Becoming Vice President

After entering the Alchemist Association, Pierre and the others first showed Drew around and introduced him to the association's benefits.

They gave Drew a thorough look at everything the Alchemist Association had to offer, then led him to a reception room and sat down.

"What do you think of our Alchemist Association, Master Drew?" President Pierre asked.

"It's excellent. The benefits are good, and the equipment is very advanced," Drew praised.

"That's not all. We also have our own library, full of materials.

"You can even borrow and read ancient alchemical manuscripts and the like.

"I discovered the True Perfect Potion while researching historical records in the library and manuscripts written by alchemists who had made Perfect Potions."

"Oh? May I ask what a True Perfect Potion is, President?" Drew asked, confused. How had another level of perfection suddenly appeared?

"Don't rush. First, let's talk about the current state of Perfect Potions.

"Master Drew, what do you think of the state of our alchemical profession?" President Pierre asked, posing a question instead of answering Drew's.

"It's doing well. There are more and more alchemists.

"Potions and elixirs have become widespread, and many recipes and methods have been made public. There are all kinds of alchemical tools, too, making it easier for people to learn alchemy.

"That's all thanks to the Alchemist Association," Drew said, sharing his opinion and slipping in a bit of praise for the association.

"You're only seeing one side of it. There are indeed more alchemists, but their quality is far lower than it used to be.

"Take Perfect Potions, for example. In ancient times, Perfect Potions were made often. Even True Perfect Potions appeared every year.

"But nowadays, no True Perfect Potion has appeared in over eighty years. And even the last Perfect Potion was made seven years ago.

"So the quality of alchemy today is far below what it was in ancient times.

"True Perfect Potions have been absent for so long that people have forgotten this level of quality even exists. It's no wonder you didn't know about it.

"Here's some information about True Perfect Potions. You can read it first." As he spoke, President Pierre handed Drew a stack of documents.

After reading them, Drew finally understood what a True Perfect Potion was. It was a potion that unleashed its power to the utmost limit, squeezing every last bit of magic from its ingredients.

Ordinary Perfect Potions, on the other hand, were simply assigned that standard by people when they couldn't reach the limit.

Only potions that truly reached the limit could be called Perfect Potions. But just how difficult was it to make a single potion that reached that limit? The fact that none had appeared in over eighty years said it all.

To encourage alchemists everywhere and keep them from despairing and abandoning the profession,

the Alchemist Association had established a standard for Perfect Potions long ago. But to preserve a place for truly perfect potions, they had also added a hidden category: True Perfect Potions.

After reading all that, Drew felt he'd really gotten himself into deep trouble this time.

He'd thought Perfect Potions were difficult to make, but surely there'd be some on the market.

Who could've known there hadn't been one in seven years? And worse, what he'd made wasn't a Perfect Potion, but a True Perfect Potion.

He'd just shown off far too spectacularly. No wonder everyone was looking at him like that.

If that were all, he'd merely be a once-in-a-century genius.

But now he'd revealed that he could keep making True Perfect Potions. He wasn't just a once-in-a-century genius anymore; he was probably a once-in-several-thousand-years genius.

This was bad. How was he supposed to keep a low profile now?

Sure enough, as soon as Drew finished reading, President Pierre asked about his background.

"May I ask who trained you, Master Drew?"

"I studied in the High Elf kingdom," Drew replied.

He'd planned to say this from the start. After all, he didn't know much about human society, but he'd lived in the High Elf lands for over a century.

Whether he'd paid much attention or not, a century was enough time to learn plenty.

The High Elves were very hostile to other races. Only a tiny handful of people earned their recognition, interacted with them, and even lived among them.

Now Drew had to pass himself off as one of those humans.

"Oh, the High Elves are an extremely xenophobic race. Anyone who earns their recognition and enters their kingdom must be extraordinary.

"But with talent like yours, Master Drew, it must have been easy enough.

"I'm sure your gifts astonished them."

"I'm just average. I developed this True Perfect Healing Potion after I left."

"Even the Excellent- and Superior-quality potions you made earlier show your talent.

"We've been keeping an eye on you for some time, actually. We just haven't had a chance to meet you. When I was young, I went to the High Elf kingdom with my master, too.

"I spoke with the alchemists there." President Pierre then chatted with Drew about the High Elf kingdom.

Back then, President Pierre had been young and low-ranking, so he'd seen very little.

As for Drew, Karen had been too busy studying magic to know much about the alchemists in the High Elf kingdom.

The two of them were equally ill-informed, and their conversation never got to anything important.

Fortunately, both of them were nervous. Neither knew whether the other was telling the truth or could see through their bluff.

They were both ignorant of so many things that knowing just one name was enough for either of them to boast about it for half a day.

If they kept going, they'd both give themselves away. So they ended the conversation in perfect unison. The president, however, believed he now understood Drew's background.

Drew had some knowledge of the High Elves, though there were a few inconsistencies. But even talented people weren't given much attention in the High Elf kingdom, and wouldn't learn many details. After all, humans were short-lived.

Drew had said his mentor was a master-level mage who also studied alchemy. He was the only person Drew knew of who had both been around him and practiced alchemy.

As it happened, President Pierre had heard of this mage before.

It all checked out, and Drew's background was confirmed. He was lucky that someone here knew a little about the High Elves.

That had been just enough to verify his identity. He wouldn't have to hide his background anymore.

That had been the whole point of coming to the Alchemist Association. He'd assumed the people here knew nothing about the High Elves and would only half-believe his story.

If President Pierre had known a great deal about High Elf alchemists, Drew would have been exposed.

But this was perfect. His identity had been fully accepted—officially, no less. He'd accomplished what he'd come here to do.

"May I ask what you plan to do now that you've left the High Elf kingdom, Master Drew?" President Pierre asked, seeming casual.

"My mentor said I've hit a bottleneck and need to travel for a while." Drew had prepared this answer in advance.

"Do you have any direction in mind? Any plans?" the president continued.

"Not at the moment."

"In that case, you've seen for yourself that the Alchemist Association offers the best benefits.

"Would you consider joining us as a vice president?" President Pierre extended an invitation.

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate. I'm only an advanced alchemist. That position is too high for me."

"If someone could make a Perfect Potion, I'd give them this position even if they were only a novice alchemist.

"Besides, you're an advanced alchemist with one foot already through the door to the master level. And you've made a True Perfect Potion, which is leagues beyond a Perfect Potion.

"You're sure to become an outstanding master alchemist, and one of the very best. If the headquarters didn't have to appoint the president, I'd give you my position without hesitation." The president was entirely sincere.

"Well..." Drew still hesitated.

"Our Alchemist Association offers excellent benefits. We have all kinds of rare materials, equipment, and knowledge that you can't find on the market.

"Once you join as vice president, you'll have access to whatever you need. What do you say?

"Don't worry about whether you're suited for the job. These people behind me are all senior members of the Alchemist Association. Ask them whether they think you're suited for it." The president pressed his advantage and gestured toward the senior members behind him.

"Of course he is."

"I'm the first to support it."

"If anyone objects, they'll have to answer to me first."

"Would I have any duties or conditions to meet if I joined?" Drew was tempted.

"No conditions at all. You only have to join.

"You could even move your academy here." The president promised.

"All right. I'm willing to join the Alchemist Association." And just like that, Drew moved his base of operations to Stormwind City.