The interior of the Celestial Apothecary Guild was even more impressive than its exterior. Ancient pirs carved with medicinal herbs lined the hallways, and the air was thick with the fragrance of rare nts and minerals. Eamon''s eyes were wide with wonder as he tried to absorb every detail.


    "This ce is incredible," he whispered. "Some of these carvings must be thousands of years old."


    I nodded, equally impressed despite myself. The Guild''s reputation wasn''t exaggerated.


    A young attendant in emerald robes approached us with a courteous bow. "Master Knight, Fifth Elder has been informed of your arrival. Please follow me."


    As we walked deeper into theplex, I couldn''t help but notice the girl in the red dress walking ahead of us, escorted by another attendant. She carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew her worth.


    "Who is she?" I asked our guide quietly.


    "That''s Sofia Carrera," the attendant replied, keeping his voice low. "She''s from the Carrera Alchemist family of Verdant City. They''ve produced talented alchemists for generations. The Green Spirit Fire is their family''s legacy."


    Sofia disappeared around a corner, leaving us to continue our journey through thebyrinthine corridors.


    After several minutes, we arrived at an ornate door. The attendant knocked gently and announced our presence.


    "Enter," came a deep voice from within.


    The Fifth Elder''s study was a spacious room filled with books, scrolls, and various alchemical apparatus. Behind a massive jade desk sat a middle-aged man with silver streaks in his ck hair and prating eyes that seemed to evaluate my worth in an instant.


    "Liam Knight," he said, rising to greet me. "Your reputation precedes you. I''m Fifth Elder Leung."


    I bowed respectfully. "It''s an honor to meet you, Elder Leung."


    He gestured for us to sit in the chairs opposite his desk. "And this is?"


    "Eamon Greene, my chief physician at Jade Moon Vi," I introduced.


    Elder Leung nodded briefly at Eamon before focusing his attention back on me. "I understand you''re seeking membership in our Guild. An unusual request, given your already established reputation."


    His directness caught me off guard. "You seem well-informed about me."


    A small smile yed on his lips. "When someone of your talents expresses interest in joining our ranks, we take notice. Particrly when that someone has connections to the Ashworth family."


    I stiffened slightly. My rtionship with Isabelle wasn''t widely known outside Havenwood City.


    Seeing my reaction, Elder Leung chuckled. "Don''t look so surprised. Information is as valuable as any herb or elixir in our line of work."


    "Then you also know why I''m here," I said carefully.


    "You need resources and knowledge that only we can provide," he stated matter-of-factly. "And you''re running short on time, given your... uing engagement with young ckthorne."


    I nodded, impressed by his intelligencework. "Seven months isn''t much time to prepare."


    "Indeed." Elder Leung leaned back in his chair, studying me. "Normally, new members start as Apprentice Alchemists, regardless of their background. But your case is exceptional."


    He reached into a drawer and pulled out a jade token, sliding it across the desk to me. The token was inscribed with intricate patterns and the words "Master Pharmacist."


    "This grants you the rank of Master Pharmacist within the Guild," he exined. "It''s the highest rank below Elder status. You''ll have ess to most of our resources and knowledge bases."


    I picked up the token, feeling its weight. "This is... unexpectedly generous."


    "Not generous – practical," Elder Leung corrected. "Your talents would be wasted in lower positions. In fact, I intend to propose your elevation to Elder status at the next council meeting."


    Eamon gasped audibly. Even I couldn''t hide my surprise. Elder status typically took decades to achieve.


    "Why?" I asked bluntly.


    Elder Leung smiled. "Because talent like yours appears once in a generation. And because we need fresh blood among the Elders. Too many old men with old ideas."


    He stood, signaling the end of our meeting. "Join us in the Main Hall in an hour. We''re introducing new members today. Your friend can observe from the gallery."


    As we were escorted back to the entrance hall, Eamon could barely contain his excitement.


    "Master Pharmacist!" he whispered eagerly. "That''s unprecedented for a new member!"


    I nodded, still processing the implications. The position would grant me ess to resources I desperately needed, but it would also draw attention – not all of it wee.


    ---


    The Main Hall of the Celestial Apothecary Guild was packed with people when we arrived. Hopeful applicants crowded the floor while established members watched from elevated galleries. Elder Leung stood on a raised tform, alongside several other elders.


    "Wee," Elder Leung addressed the crowd. "Today marks the beginning of our annual recruitment. Before we begin the formal testing, I wish to introduce two special additions to our ranks."


    He gestured to his right. "First, Sofia Carrera of the Carrera Alchemist family. She has demonstrated remarkable talent with her Green Spirit Fire and will join us as an Ordinary Alchemist."


    Sofia stepped forward, her red dress vibrant against the green robes of the Guild members. She bowed gracefully, but I could see disappointment in her eyes at the rank she''d been assigned.


    "Second," Elder Leung continued, "I am pleased to announce that Liam Knight will be joining us directly as a Master Pharmacist."


    A murmur ran through the crowd as I stepped forward. Many faces showed surprise, confusion, or outright disapproval.


    Sofia''s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing as she stared at me. "Master Pharmacist?" she eximed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "On what grounds?"


    Elder Leung frowned at the interruption. "Miss Carrera, it is not customary to question the Council''s decisions."


    "With all due respect, Elder," Sofia persisted, stepping forward, "I demonstrated my Green Spirit Fire – a rare achievement that took years of cultivation. Yet I''m granted Ordinary Alchemist status while he" – she pointed at me – "receives Master Pharmacist without demonstrating any qualification?"


    The crowd grew restless. I could feel dozens of eyes on me, evaluating, judging.


    Elder Leung''s expression darkened. "Master Knight''s qualifications are well-established."


    "Are they?" Sofia challenged. "Or is it his connection to the Ashworth family that earned him this position?"


    The usation hung in the air. I realized I needed to respond – not just for my sake, but to preserve Elder Leung''s authority as well.


    I stepped forward, my eyes locked with Sofia''s. "You question my qualifications," I stated calmly. "That''s your right. But you''re wrong about one thing." <small ss="story-note-vis">Thе аuthеntiс vеrsiоn is оn М|V|LЕМРY_R.</small>


    "And what''s that?" she demanded.


    "Your Green Spirit Fire is impressive," I acknowledged. "But it doesn''tpare to mine."


    Sofiaughed mockingly. "You''re iming to possess Spirit Fire? Prove it."


    The hall fell silent as everyone watched our exchange. I extended my hand, palm up, and focused my energy.


    "I can do more than prove it," I said confidently. "I can show you why Elder Leung granted me the position."


    Sofia crossed her arms. "And why is that?"


    I smiled as energy gathered in my palm. "Because... I have the Blue Spirit Fire."


    A brilliant blue me burst to life above my hand, casting an ethereal light throughout the hall. The blue fire danced and swirled, more vibrant and powerful than Sofia''s green me had been.


    Gasps echoed throughout the hall. Even Elder Leung''s eyes widened in surprise – he''d taken a chance on me based on reputation alone, not knowing I possessed this rare ability.


    Sofia''s face paled as she stared at my blue me, her confident demeanor crumbling before the undeniable evidence of my superior talent.