Gathering the Tools

The Dandelion Mandragora, otherwise known as the Stonebreaker Dandelion, was a biological weapon developed by one Professor Cato, a subordinate of the late Demon Lord during the demonkin invasion. It was a mutant plant that grew by absorbing large amounts of Aether from its surroundings and could grow thick, powerful roots designed to penetrate and damage masonry. Not only so, but the plant's method of spreading its seeds was also, much like its namesake, akin to dandelions. Due to this, they quickly became widespread soon after deployment, dealing an untold amount of damage against fortresses and cities by the war's end.

Albatross have heard of that particular plant herself. From what she knew, it was considered a pest by the world at large, but for the mages, it was a plant that could be made into medicine that would drastically increase the amount of Aether in a person's body. It was said to be twenty times more effective than the processed roots of the Aetherglow herb, a dangerous medicine to consume, used only by the masters and above who were confident in their Aether control.

There were also rumors floating about in regards to how the Dandelion Mandragora was one of the ingredients for a potion that would further an apprentice's Aether condensation rate by a tremendous degree. It was said that the potion was rare and only a few were handed out to the most promising of apprentices each year.

"I know a thing or two about it," said Albatross. She wouldn't mistake it for something else as she had considered trying to get her hands on some before, only to give up due to the high risks and minuscule odds of success. "They're being cultivated somewhere within the tower. A repurposed terrarium, I believe. It's not an area just anyone has access to, however."

"Well, I figured as much. The mages won't miss out on cultivating such a plant and the tower ought to be the few places where they can contain it safely," said Theodore as he nodded thoughtfully to himself.

"You're not thinking of having me steal some, are you? Because I am telling you right now, I am not doing it. If they catch me, which they most probably will, I'm done for."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to ask something so stupid. Not to mention, if you're caught, you're probably going to sell me out for the slightest chance of saving your own skin or just to drag me down with you, isn't that right?"

"Naturally. Don't even think for a moment that we're friends."

"No, of course not."

There was no taking back what he had done, Theodore understood as much. Again, he reminded himself that the cooperation would be a begrudging one.

"Still," Theodore continued, "I would like to know about the layout of the tower. Can you tell me that much at least, or is that prohibited by your curse?"

"The layout of the first five floors of the tower is common knowledge, so it shouldn't be a problem talking about them, the problem is that the terrarium where the Dandelion Mandragoras are being cultivated lies beyond the fifth floor. I haven't been there before and even if I did, I can't talk about it."

"That's a shame, I'll have to figure out another way to find out about it then. Putting the layout aside, I also want you to get me some rats or mice, and a few birds too. They can be dead or alive, whichever you find more convenient. It's a strange thing to complain about, but Fiana keeps this place too clean. it's hard to find even a single mouse on my own."

"Wait, dead or alive?" There were traces of repulsion in Albatross's eyes. She had carried out such requests from other mages before, so she knew the gist of what Theodore was trying to do.

"You're not trying to make zombies, are you?"

After all, if Theodore wasn't going to ask her to steal from the tower, he's going to have to find someone else to do it in his stead and it's going to be someone who won't betray him when caught.

"Oh? You're familiar with the procedure, are you?"

"More than I would have liked, yes. Those things, they're unnatural..."

"What's so unnatural about it?" asked Theodore as he quirked an eyebrow. "Living things are nothing more than a collection of biological matter moving about to consume other biological matter so that they can continue to move about. Besides, the creation of the undead originated from the ancient witches' mimicry of certain parasitic lifeforms that take over their hosts' bodies for reproduction purposes. And no, they weren't mutants like the hydra helminth I fed you, they're all naturally occurring lifeforms. So no, I wouldn't say that it's all that unnatural. I mean, in the first place-"

"That's quite enough! I get it. I'll go get you what you need. Just stop talking."

"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Theodore smirked teasingly, though there was also a part of him that was excited to talk about such things without the need to restrain himself out of the fear of being found out. The late Demon Lord used to have such long-winded conversations about all sorts of strange ancient magic as well. It had mostly been with the man known as Cato, the same person who created the Dandelion Mandragoras and the Corpse Eater now known as Merry.

"I'll get you the bodies, but where are you going to get the Aether crystals? you need those to create zombies, right? Are you going to ask Fiana?"

"I rather not bring Fiana into this; she'll start asking questions. I could lie, but it's better to avoid that confrontation entirely. Besides, I already have the crystal?"

As he said so, Theodore went over to his bed and reached under his pillow. From there, he pulled out a few clusters of crystallized Aether of varying sizes. They were dark red in color, something Albatross found unusual in comparison to the pale-colored crystals found within the city.

"How did you get those!? You didn't rip them out of the slimes, did you?"

"Slimes?" Theodore was briefly confused by the question. The slime he saw in the tower during his exams didn't have any crystal on it at all. Then again, the Archmage did say something about how the slimes the mages managed to create were different from the ones generated in the tower. "No, not from the slimes. We don't let them onto the grounds. They consume organic material, after all, wouldn't want them to mistake any ingredients for trash."

"So where *did* you get them then? You can't have just grabbed it out of thin air, right? Or can you?"

"It's quite simple, really. Remember the tea we've been drinking?"

"How could I forget? Wait a minute, don't tell me..."

"You've always taken two or three sips before stopping. I, on the other hand, drank the pot. It'd be strange for nothing to happen after doing that every single day."

Finally realizing what Theodore had meant, Albatross gazed at him with her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Don't tell, those were from you?"

"I don't exactly have enough control to stop the Aether from crystallizing with the amount I took into my body, but I *can* control where they crystallize to some degree. All I had to do was regulate them away from any lethal areas of the body and extract them after the crystallization was complete," Theodore explained as he puffed out his chest, practically boasting about his feat.

Though at first, it sounded insane, once Albatross recalled Theodore's extraordinary skill with healing magic, it suddenly didn't seem all that far-fetched. Even so, that must have hurt.

"You're crazy," Albatross blurted.

"On the contrary, I knew exactly what I was doing, with the crystals at least," said Theodore, his gaze casting towards the side. With recent events, Theodore couldn't exactly say that he had everything under control.

"That doesn't exactly inspire confidence."

"A-anyways, the crystals are taken care of, I just need the bodies."

"I'll see what I can do. The rats should be easy, but the birds might take a while."

"Take your time, just be sure to remain discreet."

"I don't need you to tell me that twice."

Theodore nodded. Albatross had been in this city for nine years, she ought to know how to get around better than he.

"One last thing, it's about my letter."

"I am afraid it's the same as last time. No letters addressed to you seemed to have arrived yet."

For a moment there, Theodore could feel the embers of anxiety within him being fanned ever so slightly. It took him all his might to calm it down.

"My letter was delivered, right?"

"I made sure it arrived at the post office at the town outside, though I wouldn't know what happens after that."

"That's fair," said Theodore as he fell into a brief contemplation. "Anyways, I have another letter to be delivered. Can you deliver this one?"

"That's my job, my actual job," said Albatross as she received Theodore's letter, neatly sealed in an envelope. "Hopefully you'll get a reply this time."

"Yeah... That'll be it for today. Stay safe."

"I don't need you to worry about me. Worry about yourself instead. I haven't told you this before, but I spot a few weirdos lurking outside. I think you're being watched."

"I knew that. The Circle has kept an eye on me since I arrived. In a sense, this workshop has been both a prison and a shelter for me. It also shows that the elders may have a conflict in interest with one another. We might be able to use that to our advantage in the future."

"Just don't get caught, alright."

"Aw, I didn't realize you cared."

Those words earned Theodore a fierce glare from Albatross.

"Only because you're my ticket out of here, and that you might sell me out after you're caught."

Theodore replied with only an ambiguous smile, leaving Albatross incredibly irritated as she began to leave.

After seeing Albatross off, Theodore was once again alone. With Peter on his lap as he struck the small creature's soft fur, Theodore let out a sigh.

"So far, so good," he whispered as the sun began to set.

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End of Chapter 52

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