Rebirth : The Alchemist's Path

Chapter 13: Reggie’s Gamble

As Reggie gazed at Sylvus' gentle smile, a shiver ran down his spine, and terror filled his heart.

If anyone else had shown him this kind of smile, he would have taken it as a gesture of goodwill.

But when Sylvus smiled, Reggie couldn't help but see it as a sign of something far more sinister.

Just moments ago, he had been rendered powerless, and now Sylvus was asking him if he wanted to regain his strength. Was this some sort of cruel mockery?

"M-Milord, I know I was wrong... please, spare me," Reggie stammered, taking a few steps back, fear clear in his eyes.

"Don't be afraid. I'm serious. Would you like to not only regain your strength but go even further?" Sylvus asked with a completely serious tone.

Meylan and the two Enforcement Hall members were utterly confused, staring at Sylvus in disbelief.

What on earth was their boss up to?

He had just cruelly stripped Reggie of his powers, and now he was offering to help him recover. Was this some form of split personality?

But Meylan quickly realized the truth—Sylvus wasn't doing this out of kindness. He was simply creating business for himself.

By crippling Reggie first, Sylvus was now setting the stage to sell him an elixir to restore his powers. It was a clever move—one that maintained his authority while earning him a hefty profit.

"Boss, you're truly ruthless," Meylan thought, glancing sympathetically at Reggie. The poor man was completely ensnared by Sylvus' scheme.

"Milord, are you... are you really serious? You're willing to help me regain my strength?" Reggie asked with a trace of doubt, sensing that Sylvus wasn't joking.

"Of course. As long as you pay, I can restore your strength," Sylvus replied with a smile.

At that, Reggie's mind cleared, and he quickly realized what Sylvus was up to.

So, the whole purpose of crippling him was just to squeeze him for money now?

"Milord, how much will it cost?" Reggie asked, feeling helpless. He knew he had no choice but to comply. Without Sylvus' help, he would remain powerless, and no amount of money would matter if that happened.

"I'll give you three options. The first is to purchase a **Grade-Six Returning Spirit Pill**. It will not only restore your strength but also help you break through to a higher level, with several other benefits. The price is 400,000 magic crystals.

"The second option is the **Grade-Five Restoration Pill**, which costs 100,000 magic crystals. It will restore your strength, but you won't be able to break through any further.

"The third option is the **Grade-Four Spiritual Vein Pill**, which is the cheapest at 10,000 magic crystals. It will restore you to the Three-Star Grand ArchMage level, but you'll be unable to progress further for the rest of your life. The choice is yours."

Sylvus smiled as he laid out the choices.

In his estimation, Reggie would likely choose the Grade-Five Restoration Pill. It was a reasonable price for a decent effect.

The Grade-Four Spiritual Vein Pill was unlikely since no mage would accept a future where they couldn't progress further.

As for the Grade-Six Returning Spirit Pill, Sylvus doubted Reggie would have enough money to afford it. After all, 400,000 magic crystals was a steep price, even for a Grand ArchMage.

"That's so cheap?"

But as soon as Sylvus finished speaking, Reggie exclaimed in surprise, leaving Sylvus momentarily stunned.

"Milord, does the Grade-Six Returning Spirit Pill really have such effects? It can restore my strength and help me break through?"

Reggie asked with curiosity.

Typically, when a mage was crippled, restoring their strength required a special **Grade-Eight potion**, which was incredibly rare and cost millions of magic crystals.

Even if Reggie could save up for his entire life, he'd never be able to afford one, nor would he likely find one for sale.

Now, for only 400,000 magic crystals, he could not only regain his power but also improve it? If it weren't for Sylvus' evident strength, Reggie might have thought he was being scammed.

*Cheap?*

Sylvus was stunned. He found it hard to believe these words were coming from a Grand ArchMage. After all, Meylan, a Nine-Star Saint Archmage, still owed him a million magic crystals.

Could it be that Grand ArchMages were wealthier than Saint Archmages now?

"So, you want to purchase the Grade-Six Returning Spirit Pill?" Sylvus asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Never mind how Reggie had so much money. If he paid up, Sylvus could finally purchase the three items from the system shop.

"Y-Yes, Milord. Here are 400,000 magic crystals. I'll take the Grade-Six Returning Spirit Pill," Reggie said as he handed over a magic storage ring to Sylvus.

Sylvus checked it and, sure enough, there were 400,000 magic crystals inside. He hadn't expected Reggie to be this wealthy.

"Meylan, what are you standing around for? Fetch the pill for our guest!"

"Right away, Boss."

Meylan snapped out of his daze and quickly retrieved the pill from the shop, presenting it to Sylvus.

Sylvus handed the pill to Reggie.

"This pill is truly remarkable."

The moment Reggie received the pill, he caught a whiff of its fragrant scent.

Instantly, he felt the dormant magic within his body stir, and he sensed a faint trace of power returning to him.

Without hesitation, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, Reggie swallowed the pill and sat down to meditate.