Tale 31
Affection

"I thought we're going to Godhalt??" Amara

Umiling si Lance..

Isang marangyang palasyo ang nasa harapan ni Amara.. Malapit nang sumapit ang Tagsibol subalit nababalutan pa rin ng makapal na nyebe ang paligid.. This place is located in the North.

"This is where I grew up in this lifetime." Saad ni Lance

Ngumiti si Amara... She's genuinely happy for him, he seem to have a good childhood.

"I-is it really safe?? Makakabalik pa ba tayo ng buhay??" kinakabahang bulong ni Aurio kay Amara

"Stop worrying too much.." natatawang tugon ni Amara

"We actually have a huge laboratory. You might want to see it." Saad ni Lance

Tumango si Amara.

Nagtataka naman ang tatlong Lobo.. Why would two assassins be interested in the alchemy laboratory??

"Do you have enough alchemist?" tanong ni Amara

"We gathered a lot of talented ones to experiment about the antidote that you mentioned before.." Lance

"The Scorching Phoenix Potion? Even if you gather all the Grandmaster Alchemists, I don't think they can successfully refine one.. The Phoenix Eye Herb is extremely rare, once you find one, let me refine it. Don't waste such a precious medicinal herb." Amara

"Okay." Lance

Nagusot naman ang muka ng tatlong Lobo.. "What the heck is this kid talking about?"

"Can I go visit them now? I want to see the progress of their research." Saad ni Amara.. She's actually very curious.

"Okay." Lance

"Let's go Aurio." Amara

"I will go with-" Lance

"No.. You should rest. Last night was very extreme, your body is still not use to the flame." Amara

Lance is obviously against it.. But he still nod.

"LoneWolf, bring them to the laboratory." Lance

"See you later." Saad ni Amara

The laboratory is located outside the castle.. It's a separate building with three floors. A lot of medicinal plants are being tended by low level Experts.

"T-there's a lot of alchemists here." Komento ni Aurio

"Yeah.. We ended up abducting too much." Buntong hininga ni LoneWolf

".........." Aurio

"How many Grandmaster Alchemist do you have??" Amara

"Just one.. They're hard to come by. But we have at least seven Master Alchemists." LoneWolf

"Seven?? Not bad." Amara

Sa loob ng laboratoryo ay makikitang abala ang lahat.

"It was a success! Hahahaha!" masayang anunsyo ng isang matanda.. Sa kamay nya ay makikita ang isang potion.

"Grandmaster, the Phantom Emperor specifically instruct us to research the Scorching Phoenix Potion. Why are you refining other pills and potions??" nagtatakang tanong ng isang Master Alchemist sa matandang lalaki.

"Why not? This place has a lot of rare medicinal ingredients! It's like heaven for alchemists!" masayang saad ng matanda

"But Grandmaster, please don't forget that we cant go home unless we refine a Scorching Phoenix Potion." Paalala ng isa pang Master Alchemist

Nandito silang lahat dahil dinakip sila ng mga tauhan ni Phantom Emperor. Lahat sila ay nagnanais nang makauwi.. Kaya naman nagtataka sila kung bakit mukang nag-eenjoy ang Grandmaster Alchemist dito sa lugar..

"Brats, you're still young and naïve.. We alchemists should strive to improve and continue to pursue knowledge.. This place is actually perfect! They not just have rare ingredients, they even have a lot of medicinal books that cannot be found anywhere else in the world! We all should cherish this chance!" tugon ng matanda

This eccentric old man, is no other than Grandmaster Helia. He was travelling to broaden his horizons when he was abducted and brought to this place.. At first, he was depress. But as a man who is lustful for knowledge, he realized that this place is a hidden paradise!

Kakapasok lamang nina LoneWolf sa laboratoryo. Agad silang nakaagaw ng pansin.

"S-sir.. Bakit personal kayong bumisita dito??" tanong ng isa sa mga Master Alchemist na namamahala sa lugar, may dalawang Master Alchemists ang pamilya Kingston. Lima naman ay dinakip lamang nila. Ang dalawang Master Alchemist ang namamahala sa lugar.

"Master have guests. We're just looking around." Tugon ni LoneWolf

Nagtataka ang lahat kung sino ang dalawang binata na kasama ni LoneWolf.. Paano sila naging panauhin ni Phantom Emperor??

"Ehhhh? Grandmaster Helia??!" bulalas ni Aurio matapos makita ang matanda

Napalingon ang matanda sa kanila...

"Grandmaster Helia, bakit nandito ka?" nagtatakang tanong ni Aurio

"Kid, you know me??" Grandmaster Helia

"Of course! Im also an alchemist, Grandmaster.." tugon ni Aurio

"Oh?? Are you two new recruits??" Grandmaster Helia

"Err.. Not exactly..." Aurio

"Don't be shy... Come, come.. This old man is in a good mood, I will show you the result of our research so you can easily adjust!" Grandmaster Helia

"Wow, Grandmaster Helia will personally teach them.." bulong ng isa sa mga Expert sa loob ng laboratoryo.

"Aurio, you go first." Amara

"Huh? Why??" Aurio

Hindi sya sinagot ni Amara... Sa halip, lumapit ito sa isa sa mga Master Alchemist na nasa kalagitnaan ng pill refinement.. He was distracted by LoneWolf's sudden visit so he lost focus. His refinement was on the verge of exploding.

"Let me.." saad ni Amara saka tinulak papalayo ang Master Alchemist

"No!" kinakabahang saad ng Master Alchemist.. Natatakot syang baka biglang sumabog ang cauldron...

Amara took over in controlling the fire.. "Base on the smell, this is a Warm Potion, right?" tanong ni Amara

Tumango ang Master Alchemist.. He's mesmerized by how the flames dance in the kid's control.

"It's already a failure.. But don't worry, I can fix this for you." Nakangiting saad ni Amara saka casual na naghagis ng ilan pang ingredients sa loob ng cauldron.

Napanganga ang lahat.. W-what is this kid doing??

Narinig ni Grandmaster Helia ang pamilyar na tunog ng prinipritong gulay... "This refining method is familiar...?" komento nya

"Done." Saad ni Amara saka isinalin ang kulay pulang likido sa isang flask..

The familiar fragrance assures them that it is a Warm Potion. H-how did she remedied an already failed potion? She actually suceeded in fixing a failing refinement of a Master Alchemist??

"Who is this kid??" tanong ng isa

"Napakabata pa nya pero isa na syang Master Alchemist??"

"You're just showing off." Aurio

"Of course! Im a show-off. That's what we do." Nakangiting tugon ni Amara

Napuno ng katanungan si LoneWolf.. This kid is an alchemist?? What??

Amara stayed in the laboratory the entire day. She enjoyed discussing alchemic theories and refinement methods with them. Even Grandmaster Helia approves of her abilities! He's completely unaware that the kid is actually the youngest Grandmaster Alchemist of Aralon.

"Stop sulking." Natatawang saad ni Amara habang naghahapunan kasama si Lance

"Im not." Lance

"You are." Amara

"Im not.." Lance

"I will make it up to you. What do you need me to do?" Amara

"Nothing." Lance

"Come on, tell me. What do you need?" pangungulit pa ni Amara

"Will you really give it to me if I tell you?" Lance

"Of course! What do you need??" Amara

"You." Lance honestly answered.

Nabalot ng tawa ni Amara ang buong dining room. Her laughter was like music.

Pinisil nya ang pisngi ng binata... "Lance I don't know what to do with you.. Hahaha.. I love you too much.." tawa ni Amara

The lovey-dovey couple is completely unaware of the awkwardness of the three idiotic wolves who's witnessing this scene. They even sent away all the other servants to prevent any weird rumours to circulate in the entire residence..

Napapailing naman si Aurio na tahimik na kumakain kasama ng dalawa.. Pakiramdam nya ay isa syang kawawang third wheel na walang lovelife. Which is true.

It was 10pm, ibinaba ni Lance ang hawak nyang pluma. Marami syang inaasikasong mga dokumento. He cant focus. He decided to call it a night.

Lance went to his room. He sat on his bed and smiled.

Amara is already asleep beside him.

He could stay awake all night just to see her smile while she's dreaming. Watch how her eyelashes slightly flicker. He could literally watch her sleep until sunrise.

Natigilan sya.

He sound like a pervert.

Pinili nyang lumabas ng silid.

StarWolf is standing guard on the door.

"Boss, it's late. Why arent you sleeping yet?" tanong ni StarWolf... Isang oras na lang at si LoneWolf naman ang sunod na incharge. Hindi na sya makapaghintay, makikipagkita sya sa kanyang nobya na isa sa mga female knight ng pamilya Kingston.

"I need to get some fresh air. Lets go out." Lance

"N-now?? But Boss, I have a date later." StarWolf

"A what?" Lance

"Date.. It's when two people who like each other go out and have some fun." StarWolf

"Isnt that what I'm suggesting? Let's go." Lance

"No it's not! At least, I hope not." StarWolf

Nagbuntong hininga lamang si Lance.

"Boss, what is that look for? You're thinking Im stupid, arent you?!" reklamo ni StarWolf, pero pinagsarhan na sya ng pinto ni Lance.

Tahimik na lumapit si Lance sa kama. He decided to just sleep.

He planted a small kiss on Amara's head.

"Good night." Bulong nya dito kahit pa mahimbing na itong natutulog.

~~~~~~~~~~