"Merian Schmidt, master alchemist. An alchemist working under the Jade Federation's Blue Tide Guild, correct?"
The air froze in that instant.
Merian's heart clenched. He had never given his name, and no one had asked. Even the young alchemy apprentices knew only that he was a researcher.
Yet the man before him had laid bare every part of his identity the moment he spoke.
His mind raced. Who told him? Those captured apprentices? Or had the guild already sold me out?
He wanted to explain, to say it was all a misunderstanding, but his throat seemed blocked. Not a sound came out.
Fear crept steadily upward.
This helplessness was familiar. Back at the Blue Tide Guild's research institute, he had felt the same suffocation whenever his superiors questioned him coldly. This time, however, it was far more complete.
Louis's gaze was not sharp. It even held a measure of patience, but his calm demeanor made it hard to breathe.
He studied the master alchemist before him, quickly weighing his options.
The man was clearly timid, too afraid even to meet his eyes. Threats or interrogation would only make Merian collapse completely. Another approach would be better.
So Louis softened his voice. "Actually, the Blue Tide Guild already sold you to me. I paid quite a sum to acquire a master alchemist."
Merian stared at him blankly, as though he could not quite grasp what those words meant.
So that really was what had happened. He had indeed been sold, and it fit perfectly with the guild's habit of putting profit above all else.
The man before him clearly held his fate in his hands.
If he truly had been sold to him, his only way forward was to prove he still had value.
He had spent decades in the guild.