Chapter 14: If you won’t do it, plenty of alchemists will.

“Your new healing potion formula is simply perfect for my theory!”

“I just don’t know the exact ratios of these materials? What about the yield rate and the refining time…”

Although she didn’t quite understand the professional terms coming out of Monet’s mouth, combining it with her own knowledge, Luvia could roughly guess some information.

Alchemy in this world was still in an extremely primitive stage.

There was currently no complete theoretical system to guide the development of alchemy. Alchemists were still crudely testing the properties of materials, constantly pairing them with new ones to study their possible effects.

But Monet — her ambition went far beyond that.

She was trying to create a “guiding theory” for alchemy!

“I see…”

Luvia’s eyes flickered. She understood now.

This was indeed a very good… “opportunity”.

In the game “Bonds”, if players wanted to develop their own forces, they needed to stay updated on market conditions, the era’s background, and emerging opportunities in real time.

Moreover, to prevent players from simply copying each other, each player’s world had random differences, making the markets and opportunities unique.

From the looks of it, the information provided by Monet was undoubtedly an opportunity unique to this world…

Thinking of this, the corner of Luvia’s mouth curved up in a barely noticeable arc.

Alchemy in this world was still in its early stages of development.

The original healing potions were probably made by crudely throwing together all materials related to “healing” and “pain relief” properties, forcefully creating a healing potion.

The effect was poor, with many side effects, and the components antagonized each other…

Therefore, it was not hard to imagine what kind of impact the “Elementary Healing Potion” from the system panel would bring to the alchemy world once released.

“Not bad, I roughly understand now.”

Luvia nodded at Monet while glancing at the guards behind her who were ready to act.

Feeling the magical fluctuation emitted by Monet, the mages of the Caris family had already arrived at the scene.

Luvia could only signal them to leave.

Otherwise, with Professor Monet recklessly using magic without authorization, she would most likely be charged with “disrespecting nobility” and spend the rest of her life in prison.

“Follow me. Let’s talk somewhere else…”

…

During this week, aside from intensely reading newspapers and journals, Luvia had done one other thing.

She had sent the healing potions refined by Floshi to several influential figures in the Alchemy Association, along with her own introduction letter and a rough list of the potion’s ingredients…

Perhaps the identity of “a great noble from a remote small country” was not particularly impressive.

Most of the letters Luvia sent sank without a trace.

Even the few replies she received were filled with arrogant criticism of her lack of common sense. They didn’t even bother to conduct experiments before returning the healing potions untouched.

As for the Professor Monet beside her… she was probably the first person who had seriously studied this bottle of red healing potion.

“Your Highness Luvia, as long as you can provide the funding, I will definitely produce results that satisfy you!”

The Monet in front of her rubbed her hands together excitedly. Her image really did not match that of a “big shot in the alchemy world”.

Even earlier in the library, if Luvia hadn’t arrived in time, this woman would have almost been thrown out by the guards.

And after reviewing her personal resume… she had an empty title with no actual achievements.

Luvia summarized it that way.

If that was the case, she would need to properly evaluate whether Monet was truly capable of handling this job…

Luvia’s goal was actually very clear — using this highly effective elementary healing potion as bait to attract skilled alchemy researchers at a low cost.

Because the alchemy formulas rewarded by the system were limited. If she wanted a continuous supply of such “optimal ratio” potion formulas, she would have to experiment and match them herself.

Therefore, Luvia urgently needed talent in alchemy to develop new theories, take the lead in improving various magic potion formulas, and gain the first-mover advantage.

But after a whole week of effort, she had only managed to recruit this young professor whose level was still unclear…

Luvia felt quite disappointed.

She had also checked Monet’s trait level earlier… The dense blue light above her head showed that she was only a B+ trait holder.

As for a detailed appraisal, she would have to wait until she signed a contract with her or confirmed a romantic relationship.

“Alright then. To protect the rights and interests of both sides, here is an equal contract. Please sign your name…”

“…”

A contract? Does this mean she’s acknowledging me??

Monet couldn’t help but fall into thought…

She was considered a citizen of the Avalon Kingdom, and she had heard some rumors about this Duke’s daughter.

Honestly, if her research funding wasn’t so tight, Monet would have treated this as nothing more than a childish game.

After all, who would believe that a young noble lady rumored to be willful and spoiled — and still so young —

would actually have any involvement in alchemy!?

Earlier, Monet had actually approached this with the mindset of selling herself…

She thought Her Highness Luvia had suddenly become interested, wanted to recruit an alchemist, and promised a large amount of research funding.

With her own talent, she could just muddle along, use her eloquence to please the little rich lady, and easily secure the research funds.

But after Monet studied that bottle of healing potion, her mentality completely changed…

“Your Highness Luvia, when can you show me the complete formula?”

Monet’s expression was somewhat awkward. The letter Luvia gave her only recorded the general ingredients of the potion…

Yet as a professional alchemist, just from these ingredients and the effect of the finished product, Monet could already foresee how much impact this brand new healing potion formula would have on the alchemy world!

This was also why Monet was so excited —

In her heart, the thirst for academic progress had already surpassed her desire for money!

“Don’t worry. Sign this contract, and I will give you both the formula and the funding…”

Seeing the other party starting to write on the parchment,

Monet couldn’t help but carefully observe this Her Highness Luvia, who had such terrible rumors circulating about her…

Her smooth silver hair reached down to her waist. Her small face carried a seriousness unfitting for her age. Her height was a bit short… Wasn’t she already an adult? Why was she so small?

She remembered that not long ago in the imperial capital, the Third Princess of the Avalon Kingdom had personally hosted her coming-of-age ceremony…

But perhaps influenced by the outside gossip, when looking at the Luvia before her, Monet always felt a faint, almost imperceptible sense of disgust in her heart.

Clearly the other party had delicate and lovely features and didn’t look that unpleasant…

She shook her head, throwing these ridiculous thoughts out of her mind.

What nonsense? Wasn’t it just that her personality was a bit bad and her expression a bit fierce?

This was a rare opportunity to latch onto such a wealthy patron…

For the sake of research funding and wine, no matter how bad the other party’s personality was, she could endure it!

Until,

Monet’s gaze fell onto the “Equal Contract” that Luvia handed over…

“After Party B leaves the job, all research results unconditionally belong to Party A… and Party B voluntarily undergoes… memory clearance…?”

“During the work period, Party B voluntarily accepts supervision… Unilateral termination requires compensation… Party A will regularly pay… ‘a certain remuneration’??”

Monet’s eyelids had already begun to twitch.

“Your Highness Luvia…”

“Aren’t your conditions a bit too harsh?”

But the silver-haired girl in front of her simply tilted her head expressionlessly.

“Are they?”

“I own the means of production, while you are just a researcher. It’s perfectly normal for the contract terms to favor me, isn’t it?”

“Besides, I have also promised to pay you remuneration in addition to the research funding. This is quite fair.”

Hearing these words, Monet finally couldn’t hold back. She slammed the table and stood up directly.

“At least the research results should have my share, right?”

“The benefits and treatment aren’t clearly written either…”

“Aren’t you just hiring people to work for you for free!?”

She finally saw Luvia’s rotten nature!

These terms were practically treating her like a slave! It was blatant exploitation!!

But Luvia simply smiled faintly…

“Of course the research results belong to you… but only on the premise that you never terminate this contract.”

“I’m not a demon. If you feel you’re being bullied, you can just apply to resign…”

Seeing that gloomy smile on her face, Monet couldn’t help but shiver…

“But you’d better think carefully. Right now, only I can help you realize the ambitions in your heart.”

Luvia bared her teeth at Monet.

“Hmph, if you don’t do it, there are plenty of other alchemists who will…”