Chapter 523 - 492: Alchemist Assessment (2/3)

Chapter 523: Chapter 492: Alchemist Assessment (2/3)

"Through the fiery crimson autumn leaves, the warm breeze under the setting sun caresses the skin~ Over the dull sky, the white birds soar, do you know where my heart desires to rest~"

Ian picked up the lute, and following the rhythm of the ballad poet he remembered, he improvised a tune—a cheerful tavern melody that warmed the entire study.

If we consider the lyrics, it is a slightly risqué country ballad that is very popular throughout South Ridge, but without the lyrics, it’s just an ordinary tune.

As for the risqué content... honestly, there wasn’t much to expect; in essence, it wasn’t much different from folk songs like ’squeezing your big X’. After all, it’s a rural ballad from a place like South Ridge, so don’t expect too much sophistication in the lyrics—even those lyrics are the result of Ian’s attempts to beautify them.

Actually, the version in the taverns goes ’the maple leaves of autumn are so fiery hot, the warm breeze brushes your cheek~ the white birds in the sky dally about, just like my heart when I see you~’.

And here, both the maple leaves and white birds have their own implications.

The Viscount would probably like it.

Anyway, Ian couldn’t carry that tune.

But it must be said that in the tavern, it really had the atmosphere of local life.

As Yisen Gard listened to Ian’s performance, he initially wanted to praise Ian’s skillful playing, but gradually his eyebrows rose in confusion, showing a puzzled expression.

"Playing very well..." the blond youth murmured in some confusion, "but it feels a bit... um... different from what I heard at Harrison Port before? Your playing doesn’t seem like a ballad, Ian, it’s a bit too rigid..."

"You see,"

Raising his hand and stopping his playing, Ian looked at Yisen Gard, gently placing the instrument back in its place, "the core of art is being different. Because of the mood, because of the state, because of the emotions and the small impulses in the mind."

"Even the same actions are different in subtle ways. A person’s demeanor, actions, the choice of pace and position, that passionate attitude, the power to infect others, the steps a ballad poet takes towards the audience... these are all difficult to imitate."

"If you wanted to imitate these things, there would be far too much to consider."

"But if it’s a person’s own nature, then you needn’t think too much, you just need to be yourself—that’s why some people can liven up the atmosphere, while I am simply reproducing the process of his playing."

Speaking thus, Ian smiled looking out the window of the study, "Every song sung by different people is different—every person sees the world differently, even the same person at different times, listening to the same song, the feelings that arise are never the same."

"That’s why I love music, I love this kind of difference."

Yisen Gard listened silently. He felt as if he were seeing a more real Ian... in a way he had never understood before.

"I was a bit worried at first, afraid that Mother would see through your secret."

Yisen Gard said softly, then nodded in relief, "It seems that was an unnecessary concern. You’ve covered up this completely different side of yourself so well that I doubt anyone could see through your true face."

"Not necessarily, the main reason is that we didn’t have much chance to talk about music while we were adventuring together."

The youth shook his head slightly, "Does Lady Ellen want to see me?"

Although Ian already knew this, he pretended ignorance, "Morning, or evening? Or at noon?"

"Noon. We’ll have lunch together."

Yisen Gard straightened his clothes, gathered his papers, and nodded, "We’ll leave in a while... Miss Hua’an and the others can come too if they want..."

"It’s best not to involve them."

Ian decisively answered, narrowing his eyes, "You’re in such a hurry... surely Lady Ellen has something to tell me. Perhaps it’s also related to your Uncle Michael... maybe it also concerns you."

"Yisen, has anything happened with the Alchemy Association in the Imperial Capital recently?"

Yisen Gard paused, then searched his memory for information, "There has been. A few days ago, after the teacher and I returned to the Imperial Capital, we found the master who had inscribed the inscription array on my bracelet... After he was stripped of his master’s title, an old alchemist who had the ability but not the title took his place."

"It’s a disgraceful affair—a certain Alchemy Master actually did some murderous work for money, which undoubtedly would harm the reputation of the Alchemy Association, so the Alchemy Association held a free alchemist certification, with additional rewards for the top ranks..."

"You know, previously you had to bring your own materials and potions for the alchemist’s certification, but this time the association is footing the bill, and there are rewards for the top ranks; when has there ever been such generosity?"

"I remember it lasts for seven days, completely free, and it seems there is a limited number of spots, but seven days is enough for all the qualified people to participate."

"So, quite a few people have made the trip specially for this. In their eyes, the top ranks are probably pre-decided, but even if they can’t get the rewards, at worst it’s a free practice. Free stuff, why not take advantage of it?"

Yisen Gard teased, having no intention of participating himself, for he had already passed the certification of an Elite Alchemist and was still a long way from becoming a master, plus his family didn’t lack the means for materials, "This is what I meant before when I said I wanted you to show off a bit; if you can get into the top three, no one would object to me arranging a laboratory for you."

"Moreover, while riding on this fame, you could also make a name for yourself in the Alchemy Association, and later, having a position there would make everything easier."

"It seems I’ve arrived just in time," Ian nodded slightly, guessing what Lady Ellen wanted to say to him—it was nothing more than to encourage him to participate in the test, to show off his skills, and then to join the Platinum Iridium Workshop as Yisen Gard’s assistant.

What Yisen could think of, how could Lady Ellen not think of it? She just silently went with the flow, setting up the stage, waiting for them to step up.

Ian didn’t see anything wrong with it—he needed a platform, and others had prepared the stage for him, even if it wasn’t intentionally for him, it saved him a lot of effort.

Once he demonstrated his alchemy abilities, and then exchanged his merits as an Inspector Knight for materials from the Domain of Extremes, no one would care.

Everything was going very smoothly, all the plans were proceeding on schedule.

However, what Ian didn’t expect was.

Besides this stage, Lady Ellen had prepared a quite unexpected surprise for him.