Chapter 329: The Grand Collection of Nethar (2)

Melvin’s words weren’t exactly wrong—at first glance, the Grand Collection of Nethar did look like a fancy museum… which, in all fairness, it was.

But Akasha hadn’t wandered into this district without reason, nor had he come here to sightsee idly.

Everything they’d encountered so far was part of the personal trove the Bazaar’s creator had amassed during his travels.

And truthfully, none of these pieces held any apparent practical use—if they ever did, that fact was lost to time, as most of the items had been preserved exactly as they were when first discovered.

What truly made this spot ideal for Akasha’s plan was the sheer volume of traffic that passed through.

Specifically, this district was home to all Gods and Constellations drawn to novelty or seeking a bit of peace.

Adding to its charm, a unique section let beings showcase the treasures they had gathered over time.

This was precisely what Akasha intended—an opportunity to present the most exquisite of collections.

“Well,” Akasha said, casting a sidelong glance at Tina, “we’re not here for sightseeing… It’s alchemy, remember?”

He chuckled, glancing over his shoulder toward Melvin.

“Also… that’s the point,” he added with a smile. “There’s nothing special here… yet.”

Melvin’s mouth tightened as he glanced at Akasha with an awkward expression, not quite grasping what he meant.

But if there was one thing he knew about Akasha, it was that he never spoke in jest.

So, if nothing seemed special yet, Melvin decided he’d wait and see.

“You keep mentioning alchemy…” Tina said as she let out a short breath,

“Would you just prove it?”

She wasn’t completely doubting his words, but once again she needed something tangible to work with, simply because, as mentioned before, alchemy was not something one could pick up.

Hell, it wasn’t even something everyone could truly comprehend.

In the vast expanse of Pantheos, there were only nine thousand and ninety-nine alchemists in all of existence.

And perhaps Akasha was the only person who could truly break such a rule.

Akasha’s smile stayed easy as he maintained his pace.

If Tina wanted him to prove it… then he would do exactly that.

They kept walking the nebula floor while star-walls ticked past and history sat in frames on both sides.

The quiet after her demand settled over the group until Melvin pulled himself out of the hall and spoke to her instead of the man ahead of them.

“Maybe you should take Master at his word.” He said, shrugging slightly.

“If he says he will do something, he will.”

Tina looked back at him, eyes narrowing.

“I actually agree,” Calyx said, nodding without turning fully toward Tina’s face.

“I would not dismiss his words so easily.”

“And why not?” Tina questioned.

“I’m… not sure,” Calyx said, pausing for a moment, looking almost puzzled.

“But he has a way of working in mysterious ways.”

Ever since Calyx left the Land of Elsewhere, she couldn’t recall a single detail about Akasha’s actions, or even that she had ever set foot there.

It wasn’t as if there was some glaring hole in her memories, but rather as though the events had never occurred at all.

Still, one thing remained absolutely clear—the vivid memory of being given a new body… and even a brand-new star.

Tina stayed silent at those words.

The four of them kept walking, and the hall’s quiet settled into the space her absence had left.

After a while, the scenery changed, and the space opened into a wider floor of stalls, and the crowd thickened almost like a market.

Collectors stood behind stands, sat on the backs of beasts with trays across their saddles, or floated over tables, each showing a piece they thought earned the word collection.

Some were relics behind glass, strange living curiosities in cages of light, weapons from another time, alongside bottles, bones, and folded maps.

Akasha walked the aisle until he found a space no one had claimed.

He rose off the nebula floor and hung there as if the air over that empty patch were a shop of its own.

Four zafus formed under a thought, plain cushions in a square.

Tina grabbed one after a glance that revealed no surprise.

Melvin took one without even looking, and Calyx picked one right next to Melvin, not thinking much about it.

Akasha smiled.

“Now… Let’s do some alchemy.”

—-

While Akasha prepared to put on a showcase of collections, the plan was to feature only Alchemical items.

However, as mentioned, one couldn’t simply rely on Alchemy—there were a few things he still needed, even though he already possessed all the necessary knowledge.

Within the Land of Elsewhere, Akasha sat in a wide field of flowers on his Mountain.

Luna was stretched out along one side of him, while Akashi rested on the other.

Quieter Yume had her head nestled in his lap.

Sage, a soft gray bundle of fur, was curled up asleep on his head, the black infinity on her back hidden, a gentle purr vibrating against his scalp.

“So… Luna, when are we heading out?” Yume asked, a bit resigned.

“Ugh, Yume,” Luna said, lifting her head off Akasha’s shoulder as if the words had pulled her out of a doze.

She smiled against Akasha’s face, so close he felt its shape along his jaw before he even saw it.

“We can leave whenever you’re ready…. Just be prepared to be away for a while.” Luna finished saying.

Yume sat up from his lap, put a long kiss on Akasha’s mouth, and pulled back, laughing, the laugh bright enough to make the flowers look ordinary.

“You’re not wrong… but it has to get done. Plus we will also be killing two birds with one stone.”

Much like Akasha knew the direction of his potential, it went without saying Yume knew it too… but what they were planning might even go beyond the direction they were on in the moment.

“Right,” Akasha said, nodding. “And… While you are away, I will do my part.”

After his words, Luna kissed him next, slower than Yume.

Both women stood among the flowers, their hands finding each other’s. The smiles they shared were pure but fading, and together they disappeared.

“You know…” Akashi spoke softly, seeing them leave. “My mother is going to be pissed…”