In the laboratory.
Rolf sprang to his feet.
"You want to improve the earth-vein essence production line?"
Disbelief filled Rolf's eyes.
It was far too sudden, and had nothing to do with what Ian had been working on.
"Can I ask why?"
He asked out of curiosity.
"Sir, some of the knowledge I'm studying requires large amounts of earth-vein essence."
Ian went on.
"I see!"
Rolf immediately found that reasonable.
Earth-vein essence was a high-end resource. It was needed for both advanced earth-attribute Witchcraft Artifacts and fortress construction, and it appealed to earth-attribute Wizards in its own right. That made it scarce.
At the Academy, even elite members had trouble obtaining any.
"With your elite member status, you should be able to request some, right?"
Rolf asked.
"I can, but it's nowhere near enough."
Ian shook his head.
The Academy valued its elite members to a degree, but he could only request about five grams a month. That was nowhere near enough.
"All right."
Rolf looked at Ian with a complicated expression. "I know you have your own approach to improving Witchcraft Artifacts, but the earth-vein essence production line isn't what you imagine. That thing is different!"
Different?
Weren't they both Alchemy creations?
Ian caught the look in Rolf's eyes, and his own gaze flickered.
What did he mean?
"How about this? I'll take you there, and you'll see."
Rolf shook his head and slowly stood up.
Ian nodded.
Following Rolf, the two of them headed toward the rear of Earth Fortress.
They eventually stopped before a mineral deposit.
A yellow-haired Wizard approached from nearby.
"Rockforge, the man in charge of Earth Fortress. He's a Wizard half a step from Elementalization."
Rolf turned to Ian as he spoke.
Rockforge came closer, swept his gaze over Ian, then looked at Rolf.