Chapter 332  332 Master Drac


    The old man continued to chuckle, hisughter resonating with warmth. "Do not mind her," he said to Nexus, still amused. "It is one of her many tricks for visitors. I hope you don''t feel overwhelmed by it," he added, a twinkle of mirth in his eyes.


    "Oh no, sir," Nexus reassured him, hisposure returning. "I was just trying to find the famous alchemist, Master Drac, and I was directed here," he exined, seeking confirmation.


    "I am Master Drac," the old man dered, his smile revealing the kindness that seemed to radiate from him.


    A realization dawned on Nexus, and he couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief and amusement. Abby was not the mysterious Drac; she was merely the granddaughter of the true alchemist. Nexus''s initial misjudgment transformed into a shared understanding of Abby''s mischievous nature.


    Nexus studied Master Drac, expecting a foreboding figure but finding instead a benevolent, white-haired man with a gentle aura. The contrast between the expectation and reality prompted Nexus to reevaluate his preconceived notions.


    "He looks nice enough," Nexus thought, finding himself pleasantly surprised.


    "Oh, Master Drac," Nexus responded with genuine respect, "I am Nexus from the Russels'' home. I have been told to find you." He felt a certain warmth emanating from the elderly alchemist.


    "You must be new around here," Drac observed, a friendly inquirycing his words. He surmised that Nexus was a neer, considering hisck of familiarity with Abby''s renowned pranks. It was a subtle nod to the local knowledge that everyone in the area was acquainted with Abby''s mischievous ways.


    Nexus chuckled, appreciating the good-natured humor. "Yes, sir," he admitted, "I''m not from around here. I''ve heard of your expertise in alchemy and was hoping to seek your guidance for a project."


    Drac, while intrigued by Nexus''s request, was more interested in the mes he had witnessed. It was the ethereal dance of fire that drew him out. "Well, Nexus, before we get to that," Drac said, wheeling his wheelchair closer. He gestured to a weathered wooden bench in the corner. "Why don''t you sit down first?" he suggested.


    Nexus nodded, moving to the bench. He carefully cleared it of rusty tools, giving it a quick dusting with his fingers before taking a seat.


    "Master Drac..." Nexus began, but he was swiftly interrupted.


    "Wait, wait, Mister Nexus," Drac interjected, a yful glint in his eyes. "I understand you are looking for my assistance, but first, I need to witness the power you wield. The mes you showed my granddaughter, I need to know if you are truly an alchemist," he exined.


    "No problem, Master," Nexus replied, reaching into his powers. He felt the qi within him and conjured the heavenly me once again. The room bathed in the warm glow, and the temperature rose.


    Drac was mesmerized by the sight. "It has been a while since I saw such magnificent power," he thought to himself.


    "I am truly impressed," Drac praised Nexus, his eyes fixed on the dancing mes.


    "You possess a very powerful me," Drac continued, still addressing Nexus. The alchemist''s eyes spoke volumes, filled with both admiration and curiosity.


    "Thank you, Master," Nexus said, bowing his head in appreciation. "However, I have some issues with this much power," he admitted.


    "I can imagine," Drac responded, still observing the mes as Nexus began to dim them until they finally quenched into smoke. "With such a mighty me, it must be difficult to control," Drac remarked, a knowing smile on his face.


    "Yes! Exactly, master," Nexus said, happy that Drac already understands what he wants.


    "I need some sort of material that I can use to withstand this FLAME," Nexus exined. "I have quite a hard time controlling the temperature, and I need something that can help me with that," he said.


    Drac nodded in understanding. "Iprehend your predicament, Nexus," he acknowledged. "And that''s precisely why you''ve sought me out?"


    "Yes, Master," Nexus affirmed. "I was told you are the best and most famous alchemist around," he added, his tone respectful.


    "I see," Drac said, musing over Nexus''s words. "Well, I must say we are both fortunate to have found each other."


    Confusion etched across Nexus''s face. "What do you mean, Master?" he inquired.


    Nexus is confused by the statement. He thought he was the lucky one to have found Drac.


    "Well, I might need your help as well," Drac exined. "You see," he began, "I am currently stuck with my newly acquired artifact''s unlock, and it has been giving me issues for a while," Drac said.


    Understanding dawned on Nexus. "Oh," he eximed, realizing the reciprocity in their needs.


    "Yes, Nexus, I believe I would have unlocked the seal faster if I had your help earlier," Drac admitted, his gaze sincere.


    Nexus''s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. The great Drac, renowned alchemist, seeking his assistance? It was a twist he hadn''t expected.


    Drac continued, "This artifact holds immense power, but its secrets have proven elusive. I sense a connection between the energy you harness and the mechanism of this lock. If webine our skills, we may uncover its true potential."


    Nexus absorbed the information, the gravity of the situation sinking in. It seemed their encounter was destined to be a mutual exchange of expertise.


    Nexus, still harboring doubt about his ability to assist, tentatively responded to Drac. "I''m uncertain if I possess the requisite skills," Nexus confessed, his unease palpable. "I might not be capable of helping in the way you expect."


    "Oh, you have just what I need," Drac reassured him, patting Nexus''s shoulder with an encouraging smile. "With these mes I have witnessed, you are just what I have been waiting for."


    Perplexed but willing to try, Nexus responded, "Okay, Master, I am willing to help in any way I can."


    "That is what I want to hear," Drac said, giving Nexus another wide smile.


    "ABBY!" Drac shouted, calling out to his granddaughter, who swiftly returned inside.


    "Papa," Abby responded, rolling her eyes at Nexus before attending to her grandfather.


    "Let''s move to the inner room," Drac suggested to Nexus, who stood up immediately, ready to follow Drac to the room in question. "Abby, you wheel me over there," Drac instructed his granddaughter.


    "Alright, Papa," she said, taking the handles of his wheelchair and beginning to wheel him outside the room. Nexus followed quietly behind, surprised by the number of rooms the seemingly small cottage contained. From the outside, it appeared petite, but as they entered, Nexus observed numerous chambers.


    Abby, pushing Drac in his wheelchair, led them to another corner and down a slope. It was as if they were entering an underground room.


    Finally, they reached an empty corridor with an imposing stone door at its end. Abby initiated a chant, her incantations resonating through the corridor. "Like the breeze moves the leaves, let the breeze move the stone," she chanted about five times. On the fifth iteration, the door, producing a resounding creak, began to open inwardly, unveiling an evenrger space.


    Nexus was awestruck by the sight. He had severely underestimated the grandeur of Drac''s home.


    Abby continued to push Drac in the wheelchair, leading them through the door and down the passage it revealed.