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

Then, Charlotte arrived.

Gordon saw her walking with the Earl of Montfort through the entrance and slowly making her way to the stage.

Charlotte looks so beautiful tonight.

She wore an ivory-white gown with pale gold wheat ears embroidered along the hem, which flowed gracefully as she moved. Her blonde hair was styled in an intricate and luminous updo, adorned with an expensive sapphire hairpin whose color complemented her eyes.

She's so beautiful. Gordon had to admit, she looks like a real princess.

With a polite smile on her face, her steps, hand gestures, and gazes were all impeccable. She first looked at the generous minister, then at the people from the nine ducal families, and then at the others.

But Gordon could tell she was incredibly nervous.

Several female guests came forward to greet her, and Charlotte's best friend Cecilia FitzRoy also came up to praise Charlotte.

She smiled and responded to everyone's greetings.

It wasn't until her gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Gordon beside the stage that a more genuine brightness appeared in her eyes.

Gordon stepped forward.

"Your Excellency, I need to borrow Miss Monford for a few minutes," Gordon requested.

"...Five minutes." The count gestured towards the VIP room. "Every second longer and others will start making up stories."

"Yes. That's enough," Gordon replied.

The count took a glass of sherry from the waiter beside him and took a deep breath.

Gordon then led Charlotte into the VIP room.

As soon as the door closed, she sat down on the sofa. The composure she had maintained throughout the journey quickly vanished, replaced by unease.

"Source material, incredible, terrifying, refine it! Why are we holding such a big ceremony?" Her heart was clearly racing.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. First, clear your mind of all those random thoughts."

"I'm trying." Charlotte took a deep breath.

"Okay, this next thing concerns your life, listen carefully."

"you say."

"I revealed part of the essence of the Source that day, but there's more to come." Gordon took out a notebook and began to sketch. "The first one is a pure and perfect Source. Its ability is to correct things or people to the best state that conditions allow. Whether it's an action, an outcome, or any idea, it can be pushed to an impeccable 'perfection'."

Are there any side effects?

"I can't stand imperfections anymore. You'll never have a messy bed again, never have bad class performances, and you won't tolerate your water monkey having two tails or drawing a spider wearing a top hat in your notebook. All these details will disappear with the wind."

"..." Charlotte looked around and then at her clothes. "This will make me the most perfect person in other people's eyes."

"Of course, that's assuming you're willing to live like this for the rest of your life, without any more cute little details."

"But it can also solve those little flaws of mine... that I can't even accept myself. Gordon, I talked to you before, and you said my problem is that I want to become stronger, but my actions can't keep up. Now I have something that allows me to keep up."

"Maybe." Gordon nodded. "The next one. The next source substance can change appearance and physique, and even adapt to the environment. It's more powerful than I imagined. When you need to swim, it grows gills; when you need to run, it grows a long leg; when you need to eat, it grows multiple stomachs."

"The price... I can roughly guess. The more it mutates, the less it resembles its original self."

“Indeed.” Gordon took a deep breath. “Then there’s the last one, ‘Command Will,’ which directly transmits its will into someone’s nerves, making whoever stands stand or sit sit.”

"That sounds very dangerous."

"It's also very effective; I bet many people in Lundnim dream of obtaining this source material. But it will also rob you of the ability to have normal conversations. You'll be able to persuade people easily, but you'll no longer understand why some people can gain respect without giving orders."

Charlotte quieted down.

The three source materials gradually took shape in her mind.

"Finally," Charlotte sighed, "I've thought about what you said that day—that I should choose for myself—for a long time."

"Do you have an answer now?"

"Yes. But I'd like to hear more about how you'll help me choose."

"No. This is a lifelong matter. I'm already honored to help you refine it. If I were to decide for you, it would be too easy for me."

"I know the quality of the product. It has to be the best." Charlotte touched her hair.

"Of course, I will find a way to produce the best quality."

What color represents the best quality?

"Golden." Gordon paused, then added, "It could be red. But either way, crafting high-quality potions is very difficult."

Charlotte looked at Gordon for a few seconds, then suddenly nodded solemnly.

"Okay, I've made my choice." Charlotte stood up.

"So fast?"

"Now, I have a reason not to refuse it." Charlotte clenched her fist.

Soon after, the band began to play.

A solemn chord played on the brass organ, and the guests, no longer standing and talking amongst themselves, returned to their seats.

The rustling of skirts, the stomping of shoes, the tapping of canes—the subtle movements of thousands of people rose and fell.

Gordon and Charlotte left the VIP room.

At the very center of the stage, a ceremony official wearing a gold chain and blue sash began to read the announcement.

"Welcome, Your Excellency Luanna Ravenhurst. Your Excellency Master Bradshaw, First Class Alchemist of the Royal Alchemy Bureau."

The applause erupted and lasted for a long time.

The Ravenhurst family, one of the wealthiest newly rich families in Lundnim.

The directors and VIPs of Midas Industries were the first to stand up and applaud in unison.

Officials from the Royal Alchemy Bureau immediately rose to greet them, and the distinguished guests from the financial world also smiled warmly, expressing goodwill towards that vast financial empire.

Gordon saw Luanna.

She wore a sharply tailored deep red dress, her jet-black curly hair flowing down her back, and a diamond brooch adorning her head. She smiled and greeted those around her, her posture impeccable.

Master Bradshaw walked behind her, wearing a pair of multi-layered glasses and a pair of exotic gloves, showing great confidence in refining source material.

He first greeted the royal family's box, then nodded to the representatives of Midas Industries and the Ravenhurst family, his movements practiced and impeccable.

"Master Bradshaw is here too..."

"Incredible..."

Some alchemists discussed Bradshaw's various legends with great admiration.

After the applause subsided, the officiant continued reading:

"Please welcome the esteemed Lady Vidori Cavendish, the great 'Mercury Sage,' the Alchemist Master of the Hermes Institute, Theodore Herman!"

This time, a large number of guests stood up and applauded thunderously!

Several alchemists even took off their top hats and solemnly pressed them to their chests.

Vidore entered the stage from the other side, wearing a pale gold dress, with platinum braids hanging down her back, and an expensive sapphire necklace inherited from her family. Her eyes were calm and composed.

She didn't quicken or slow down because of the applause, because she was already used to this kind of honor.

Master Hermann followed behind him.

The old man was thin, with long silver hair tied back and very pale eyes. He simply turned his head and nodded to the audience, and the applause rose again.

The master of ceremonies took a deep breath, paused for a moment, and seemed unsure how to proceed.

"...Please welcome the distinguished Miss Charlotte Monford. And...Gordon Vick."