“The new healing potion formula you provided perfectly matches my theory!”
“I just don’t know the specific ratios for these materials. What are the yield and brewing time…?”
Although she didn’t quite understand the technical terms coming out of Monet’s mouth, combined with her own knowledge, Luwei could guess some of the information — alchemy in this world was still at an extremely primitive stage.
Currently, there was no complete set of theories to guide the development of alchemy.
Alchemists were still crudely testing the properties of materials, constantly pairing them with new ingredients to study their potential effects.
But Monet — her ambition went beyond that.
She was trying to create a ‘guiding theory’ for alchemy!
“I see…”
Luwei’s eyes flickered.
She understood now.
‘This is indeed a great… “opportunity.”‘
In the game Bonds, if a player wanted to develop their own influence, they needed to understand market conditions, the historical background, and timely opportunities in real-time.
Furthermore, to prevent players from copying each other’s work, every player’s world had random differences, making markets and opportunities unique.
Looking at it now, the information provided by Monet was undoubtedly an opportunity unique to this world…
At that thought, the corners of Luwei’s mouth curled up in an imperceptible arc.
The alchemy of this world was in its infancy.
The original healing potions were likely just a crude heap of all materials related to “healing” and “pain relief” traits, forced together to create a mixture.
The effects were poor, side effects were many, and the ingredients often conflicted with one another…
Therefore, it wasn’t hard to imagine what kind of impact the Elementary Healing Potion provided by her system panel would have on the alchemical world once it was released.
“I understand the situation now.”
Luwei nodded toward Monet and simultaneously glanced at the guards standing ready behind her — feeling the mana fluctuations radiating from Monet, the mages of House Carys had already arrived on the scene.
Luwei could only signal for them to leave.
Otherwise, given that Professor Monet was using magic so recklessly without authorization… she would likely be charged with “disrespecting a noble” and spend the rest of her life in a dungeon.
“Follow me. We’ll find another place to talk in detail…”
During this week, in addition to intensely reading newspapers and books, Luwei had done one more thing — she sent the healing potions brewed by Floxi to prominent figures in the Alchemist Association, accompanied by her own letter of introduction and a rough description of the formula’s ingredients…
Perhaps the identity of “a high-ranking noble from a border kingdom” wasn’t particularly dazzling.
Most of the messages Luwei sent out went unanswered.
Even the few replies she received were quite arrogant, criticizing Luwei for her lack of common sense.
They didn’t even bother to conduct an experiment before returning the healing potion untouched.
As for Professor Monet… she was likely the first person to seriously study that bottle of red healing potion.
“Lady Luwei, as long as you can provide the funding, I will definitely produce results that satisfy you!”
The Monet before her rubbed her hands together excitedly, her appearance completely inconsistent with her status as a big shot in the alchemical world.
In fact, just moments ago in the library, if Luwei hadn’t arrived in time, this woman would have almost been kicked out by the guards.
After learning about her personal resume… she had a title but no results.
That was Luwei’s summary.
If that was the case, she had to carefully evaluate whether Monet was actually capable of handling this job…
Luwei’s goal was actually quite clear — to use this highly effective Elementary Healing Potion as bait to recruit research personnel proficient in alchemy at a low price.
Since the alchemy formulas rewarded by the system panel were limited, if she wanted to continuously obtain “perfectly balanced” potion formulas, she had to try pairing ingredients herself.
Therefore, Luwei urgently needed alchemical talent to develop new theories and take the lead in improving various potion formulas to gain a first-mover advantage.
But after a week of effort, she had only managed to recruit such a young professor whose skill level was unclear…
Luwei was honestly quite disappointed.
She had just checked the level of Monet’s traits… the rich blue light above her head proved she was only a holder of a B+ Trait.
As for the specific appraisal, she would have to wait until she signed a contract with her or established a romantic relationship.
“Fine. To protect the rights and interests of both parties, here is an Equality Contract. Please sign your name…”
‘A contract? Does that mean she is accepting me??’
Monet couldn’t help but fall into thought…
She was technically a citizen of the Kingdom of Avalon, and she had heard a few rumors about this daughter of a Duke.
To be honest, if her research funds weren’t so tight, Monet would have treated this as a joke.
After all, who would believe that a rumored arrogant and dissolute noble lady — who was still so young — would actually dabble in alchemy!?
Previously, Monet had approached this with the mindset of a salesperson…
She simply thought Lady Luwei had suddenly taken an interest in recruiting alchemists and had promised a large amount of research funding.
With her own talent, she could just wing it and use her eloquence to please the little lady.
Then, wouldn’t the research funds come rolling in?
But after Monet studied that bottle of healing potion, her mindset changed completely…
“Lady Luwei, when can you show me the complete formula?”
Monet’s expression was a bit fidgety.
In the letter Luwei had sent her, only the general ingredients of the potion were listed…
As a professional alchemist, based solely on those ingredients and the effect of the finished product, Monet could foresee how much of a shock this new healing potion formula would cause in the alchemical world!
This was also why Monet was acting so hyper — in her heart, her thirst for knowledge had triumphed over money!
“Don’t worry. Sign this contract, and I will give you both the formula and the funding…”
Seeing the other party start writing on the parchment, Monet couldn’t help but observe this Lady Luwei, who was rumored to be quite unbearable by the outside world…
Her smooth silver hair reached her waist, and her small face carried a seriousness that didn’t match her age.
She was a bit short…
Monet remembered she was already an adult, right?
How was she still so small?
She recalled that not long ago in the Imperial Capital, the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Avalon had personally hosted her coming-of-age ceremony…
Yet, perhaps influenced by the rumors, Monet felt a faint, imperceptible sense of disgust lingering in her heart as she looked at Lady Luwei.
Even though the girl’s features were delicate and lovely, and she didn’t look that unpleasant…
She shook her head, tossing those ridiculous thoughts out of her mind.
‘What a joke. Is it just because her personality is a bit bad and her expression is a bit fierce?’
This was a rare opportunity to cling to such a benefactor…
For the sake of research funds and wine, no matter how bad the other party’s personality was, she could endure it!
Until Monet’s gaze fell upon the Equality Contract Luwei handed over…
“After Party B leaves their position, all research results unconditionally belong to Party A… and they voluntarily undergo… memory erasure…?”
“Party B voluntarily accepts supervision during the work period… unilateral termination of the contract requires compensation… Party A will periodically pay… ‘a certain reward’???”
Monet’s eyelids began to twitch.
“Lady Luwei…”
“Aren’t your conditions a bit too harsh?”
But the silver-haired girl before her simply tilted her head expressionlessly.
“Are they?”
“I own the means of production, and you are just a researcher.”
“It’s only normal for the terms of the contract to favor me, isn’t it?”
“Besides, I also promised to pay you a reward outside of the research funding.”
“This is quite fair.”
Hearing these words, Monet finally couldn’t take it anymore.
She slapped the table and stood up abruptly.
“At least I should have a share of the research results, right?”
“The benefits and treatment aren’t clearly written either…”
“Aren’t you just recruiting people to work for you for free!?”
She finally saw Luwei’s true, wicked nature!
These terms basically treated her like a slave!
It was blatant exploitation!!
But Luwei only smiled faintly…
“The research results will belong to you, of course… but only on the condition that you never terminate this contract.”
“I’m not some kind of demon.”
“If you feel you’re being bullied, you can just apply to resign…”
Seeing that dark smile, Monet couldn’t help but shiver…
“But you’d better think it through.”
“Right now, only I can help you achieve your ambitions.”
Luwei bared her teeth at Monet.
“Hmph. If you won’t do it, there are plenty of other alchemists who will…”