Andrea’s mischievous little hand crept toward the reagent bottle on the table, just about to seize it.
Ailaira seemed to sense something, turning her head to see Andrea with both hands hidden behind her back, pretending to stare intently at the ceiling.
Ailaira didn’t notice anything amiss, so she continued brewing the Alchemy Potion.
Relieved, Andrea reminded herself not to rush; she had already memorized the placement and order. When Ailaira was gone, she’d steal it!
Pah, pah, pah, how could she call it stealing? After all, it was made using her own materials. This was simply returning things to their rightful owner.
Andrea had already begun imagining how, after spraying the Perfume, Ailaira would end up groveling at her feet, wagging her tail in pitiful submission. Just the thought was exhilarating! Hearing Tang Xiao behind her, Ailaira’s hand stirring the potion paused briefly, and she started to question her own technique.
Would this Perfume-like Alchemy Potion affect intelligence? Why did this Red Dragon seem even more foolish now?
Ailaira kept adding Auxiliary Material, diluting the Main Ingredient, until all the components in the iron pot were fully blended. Only then did she extinguish the fire.
Once the liquid in the pot cooled, she ran her arm with the long-handled wooden spoon along the edge, causing an air vortex to swirl above. All of the Alchemy Potion rose and floated mid-air, releasing a subtle, refreshing fragrance that made one feel as though they were standing amidst a lush jungle, basking in sunlight and nourishing rain.
Standing beside her, Andrea was also affected by the scent, her appetite suddenly aroused.
With her free left hand, Ailaira tapped the nearby Drawer, which immediately slid open. The Empty Reagent Bottles inside leapt out one by one, lining up neatly within her reach.
Ailaira, like an orchestra conductor, gracefully waved her arms, and the floating Alchemy Potion separated into streams, automatically pouring into the bottles, which then sealed themselves and packed up perfectly.
Ailaira packed the first batch into the Box Engraved with Ice Magic, kept two bottles for herself in her pocket, and then turned to leave the Research Laboratory.
Andrea quickly followed her into the Hallway, watching in surprise as the laboratory door closed and locked itself behind them. “Are all human Mages like you? It looks so convenient.”
Ailaira lightly touched the wound Andrea had left on her chest.
The bite marks had stopped bleeding, but the deep red traces still stood out looks like she’d have to wear high-collared clothes. “That was all based on pre-set Ritual Magic.
Every detail of the lab’s operation is engraved into the items themselves, so everything knows its role. Since I dislike having others around while I’m working, I developed this Automated Procedure.”
“In fact, my set of rituals is quite popular. Many Mages troubled by the lack of suitable assistants spend a fortune ordering a set from me.”
Unfortunately, I can’t keep doing this business. That damned perverted Goddess!
Ailaira cursed inwardly at the lunatic Goddess who had ruined her bright future. One day, she’d return to the Gray-White Divine Realm, drag that unreasonable Goddess off the Divine Seat, and sit on it herself.
But for now, she was still far from being able to contend with a deity.
She had to bide her time and grow stronger. Hopefully, after leaving The Church, that one wouldn’t be interested in her anymore especially not in a human who had already refused Her.
Sighing, Ailaira went to the Cloakroom and began picking out clothes to wear outside.
Andrea hopped up on a high stool nearby, her crystal-clear slender legs swinging as she eyed the high-quality but extremely plain dresses in Ailaira’s hands. “These clothes are so ugly, Ailaira. You really have bad taste.”
“I agree with you. Although, these were all left behind by my little sister.”
Ailaira nodded in agreement. Back at her family’s Chapel, all the stored clothes were from her previous life as a man, so if she wanted to go out, she could only wear the ones left by Vista Green.
But Vista’s fashion sense… Even as a former man, Ailaira had better taste in women’s clothing than Vista. Honestly, it was the standardized Saintess Uniform of The Church that saved Vista’s sense of style.
Looking at the gray and white dresses in her hand, Ailaira was silent for a moment but decided to change into one anyway. After she went out today, she’d definitely throw out all the junk in the Cloakroom.
Andrea watched as Ailaira, right in front of her, undid the buttons on her home attire. The dress slipped down Ailaira’s smooth, delicate skin onto the floor. Andrea reflexively covered her eyes, but still peeked eagerly through her fingers.
Barefoot on the carpet, Ailaira pulled out a pair of White Silk Stockings and slid them up her legs, sinking into the soft, tender sensation. As she bent over with her back to Andrea, her waist and hips lifted, presenting a full, peach-shaped curve that filled all of Andrea’s vision. Some primal urge, rooted in her Dragonborn blood, ignited her desires.
I really want to…bury my face in there.
Wait, what am I thinking?! Is the Perfume’s effect not gone yet?!
Andrea hurriedly fanned her own face, trying to cool it down, and turned away, afraid that if she kept watching, she’d really do something inappropriate. Ailaira was completely unaware of Andrea’s inner struggle; she changed in front of Andrea simply because she didn’t care.
Ailaira then took out a plain, old-fashioned Short Skirt, without a hint of lace or decoration, and tossed it to Andrea. “Put this on. Can you hide your horns and tail?”
At the words, Andrea held her breath and forced her Dragonborn features back inside her body. Now, with no horns or tail, Andrea looked like a perfectly well-behaved human girl, with nothing unusual about her appearance.
She hopped down from the stool, a little unsteady on her feet. “I can, but it feels a bit weird.”
“You’ll get used to it. Change clothes and come out with me. I’ll wait for you outside.”
Once Ailaira left, Andrea eyed the Short Skirt in her hands with disdain.
Was she going to have to wear ugly clothes like this all the time? She had to figure out a way to stick close to Ailaira, get her to buy more pretty clothes and shiny Gemstones! She’d been promised so many Gold Coins, after all.
Ailaira leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, planning her next steps. It wasn’t until someone tugged at her sleeve that she opened her eyes and looked down.
Andrea tugged nervously at the hem of the Short Skirt, her posture bashful, muttering softly, “Isn’t this skirt a bit too short…?”
“Weren’t you always running around without clothes in the Valley?”
Ailaira tilted her head in confusion, which made Andrea so angry she jumped up and smacked her on the head, complaining furiously, “I had no choice! Every time I transformed into a dragon, my clothes would tear apart. If I weren’t on your humans’ turf, who would bother keeping a human form?!”
“Oh, is that so? I thought you liked it.”
“Who would like running around naked! You perverted woman!”