I stood at the stall, my hands throbbing with searing pain from refining the Breakthrough Pill without proper tools. The blisters were forming rapidly, but I kept my expression neutral. I wouldn''t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me wince.


    "Here''s the Best Thin Armor, as promised," the old merchant said, presenting me with the package.


    I reached out with my injured hands to ept it when a voice cut through the crowd.


    "Wait!"


    A thin man with a pointed beard pushed through the gathered spectators. He wore the dark blue robes of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, with a silver emblem pinned to his chest indicating his rank.


    "I''m Alchemist Finn from the Celestial Apothecary Guild," he announced loudly. "I couldn''t help but notice this... unusual transaction."


    The merchant hesitated, the armor still in his hands. "This gentleman has fulfilled his end of the bargain."


    Finn''s eyes narrowed as he looked at the pills resting on a cloth before the merchant. Without asking permission, he picked one up, turning it in the sunlight.


    "May I?" he asked, though he was already examining it.


    I clenched my jaw. Something about this man''s demeanor set my nerves on edge.


    After a moment of inspection, Finn scoffed dramatically. "This is no true Breakthrough Pill."


    "What?" I stepped forward, my voice dangerously low.


    "The color is wrong. The texture is inconsistent. And the energy signature..." He paused for effect. "Completely insufficient. This would likely cause internal damage to anyone foolish enough to consume it."


    The crowd began to murmur. I saw doubt creeping into the merchant''s eyes.


    "That''s a lie," I stated tly. "I''ve refined dozens of Breakthrough Pills. This one is perfect." <cite ss="story-note-vis">Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М|V|L0ЕМРYR) hоsts thе оriginаl.</cite>


    Finn turned to the merchant. "Sir, I advise against this trade. As a certified alchemist of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, I cannot in good conscience allow you to ept counterfeit goods."


    The old merchant looked torn. He nced from the pill to me, then to Finn''s guild emblem.


    "How convenient that you arrived just as we''repleting the transaction," I said, my suspicion growing. "And how interested you seem in this particr armor."


    Finn''s face flushed slightly. "I''m simply doing my duty as a guild alchemist."


    "You''re lying," I said tly. "That pill is genuine. The color and texture are precisely what they should be."


    "And you know better than a certified alchemist?" Finnughed, turning to y to the crowd. "This man used his bare hands instead of proper tools! No real alchemist would resort to such barbarity."


    I took a step closer to him. "A real alchemist adapts when necessary. But I suppose you wouldn''t know anything about that, hiding behind your guild''s name while dishonoring everything it stands for."


    Finn''s face darkened. "How dare you question my integrity! The Celestial Apothecary Guild has maintained standards for centuries!"


    "Then perhaps they should reconsider who they admit to their ranks," I shot back.


    The merchant cleared his throat ufortably. "I''m sorry, but... I must trust the guild''s assessment. They''ve never led me astray before."


    My heart sank. The armor was slipping away, not because I''d failed, but because of this man''s deceit.


    "You saw me create that pill," I reminded the merchant. "You witnessed the entire process."


    "Yes, but..." The merchant looked apologetically at me. "I''m no alchemist. I can''t verify its quality against the word of a guild member."


    Finn smiled smugly. "A wise decision."


    I red at him, seeing through his game. "Let me guess. You''ll offer to buy the armor yourself once I leave."


    His smirk faltered momentarily, confirming my suspicion.


    "Here," the merchant said, handing the pill back to me. "I respect the effort you made, truly. But I cannot risk my reputation on uncertain goods."


    I epted the pill back, my burned hands screaming in protest at the contact. All that pain, for nothing.


    "Thank you for your honesty," Finn told the merchant, already eyeing the armor covetously.


    I was about to turn away when another voice cut through the crowd.


    "What seems to be the problem here?"


    The crowd parted to reveal an elderly man with a long white beard and elegant robes bearing the gold emblem of the Celestial Apothecary Guild. Three golden stripes adorned his sleeve – the mark of an Elder.


    Finn''s face drained of color. "Elder Foster! I didn''t expect to see you at the market today."


    Elder Foster''s wise eyes took in the scene. "I was passing by when I felt an unusual spiritual energy. Quite powerful." His gaze settled on me. "From your direction, young man."


    I stood silently, unsure whether this new arrival would help or hinder me.


    "I was just exining to this merchant that this pill is counterfeit," Finn exined quickly. "As a junior alchemist, I felt it my duty to—"


    "Let me see this pill," Elder Foster interrupted, extending his hand.


    The merchant hesitantly offered the pill. Elder Foster held it up, his aged eyes narrowing in concentration.


    "Young man," he addressed me directly. "Did you craft this pill?"


    "Yes," I answered.


    "With your bare hands? No tools or vessel?"


    "My pot broke during refinement. I had no choice."


    Elder Foster raised an eyebrow. "No choice? Or perhaps... a deliberate test of your abilities?"


    I stayed silent, unwilling to reveal too much.


    "Elder Foster," Finn interjected nervously. "I''ve already determined this pill to be substandard. The energy signature alone—"


    "Silence," the Eldermanded without raising his voice. The authority in his tone was unmistakable.


    Finn''s mouth snapped shut.


    Elder Foster closed his eyes, holding the pill between weathered fingers. A gentle golden light emanated from his palm, enveloping the pill. The crowd watched in awed silence as the Elder conducted his examination.


    Minutes passed. My heart pounded. If this Elder confirmed Finn''s assessment, I''d be humiliated publicly, and my reputation as an alchemist would be destroyed before it even began.


    The golden light faded, and Elder Foster opened his eyes. His expression was unreadable as he looked at me.


    "Young man," he began, his voice grave.


    My stomach sank. Here came the condemnation.


    "What is your name?" he asked.


    "Liam Knight."


    Elder Foster nodded slowly, then turned to address the crowd. His next words shocked everyone present.


    "This pill," he dered loudly, "is not only genuine but exceptional! The integration of spiritual energies is seamless. The medicinal properties are perfectly bnced. And the purity..." He shook his head in apparent amazement. "Remarkable."


    Finn''s mouth fell open. "But Elder, I clearly felt—"


    "What you felt, Junior Alchemist Finn, was your own inadequacy," Elder Foster cut him off sharply. "You either deliberately lied or are woefully ipetent. Neither reflects well on our guild."


    The crowd began murmuring excitedly. The merchant looked stunned.


    "Not only is it a Breakthrough Pill," Elder Foster continued, holding the pill up for all to see, "but it''s also an extremely sessful Breakthrough Pill! With such skill, even within the entire Celestial Apothecary Guild, there wouldn''t be many who could surpass you!"


    I stood frozen, watching as my fortunes reversed dramatically in a matter of moments.


    "The method used—refinement by bare hands—is ancient and nearly lost to us," Elder Foster exined to the crowd. "It requires exceptional control, immense spiritual energy, and a willingness to endure great pain. Only the most talented alchemists in history have attempted it."


    He turned back to me. "Young man, your hands..."


    I reluctantly showed my blistered palms. Elder Foster winced sympathetically.


    "A steep price for your craft. But the results..." He turned to the merchant. "Sir, this young man has created something worth far more than your armor. I would advise you to honor your agreement with him."


    The merchant bowed deeply. "Of course, Elder. Right away." He quickly gathered the Best Thin Armor and presented it to me with newfound respect.


    I epted it with a nod, relief washing over me.


    "As for you," Elder Foster turned to Finn, whose face had gone ashen, "report to Guild Headquarters immediately. We will discuss your conduct in private."


    "Yes, Elder," Finn mumbled, shooting me a venomous look before slinking away.


    Elder Foster watched him go, then turned back to me. "Liam Knight, was it? I don''t recall seeing you at any guild functions."


    "I''m not a member," I admitted.


    "Yet you possess skills that many of our senior alchemists would envy." He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Interesting. Very interesting."


    The crowd began to disperse now that the drama had concluded, but Elder Foster remained.


    "Those hands need treatment," he observed. "I have some salve that will expedite the healing."


    "Thank you, but I''ll manage," I replied cautiously.


    Elder Foster smiled knowingly. "Still cautious, even after I''ve defended you? Wise. Trust should be earned." He reached into his robes and produced a small jade bottle. "Nevertheless, I insist. Consider it professional courtesy from one alchemist to another."


    I hesitated, then epted the bottle. "Thank you."


    "I would very much like to continue our conversation," Elder Foster said. "Perhaps you might visit our guild hall tomorrow? I believe we could learn much from each other."


    I considered his offer. An alliance with someone of Elder Foster''s stature could be valuable, but I''d learned to be wary of powerful organizations and their agendas.


    "I''ll consider it," I replied nomittally.


    Elder Foster nodded, seemingly satisfied with my caution. "Very well. Should you decide toe, ask for me by name." He bowed slightly. "Until then, Alchemist Knight."


    As Elder Foster walked away, I looked down at the Best Thin Armor in my hands and the jade bottle of salve. What had started as a simple transaction had opened unexpected doors. The Celestial Apothecary Guild was one of the most powerful organizations in Havenwood City, with connections stretching to Veridia City itself.


    I carefully applied some of the salve to my burns, feeling immediate relief as the cool substance soothed my damaged skin. Elder Foster''s recognition could be useful, but it also meant more attention—something I typically tried to avoid.


    Still, I couldn''t help feeling a surge of satisfaction. Finn''s attempt to cheat me had backfired spectacrly, and instead of walking away empty-handed, I''d gained not only the armor I needed but also the respect of a guild Elder.


    As I packed away my newly acquired armor, I considered Elder Foster''s invitation. The Celestial Apothecary Guild held centuries of alchemical knowledge that could elerate my progress. But joining any organization meant entanglements, obligations, expectations.


    Was it worth the risk? Only time would tell.


    For now, I had what I came for—and a decision to make about tomorrow.