I stood at the window of my room, watching the sun climb over Havenwood City. The jade pendant from Michael Ashworth hung around my neck, a constant reminder of my purpose. Six months until Isabelle''s wedding to Dashiell ckthorne. Six months to transform myself from a recovering invalid into someone powerful enough to challenge the Ashworth and ckthorne families.


    Time was slipping through my fingers like sand.


    "I need to get stronger," I muttered, clenching my fists. "Much stronger, and quickly."


    My wounds from the battle at Verdant City were healing well, but physical recovery wasn''t enough. I needed power—the kind that would make even the Ashworths think twice before standing in my way.


    I dressed quickly and headed for the Celestial Apothecary Guild headquarters. The Pavilion Master was my best chance at elerating my growth. She had resources, knowledge, and influence I desperately needed.


    The main hall of the Guild was bustling with activity when I arrived. Apprentices scurried about with herbs and elixirs while senior alchemists supervised their work. I ignored the curious nces thrown my way as I approached a young woman at the reception desk.


    "I need to see the Pavilion Master," I stated firmly.


    She looked up, recognition shing in her eyes. "Elder Knight! I''ll check if she''s avable."


    Minutester, I was directed to the eastern tower where the Pavilion Master kept her private quarters. As I climbed the spiral staircase, my determination grew with each step. I would not take no for an answer today.


    When I reached the top floor, I knocked on the ornate wooden door.


    "Enter," came Mariana Valerius''s cool voice from within.


    The room I stepped into was spacious and elegant, filled with rare herbs and ancient texts. Steam rose from arge copper tub in the corner, fragrant with medicinal herbs. The Pavilion Master herself was seated by a window, her long hair still damp, wrapped in a silk robe.


    "You''ve interrupted my medicinal bath," she remarked without looking at me, her tone neither weing nor dismissive.


    "Forgive me," I replied, remaining where I stood. "But this couldn''t wait."


    She finally turned to face me, her piercing eyes assessing me. "You look better. Not fully healed, but better."


    "I need your help," I said bluntly.


    A slight smile curved her lips. "How direct. What kind of help do you seek from me this time, Liam Knight?"


    I took a deep breath. "I need to elerate my training and cultivation. I have forms for advanced pills that could help me, but Ick the resources and time to refine them myself."


    "And you want me to provide these resources?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "I''m proposing a trade," I exined. "My pill forms in exchange for herbs from your Guild''s stores and assistance with refining."


    Mariana rose from her seat and walked to a tableden with scrolls. "Your forms are indeed valuable, but what you''re asking would require significant resources and the time of our most skilled alchemists."


    "I know it''s a lot to ask," I admitted. "But I wouldn''t be here if I had any other option."


    She studied me for a long moment. "This is about the Ashworth girl, isn''t it? The engagement announcement has you desperate."


    I didn''t bother denying it. "Six months isn''t much time to prepare for what I''ll have to face."


    "Indeed." She picked up a scroll, seemingly more interested in it than our conversation. "I''ll consider your proposal. Return tomorrow for my answer."


    My heart sank. Tomorrow meant another day wasted.


    "Pavilion Master, with all due respect, I don''t have time to—"


    "You''ll make time," she interrupted sharply. "Desperation makes for poor negotiations, Liam. You should know that by now."


    I clenched my jaw, frustration building inside me. But I recognized the dismissal in her tone. Arguing would only damage my chances.


    "Thank you for your consideration," I managed, bowing stiffly before turning to leave.


    As the door closed behind me, I couldn''t shake the feeling that I''d just been toyed with. The Pavilion Master was notorious for her unpredictability, but I had hoped my situation might warrant more immediate assistance.


    I spent the rest of the day at my temporary residence, reviewing the pill forms I''d inherited through my awakened memories. There were dozens of them—powerful concoctions that could enhance cultivation speed, strengthen the body, and expand spiritual awareness. With enough of these, I might stand a chance against my powerful enemies.


    But without the Guild''s help, producing them in sufficient quantities would be impossible.


    Night had fallen when a knock at my door pulled me from my troubled thoughts. I opened it to find Sofia, the Guild''s medical apprentice who had been helping with my recovery.


    "Elder Knight, I''ve brought your evening medicines," she said, offering a tray with several small vials.


    "Thank you," I replied, stepping aside to let her in. "How''s Eamon doing with his training?"


    She smiled. "Much better since you spoke with him. Your encouragement meant a lot."


    I nodded, taking the vials one by one. The bitter liquids burned going down, but I''d grown ustomed to the taste.


    "Is something troubling you?" Sofia asked, noticing my distraction.


    I sighed. "Just impatient for my strength to return. There''s so much to do and so little time."


    "The Pavilion Master says recovery can''t be rushed," she reminded me gently.


    "The Pavilion Master says many things," I muttered, unable to keep the frustration from my voice.


    Sofia gathered the empty vials, hesitating before speaking again. "She may seem difficult to understand, but her decisions always have purpose. I''ve never seen her wrong about anything important."


    I managed a small smile. "I hope you''re right."


    After she left, I tried to meditate, focusing on circting my qi through the meridians damaged in myst battle. Progress was slow, but steady. Still, at this rate, I wouldn''t be ready in time to save Isabelle.


    I fell into a troubled sleep, dreams filled with Isabelle''s face and the ticking of an unseen clock.


    Another knock woke me just after dawn. Groggily, I opened the door to find First Elder Ignazio Bellweather standing there, his normally stern face alight with excitement.


    "Elder Knight," he greeted me with unusual warmth. "I''ve been instructed to inform you that your request has been approved."


    I blinked in confusion. "My request? You mean the Pavilion Master has agreed to my proposal?"


    "Indeed," he nodded. "And not just agreed—she has ordered all senior elders to prioritize your pill refinement project."


    I stared at him in disbelief. "All senior elders?"


    "Yes. We are to cancel other projects if necessary and utilize our warehouse reserves for your forms." He smiled at my shocked expression. "The Pavilion Master''s orders were quite explicit."


    My mind raced to make sense of thisplete reversal. "When did she decide this? I only spoke with her yesterday afternoon."


    "She summoned me immediately after your meeting," Ignazio revealed. "She was most insistent that we begin preparations at once."


    A surge of hope shot through me. "So you''re ready to start now?"


    "Better than that," he said, gesturing behind him.


    I peered past the First Elder to see nearly a dozen figures waiting in the courtyard below—all wearing the distinctive robes of Guild elders.


    "We''re all here to assist you," Ignazio continued. "The Pavilion Master has made your project the Guild''s highest priority."


    Stunned, I grabbed my robe and followed him downstairs. In the courtyard, the assembled elders bowed respectfully as I approached.


    "Elder Knight," they greeted in unison.


    I recognized several faces—some of the most renowned alchemists in Havenwood City, possibly in all of Eldoria Province. Their collective expertise represented centuries of alchemical knowledge.


    "I don''t understand," I admitted, overwhelmed by their presence. "Why would the Pavilion Mastermit such resources to my request?"


    First Elder Ignazio smiled enigmatically. "The Pavilion Master has her reasons. Our job is simply to follow her instructions." <small ss="in-imprint-a">Publication courtesy of *.</small>


    One of the older elders stepped forward. "We''ve brought equipment and initial herb supplies. If you''ll share your forms, we can begin immediately."


    I hesitated only briefly before nodding. "I''ll need to write them down first."


    "No need," Ignazio said confidently. "Simply tell us which pills you require. The Celestial Apothecary Guild has records of every significant pill form ever created."


    My jaw dropped. "You mean you already know the forms I was nning to trade?"


    "Most likely," Ignazio confirmed with a hint of pride. "Our archives are the most extensive in the world."


    I couldn''t help butugh at the irony. I''de to trade something they already possessed.


    "Then what does the Pavilion Master want from me in return?" I asked.


    First Elder Ignazio''s expression grew serious. "That, Elder Knight, is between you and her. But she must see something in you worth this investment."


    The realization of what this meant hit me all at once. With the full support of the Guild''s senior alchemists, I could produce in days what might otherwise take months. This was exactly the advantage I needed.


    "When can we start?" I asked, new determination filling my voice.


    "Now," Ignazio replied simply. "We await only your direction."


    I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the jade pendant against my chest. Somewhere in Veridia City, Isabelle was counting on me. I wouldn''t let her down.


    "Follow me," I said, leading the elders inside. "We have a lot of work to do."


    As the alchemists filed in behind me, I couldn''t help but wonder about Mariana Valerius''s sudden change of heart. First Michael Ashworth with his timely intervention, and now the Pavilion Master with her unexpected support—it seemed the universe was aligning to give me a fighting chance.


    I only hoped it would be enough.