned to the merchant. "Old man, reconsider. Would you rather have a pill from a respected guild alchemist, or one from an untrained pretender?"


    The old man looked uncertain now, ncing between us.


    I remained calm, though inside I was seething. This wasn''t just about the Best Thin Armor anymore—it was about proving myself against the established powers that continued to look down on me.


    "Let me be clear," I said, addressing both the merchant and the crowd. "I may not have centuries of tradition behind me, but I will refine a Fasting Pill of the highest quality within the hour. Judge me by my work, not by my background."


    Jasper smirked. "Bold ims from someone with no standing. Old man, make your choice. My Recovery Pill from the Celestial Apothecary Guild, guaranteed effective and avable immediately—or this outsider''s promised miracle."


    The merchant hesitated, clearly conflicted. The crowd watched in tense silence, waiting to see which offer he would ept.