Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 785: Chapter 16: Knowledge is Power

Su Xiao scrutinized the numerous materials on the lab bench. Most of these materials were of fire or gold attributes, from which he could infer that Nicholas Caesar’s alchemy leaned towards bomb studies.

Alchemy has hundreds of branches: bomb studies, pharmacology, biology, familiar creation, life form analysis, mechanical and biological integration, etc.

Su Xiao specialized in both bomb studies and pharmacology, which coincidentally aligned with Nicholas Caesar’s research direction.

”The material handling is good, you’re impeccable in this aspect. As for mixing and ratios, if I may be blunt, your technique isn’t admirable.”

”Nonsense!”

Nicholas Caesar snatched the test tube from Su Xiao’s hand as if it were his treasured possession.

”I’ve dedicated 15 full years to the study of alchemy, starting at the age of 16...”

Nicholas Caesar began recounting his illustrious achievements.

”Being an alchemy apprentice is tough, isn’t it.”

A simple sentence from Su Xiao made Nicholas Caesar stop his incessant chatter.

”Very... tough.”

Nicholas Caesar sighed, recalling life under his ’tutor.’ In some sense, the other person wasn’t actually his tutor; he was merely their laborer, specifically handling materials. As for alchemy bomb studies, he learned it clandestinely.

”Researching alone is a good path, but don’t ignore one point: before researching independently, you must first grasp the basics. Those are experiences summarized by countless alchemists over countless days and nights. The preciousness of knowledge sometimes rivals that of power, don’t you agree, Casa?”

Su Xiao’s words plunged Nicholas Caesar into silence.

”You’re right, but my name is Kai, not Casa. In Goblin Language, Casa translates to monkey feces.”

Setting aside why Goblin Language is so peculiar, at this moment, Caesar’s gaze towards Su Xiao was exceptionally fiery, as if wanting to ’devour Su Xiao alive.’

”You understand... the knowledge of alchemy bomb studies?”

Caesar swallowed hard, his round eyes fixed intensely on Su Xiao.

”Understand...”

”Really?!”

Caesar stood up excitedly, reaching for Su Xiao’s hand, but Su Xiao stepped back, causing Caesar to grasp at air.

”Understand... a bit.”

With Su Xiao’s exaggerated intonation, Caesar was stunned. At this moment, Caesar’s feelings were like winning a five-million prize only to find that collecting it required a 5.01 million handling fee.

”To what extent?”

Caesar took a deep breath to stay calm. Su Xiao didn’t speak. He merely picked up a crumpled formula from the experimental bench, examined it for a while, then began concocting the liquid bomb on the formula.

Ten minutes later, a semi-finished liquid bomb was prepared. Su Xiao could have perfected it, but doing so would draw the Empire’s military’s attention. If that happened, he might be removed from the battlefield, making merits unattainable.

Caesar held the test tube like a treasure, handling it carefully.

”Although your level isn’t up to my tutor’s, you’re about the same as me.”

Nicholas Caesar forced a smile. He knew that Su Xiao’s alchemy skills were slightly superior to his, but he didn’t want to admit it. More importantly, Caesar felt threatened.

”Compared to killing enemies on the battlefield, I don’t enjoy making this stuff; it’s too tedious.”

Upon hearing this, Caesar’s eyes lit up.

”Then... can you tell me the reasonable formula for the liquid bomb? Just like this one; although not finished, I can perfect it after some research.”

”Sure.”

Su Xiao’s answer was unusually straightforward, so much so that Caesar was a little incredulous.

”Really?”

”Of course, but I have a condition.” ℯℯ𝑙.

”What is it?”

Caesar instinctively dragged the test tube rack on the table closer to himself, as his belongings were sacred and inviolable.

”Don’t disclose my knowledge of alchemy; it would cause me unnecessary trouble. You should know the madness associated with alchemy.”

”No problem.”

Nicholas Caesar was ecstatic, as this fit perfectly with his intentions. It wouldn’t threaten his position in the Blood Legion, and he could also gain higher-level alchemy bomb study knowledge.

Caesar extended his hand, like a branch, and Su Xiao extended his as well, clasping hands.

[Hint: The Hunter has activated the personal favorability of the important figure of the Iron-blooded Legion, Quartermaster Nicholas Caesar. Current favorability: 31.]

[Hint: Favorability 1~10 means the first meeting, 10~60 indicates a friendship, 60~80 signifies a close friend, 80~100 allows recruiting servants or followers under certain conditions.]

Seeing this prompt, Su Xiao was quite surprised. If one could reach a favorability of over 80 with female storyline characters, wouldn’t that mean they could do the ’hehe’ stuff?

Su Xiao glanced at Caesar, who was grinning with yellow teeth, and almost punched him. His sexual orientation was very normal, and his favorability with same-gender creatures was either friendship or servant relationships.

Before this, Su Xiao hadn’t encountered information about favorability; it was a common feature for charisma specialized contractors. The higher the favorability with storyline characters, the more benefits one could gain. Charm attributes, without independent combat strength, needed to be paired with skills to enhance combat power, naturally had their unique aspects.

Not to mention Su Xiao’s murderous aura, his touching 6 points of charm attributes were enough to deter most storyline characters. Moreover, in a few derivative worlds before, his charm attributes were below 5 points.

Su Xiao sighed, realizing that gaining something also meant giving up something. Developing all four attributes simultaneously made him an anomaly among contractors.

Grabbing the alchemy materials next to him, Su Xiao began explaining alchemy bomb study knowledge to Caesar. Although Su Xiao hadn’t seen these materials before, most materials for bomb-making shared common traits, primarily stabilizing explosives while amplifying explosive power and range.

Nicholas Caesar, like an elementary school student, sat up straight, listening intently. At this moment, he couldn’t care less about the quartermaster’s dignity. Knowledge was priceless, and dignity and integrity could be picked up when needed.

As Su Xiao’s explanation progressed, notifications from Reincarnation Paradise kept appearing.

[Quartermaster Nicholas Caesar’s favorability +5.]

[Quartermaster Nicholas Caesar’s favorability +8.]

[Quartermaster Nicholas Caesar’s favorability +6.]

...

After a full half-hour of explaining, Caesar’s favorability had reached an astonishing 95 points, making Su Xiao somewhat incredulous. Could he really recruit Caesar as a servant or follower? That would be a huge gain; Caesar might not have impressive personal abilities, but his position was high.

Without a prompt from Reincarnation Paradise, Su Xiao felt something was off, perhaps Nicholas Caesar was more challenging than he appeared.

Su Xiao stopped explaining the knowledge of alchemy bomb studies; Nicholas Caesar seemed a bit reluctant to stop.

”Caesar.”

”Hmm?”

”How about giving me a discount on that Holy Oak Branch in your supplies?”

”That... doesn’t seem right.”

Caesar grinned slyly.

”Oh? So those previous pieces of knowledge were worthless to you?”

Although Su Xiao only shared a small amount of alchemy bomb knowledge, those pieces were not something Caesar could research on his own.