Unable to repay my student loans, I had no choice but to work part-time as a demon hunter.

In the afternoon, Charlotte took Gordon to change into the clothes he would wear the next day. They went to Belmont Clothing Workshop, a tailor shop that the Montfort family had a long-term partnership with, on Norwich Street.

Gordon stood in front of the full-length mirror and was quickly surrounded by an elderly silver-haired tailor and two assistants.

They measured Gordon's outline with a tape measure, their expressions serious, taking in every detail of him from the inside out.

Charlotte flipped through the brochure, choosing fabrics.

She looked past the aristocratic gowns embroidered with gold thread, and also avoided the overly glossy black velvet. In the end, she chose a clean-cut pure black dress, with a crisp white shirt underneath, and a vest made of the same dark-patterned fabric, with only a few silver ornaments on the collar.

She didn't need to stamp the Monford family crest on Gordon, nor did she need to add any jewels to his clothes; Gordon would still be Gordon.

Charlotte only wanted everyone to see Gordon at his most sharp and confident tomorrow.

Charlotte looked at Gordon and realized clearly that the whole city would see him tomorrow night. This thought made her both proud and uneasy.

"Are you sure you don't want a gold bow tie? It's in style right now," the tailor asked Charlotte.

"Pure black." Charlotte snapped out of her daze.

"Why? I want gold," Gordon said.

"No. You'll be noticed enough tomorrow." Charlotte walked over to Gordon, tugging at his collar and sleeves. "I want you to stand before a large group of well-dressed people tomorrow, yet still be yourself."

What she cared about was Gordon's eccentricity. If Gordon were exactly like everyone else, she would be disappointed.

"All right."

"Besides, the other masters all have decades of experience. You just need to stand there and do your best," Charlotte muttered.

"I understand. And... Charlotte."

"Um?"

"Tomorrow, you must choose what you truly want, and I will ensure that it comes to you in its most complete and purest form."

"Okay." Charlotte nodded gently. "That's what we each need to do."

……

On the afternoon of September 13.

This is Charlotte's birthday, and also the day of her summer ceremony.

The Lundnium Source Exchange suspended its regular business from early morning. Deep red curtains hung from the grand dome, and a scarlet carpet was laid out from the top of the steps to the center of May Square. Even the pigeons were chased away by mounted police to prevent them from landing and making noise.

Gordon passed through security and had his name tag confirmed.

He arrived three hours early, hoping to familiarize himself with the equipment he would be using later.

The main venue is vast and shaped like a theater.

In the center of the hall stood a circular stage. Seating unfolded in a fan shape from the stage outwards, with the front row featuring armchairs upholstered in red velvet and bearing gilded plaques belonging to the highest-net-worth individuals of the Logris Empire. Further back were the seats for the elite.

Gordon turned his head and saw that the second-floor corridor was surrounded by brass railings, with rows of VIP boxes behind it.

Further up, he saw a starry sky pieced together from thousands of deep blue glass panels, with steel beams converging from all sides to the center, supporting this magnificent dome.

Once a potion takes shape in the crafting room, a strong light will illuminate the entire hall through the action of countless refracting mirrors.

Gordon took a deep breath; this was the first time he had ever presented the name Gordon Vick to the city’s most valuable client.

At this moment, staff members were coming and going, setting up the venue, when Gordon came to check the equipment he needed.

Each reactor was being tested; the engineers were conducting no-load operation tests on them, and Gordon observed them for a while.

[A massive alchemical reactor. Ambition and myth are forged here.]

Due to the characteristics of source material, people in the source material exchange usually refine it on the spot once they buy it, and these advanced devices are set up for this purpose.

Gordon tapped the ground with his Blackthorn Lee cane to make sure the equipment was in good working order and there were no signs of disassembly or reassembly.

Next, I checked the precipitating salt and separation solution that I would be using.

Open the material preparation drawer, and you'll find batches of crystal bottles inside.

Gordon's gaze swept over several small bottles, which were covered with a light mist.

[Contaminated separation liquid. I wonder who's trying to make things difficult for you.]

Gordon examined it carefully and found that the abnormal adhesion was very slight and could be easily overlooked, and it might even have come from poor transportation and warehouse conditions.

Tonight's work requires zero flaws and must be done perfectly, especially ensuring that Charlotte's source potion has no problems with purity, activity, or compatibility.

Gordon called for reinforcements to come and inspect. In less than a minute, two exchange supervisors, one inspector, and four guards arrived at the scene.

"This batch of separation solution needs to be replaced," Gordon said, pointing to the drawer.

"Not to your liking?"

"There is an anomaly. It could be due to deliberate switching or an oversight during transportation. Investigating the cause is your job, and ensuring this thing doesn't ruin the refining process is my job."

The inspector did not argue, but quickly removed and replaced the problematic liquid.

"Seal off this batch of separation liquid, immediately retrieve other batches, and replace the materials in the other two rooms," the inspector ordered.

"Yes, we also need to double-check the shipping containers, handover records, and all the people involved. Today is a big day, so we must ensure fairness, transparency, and credibility," Gordon continued.

"Who do you think might have the motive to cause this sabotage?" the inspector asked.

"It could be anyone. It's a big city." Gordon found this statement increasingly useful, since it was indeed true.

……

the other side.

Inside the luxurious lounge on the top floor of the exchange.

Edgar Manville stood by the window. He was wearing a black morning suit with a diamond brooch on his lapel.

As the head of the Manville family, which controls the Source Exchange, he appears to possess the qualities of both a banker and a top-tier, long-established nobleman of the Logris Empire.

The entire May Square is in view, and distinguished guests who have come from afar are relaxing in the cafes on the outskirts while waiting to enter.

The Imperial Army is unloading ammunition boxes, carrying rifles, and leading military dogs, on guard against potential attackers who might target the exchange.

"Your Grace, some suspicious individuals have been dealt with," the security chief reported.

"explain."

"In the past twelve hours, we have discovered two spies from the Sunbreaker Alliance, a Wild Hunt huntress scouting nearby, and members of the Doomsday Gospel who have loaded their wagons with explosives, claiming they are bringing the 'Vanity Festival' to its proper end..."

"Dispose of it properly." Duke Manville nodded slightly.

The Sunbreakers seek to destroy the Emperor's authority and overturn the established order following the Noon War. The Wild Hunt is driven by madness and recklessness, while the Doomsday Gospel worships pure abyss and darkness.

The grander the event, the more likely it is to become a target for disruptors.

Only by completely eliminating the influence of these people can the Midsummer Ceremony be held as scheduled.

"In addition..." the security director reported, "a batch of the separation fluid has been found to have a problem. We discovered that there are a small amount of abnormal adhesions in the liquid, which may cause deviations."

"Man-made? Who discovered it?"

"It cannot yet be confirmed whether the materials themselves were not replaced; the contamination may have occurred during transportation or storage, and the personnel involved are currently under control. Specifically, it is a problem with Gordon Vick's location."

Gordon.

Duke Manville pondered. Not long ago, he had written to Guy Monford, requesting a change of alchemist. At least a new alchemist should be assigned to supervise Gordon.

The reasoning is entirely valid; judging from both his resume and experience, Gordon was the riskiest choice among the three.

However, Gordon arrived at the scene before the other two masters had even arrived, thus eliminating an error for the entire event.

He was at least prepared early and well enough.

"Seal off the underground passages and send in more troops," Duke Manville ordered briefly.

"Guests will notice something is wrong."

"Seeing so many soldiers, they will only feel that they have received the protection they deserve, and they will not be disappointed by it."

After the security chief left, Duke Manville walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Destroyers, those who anticipate the end of the world, and extraordinary beings lurking in the open and in the shadows of Lundenim have arrived uninvited.

The ceremony itself was protected by nobles, capitalists, and the church. A troop of Royal Anglican knights was approaching from the direction of Chapel Hill, their silver breastplates gleaming reassuringly in the sunlight.

There can be absolutely no mistakes. Duke Manville murmured to himself. The various elements within his body resonated with each other, stirring restlessly.

We must not allow a respectable event to become a stage for some unscrupulous individuals to promote their crazy ideas.