Chapter 22

22. Summoning (1)

The pharmacist descended alone into the underground, leaving his subordinates on the ground floor.

Ah, correction... He wasn't alone. Oliver, Joseph's agent, was guiding him.

Just then, he opened a Filgeret box that had just been packaged and checked its contents.

"Hmm, it seems production is going smoothly. You're managing it better than I thought."

"It's thanks to the hard work of the others."

"Others? Ah, the other apprentices?"

"Yes."

The pharmacist chuckled softly.

"Interesting. I've never met a dark mage who refers to their subordinates as 'others.' You have good manners."

Oliver didn't bother to respond. It was more of a habit than a matter of etiquette, and he was aware of it.

The pharmacist took out a pack of Filgerets and opened it.

He looked at the Filgerets, which looked just like regular cigarettes, and carefully brought one to his nose to smell it.

"Sniff. Sniff."

His nose twitched, and his cold, sharp eyes gleamed.

Oliver silently observed the scene.

Checking the quality of Filgerets by smell rather than sight was intriguing.

"Hmm, hmm. This batch is quite good... It should sell well in Randa. By the way, do you know where these cigarettes are sold?"

"...I've heard they are sold to other pharmacies and hospitals that deal with you, sir."

"You know well. Yes, they are mixed with other medicines and supplied to large hospitals and pharmacies in Randa. Your products are of good enough quality to be accepted there. They are mainly bought by high-income white-collar workers, capitalists, and artists who are overworked. Isn't it ironic? The very people who see you as a cancer of society are the ones who love your products the most."

"Is that so?"

Oliver said it as if he didn't care. He really didn't.

The pharmacist gave a wry smile at Oliver's reaction.

"Your response is rather dry. Aren't you curious about anything? Like how I distribute this drug?"

"...I have another question. May I ask it?"

"Another one? Go ahead."

"Can you tell the quality by smell?"

"Yes, I can. Unlike you, my eyes aren't that good. But I can estimate the quality in other ways. Handling drugs is my livelihood, so I have to be able to do that."

"Hmm... I see."

Oliver didn't show it, but he found it interesting.

Being able to distinguish the quality of Filgerets by smell. It was a skill he wanted to learn, even if he didn't need it right now.

Maybe he could even smell emotions.

The pharmacist, as if sensing his thoughts, asked, "Are you interested?"

"...Yes."

"Would you like me to teach you? Some of my staff can do it too."

The words "Please teach me" almost slipped out, but he stopped himself.

He genuinely wanted to learn, but it seemed best to get Joseph's permission first.

The pharmacist smiled knowingly.

"If you get Joseph's permission, I'll teach you. I really will."

"Thank you."

"In return, can you answer my question?"

"Me?"

"It wouldn't be fair if only I showed goodwill, right? Give and take is the way of the world."

"Ah... What should I answer?"

The pharmacist held up a Filgeret.

"Do you think this product is excellent? Honestly, from your perspective?"

The pharmacist's eyes gleamed sharply, and the ambiguous emotion that had been wavering inside him stirred slightly.

"...Yes, since it's Master's work. I think it's excellent. You said it was good, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did... But as a businessman, I also want to handle better products. Especially since the market has become more competitive recently."

"Ah... I'll tell Master."

"No, that's not necessary. I was just asking in case... Anyway, you think it's a good product, right?"

"Well... Yes."

"Understood... Then I'll take my leave. I've checked the production, so there's no need to stay longer. It was nice meeting you."

The pharmacist extended his hand. This was the first time someone had offered a handshake, and Oliver hesitated for a moment before taking it.

The pharmacist smiled kindly, a characteristic of middle-aged men.

"It was nice meeting you. See you next time. If you need any help, let me know. I'll assist if I can."

Oliver looked him straight in the eye and replied.

"Yes, I'll remember that."

***

After the pharmacist left, time flowed as usual.

They woke up early in the morning, had breakfast, and the junior, intermediate, and senior apprentices worked together to make Filgerets.

The production of Filgerets went smoothly as expected. They packaged them with the pre-made life nutrients and delivered them to the pharmacist.

This marked the successful completion of the most important task Joseph had given them.

From then on, they continued their usual routine, waiting for Joseph to return.

The temporary apprentices ground meat to make sausages, and the junior, intermediate, and senior apprentices studied black magic independently.

To Oliver, it seemed very inefficient and disorganized, but he had no authority to change it.

Besides, Oliver had his own tasks to focus on.

"Hmm...!"

Oliver groaned as if he had discovered something while checking his diary.

Maria, who had been watching him, asked, "What's wrong, Oliver?"

"I think I've finally found it."

"Found what?"

"The difference between the lightning mage and us. Both had troubled pasts and desired a better life, but the mage had another goal."

"What was it?"

"After being expelled from the family that took him in, the mage aimed for success, but the reason was to prove himself to the family. To show that he was better. And the name... Rachel? He wanted to confess to a woman named Rachel again."

Oliver pointed to a paragraph in the diary.

The story about a woman named Rachel was written, and although he tried to hide it, a strong affection... or rather, an obsession, was evident.

Oliver hypothesized that this special goal, beyond mere success, might be the source of the beautiful light the lightning mage had shown.

Not just material wealth, but a spiritual reason, or something more, that made him emit such a beautiful light.

Oliver's mind raced, asking and answering countless questions. Then Maria asked, "You seem quite impressed?"

"Excuse me?"

"The light the lightning mage showed... You've been looking for it."

"Yes, it was truly beautiful."

Maria's expression wavered slightly.

A hint of jealousy rose in her emotions, but Oliver couldn't understand why. He didn't really care.

She continued, "Still, it's rare to have such a relaxed moment. Shouldn't you sometimes go to the library to study black magic?"

"The library is only for the head apprentice, and I'm not one. Besides, even head apprentices can't enter during travel."

"I know, but some senior apprentices, like Andrew, often sneak in. Since Master isn't here, it should be fine, right?"

Maria's suggestion wasn't entirely wrong. Given the family's lack of proper education, it was beneficial to accumulate knowledge whenever the opportunity arose.

However, Oliver's response was firm.

"Hmm... No, I don't think so. Rules are rules. Besides, I'm more interested in that light right now."

His decisive tone and eyes made Maria feel guilty.

"Ah... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that..."

"No, it's fine. But can I ask you something?"

"Ah, yes. Anything."

"Why are you here during break time?"

Oliver asked, genuinely curious.

During personal time, most people rested or studied alone, but Maria had been sticking to him lately, almost every day.

"To help if you need anything... Thanks to you, I became a formal apprentice, and I want to be of some help... Am I bothering you?"

Maria looked at him with a pleading expression, like a child looking at a parent.

Oliver could sense her earnest feelings but couldn't understand why she was acting this way.

After a moment of silence, as Maria's heart began to waver with anxiety, Oliver replied, "No, it's fine. Stay if you want."

Maria smiled happily, like a child who almost got abandoned but didn't.

Oliver turned his attention back to the diary and began forming hypotheses, searching for the source of the beautiful light the lightning mage showed when he died.

His curiosity and investigative spirit reminded one of a moth drawn to a flame.

Maria, hoping to help, spoke up.

"Um, Oliver?"

"Yes?"

"Would my story be of any help?"

"Your story?"

"Yes, my story... I mentioned it a bit before..."

Maria said, blushing.

Oliver recalled the memory. She was indeed pretty... but that was in the past.

Compared to the light he saw from the mage, her story seemed less valuable.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to talk about it?"

"Well, yes, but it might help..."

"No, it's fine. Thank you."

Oliver declined. He didn't want to waste time on something he wasn't interested in.

Maria's expression showed hurt, but then a knock came at the door.

"Oliver?"

"What is it?"

Oliver, who was reading the diary and forming theories, asked.

"Master has sent a letter, for you."

"..."

Oliver stopped what he was doing and asked, "A letter?"

***

Oliver examined the letter envelope he had just received.

The envelope, with a blue line around the edge, had a stamp with a crowned woman in the upper right corner.

Below it was the logo of the "Great Kingdom Post Office."

Oliver, who had never received a letter before, observed the envelope for a moment before carefully tearing it open and reading the contents.

"..."

"Is something wrong?"

The senior apprentice who brought the letter asked.

"Just a moment."

Oliver reread the letter from the beginning.

After a while, he finally spoke.

"He's calling me."

"Excuse me?"

"Andrew's treatment costs are insufficient, and Master is asking me to bring money to Randa."