Roverpowered 3: Tales of an Aspiring Alchemist, page 1
ROVERPOWERED 3
©2025 DREW HAYES
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ALSO IN SERIES
Roverpowered
Roverpowered 2
Roverpowered 3
Roverpowered 4
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Thank you for reading Roverpowered 3
Wanda’s Progress Page
About the Author
Groups
LitRPG
ONE
Wanda held the small metal pendant, turning it over as she gazed at the item with wonder.
From the size, one might never guess just how much work the copper-colored coin with a potion etched onto each side represented. Who could imagine that such a simple necklace would have demanded weeks of study under Garumph, months of constantly putting those lessons to work as she and Wumble traveled. Then bonding together as wizard and familiar, exploring an abandoned town, and finally a crash course in beginner alchemy that involved nearly getting chomped by an occoreal-addled snake.
Yet as Wanda held up her pendant before Wumble, who barked twice in approval, there was no doubt in her mind the effort had been worth it. His orange-brown upper coat flashed to a creamy white as he rolled over, exposing his tummy and wriggling on his back in a show of excitement. Were they not standing in the road outside the Alchemist’s Union, in plain view of many passersby, Wanda might have let her excitement out in a similar way, though she probably would have gone with jumping for joy.
With this token of certification, Wanda could officially present herself as an Apprentice Alchemist. She was truly one step closer to her goal.
Of course, Apprentice Alchemist really only meant Wanda was trusted to brew the most basic, foundational of potions. One for rapidly mending wounds, another for restoring one’s supply of mana. Neither were considered especially fancy by the world at large. Then again, neither were food and water. Yet both were still essential for survival.
Rather than head back to their inn, Wanda and Wumble set out on a different path for the morning. With a few days to prepare between the conclusion of her alchemy orientation and her license being ready, Wanda had used the downtime to study up and make a plan.
One of her first subjects of study was the license itself, which apparently the Alchemist Union held onto. She was given an enchanted token that signified her status, and any who wished to view her license could approach the union and request a copy. According to some older tomes she’d poured through, they’d once let alchemists carry their own licenses. However, the number that had to be constantly replaced led them to update the system.
Apparently, alchemists, especially newer ones, had a nasty habit of setting things on fire. Sometimes accompanied with an explosion. Luckily, since all involved were wizards, the situations were often more inconvenience than tragedy.
After learning more about her license, Wanda’s planning efforts had turned to Wumble. Her wonderful familiar who trotted happily at her side through the street, nimbly dodging about through some of the larger feet, hooves, paws, and what not. He was courageous as anyone could ask for, and loyal to a fault, but Wanda had also gotten reminded during her orientation that familiars needed occoreal to grow.
For as little as Wanda needed more power than what she possessed, it didn’t feel right to hold Wumble back from his potential. Especially considering one step on his journey would be achieving true sentience, though admittedly not many familiars made it that far. But Wumble could reach that incredible milestone, Wanda knew in her heart he had what it took.
He’d just need her help.
That was why their morning’s journey didn’t lead to any shops where Wanda might acquire new tools, or gardens where she could peruse the herbs available, or even a restaurant where they could have a leisurely breakfast, though the pair had split a half-dozen pastries on their way to pick up the pendant.
No, Wanda had another destination in mind, somewhere that would help Wumble take a step closer to his full potential. Before her loomed a large building with several metal spires poking out of the top, a steady flow of people walking around it, with only a handful entering. Steeling her nerves, Wanda pushed forward, making certain to keep Wumble at her side.
They passed through an archway that appeared to lack actual doors, opening up into a large stone hall painted a crisp shade of white. Dozens of wizards were already present, clustered against the far wall in a sizable mass, each holding a glowing orb. To Wanda’s left, she spotted a trio of counters where a modest line waited, to her right, it looked like there was a table of snacks, albeit nothing of especially high quality.
Wanda and Wumble took their place in line behind a tall woman with a spider familiar sitting on top of her head. The line advanced quickly, and as they drew closer, Wanda was able to listen in and get a sense of how all this worked.
Each person in the line paid their fee and was asked for their certification or specialization. They’d present appropriate references, like Wanda’s pendant, then be handed a glowing orb and get sent to join the waiting crowd. The orb colors were evidently indicators of what each person brought to the team. Wanda learned a vibrant red was handed out for trained combat specialists, metallic gray for blacksmiths, warm beige for scribes, and rich purple for enchanters.
The tall woman with the spider was the first purple orb Wanda witnessed be handed out. A quick glance showed her they were quite rare among the waiting crowd too. From the moment the spider-wizard stepped away most of the waiting eyes turned toward her, each set no doubt wondering if she might prove to be a potential ally.
Then it was Wanda’s turn, and she found herself before an older man with a sincere, but tired, smile. “Good morning, young wizard. What certifications would you like to present?”
“Apprentice Alchemist, sir.” Fumbling with her pendant, and feeling a flush creep along her neck the longer it took, Wanda finally grabbed hold of her newly earned necklace and thrust it forward. The older man gave it a good look, then tapped it with the tip of finger twice before nodding.
“Certification is in proper order.” From below the counter, he produced one of the glowing orbs, though this was a grassy green hue. “Please go wait with the others, we should be starting very shortly. Feel free to make conversation, just be ready once we call everyone to order.”
Accepting the orb, Wanda and Wumble hustled over to the crowd, finding a spot at the edge, as far from other bodies as they could manage. It wasn’t entirely perfect, as they were next to a slumped-over figure wearing a cloak, but there was no real space to be had amidst the masses.
Seeing a big crowd was heartening to Wanda though, even as the ruckus wore her down. More people meant more chances to find allies, even if only temporary ones. Allies who could help she and Wumble deal with occoreals, fueling her familiar’s growth toward greater heights.
Without warning, the sound around them vanished. Every head in the room turned toward the front door, so Wanda did the same, finding herself looking at a well-dressed wizard with slicked back hair and a brilliantly colored bird familiar on his shoulder, though she didn’t know the species on sight.
“Welcome all, to another day’s mingling. For our returning guests, welcome back! For our newcomers, I do hope you’ll find it to your liking. This is the Temporary Team Tea Service, where you’ll have a chance to meet other wizards also looking for new allies. Whether the bonds you forge last the day or a lifetime, it is my hope that you all leave here with new friends, if not a team to face to the world with.”
He gave a deep bow, the bird on his shoulder dipping its wings in a matching motion even as its claws dug in. “I am Morial, your host for this fine morn. And that’s enough time wasted. Everyone, make sure your demarcation orbs are visible in your hands. It is time for our event to commence!”
TWO
In a bustle of motion, the crowd along the wall burst forward, surging outward to the array of nearby tables. Wanda and Wumble remained frozen, unsure of what to do, watching the coordinated chaos. It seemed to her like everyone in the room had gotten some secret instructions. At least the slumped figure in a cloak didn’t leap up, which would have left her as the lone wizard still hanging around their section of the wall.
“For our new guests, the Temporary Team Tea Service is a chance to form a group for any number of tasks, though occorite hunting is typically the favorite past time. Each attendee may only sit at a table where there is no one else with an orb of their color. As you sit and chat, if you find the current seat isn’t among peers you see as allies, then that’s your cue to try another table.”
Glancing about, Wanda realized Morial was spot-on, not a single table had two orbs of the same color. And based on the limited number of green spheres visible, she had a pretty wide selection of tables available. That said, the idea of approaching a group of strangers and striking up a conversation was… daunting, to put it mildly. Wanda pulled Wumble in closer for a hug, already working to gather her nerve.
“It’s fine if you connect with one person at a table and want to move together, the goal here is for everyone to form a team for at least the day, potentially a lifetime. We just ask that you watch out for the tea carts providing service as you change locations.” Morial pointed to a doorway, where right on cue, a procession of servers pushing carts wound their way through.
The carts each housed a massive teapot with runes woven along the sides, towers of small cakes, and collections of matching cups. Seeing the selection of sweets helped take Wanda’s mind from the stress of socializing, allowing her to calm down. When the cloaked figure at her side slowly dragged itself up from the ground, Wanda was just about to step away from the wall. The shock of the stranger’s movement caused her to jump outward, resulting in them both walking toward the tables at the same time.
It wasn’t that Wanda intentionally followed the figure, but when they stopped at a table with only two other wizards, she saw a chance to start things off with a smaller crowd. Most of the tables already had four chairs filled, and several had utilized all five seats. This was an opportunity to listen to another wizard’s introduction, giving her a sample to work from.
That plan promptly fell apart when they both sat down, only for the pair of seated wizards to look over, exchange glances, and then rise together, walking off wordlessly in search of a new table.
“Did they not want company?” Wanda spoke without thinking, perplexed by what she’d witnessed. Two people desiring privacy made sense normally, but the whole point of this event was to meet new people, wasn’t it?
“They didn’t want my company.” The voice from under the cloak was solid yet smooth, like a polished river rock. A pair of rough, pebbled hands emerged, one holding a metallic gray orb while the other pulled back on the hood. Underneath, a stoic face that appeared to have chiseled out of an especially porous rock.
Although she managed not to cry out in surprise, Wanda could feel her eyes widening, even as she tried to force them back down. She didn’t mean to be rude, but this was her first time ever meeting a Dirvken in the… flesh? All Dirvken were supposed to at least be partly formed of stone, though how that worked from a biological standpoint, Wanda hadn’t the faintest notion. It wasn’t as if her small village had possessed a wealth of information. Not unless one wanted to learn a lot about tying knots for fishing nets.
Still, even they’d gotten a few stories and rumors, enough to make the behavior of the two at the table stand out as peculiar.
“I… um… I’m sorry if this is rude, but I only just arrived in Kalamaz recently, and well… my understanding was always that Dirvken are highly desirable team members. Strong, tough, and with talents many bonded wizards lack.”
If they’d known who this person was, why flee at the approach? Wasn’t it more likely they’d avoided the young woman and her admittedly small hound?
“They do not leave because I am Dirvken. They leave because I am useless.” The no-longer cloaked figure offered a hand to shake. “I am called Escador.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Escador. I’m Wanda, and this is Wumble.” After shaking Escador’s hand, Wanda lifted Wumble a bit higher so he could see their conversation partner. Wumble gave the air two sniffs, then settled in on her lap, yawning widely.
“Warmth and greetings, Wanda and Wumble. I hope this day finds you well, and offer some unrequested guidance: it would likely behoove you to find another chair. My reputation precedes me, even with the cloak, thus few will take the seats at this table. One so new into their journey should not face such limited options.”
While an anxious part of her immediately wondered if Escador was just trying to shuffle her off, Wanda did notice the way anyone walking toward their table seemed to suddenly veer away without warning. The sole exception was a tea cart that had pulled up to their side and was putting down cups in front of she and Escador.
If the advice was sincere, it was probably sound. She was here to find a team, after all. Wumble needed occoreal to grow, but they couldn’t very well go off hunting occorites alone. Florvel had been a matter of desperation, and the occoreal-addled snake had gone after her; that was all quite different from going out looking for trouble.
Wumble was still only a new familiar, and she was barely a wizard or alchemist. Hunting safely meant working with other wizards, ideally ones they could count on. But seeing all the other tables already entrenched in discussions, Wanda’s stomach twisted at the idea of wandering over and breaking into the active conversation, all eyes turning toward her.
“That’s very kind of you,” Wanda finally replied, lifting the cup of steaming tea that had just been set down. “I’ll at least finish my tea first. We are here to make new connections.”
With a sudden whump, the chair next to Escador was filled. The young man seated in it looked a bit older than Wanda, though not substantially so, and even then it might have been an effect of the dark circles under his eyes. Long, stringy blond hair hung onto what had once been a regal-looking blue coat and now appeared largely held together by patches and stitching. A long tube was strapped upon his back, along with a pair of swords at his hips.
Clapping Escador on the back, he set a red orb onto the table and leaned back so the server could place a cup of tea down before him. “Morning, Escador! Any luck finding a competent group, or are we set for another day of working as Leftovers?”
THREE
It was several seconds later that the man in the once fine coat took notice of Wanda, his tired eyes blinking several times as he gazed over to Wumble, then her orb. “An alchemist? Escador, you sly old fellow, how have you charmed an alchemist into a potential team-up?”
