The Supreme Alpha

Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Vesper was offended by my questioning, but I didn't care. I doubted that any potion would require all those plants and it didn't feel right to let her take advantage of me.

"I can't force you to trust me, but without getting all of these", Vesper paused and pointed at the list of plants she gave me. "You can forget about unlocking Treva's powers."

Well, it's not like she will admit if she was tricking me.

If I knew that it would come to this, I would bring Ash to accompany me so that he can see her thoughts. No, no… that was a useless thought. Ash would need to touch her, and that would be weird.

Even if I had proof that Vesper was lying and I expose her, it would only make her indignant and get her to find a loophole in the soul contract, and then who knows what will happen.

I hated this feeling of being stuck in a corner.

Why did I think that fixing Treva's situation would require Vesper to sprinkle Holly water and chant a few spells?

Heck, even if Vesper was truthful and she really needed all those ingredients, there was no guarantee she will be successful. What if she ends up making the potion multiple times and we need a large amount of those herbs?

The more I thought about this, the more ridiculous sounded, but I couldn't leave Treva like this without trying anything.

Treva risked her life in order for me to escape and she suffered for three long years because of me. Dissing the deal with Vesper because of the possibility that Vesper was taking advantage of the situation would be ungrateful from my side.

And I was not completely out of benefits in the long run. Treva told me that once her powers are restored, she will teach me about the star singing ceremony where harpies connect with the star that boosts their abilities.

Sure, I am not a harpy, but my air controlling ability is very similar to theirs and if they get a power boost by singing to the stars, there is a chance I could do the same. I couldn't ignore that. 

After some back and forth, I realized that I had no option but to trust Vesper on this one.

I took a deep breath to compose myself and accept the reality.

If I was being swindled, I will allow it to happen because I had only two paths, to let Vesper do her thing, and have hope that Treva will unlock her magic, or give up which will leave Treva without her powers.

I tried to minimize my losses, so I asked Vesper, "How about we split this list of herbs that need to be acquired?"

Vesper was quick to volunteer for getting the blue ones, leaving me to figure out how to get super-rare plants that were marked with red.

Rage rippled from the pit of my stomach, and I struggled to keep it down. Harming Vesper won't achieve anything. I needed her and she knew it.

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I told myself to calm down.

Vesper provided her expertise, and I was supposed to provide materials. The fact that she was willing to get a portion of ingredients should be good enough.

Just by looking at the list, I knew that number of them were available in Aldus' underground garden that is attached to his main laboratory. Vesper didn't need to know that.

I told her that I have my resources where I will check for the plants that are left for me to acquire and we agreed to contact each other when we make progress.

However, at least one plant was not in Aldus' garden and the sad truth was that I didn't know any of Aldus' suppliers. He was always secretive about it, leaving for a few days and then returning with new things he got. Aldus told me that he will introduce me to everything, but we never got to it.

"If my resources can't provide me with some of these, do you have people I can contact?", I asked Vesper.

She cocked an eyebrow at me. "Are you telling me that Aldus won't help you? He knows everyone who is someone."

Well, she got that right. My father would get all these in record time. My father is awesome. Unfortunately, he is not available.

"I am not my father.", I told Vesper. "Aldus refused to help because the person in need of help is my friend. He said that if I want to help her, I need to do it myself and he is treating this as some test of maturity for me."

Vesper made a face. "He is always experimenting with something. I thought you would be spared of that."

I forced a smile, hoping that she will drop the topic of Aldus. "So… if I hit a dead-end, can you provide me with some of your contacts? I will negotiate the price, but I need you to get me through the doors."

Vesper puffed her cheeks. "To be honest, I don't think that any of these are available in private collections or through regular channels. Your options are either to collect them yourself or to buy them at auction."

Auction! Aldus told me about an underground market where all kinds of things can be bought. From enchanted items to precious gems, plants, pets, and even slaves.

Unfortunately, he never took me there and I have no idea where that 'there' is.

"How can I attend the auction?", I asked dejectedly.

Some of those plants are super-difficult to grow and nearly impossible to harvest in the wilderness. I can only imagine that the starting price will be astronomical, and it will only go higher as people bid for it.

Vesper paused. "Your father didn't tell you about it?"

I shook my head and Vesper tched in irritation.

"What did he teach you then?"

Many things, but not about the freaking auction! "Will you tell me about it?"

Vesper shrugged. "There is not much to tell. It happens every three months and serves as a way to exchange precious things. Commoners like me can go on the main floor and participate, while VIPs like your father have special privileges that consist of private booths, refreshments, women, men, and whatever one could wish for."

I liked this VIP treatment. "If I go there as Aldus' daughter, I will have that treatment also. Right?"

"Not necessarily", Vesper responded. "In the Treasure Pavillion, one's status is not based on his social standing but based on contributions. Aldus is a VIP because he is one of the major sellers of alchemic pills."

My eyes lit up at this. Alchemic pills! That's how I can make boatloads of money and pay for the plants that I need.

But first, some research is needed.

"Are there any pills that are always in demand?", I asked Vesper.

Vesper made a face, but she still told me about the auction house called "Treasure Pavilion", the way it operates, and what is being sold like hotcakes.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that enchanted items are in demand, and I thought of asking Zeiroi to make me a few.

Magic essence is cheap and easy to come by because it's a renewable resource for the ones who possess it, but not many have the skills to manipulate it, so it dissipates quickly. However, Zeiroi is different.

Unknowingly, Vesper told me about another source of income.

Yes, yes. I told Zeiroi that he won't need to use his ability, and I was about to break that promise, but I will give him a portion of the money, so in a way, he will earn income and as long as I'm careful not to provide too many items at once, no one will suspect a thing. Besides, I won't force him. It will be fine.

With this, things were falling into place. I thought that even if Vesper swindles me for a plant or two, just the experience of going to the underground market and attending the auction will be worthwhile. I will meet people and establish contacts for upcoming sales. The future was bright!

Also, I was excited about the possibility of finding some treasures in the underground market.

Who knows what I might find there? Ah, I was missing my father immensely. He would know what things were good and get the best price on everything. Actually, no one would dare to swindle him.

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