*****

A little while earlier, while Mia was diligently practicing the Formation skill.

Zeel, who had come to the Alchemists Guild, bowed his head toward Vanessa, who was idly polishing her nails.

「Please! Just postpone the potion delivery slightly!」

The impact of being unable to create potions was significant; he couldn't put products on the shelves or make deliveries, essentially forcing him into a state of closure. If the current contracts were canceled at this time, his source of income would be cut off.

Having already had his contract with Duke Wolfwood terminated, Zeel desperately wanted to protect his remaining existing contracts, even if it meant damaging his own pride and reputation.

「Oh my~, how good of you to properly bow your head. However, no one wants to mediate for an alchemist who was originally so rude, you see.」

No one wanted to associate with Zeel after his previous bad behavior at the Alchemists Guild. He had proven the rumor circulating in the royal capital—that he was 「a despicable man with no human heart」—to be true himself.

Furthermore, since the receptionist who handled Zeel had quit, it was only natural that the Alchemists Guild would focus its attention on him, in a negative way. Because a suitable person needed to handle the problem child Zeel’s troubles, Sub-Master Vanessa was reluctantly forced to deal with the situation.

「Your only redeeming quality was high-quality potions, but if that disappears, then... C-Rank, who was it again? Bell-san?」

「...It’s Zeel.」

Hearing Vanessa’s feigned mistake, Zeel wanted to object—Don't you know who I am? I'm someone the Guild Master of the Alchemists Guild pays attention to!—but he swallowed his pride.

「Ah~, Zeel-san. Could you tell me the reason for the delivery postponement? If I don't explain it to the client, it affects the Alchemists Guild's credibility.」

「I-I can’t say. But if you wait just a little longer, I promise I will create something even better than the potions I usually deliver. I can promise you that much.」

He had thought that if he seriously challenged alchemy, he could escape the slump in no time, but reality was not so kind. Even though he spoke grandly, there was no guarantee anywhere that he could actually create a potion.

His dormant talent had not bloomed, and thus the potion delivery date had arrived.

—In any case, I must buy time now. The Alchemists Guild can't dismiss a request from me, a genius alchemist.

That's what Zeel thought, but...

「Well then, I will proceed with the contract cancellation as a premise. After that, we’ll consider whether to re-establish a contract depending on the potions you bring in.」

Ruthlessly, Vanessa easily announced the contract termination.

At this, even Zeel, who had been taking a humble attitude, couldn't endure it.

「Ha?! That’s tyrannical! You shouldn’t be able to terminate a contract so easily!」

「Since it was a contract made through the Guild, whether you agree or not is irrelevant. The contract violation is confirmed at the point where the delivery date has been missed without a justifiable reason.」

Vanessa's argument was sound. She was dealing with the situation correctly based on the rules established by the Alchemists Guild.

Knowing that, Zeel couldn't retort anything and began to feel irritated.

「Can't you let it slide just a little?! I'm an alchemist being discussed for promotion to B-Rank! Do you think you should treat a representative of the next generation like this?!」

He was a special existence, a genius alchemist. He should be treated with more respect and was certainly not a person to be dismissed carelessly.

The greatly distraught Zeel raged, but it was irrelevant to Vanessa. She denied him without hesitation.

「You must be dreaming. If you want to represent the next generation, at least say that after you've actually reached B-Rank. There are plenty of people just like you, you know.」

「Who do you think is dreaming?! There's no one challenging B-Rank at my age—」

「Many people remain active throughout their lives, so age has no bearing on alchemists. Of course, some mature early, their skill growth stops, and they end up looking pathetic, but...?」

Looked at with pity by Vanessa, Zeel couldn't remain calm. She was easily stepping into the most sensitive problem he was concerned about.

「No! I'm a genius! I'm the genius alchemist who will represent the next generation!」

「You should remember this well. There’s no such thing as a genius in this world. Those who pile up efforts that many people cannot manage are deserved to be called geniuses. Calling yourself 'next generation' or a 'genius' is no different from playing make-believe.」

「You wretched old hag...!」

「Save that talk for after you bring me an amazing potion, little boy. If you can even make a potion, that is.」

Vanessa's gaze and words, which seemed to see right through him, made Zeel's stomach twist painfully. He couldn't let her figure out that he couldn't make potions. If the Alchemists Guild's assessment of him dropped, it would affect all his contracts.

Judging that he shouldn't be involved with Vanessa any further, Zeel left the Alchemists Guild before saying anything else unnecessary, under the scornful gaze of the people around him who saw his face, which was stained with desperation and regret.