Chapter 249: Lars Brown (II)

"Only alchemists can design alchemy products and props!"

"Sorry, we only recruit alchemists!"

"You're not an alchemist, yet you want to join us?"

After Lars Brown suffered numerous rejections from various military workshops and official research institutes, he began to fully understand the high standards of the alchemist world. But, he was reluctant to go to smaller workshops, even though, with his knowledge, he could earn good money there.

While Lars conducting his own experiments, he continued to look for sponsors everywhere. He also tricked small workshop owners into sponsoring his experiments, saying that he would design and improve their products, while secretly spending their money on all of his experiments!

Lars was looking for a new form of natural force, one that was similar to wind and water power. This was a large-scale research effort that involved all aspects of knowledge. It also required a lot of manpower and material resources.

Lars quickly discovered that he could only get money for his experiment by cheating and deceiving people. This was because he was relatively unknown, and by the age of 30, he had still achieved nothing much.

Finally, in a small city far that was far away from Tephis, he found his big sponsor. He was the owner of a shipyard, who made small and medium-sized merchant ships.

Lars pretended to be an alchemist by making a fake alchemist's badge. Armed with that, as well as his smooth eloquence, he persuaded the owner of the shipyard to invest in his research regarding the manufacturing of alchemy products.

For the first time, he discovered many things about steam and its great power. Lars then promised the merchant that he would build a new type of alchemy ship that could sail without the help of sails and wind.

Lars said, "It will be a ship that can absolutely change the world, a real alchemy ship! It'll replace all of the old ships and sail even faster and carry more cargo!"

His eyes were glowing with excitement. "Then, all of the people in Sean City-State Alliance will come to you to order ships, and you will become the largest shipbuilder in all of Sean City-State Alliance. Everyone will come here! But, in order to have all of this, you just need to invest a little now!"

After his persuasive pitch, Lars got his first big investment and was able to build his own alchemy factory. For the first time, he had meaning and purpose for his life. Even if he could not become an alchemist, he could at least design great alchemy products that could have a shocking impact on the world!

However, just a few months later, his lie was exposed. Despite his explanation to the owner of the shipyard, he accused Lars publically of misrepresentation, and Lars was sentenced to six months in prison!

After learning that Lars had cheated the merchant by posing as an alchemist, Akkad Alchemy College officially revoked Lars' degree! The notorious Lars was then given a horrid nickname, the faker Lars!

After half a year of imprisonment, Lars left Tephis and returned to his hometown of Finnlit. However, when he returned home, Lars found that his parents had died during his imprisonment!

All that he saw upon entering Finnlit were rotting tombstones, empty houses, and closed watch workshops. Time had changed everything, especially Lars. The once proud Lars now had nothing but his useless dream.

What was worse, Lars found that news of his shady business affairs had also been transmitted to Finnlit. This wasn't really a surprise, as the circle of alchemists was very small.

Thus, everyone knew about the faker Lars. In Lars' eyes, he had lost everything.

He wandered into one of his childhood home's empty rooms, then journeyed on to the attic, reflecting on his youth. He was holding a portrait of his family, while he was sitting on the stairs crying.

He had a great dream of changing the world and had aspired to be a legendary alchemist, like Akkad and Marina. But, reality had given him a heavy blow.

It turns out that he couldn't become an alchemist. He was just a fake alchemist!

"Ha-ha-ha, father, you were right! But, I really don't want to give up! Why is fate so cruel? I want to become an alchemist, so what's so wrong with that? Is it wrong for me to have such a dream?" As Lars spoke to his father's image in the picture, his heart filled with despair.

A few days later, he decided to leave again. His plan was to give up everything and go to the countryside, where he would live the life of an ordinary man.

At this time, an unexpected person knocked on the door. It was his boyhood rival, fat Mike. But, this time, he had not come to make fun of Lars, but to invite him to join his institute.

When Mike was a teenager, he had scoffed at Lars. Since then, he had matured and become a true alchemist. Lars was really embarrassed that he was meeting Mike again at his lowest point.

"If you are really so unwilling to give up, why don't you try again? Come and join my alchemy institute. We're working on a project to make hot-air balloon airships!" Mike extended the invitation.

Lars looked at fat Mike incredulously. "Why did you choose to ask me? I'm just a fake alchemist!"

Mike nodded and said, "I know, but so what? Even if you are not an alchemist, you are truly clever! I believe in you, Lars! I know you better than anyone else!"

Mike's words gave Lars a glimmer of hope. They then sat together and talked about some crazy things from their childhood. At this moment, all of the old jealousy and hatred that had been between them became mere memories.

Lars talked about his frustrations and his failures over a few drinks. In fact, the pair drank a lot together that night! The next day, Lars joined Mike's institute, where he started a whole new life.