The Eccentric Alchemist

Clop-clop-clop—

The crisp sound of hooves echoed through the small town, a rare occurrence.

“I wonder if the alchemist we’re looking for is even in this town,” the man on the lead horse mumbled.

His radiant golden hair, gleaming silver armor, and the longsword at his hip all proclaimed him a true knight.

“Sachi,” the golden-haired maiden trailing behind him chuckled, covering her mouth, “patience is one of a knight’s virtues, you know.”

The maiden wore a snow-white dress, and white stockings encased her slender legs. With a pair of openwork sandals on her feet, she exuded an air of youthful vitality.

Her eyes, as azure as the ocean, narrowed slightly, yet her face remained devoid of emotion.

“My apologies, I misspoke,” Sachi quickly atoned, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

The maiden smiled, waving a hand dismissively. “You are not my subordinate; there’s no need to apologize to me.”

Hearing this, Sachi’s expression soured. He clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it.

“From this moment forth, I shall only obey your commands.”

“Very well, then. Go ahead and gather some information,” the maiden instructed Sachi, gesturing towards the crowd ahead. “We don’t have much time to waste.”

“Yes, my lady.” Sachi nodded.

Leaping from his horse, Sachi strode quickly toward the crowd, where many onlookers had gathered.

He casually stopped a young boy, flashing a brilliant smile. “Excuse me, little brother, may I ask you a few questions?”

The boy, delighted to meet a real knight for the first time, nodded eagerly.

“Of course! By the way, are you a knight, big brother?”

“Indeed.” Sachi pointed to the five-pointed star on his chest, introducing himself proudly. “I am a five-star knight, you see.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Though the boy didn’t quite grasp the meaning of a five-star knight, it certainly sounded impressive. “What did you want to ask, big brother?”

“Ah, it’s quite simple. I was wondering if there’s anywhere in town that sells potions?”

A place that sells potions? The boy tilted his head, recalling such a spot. However, few townsfolk ever went there, as it was rumored to be home to a rather eccentric older sister.

“My father said that if you walk straight east to the very edge of town, there’s a dilapidated house, and the sister who sells potions lives there.”

“Ah, thank you. I’m sure you’ll become a knight someday too.” Having received the information he sought, Sachi ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Oh, a house to the east?” Listening to Sachi’s report, the maiden’s finger tapped lightly on her riding crop. “Let’s go take a look, then. I hope it’s not some charlatan seeking fame.”

The town was not large, and the horses beneath them were no ordinary steeds. Soon, the two arrived at their destination.

“Indeed, it is a dilapidated house,” Sachi remarked, gazing at the structure before them.

The outer walls of the small house were splotched with faded patches, and the front yard was overgrown with weeds. Had no one mentioned it, few would have guessed someone actually lived inside.

“These are… potions?” Pushing open the gate to the small courtyard, Sachi immediately spotted the potion stall haphazardly placed in front of the door.

Calling it a potion stall was a stretch; it was merely a small wooden rack dotted with glass tubes. Colorful potions adorned the rack, each crudely labeled with its price and effects.

A small wooden box sat beside the rack, containing a few coins from the Roland Empire, clearly for payment.

Sachi wondered if anyone ever just took the potions without paying.

“I’ll knock on the door.”

“No, I will go myself. You stay here.” The maiden raised a hand, halting Sachi’s movement. If the alchemist living here truly possessed ability, then she had to do it herself to show proper respect.

“But…” Sachi began, yet the maiden had already bypassed him and was rapping on the door.

Knock, knock, knock—

The crisp knocking echoed within the house. Soon, a languid female voice drifted from behind the closed door.

“If you want to buy potions, just pick one out front. Leave whatever you want for payment.”

The maiden raised an eyebrow. It seemed the alchemist living inside was younger than she had imagined.

“Might I trouble you to open the door? I have an urgent matter to discuss.”

“Huh? Urgent matter?” The alchemist inside clearly didn’t believe the maiden’s words.

“I am Elena, the Second Princess of the Roland Empire.” The maiden lowered her voice, for she had concealed her identity for this visit.

This small town lay near the border between the Roland and Samoa Empires. If those madmen learned that the Second Princess of Roland had appeared here, there was no telling what they might do.

“Well, then… you truly are a distinguished guest.”

The tightly shut door creaked open, revealing a petite figure before Elena.

The girl’s body was shrouded in a loose, ill-fitting nightgown, leaving her pale right shoulder exposed to the air.

Her white hair was a tangled mess, looking as though it hadn’t been cared for in ages, yet it lent the girl a lazy, aesthetic appeal.

Deep dark circles under her eyes told Elena that the girl’s sleep schedule was likely highly irregular, though this was a common sight among alchemists.

“May I ask your name, miss?” Stepping into the house, Elena slipped on the slippers the girl offered.

Surprisingly, the house was rather tidy inside.

“Let me clarify something first: I am a man.” The white-haired girl, walking ahead, turned and declared fiercely to Elena.

A man? Elena scrutinized the girl from head to toe. How could this possibly be a man? She could even smell a delicate fragrance wafting from the girl.

“I believe, miss, you might need some rest.” Elena subtly suggested that the girl’s mental state seemed a bit off.

“No, I’m perfectly lucid. Dark circles are normal,” the girl explained, noticing Elena’s attention on her eyes. “An alchemist’s work is always like this.”

“Very well, then, Miss…”

“Please call me ‘Mister,’ thank you,” the girl interrupted Elena.

So, this was what they meant by ‘eccentric’? Elena now seemed to understand why the townsfolk said someone ‘crazy’ lived here.

Anyone would suspect that a girl this adorable, claiming to be a man, wasn’t entirely sound of mind.

“Hmm… if I may be so bold, do you have any proof that you are male?”

This question seemed to shatter the girl’s defenses, her figure suddenly turning ashen. “I-I-I will find a way to change back, I will!”

Ah, so there was no proof, then?

“Then I can only address you as ‘Miss,’ you know.” Otherwise, people would think the Second Princess of the Roland Empire was out of her mind.

“Fine, suit yourself.” Leading Elena into her workshop, the girl pulled two small stools from the side and placed them on the floor. “What brings you here? I hardly believe I’m famous enough to warrant royalty visiting my humble abode.”

“It’s a long story…”