Black Phoenix Heir

Chapter 64: Chapter 64 — Alchemical Beasts

Chapter 64 — Alchemical Beasts

The next day, Victor slowly opened his eyes. For several moments, he remained where he was. The Mana Lock Prison was quiet.

Cold morning light slipped through the small openings in the wooden walls, barely illuminating the interior of the cell. Victor slowly pushed himself upright and glanced down beside him.

The small bird was leaning against his side. Still asleep.

Victor couldn’t help but smile.

The little creature looked strangely peaceful. It was almost difficult to believe that only a few days ago, the bird had been attacking his flame.

Victor gently shifted his body, careful not to disturb it. Then his expression slowly became serious. He had finally come to terms with his situation.

There was no point spending every moment wondering how he was going to escape. So Victor had made a decision. He was going to make the most of whatever time he had left.

Victor crossed his legs and closed his eyes. His consciousness slowly turned inward. Victor focused on that familiar presence deep within himself.

The flickering flame.

And a moment later—

The world around him changed. He opened his eyes inside the Library. The familiar endless shelves stretched into the distance.

And standing nearby was Jack.

Jack already knew about Victor’s circumstances. Because of that, he seemed to be holding back his usual sarcastic humor.

Victor looked toward him and smiled faintly.

Jack watched him for a moment before

asking.

”Are you planning to continue your studies?”

Victor nodded again.

”Yes. That’s the plan today.”

Victor began walking toward the Knowledge Trial.

Jack followed quietly behind him.

The two entered the familiar area of the Library, and Victor made his way toward the books. Without wasting any more time, he sat down and began studying.

About an hour passed.

Then Victor suddenly felt it.

That familiar sensation.

He had reached seventy-five percent in the beast knowledge trial.

Victor slowly opened his eyes.

Jack had been sitting quietly in the corner of the room.

The moment Victor finished, the strange spirit stood and walked toward him.

”Congratulations, Victor.”

Victor looked up.

Jack continued.

”Out of all the Knowledge Trials, the Beast Trial is probably one of the more difficult ones. There are countless different beasts in the world, each with their own characteristics and abilities. And it’s not simply about memorizing the beasts themselves.”

Jack gestured toward the books surrounding them.

”You also have to remember the different materials they can provide for alchemy.”

Victor stretched his arms as Jack spoke.

”Well, what’s the reward?”

Jack smiled and then raised one hand into the air.

Victor watched curiously.

Then Jack made a simple movement with his wrist.

Almost like a magician performing a trick, a book suddenly appeared in his hand.

Jack gave the book a small flourish before lowering it.

Victor’s eyes moved toward the cover.

Alchemical Beasts Encyclopedia and Taming Guide.

Victor stared at it.

Then he looked toward Jack.

”Alchemical Beasts?”

Jack nodded.

”Beasts that possess traits particularly useful to alchemists.”

Victor took the book.

Jack continued.

”Some possess extraordinary control over flames. Others can sense herbs and alchemical materials. Some are capable of assisting during the refinement of pills.”

Victor’s interest immediately grew.

”There are beasts specifically suited for alchemists?”

”Of course.”

Jack looked toward the book.

”The world is full of creatures that can become useful companions. Alchemists simply have different requirements than ordinary cultivators.”

Victor nodded slowly.

Then he opened the book.

The index alone contained dozens of names. Victor’s eyes moved down the page.

There were around seventy different beasts listed inside.

Victor continued looking.

Then his eyes stopped.

Forty-Four — Firebird.

Victor immediately turned to the page.

The illustration showed several stages of the creature’s growth.

Victor’s expression changed.

The smallest image looked exactly like the little bird sleeping beside him in the prison.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

He continued reading.

Firebirds were known for their fierce loyalty after forming a genuine bond with someone. Once that bond was established, they could remain beside their chosen companion for their entire lives.

And their lives were very long.

Depending on their cultivation, Firebirds could live for thousands of years.

The more powerful ones had reportedly survived for tens of thousands.

Victor’s eyes slowly widened.

He continued reading.

Firebirds possessed a natural connection to flame. Their ability to control and manipulate fire made them particularly valuable companions for alchemists. Some mature Firebirds could assist in maintaining an alchemical flame during refinement, allowing an alchemist to focus more completely on controlling the ingredients and the process itself.

Others possessed the ability to help purify flames.

Victor slowly lowered the book.

”The little guy is a lot more useful than he looks.”

Victor smiled faintly and continued reading for another moment.

Then his expression slowly changed.

The information was interesting.

Under different circumstances, Victor would have been excited.

In only a few weeks, none of this might matter.

The thought quietly settled over him.

Victor slowly closed the book.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Victor looked toward Jack.

”Thank you.”

Jack’s expression softened slightly.

”There’s no need to thank me.”

He gestured toward the book.

”This is your reward for putting in the work. The Library itself rewarded you. I merely supplied it.”

Victor nodded.

Then a small smile appeared on his face.

”I’m going to miss your sarcastic humor.”

Jack stared at him.

Then he clicked his tongue.

”Oh, don’t say that.”

Victor looked toward him.

”You’re not going to miss my humor.”

Victor laughed quietly.

For a moment, the weight resting on his shoulders felt slightly lighter.

He gave Jack a small smile.

Then turned away.

Victor lifted one hand and gave the strange spirit a brief wave.

Jack watched silently as Victor’s consciousness slowly disappeared from the Library.

⸻

Victor opened his eyes.

The prison returned around him.

The small bird was awake now, sitting beside him and looking upward.

Victor smiled.

The bird gave him a quiet chirp.

Victor reached down and gently patted it on the head.

Victor leaned back against the wooden wall.

Moonlight would probably be arriving soon.

So he waited.

⸻

On the other side of the village, Moonlight walked quietly between the wooden huts.

Her steps were familiar. For the past few weeks, she had followed this path nearly every day. Toward the food hall to get Victor’s food.

Moonlight’s expression remained calm as she approached the building.

Then she noticed someone standing outside.

A guard.

He was watching her.

Moonlight slowed.

The guard stepped forward.

”Excuse me, Miss Moonlight.”

Moonlight looked toward him.

”Yes?”

The guard hesitated.

For a brief moment, he looked uncomfortable.

Then he straightened his back.

”Oheema has given new orders.”

Moonlight’s expression didn’t change.

But something inside her immediately tightened.

The guard continued.

”You’re no longer permitted to deliver food to the outsider.”

Moonlight froze.

For a moment, she didn’t understand.

The guard continued speaking.

”From now on, I will be taking over that responsibility.”

Moonlight remained completely still.

Her eyes slowly lowered.

”And...”

The guard hesitated again.

”Oheema has ordered that you are not permitted to go near the prison anymore.”

Moonlight didn’t respond.

The village around her continued moving. People walked between the huts. Voices carried through the air. Somewhere nearby, someone was preparing food.

Everything continued exactly as it had before.

But Moonlight barely heard any of it.

Moonlight slowly realized something.

Yesterday might have been the last time she would ever see him.

Her stoic expression slowly cracked.

A faint sadness appeared in her eyes.

Moonlight nodded.

”I understand.”

The guard bowed his head slightly.

Moonlight turned around.

Then she began walking away.

She walked back between the wooden huts, her destination suddenly feeling uncertain.