The Primal Hunter

Infinite Academy Credits was honestly overpowered and something any academy student would dream of. It meant Jake could attend whatever class he liked at any point, drop out if he didn’t feel it, or just give a lot a go at the same time to find the one he liked the most.

However, it did give some quirks. Normally one could transfer AC to others, but Jake couldn’t as he didn’t technically have any. He couldn’t pay for others either. Well, not other members of the Order anyway. Because Jake found one interesting provision in the rules of Academy Credit usage: nothing said Jake had to be the one attending. Not in that no one would attend, but that Jake in person didn’t have to. It was entirely possible for Jake to send a clone or an avatar or, perhaps, a servant or a slave.

A plan formed in his mind as he waited for Meira to return. He went over some lessons while he waited patiently, trying to find some of the basic ones that would be good for an absolute beginner alchemist.

Villy had made it clear Meira would be screwed if she was just released due to her lack of affiliation with the Order. However, what would happen if, instead of just releasing her to the hounds, he had her become a member of the Order first? No rule he had seen said that wasn’t possible, and if he was told he couldn’t…

Well, Villy did just tell him to do whatever the hell he wanted, so it really wasn’t Jake’s fault, but the snake god who gave him the idea.

Meira had not had time to familiarize herself with the library before her new Master had arrived, so it took longer than she had hoped to get all the requested books. She didn’t want to miss any but get all the ones asked for.

It was lucky she at least had been given a spatial satchel to transport the books in by the warden. It was far worse than a spatial ring or a necklace or any true spatial storage and required one to physically deposit the items by hand, but it was surely better than nothing. Her father had a similar one back home too…

She shook her head as she focused on her work. The ingredients had already been gathered and placed in a secondary bag made for the purpose of transporting toxic materials. As she went through the library index to double-check if she had gotten everything, a stray thought entered her head: he probably won’t be too angry if I missed one.

Meira instantly caught herself in the act and slapped herself lightly. She couldn’t let down her guard, and she had to perform perfectly. She had miscalculated so much already and made so many blunders… but… how could she have known?

The Malefic One had descended right in front of her. Her new Master was the Chosen of the Malefic One… it was as if she had just become the slave of the Hall Master… no, the Lord Protector? The mere thought was preposterous, even if she knew that was the truth.

Moreover, clearly, no one in the Humanoid Department knew anything about this. Meira had been informed her new Master was a very talented black-Token alchemist who had been marked with the highest level of importance during the entrance test. That in itself was already someone who she seriously needed to integrate herself with, but the Chosen?

It was like going from being told she was to work for a local Lord only to find out she was actually under the employ of the emperor. No matter the metaphor, she knew she had potentially struck gold, even if she was also in a very precarious position.

The only reason she was serving the Chosen was due to him wanting to keep his identity secret for reasons she didn’t even dare ponder on. As a Chosen, he could have anything he wanted. There would no-doubt even be S-grades willing to become his servants as long as it meant a direct connection to the Malefic One. Who was she in comparison to any of them?

No… you have the first-movers advantage, Meira reminded herself. She would do anything, and nothing was out of the question, just to stay. If she somehow managed to endear herself to him, perhaps she would even find a way to help her clan back home as well as herself. No matter what, her new Master was a ticket to change her path of life in its entirety and allow her to survive. As long as she played her cards right and got lucky, that is.

satchels to the laboratory. She hoped she hadn’t been too slow as she got closer and saw the door open. She peeked in as she saw her Master sit on a stool as his hand burned with a transparent flame. He looked deep in thought, and

didn’t know better, she would view him as just another regular human. Naturally, that wasn’t the case, but she did at least have the interpretation he wasn’t a bad person. So far, he had only been nice towards her, but there was still that tiny sliver of doubt. One borne from the reality of where

place. The Malefic Viper was not a nice god, and the path the alchemists belonging

and smiled, catching her peeping. A bit embarrassed, she quickly bowed as she asked: “Where should the books and

satchels here,” he answered. “Tell

Meira answered, a bit perplexed at the question, but she assumed it had to do with her ability to assist him in his work. “However, I have been trained in the knowledge of alchemical work

No, she had not slipped up, had she? She had made sure to avoid using “My Lord” and “Master” as commanded and also naturally avoided using words such as “you” and the

you ever wanted to do alchemy?” he

question Meira had honestly never even thought

frown at her mentioning being used as a test subject for alchemical experiments so casually. She didn’t even fucking blink when telling a poison

had already learned she had Palate, so she had to have gained something from everything they had put her through. Moreover, he was also confident in another thing that would help her if

merely being who he was would impact her positively. Of course,

quickly got the feeling she had never even considered this

one of the most varied, if not the most varied, profession-archetype of the multiverse. In fact, most alchemists focus on restoration and beneficial effects, with it also

I can learn anything wished of me to the best of my abilities,” she answered after

his head. “Do you

didn’t answer right away as Jake continued. “Let me ask you this, what would you be doing if you hadn’t been enslaved

mines of my clan or have been sworn to serve

certain she was telling the truth when looking

on using cauldrons for combat would begin, he had some time to kill. Jake leaned back against the alchemy table he was sitting at

integrated universe, and I am actually quite interested… can you tell me a bit about how you grew up and life as someone born

of it being for him to learn about the multiverse was very purposeful as he didn’t feel like it would go over well for him to ask her to give her life story. No, this was better. It was only natural her explanation would be heavily based on her own experiences, so it was a real win-win as he also did want some insight into how someone lived in the multiverse. As the conversation went on, he

asked some clarifying questions and then began telling him about the life her clan had lived. She didn’t say it was specifically how she

powerful faction because they happened to live close to a valuable mine. A life of servitude where the

If a young lord – or just a lord in general – came and wanted something or someone, they would just give it to avoid repercussions. Levels were gained