Chapter 70: New Planning

"It seems the integration of the magic circuits was a bit too hasty. I was too impatient, rushing to produce a sample without carefully considering the mana repulsion and heat dissipation between the circuits. That's why, Wang Yu, when you used it continuously, it exceeded the tolerance limit; the backflow of mana detonated the magic crystal."

Avia poked at the wreckage of the magic device, now reduced to a pile of scrap metal on the ground. It was fortunate that it was only the explosion of a high-purity magic crystal; had it detonated while casting a high-power spell, the consequences would have been unthinkable. The girl shuddered at the thought.

"It's perfectly normal. Developing something new inevitably involves many setbacks. It’s just one failure; I trust that with your ability, you will surely develop this device to its true potential."

Wang Yu, having changed into fresh clothes, stood nearby, examining the remains of the device. It was already a mangled, unrecognizable lump of scrap, still smoldering.

He felt a pang of regret over the loss of a device he had found quite handy, but he was equally confident that Avia would produce a better finished product in time.

"Mm, I will do my best..." the girl nodded.

"Avia, is there something troubling you? Just tell me directly." Wang Yu noticed a faint hesitation in her tone and, choosing not to ignore it, asked her outright.

"Well, although the professor provides me with free access to the laboratory and the library, I have to pay for the raw materials for the magic devices myself. Because I bought them in a hurry, the prices were quite high. The money my mother gave me is... almost gone."

The girl seemed embarrassed that a single sample had cost so many gold coins.

Wang Yu truly realized that alchemy was an incredibly expensive endeavor. For a single sample to consume such a fortune, it was easy to understand why alchemy was often called "gold-burning." But...

Wang Yu took Avia’s hand and casually placed the magic crystal card Zig had given him into the young mage’s palm. "Take it and use it. Keep at it. Leave the money problems to me; at least for now, I’m not lacking. Money is useless if it cannot be converted into strength!"

Thinking of something else, Wang Yu looked at the girl earnestly and said, "Also, Avia, you cannot always do things just for me. I am very happy that you want to help me, but you should also think about what you want to do for yourself. To me, that is just as important. If you can, I would like to know: do you have any ideals or things you wish to pursue?"

"Eh? Um... me? What do I want to do?" The girl covered her mouth in confusion, unsure of what to say.

Thinking carefully, she realized that for the past year, she had indeed been rushing about, pushed along by events and circumstances, busy trying to grow stronger, busy solving problems, and following Wang Yu. Now that things had settled down slightly, she realized she had never seriously considered what she wanted to do beyond helping him.

As she pondered, the girl became lost in thought, her mind drifting. By nature, she was gentle; if possible, she did not want to fight, nor did she want to hurt or kill others.

To be able to protect those she cared about, to continue delving into the alchemy she loved, to study spells and witchcraft, and to continue learning about Wang Yu’s homeland—that different world.

If Wang Yu ever had the chance to return, to go with him and live a peaceful, stable life—perhaps that was what she truly wanted. So, what were her own little wishes now?

"I... I want to open an alchemy shop!" Avia hesitated for a moment before stating the goal she had finally settled on.

It was a stable enough profession: crafting and selling works, while honing her deeper alchemical studies in the process of making goods, using the earnings to support her dream of further research.

Just thinking about it gave Avia a faint sense of happiness. This grounded, stable feeling was something the girl, whose life had been full of twists and turns, truly cherished from the bottom of her heart.

"An alchemy shop?" Wang Yu rubbed his chin. It was a simple, practical dream, and he was more than happy to help her fulfill it.

The girl couldn't always rely on the professor's lab; a laboratory of her own was a necessity. A vast array of experimental equipment would be a huge expense, and then there was the storefront. Buying one in the central district might be very expensive, but given Avia’s talent and strength, Wang Yu wasn't worried about her losing money. So...

He shook his head helplessly. He had just felt that his funds were completely sufficient, only to realize that money was something one could never truly have enough of. He would have to find ways to earn more.

"Eh?" Wang Yu suddenly thought of something, his eyes lighting up. Must he insist on a prime location in the central district? Considering all factors and conditions, there seemed to be a place far more suitable for Avia to showcase her talents than the central district above the Royal City.

"Avia, I have an idea. What do you think about the 'Shadow of the Royal City' I told you about?"

Wang Yu realized that the Shadow of the Royal City might be a better place for Avia to shine. Its chaotic environment might be terrible for the average person, but for Avia, who was under the protection of the Lady of the Night, it was absolutely safer than the surface.

At the same time, one of the main industries in the Shadow of the Royal City was assembly-line, large-scale alchemy. With the special technological reforms involving the extensive use of steam—akin to a steam revolution—the alchemical industry in the Shadow of the Royal City held many advantages.

Against the backdrop of those mass-produced underground goods, there would be a significant market for Avia’s more refined, high-end products.

Furthermore, as a member of the Night’s Edge special operations team, Wang Yu had a high chance of connecting with them and selling the girl’s alchemical products to the Night’s Edge without any issues.

In Wang Yu’s view, building an alchemy shop for Avia from scratch in the underground city of the Shadow of the Royal City was an idea well worth considering!

"Is that the underground city you mentioned, where the void and reality mix to a certain extent?" The girl’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Yes, the Lady of the Night is there too, so your safety can be well-guarded. It’s just that the environment isn't exactly great; compared to the Royal City above, it’s a bit too dark and chaotic down there."

"It’s fine, Wang Yu. Actually, just hearing your description makes me want to see it. A special environment, special alchemical possibilities—for us alchemists, if possible, this is an opportunity that simply cannot be missed!"

The girl said happily. She was actually very curious about what the underground world was like, but she hadn't asked to go down because she didn't want to add to Wang Yu’s troubles.

"In that case, it’s no problem. I’ll go find Zig later and file an application for you; that should settle it."

Wang Yu nodded. This made things much easier. The space in the underground stronghold was already there; a renovation and expansion would make it the perfect site for an alchemy shop and laboratory.

At the same time, the Church of the Night under the Lady of the Night could promote the shop while it attracted customers. Overall, this idea could be described as killing two birds with one stone.

"Then I will start the construction underground later. I’ll take you down to see it when the time comes. You’ll have to plan your own laboratory yourself!"

"Okay!" The girl gave a small cheer, unable to hide her excitement.

"Oh, right, Wang Yu, there’s something I wanted to ask you. The professor’s recent research direction is a bit strange. He seems to be studying something like resurrection... I asked Wendy, but she wasn't sure either. Does your Night’s Edge handle this?"

"Resurrection? I don't think so. I’ve read the Night’s Edge regulations; even necromancy isn't under our control. Aside from managing urban security, we only handle incidents related to Void Evil Gods and the like."

Wang Yu recalled and realized he hadn't heard of them needing to manage such things. Although, based on his experience and descriptions in traditional works regarding the price of resurrection and the actions of fanatics, it did seem like a point worth noting.

"Resurrection is considered a taboo in alchemy because it breaks the balance of life and death. This is a rule that, while not explicitly written, is implicitly followed in the field of alchemy." Avia remained worried.

"Technological development shouldn't be restricted. Remember the nuclear bomb I told you about? It killed many people, but if it were you, do you think you would stop its emergence?"

Wang Yu thought about it carefully and didn't see anything wrong with it. Resurrection was just a technology. If he had the chance to resurrect the old knight back then, would he not do it? Don't joke—of course he would! As for the so-called costs and such, those were probably just things added on by others.

Wang Yu’s perspective was always simple: good is good. Why all the fuss? Unexplained suspicion and stagnation were, in his view, always foolish.

"That’s true. The development of alchemy shouldn't be restricted. If alchemy can achieve resurrection, then it should be reasonable. I don't think there’s anything wrong with that either!"

Avia accepted Wang Yu’s reasoning. She also believed that the progress of technology itself should not be hindered.

"But it should be very difficult. Resurrection has been something people have pursued and longed for since ancient times. But even if it were a miracle, it’s hard to verify how many true resurrections have occurred. I really don't think your professor can pull it off. What I’m worried about is your professor falling into paranoia and going astray..."

"Mm..."

"Wang Yu! Are you here? Yes, Edward, carry me up. Yes, yes—ouch! Damn it, why are you going so fast? You hit the wall! That hurts! Ow, I see Wang Yu! Hey, Wang Yu!"

"Charles, don't move around while standing on my shoulders. If you keep moving, I’m going to pinch your legs, or you’ll definitely fall off."

"Don't, don't, I’m wrong! I’m wrong!"

Wang Yu and Avia were interrupted mid-conversation by the sudden voices. Charles’s head appeared over the top of the courtyard wall, swaying back and forth, accompanied by his and Edward’s off-key bickering.

Wang Yu stared at the bobbing head for a long time, thinking that Charles didn't look like a nobleman at all. And yet, this guy was a genius. Compared to Avia, well...

"Sigh, Wang Yu, please take care of us from now on. We’re stationed at that tavern on Red Maple Street, the one the God of Light loves most."

"It’s the Golden Cuckoo Tavern."

"Why do you care so much? The owner put up the 'God of Light's Favorite' sign himself, can't you just go along with it?"

"Whatever you say."

"Yes, yes. We were watching that damn lighthouse in our assigned area. Just thinking about it gives me a headache; after staying there for so long, my brain is just buzzing with noise. It’s miserable," Charles complained.

"Suddenly, the professor notified us and a few veterans from Night’s Edge to station ourselves at the Golden Cuckoo Tavern on Red Maple Street. I don't know why, but since I heard you lived nearby, I thought I’d come visit you first!"

"Where is the professor?"

"The professor? His tone in the communication didn't sound very good. He said we should pay attention to our own safety lately. He and the captain are going to deal with some restless organizations, saying some people’s hands are reaching too far."

"But he’s a desk jockey, right? He must be following the captain to help out. It’s a shame he has to go into the field; it’s really hard on him, hahaha." Charles laughed, looking rather gleeful. It seemed the reliable Zig had indeed been a heavy burden on this restless guy.

"A desk jockey, huh?" Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. The assassin’s attitude when facing Zig was certainly not that of someone facing a mere desk jockey; that feeling of facing a formidable enemy couldn't be faked.

"Oh, and who is this beautiful young mage?" Charles noticed Avia standing beside Wang Yu.

"She is my friend, Avia. She might open an alchemy shop in the Shadow of the Royal City later."

"Oh, hello, Miss Alchemist. My name is Charles, and this guy below me is Edward. If possible, could you give us a discount when we come to buy things later?"

"Hello, Charles. Are you friends with Wang Yu? Of course, that’s no problem." The girl smiled and waved politely.

"Haha, I’m so envious that you have such a cute friend, Wang Yu, right Edward? Think about the look you had earlier staring at that cat-folk lady in the street corner flower shop, tsk tsk tsk! Hey, hey, stop shaking! I’m just telling the truth, you can't treat me like this."

"Aaaaaah!" With a piercing shriek, Charles tumbled headlong over the garden wall.

Avia poked Wang Yu, looking utterly bewildered. Wang Yu merely shrugged; he had not yet introduced these two colleagues to her, and it was only natural to be taken aback by Charles’s rather unreliable demeanor upon a first meeting.

A short while later, a knock echoed at the door. Wang Yu opened it to find Edward pinning a struggling Charles firmly under his arm, paying no mind to the protests of the mage, who possessed great speed but precious little physical fortitude. Edward spoke to Wang Yu as if nothing were amiss.

"Wang Yu, the professor has reached out to a knight instructor at Stevenson Academy. We’ve been granted a period of leave to train there free of charge. We’re heading over now—care to join us?"

"Count me in!" Wang Yu produced a vial of invigorating potion and downed it in one gulp. His mind, previously clouded with fatigue, instantly sharpened; the concoction caused him no harm, for his constitution was such that he had little need for daily slumber.

To grow stronger—there was not a moment to lose.