I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

TL/Editor: looloo

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At first, I just intended to produce a half-hearted result.

This was because I had been in this world for too short a time to fully grasp it.

While my recipes might be rudimentary, other aspects might stand out.

I wondered if the game had become reality, or if reality had turned into a game that dropped me in after I conquered it.

The process was unclear, but I believed it was the latter.

'The academic level is too exceptional to merely be from a game.'

Alchemy, crafted using various ingredients, had one rule.

When combining highly toxic elements, their properties change depending on how you adjust and distribute the magic.

They might transform into entirely different medicines or develop opposing traits, turning into poisons.

And that's what made it intriguing.

However, the variety of ingredients in this world was truly vast.

Most veterans opted for cooking, which had clear early benefits, or blacksmithing, with its endgame strengths.

Others dove deep into magical academia to craft artifacts.

Alchemy was undeniably more challenging than the aforementioned fields.

Where others fell short and turned to blacksmithing or cooking, I consistently pursued alchemy.

In a way, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I held a special affection for alchemy among the veterans.

"So, by mixing the tongue of a lizard with three roots of the petroleum tree..."

"When combining two poisons, there are typically two reactions. Either their toxicities intertwine, rendering antidotes useless, or they bind oddly because..."

Everything was a mess.

This wasn't it.

Using high-quality ingredients in bizarre combinations.

In that process, there's this baseless hope – a mindset that goes, "maybe, just maybe, it'll work because this is how the original was."

It's like my sibling buying lobster and adding it to instant noodles, claiming it tastes good.

Or grilling a steak and placing it on top of black bean noodles.

Of course, those ingredients are luxurious and tasty on their own, so the combination could potentially be delicious.

However, there are certainly more delicious ways to enjoy them.

'...'

It was making me dizzy.

With every presentation they made, I held my spinning head.

[M, Master?]

[Seoha, are you alright?]

Heavenly Demon and Heavenly Spirit expressed their concern with apprehensive tones. But I was far from alright.

'Heavenly Demon.'

[...What is it?]

'If there's something infuriating, how much can I tolerate?'

[Hmm.]

Heavenly Demon pondered for a moment before replying.

[You should decide that for yourself. As the Tianma, you're not bound by anything. While others might not acknowledge it, you possess the Demonic Qi and have inherited all of the Black Divine Martial Arts from the previously Tianma.]

[That's right! Let's break this rotten world where men act like young girls and pudgy older women pretend to be beautiful!]

Heavenly Spirit spoke with evident displeasure.

It seems she was upset about something off-topic.

Anyway.

‘It’s more serious than I thought.’

From what I’ve personally experienced, they were like frogs in a well.

It appears that these so-called experts in the world are 'satisfied' after delivering presentations they deem quite good.

…I couldn’t stand it.

"Veritas, you should come up soon."

“I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“Is there a set time?”

“Usually, it’s 30 minutes... but if the audience wishes, it can be extended.”

That’s fine.

I stood up.

"Also, many have been eagerly waiting, and that person is attending today’s gathering."

The announcer's voice trembled.

"Veritas is now entering."

I headed to the stage.

Click-clack.

The sound of shoes oddly resonated, sounding lively.

I quietly activated the Mask of Illusion.

The atmosphere immediately became heavy.

Even if this place is virtual, Mask of Illusion directly affects the soul. It's like something mysterious and mystical.

This probably conveys how significant my presence is.

‘It can’t be helped.’

I wore a mask, but I couldn’t help but smirk.

It can’t be helped.

If the level of alchemy in this world is low, I’ll have to elevate it.

‘I need to recruit Bilapsil.’

I formulated a plan in my head.

I won’t waste my time on trivial things like solving recipes.

From an absolute standard, the alchemists of this world have just barely surpassed beginner level.

But from my perspective, they looked like desperate beginners pleading for help.

‘Rather than catching fish for them, I should teach them how to fish.’

Traditionally, mentoring beginners was the fate of the experienced.

And this...

Was a monumental turning point in the history of alchemy.

---

Raei Translations

---

“All of you are wrong.”

That was the first statement made as soon as the figure known as Veritas appeared.

“…What?”

At first, the statement was incomprehensible.

Most of them weren’t masters, but they were artisans or individuals held in high regard by their guilds.

Distrust and astonishment swept through them.

Some murmured he was an arrogant being, others that he spoke nonsense.

The alchemists were going off on their own tangents.

From the audience, a man with blue hair raised his hand.

“I acknowledge your prowess. However, I’m curious about why you say everyone is wrong.”

The people around him nodded in agreement.

In truth, the recipe the man presented was considered good by their standards.

“No worries. I’ll go through everything step by step.”

Lee Seoha looked at them with truly warm eyes.

Like a parent watching a child taking their first steps.

“Let’s start by pointing out the issues with the recipe that man presented.”

A holographic screen appeared in the air.

“Do you know what’s wrong with this recipe? It mixes ingredients that naturally meld well together.”

The alchemical skills transforming them into something quite distinct were certainly worth noting.

But the problem was, that was all they did.

“This is just basic stuff. Using herbs that blend well together to create something decent. And the fact that you all deem such basics as acceptable…”

Lee Seoha turned his head. Eyes from behind a mask looked down upon them.

“It proves you all are wrong.”

He took a step forward.

“We have here Salamander’s Flame and a Satcha herb’s poison sac. What happens when they’re combined?”

“When combined, the heat-resistant Satcha herb's poison sac with the flame will produce a poison with burn attributes.”

Someone answered in an irritated voice.

He nodded. That wasn’t incorrect.

“That might be the common understanding.”

Alchemy varied based on how you sculpted with magic.

Lee Seoha reached out.

His will moved and fetched the nearby Salamander's Flame and the Satcha herb's poison sac.

While concocting a previous potion, he realized something.

Tuning the Demonic Qi was easier than using magic for alchemy.

Maybe it was the power of his Conceptual Stat.

Or perhaps some reality-adjustment.

“Here’s the question. Will the Salamander’s Flame and the Satcha herb's poison sac truly produce a burn-attribute poison? The answer is no.”

With his willpower, he levitated the items.

Having an alchemy kit would have been perfect here.

‘Not very stylish.’

He crushed the ingredients with his will.

And quickly tuned with the Demonic Qi. He used a mere fraction of its power. A slight force that negated and repulsed the essence of the ingredients.

Because the power to negate is stronger than the power to destroy.

The resultant liquid’s properties were quite simple.

──────────────

【Elixir of Flame Resistance(C)】

A remarkable alchemist manipulated the properties of the ingredients, altering their nature slightly.

:Upon consumption, flame resistance slightly increases.

──────────────

“…!”

“There's no need for other ingredients. Just a little adjustment will suffice.”

In this place, it's said that alchemy is composed of 30% ingredients, 60% recipe, and 10% magic adjustment. But that's incorrect.

It's actually 30% ingredients, 30% recipe, and 30% magic adjustment.

“You all take pride in mastering the basics and creating elixirs with it. That’s why I say you're mistaken.”

In truth, this area was inevitable.

To achieve that level of magic adjustment, one had to delve deeply into the study of magic.

An exceptional mage, viewing from an alchemist's perspective, had to embark on this new field of study.

‘Only then will it truly become the art of alchemy.’

For so long, alchemy has been too insular.

The Magic Tower was no different.

Was it because of its difficulty? There should have been some interaction, but even the basic methods weren’t established.

“And if you can apply this further.”

Whooosh!

He poured in his energy, crushed the ingredients with intent, and produced a liquid.

──────────────

【Bomb of Blue Flame(C)】

A remarkable alchemist manipulated the properties of the ingredients, altering their nature slightly.

:An explosion of flame containing icy properties ensues.

──────────────

‘It turned out better than I thought.’

Was it due to the opposing force inherent in his energy?

Lee Seoha scattered the liquid.

Sizzle sizzle.

Flames ignited in the air, freezing the space around them.

“…!”

“…Insane.”

Various emotions were palpable.

But most were the same – shock and disbelief.

“Hmm, 30 minutes have passed.”

Lee Seoha glanced at the alchemists.

“If you don't want me here, I can't stay any longer. What will you decide?”

Unsurprisingly, the lecture masked as a presentation was extended.

And thereafter, Lee Seoha faced a barrage of questions from the nearly frenzied alchemists.

enjoy! :)

the missing 10% was written by the author so it'll probably get explained soon haha

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