Chapter 116: The Arcane Council Comes Calling

"Crystal clear and flawless!" Grayforge exclaimed in admiration.

While transparent crystals were not unheard of, they were rare, especially those that were perfectly clear while maintaining such hardness. The Netheril magical civilization was still in its infancy; even magic itself was a scarcity, let alone alchemy. Most spellcasters currently practiced alchemy at the level of playing with mud, completely lacking any standardized or unified procedures.

There was no data logging or comparative analysis; crafting magical items or alchemical synthesis was entirely left to the whims of the Goddess of Luck. Sometimes, they would produce something remarkable without even knowing how it happened. This was precisely why Count Ioulaum’s alchemy was held in such high esteem.

Born had fully inherited Count Ioulaum’s alchemical techniques. The alchemy workshop was a direct recreation of the Arcane Garden. Unlike the Count, who focused on high-end, exquisite magical items, Born seemed more inclined toward alchemical synthesis and the civilian market. One could see from the neat bricks and tiles of the outer walls that Born’s synthesis techniques were already highly mature.

Even the well-traveled old gnome, Grayforge, felt a sense of shock at the sight of such a massive pile of transparent glass crystals. Synthetic crystals existed, but the production costs were higher than natural ones, and with no guarantee of consistency, most ended up as waste or substandard products.

"Boss, are you really not considering making some glass art to recoup some costs?" Lehman’s heart bled at the thought of using such crystal-clear glass merely for partition walls.

Grayforge was equally curious. Although it was synthetic, the sheer volume was staggering. The higher the quantity, the lower the cost, and this was Born’s exclusive secret technique. This recipe alone was enough to build a new commercial titan.

Born let out a cold snort. "Supplying end-users directly is the most unwise approach. With an exclusive monopoly, why should we bother expanding the channels ourselves?"

"Even if the production of spell potions increases, they aren't affordable for everyone. Potent offensive potions are primarily supplied to the military. Unless war breaks out, the sales channels for spell potions will remain a problem—at least for now."

Lehman was no longer the greenhorn he once was; he understood immediately. Grayforge, as cunning as they come, knew exactly what Born was planning. The Lehman Chamber of Commerce headquarters was not just an alchemy workshop; it was a large glass crystal showroom. Whoever entered would first be stunned by the opulent splendor of the workshop.

Spell potions had sales restrictions, but glass crystals did not!

"Lehman, you must remember: eating alone will only put you in opposition to everyone. The best way to defeat an enemy is to turn them into one of your own. That way, even if a new enemy appears, you don't have to worry; someone else will strike on your behalf."

Lehman nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. Grayforge looked at Born with surprise; the longer he spent with him, the more he marveled at the man. His intelligence, talent, and ability to command others were the best he had ever seen. Furthermore, he was a Netherese arcanist. Grayforge understood the terror of high-level arcanists well. Though his own strength was limited, he could faintly sense the surging, boundless magic within Born—a sign that he was nearing a promotion to a higher rank...

Gnomes were born master craftsmen, and their work was remarkably fast. With hundreds of people working at once, the installation was completed in a single afternoon.

The alchemy workshop, decorated with glass crystals, immediately took on a refined air. With red brick walls on the outside and transparent glass crystals within, complemented by the magic arrays engraved on the ceiling for illumination, the entire space became instantly magnificent. In Grayforge's words, it was no less than the dwelling of a deity.

Next came Lehman’s task: the soil and cultivation required for magical plants, which was the top priority.

"How is the training of those children coming along?" Born asked.

"Following your method, Boss, we selected a batch of bright and intelligent children for the first phase of training. Their assessment results were quite good, and now they just need hands-on practice," Lehman reported truthfully.

"Hmm, how many are there now?"

"Uh... there are over sixteen hundred children," Lehman said, feeling a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected to recruit so many when the boss told him to take people in. Now, the warehouse was nearly bursting at the seams, and even then, people still tried to sneak in every day. With so many children and tasks everywhere, there simply weren't enough people to look after them.

This winter had arrived too early and was exceptionally cold. If the Lehman Chamber of Commerce hadn't restricted intake to children, many homeless adults would have likely tried to sneak in as well.

"Sixteen hundred, eh!" Born mused.

"Boss, is... is that too many?" Lehman asked, feeling ashamed. He gritted his teeth and added, "Should we send some..."

"No!" Born interrupted. "Recruit more. As long as they are sound of mind, take them all in."

"Boss, re... really?" Lehman asked in disbelief.

"They're just a bunch of children; it's not like we can't afford to raise them!" Born said with an air of authority. "There is strength in numbers, and these will all be part of the future Lehman Chamber of Commerce."

The children of the poor grow up early, especially in a world similar to the Middle Ages. The children were incredibly sensible; there were no "brats" here, and if there were, society had already taught them a lesson. Children were much easier to manage than adults, without ulterior motives. As long as they had a meal, they were incredibly obedient.

Netheril was in a developing phase. Nobles were exceptionally strict in the education of their heirs; even a playboy like Gordon, who spent his time eating, drinking, and having fun, was kept under a tight leash. Born remembered that later on, many illegal organizations specialized in kidnapping children to groom them for mischief.

"When the time comes, select a batch of the smartest and most talented children. I will train them personally."

"Understood."

...

Just as the alchemy workshop was buzzing with activity, Lyspell arrived with the members of the Arcane Society to find Born.

"Born, Kelly is dead!" President Lyspell looked somewhat sorrowful.

"Kelly?" Born said with a serious expression. "Madam President, I am a self-respecting, upright, and disciplined man. A man as excellent as I am is bound to be envied. It is perfectly normal for someone in the academy to smear my reputation. I don't know this woman at all, and I certainly didn't kill her."

President Lyspell’s face turned black on the spot.

The members of the Arcane Society nearby covered their mouths to stifle laughter. The heavy atmosphere they had arrived with had improved significantly thanks to Born’s words. Seeing the President on the verge of an outburst, Cook stepped forward to explain.

"Anderson? You mean your former Arcane Society security... er, Captain of the Enforcement Team, right?"

If not for Cook’s explanation, Born honestly wouldn't have remembered a character who appeared for less than two episodes.

"Did Born just want to say 'security guard'?"
"What is a 'security guard'?"
"I recall that everyone who guards the gates and warehouses at the Lehman Chamber of Commerce is called a security guard."
The group: ...

"Enough!" Lyspell shouted. "We are here to investigate the disappearance of the former Enforcement Team leader 'Anderson' and his men. Do not discuss unrelated matters!"

"Yes, President!"

Lyspell looked at Born with a headache. It seemed that whenever anything involved this guy, the situation immediately went off the rails.

"You must have some idea of the grudge you held against the Enforcement Team..."

Moreover, seeing him maintain such an indifferent, detached attitude made the President really want to punch him in the face.

"The specific details are as follows: Because of Cook, it was discovered that the mastermind behind the trap was 'Anderson.' Later, the academy expelled Anderson, and even his family disowned him, leaving him with nothing..."

"That’s wonderful! The protagonist is exonerated, and the villain suffers the consequences. What a perfect ending..." Born applauded.

*Snap!*

The President slammed a palm onto the table.

*Crack... crack...*

The table split down the middle and then collapsed with a crash.

"Born Ioulaum, can you listen to me finish?"

Looking at Lyspell’s 'innocent' expression, Born 'obediently' nodded in a hurry.