CHAOS BORN

“I’m sorry, come again,” Carlos asked as if to double-check what he had heard.
“Aphrodisiac, Uncle Carlos. More specifically, I want an aphrodisiac potion recipe. I will take any you can provide.” Nero intoned it slowly as if to hammer his point.
Carlos closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.
Then he opened them again and looked at Nero as if reevaluating him.
“Got to say when I saw you put down a lesser minion beast, I knew you were an oddball who would make it big someday. Now I’m more certain since you got a good head on your shoulders,” He said as he laughed.
Carlos could easily put two and two together on why an alchemist needs an aphrodisiac recipe.
“No, Uncle Carlos, you are thinking too highly of me. The injured beast just fell for the trap I set up. I was too lucky that day,” Nero said modestly.
“Even if it was, so what? As long as one continues to walk down their path, they will come to have fortuitous encounters. Using the ladders shown to us by the Divine requires courage to take action and intelligence to make a choice. Your choice to be a hunter gave you the opportunity. Your guts to take the risk and face the injured beast gained you cash on the barrelhead. There is no reason for you to be modest.”
Nero thanked him with a smile before bringing back the matter at hand. “Uncle Carlos, about the potion recipe…” 
“Hehe, you can have my word. By tomorrow night, you will have it in your hands.” Carlos said confidently.
“Tomorrow? I am sorry to say this, but is that even possible? I thought you would send me the recipes after you enter the city. Getting hold of this stuff, no offense, but around here?” Nero asked skeptically.
“Why should I be offended, especially since I willingly left this place when I was young and am now moving away with my family? You don’t have to lump me in with the villagers and village head who had only seen Agroville’s sky. I know this place is an underdeveloped backwater. But even this place has something special going for it.”
“Special?”
“Yes, something special. This area is like a haven. Specifically, the place stretching from here next to our eastern borders has been relatively secure for the past twenty-five years. There hasn’t been much dangerous monster activity. The real threat on the roads is the occasional bandits, but even they are dealt by the Guardians and Adventures. Add minimal monitoring from authorities since they can’t levy much tax from this backwater, making it perfect for certain goods.” 
Carlos paused to catch his breath before continuing, “Some people have started using this place as a trade route to the east. They’ve realized that as long as they follow the rules, they can smuggle prohibited goods from here. Things have been picking up steadily since then. While I can’t get you high-end materials like gears or Ascension resources from here, I can easily get my hands on these things through my connections.” 
He stopped speaking, allowing Nero to digest what he said.
Nero took a moment to process Carlos’ words, feeling a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
Having experienced the dangers beyond Thawnkardian, being told they weren’t dangerous was humbling. And to think that this place was a hub for smuggling goods? Who would have guessed?
But something didn’t add up. 
No idiot would openly discuss these things with a no-name peddler from a backwater village. A smuggling organization would keep things close to the heart, making no slip-up. Unless… 
Nero interrupted his train of thought and glanced at Carlos a look from the corner of his eyes.
Doesn’t this guy always have suspiciously a lot of money in his pocket? Be it for their home, lifestyle, or even their upcoming move. What are the odds of him being one of them?
Hmm, should I tip him off to Alvin? 
No, if I am right, I would at best get some penny as a reward and pat on the shoulders in front of the village, else I would be burning the bridge with Carlos for no reason. And even if he was right, what if the temple messed it up on their end? Or what if Carlos intentionally slipped it for a reason, like trying to fill me in and then my actions ended up poking a hornet’s nest? 
On the flip side, if I stay with him, I might score a channel for my potions. Thinking this much, Carlos looked more pleasant in his eyes. Let’s test the waters.
“Thank you, Uncle Carlos. I never knew all this stuff was happening here and today you broadened my horizons. You know how much I love mystery stories, right? Figuring out what’s brewing in the background in real life like this is all fascinating to me,” Nero said excitedly, like an enthusiastic child.
“Haha, first you should brew some potion and get foot for your path as an alchemist. Only then can you afford such hobbies.” Carlos laughed, as if pleased.
Does he mean I’m not ready and need to establish myself before reaching out to them? 
“Alright then. You can count on me to get little Jacob a recommendation. That’s my word.” Nero said, mustering as much sincerity as he could in his voice.
“Very well, I will leave it in your hands.”
“I’ll be leaving now, Uncle Carlos,” Nero said, getting up.
“You are not staying for dinner?”
“Not today. Granny might wait for me all night and just be asleep on an empty stomach.”
“How about tomorrow? Come on, at least let your uncle treat you to a dinner for your Ascension ceremony,” Carlos said with a smile, giving him a friendly tap on the shoulder.
“Tomorrow it is then,” Nero said with a light laugh.
Carlos stood at the door, seeing him off.
As he walked home, Nero was sorting out what he should do next. I have to focus on my healing skills and combat training to get selected for an academy. But what to do for SP after Sharron moved out of the village?
“I’m home,” Nero announced as he removed his footwear and walked inside.
“Wash your hands first. Let me set up the table.” He heard Granny’s voice coming from the kitchen.
After sitting at the table with Granny and half-heartedly praying to the Goddess, he began digging into his food.

"What?" he asked, noticing her staring at him without touching her own food.

"Where have you been until now? I thought you would still be feeling down," she questioned.
“Oh, that? I’ve been to Uncle Carlos’ house. He’s been cheering me up by telling me different ways I can make money as an alchemist,” he replied, grinning. 
“Uncle Carlos cheered you up, eh?” Granny asked suspiciously.
“Is that a problem?” he asked, not understanding why she asked it.
“Well, it’s just that I had an entire speech prepared to motivate you and now it seems wasted,” she said disappointedly.
“Just that? Okay, let me finish this first. I can’t wait to hear what my smart granny cooked up.” Nero teased playfully, flashing her a toothy smile.
“Hehe, first, wipe off the food stuck in your teeth, cheeky brat.”
He glared at her for the taunt before returning to his meal.
Silence enveloped the dining table until Granny decided to break it. 
“I have been talking with Alvin and Rafaella till now. Do you remember me mentioning the dairy farm they started with their neighbor, who had a tamer path?”
Nero blinked as if trying his best to recall before asking doubtfully, “That was like three years back, right?”
“Yes! It started well, and now they have many clients in their village. But the neighbor had a baby last year, and now they’re all struggling. They also have their kids. When they go to other villages for the Ascension ceremony, they entrust their kids to this neighbor. With the workload and children, Rafaella said they’re in desperate need of extra help."
“Huh, I didn’t know they had a shortage of people in Craft Woods Village. Tell them not to be stingy and offer good money. If they pay well, people would line up for the job,” Nero suggested. 
“Well, they said there isn’t enough work to pay a high salary. Besides, the farm is within their house. For his duty, Alvin has to leave the village occasionally. It would just be the woman and the little children. They can’t hire just anyone; they need someone trustworthy,” Granny explained.
“Again, Granny, tell them to offer a good salary and convince someone they trust from their village to quit their current job,” Nero said, unable to understand what was so difficult. 
When she shook her head and refused to discuss it further, they silently finished the rest of their meal.
“Go on granny hit me with your motivational speech,” Nero said as he sat down after washing himself.
“Alright,” she cleared her throat before starting.
“The path you gain at your Ascension ceremony doesn’t define you or determine your future completely. It’s simply the easiest and most compatible path for you to ascend towards becoming a higher entity. You can abandon that path and forge your own, though I wouldn’t recommend it. Instead, it’s better to have a deeper understanding of what your path entails and develop it to suit yourself. As you continue on your journey, your path becomes more unique to you and aligns more with your goals. That’s why you should persevere as an alchemist and seek other avenues to meet your immediate needs.”
Nero nodded his head in agreement. These were the things she had long drilled into him and the conclusion he came to as well.
“You could pursue an Ascension technique that satisfies your current needs without conflicting with your path as an alchemist. And I just wanted to remind you that the Temple may have what you’re looking for, or they will get it for you if you’re willing to join.” Granny looked at him hopefully as she made the offer.
The part she missed was that he will be bound by contract clauses that will prevent him from going against the temple and potentially have to throw his life away if shit hits the fan. Why would I ever sign up for that?
Seeing him not budging, Granny sighed deeply before continuing.
“You could also find one in the academy. I’ll cover the cost. As for getting inside an academy that fits the bill, focus on practicing healing techniques, potion brewing, and getting somebody to train you in combat.”
Wow, will she pull the strings to get me a trainer, or will she let me go to the city? Nero’s eyes lit up as he considered the possibilities while he looked at her with anticipation.
“That’s why I’ve decided to place you under the care of Alvin and Rafaella. You’ll move to Craft Woods Village and live there for a year,” she said, looking deeply into his eyes, making her stance clear.
“Huh, what? what did you say, granny?” Nero asked, unable to believe what he had just heard.
"You need help with potion brewing, and Rafaella can lend a hand. She also agreed to let you practice your healing skills in her clinic. Alvin won’t always be around, but I’m confident a year will be enough for you to cover all the basics. They can’t stay here for too long because of their children and work commitments, so they’ll be leaving early the day after tomorrow. It’s better if you have everything packed by tomorrow night." Her words were firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
“You can’t do this to me!” He exclaimed, unintentionally raising his voice.
“I am doing this for your own sake. Can you find any fault in my decision?"
“Well…well, I can’t just leave you here alone,” he stumbled.
“You were always going to leave for the academy. Doing it a year early makes no difference. Besides, the villagers will take care of me just fine, and if anything happens, it’ll be easier to reach you there than in the city,” she reassured calmly, trying to ease his worries.
“Who will take care of the temple and assist you with rituals and ceremonies?” he asked nervously, trying to find some doubts.
“Oh, please. Everyone in the village would eagerly volunteer to serve the Goddess. You’re the only one who sees it as a burden. And if I offered good money, people would line up for the job, wouldn’t they?” she replied, half-jokingly. 
“And what about Jacob’s tuition? I can’t leave it halfway after accepting it.”
“I’ll take care of it. I’m sure his parents will be more than happy to entrust him to me,”
“Then what about…”
“Nero!” she interrupted, stopping him from dragging this any longer. Taking a deep breath, she continued, “My child, look me in the eye and tell me, is there any reason for you to stay here? Is there anything you need to confess to your granny?” She asked as if giving him one last chance. 
Nero, seeing her poignant eyes piercing deeply into him, lowered his head in defeat. 
The hall fell silent, with no one uttering a word.
“I’ll take that as a no then. My decision is final, and you’ll be leaving for Craft Woods’ village,” she stated, her tone filled with exhaustion. 
Nero stormed out of the room, slamming his door shut, the sound echoing through the hall. 
Granny Orias let out the longest sigh of the day and remained alone in the hall.
Impatiently, he entered his room, dragged a chair near the study table, and tapped his fingers on it as his mind raced to make sense of the situation. 
Damn it, she knows. She figured it out. But when? And how? What did I do to let her know?
His mind was a mess. There was flaring shame and guilt for fooling her but also faint bubbling anger deep inside for her controlling his life. 
He took a breath to calm his emotional turmoil. 
None of this is important. I will come myself clean and make it up to her later.
I am so close to earning enough SP for the Ascension technique. What should I do? Persuading Granny didn’t even cross his mind, as he knew the outcome. 
Can’t I hunt in the Craft Woods village? But since I long hunted everything that grows within Thawnkardian, I will surely have to leave its borders. And that will take me weeks to know the terrain, map it out, and get used to the routine of the prey. 
And what is the guarantee that the mule will let me hunt in peace? That idiot won’t let me leave the village posing safety concerns and since he is hell-bent on playing by the book, what if he asked me to get an adventure license first? Granny’s never been a fan of me leaving the village to hunt, thus she won’t speak up for me.
Damn, should I leave it at this? 
Maybe showing my skills to Alvin could persuade him? Or what if I pulled the same thing I did with Sharron in the Craft Woods village? Honestly, he wasn’t certain. He still wasn’t sure why Sharron fell on his lap and whether all of it was a fluke. Deep down, he still lacked the confidence to hit it off with someone and nail them down.
Not to mention if Granny could sniff him out. Couldn’t Alvin and Rafaella do the same? 
No, whatever going to happen there is currently beyond my knowledge and control. Betting on something like that is what got me here in the first place. I would rather work with what I already have in my grasp. 
His eyes fell on the penny bank that had yet to be filled up.
Sigh, needs must when the devil drives.
Picking up the penny bank, he slammed it on the table. 
Silently, he began collecting the coins from the broken pieces of the penny bank and counted them.