ALL NOVEL Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Alchemy
Chapter 42: Alchemy
I laid out some of my stored items on the table I excavated simultaneously with the chair. Dragonfly wings from Marol’s beginner dungeon, items from intermediate and advanced dungeons, materials from random monsters I defeated on the way, and even boss materials.
“Oh, what a bountiful harvest of various attributes!”
It seemed to catch her interest.
“However, Alexi-kun, it’s not feasible for Urrica to buy all these materials in such large quantities…”
“That’s true. I desire plenty, but I lack the means to acquire them upfront.”
Ordrishka examined the desired materials before her, her fingers to her lips.
“So, I have a proposal. Would it be possible for you to take me as your apprentice?”
Yes, that’s why I came here today. I couldn’t just stand before the dream of alchemy and leave empty-handed.
“But explaining from the basics would take time…”
She hesitated. However, her gaze remained fixed on the materials before her.
“I’ve acquired some knowledge through self-study to some extent. I’m willing to start from the very basics. I’ll assist you, help with the workshop’s cleaning and organization. Even if it’s just for the summer, what do you think?”
She contemplated while groaning. Alright, one final push.
“Firstly, I’ve been working on a sweet potato dish with Professor Kabaneru through trial and error. Please consider it while you enjoy it.”
I took out the sweet potatoes I made this morning from my bag. Along with magical tools for tea, tea leaves, and a beverage. The sweet scent of tea accompanied by freshly brewed tea. As I presented it neatly in front of her, she easily succumbed.
“I can’t be sure if you’ll understand alchemy, but if that’s acceptable to you, I’ll allow you to become my apprentice.”
“Thank you!”
Alright, deal made. Alchemy, acquired!
From then on, I started attending Ordrishka’s workshop. On the first day, I asked the two of them to return home first, and I started with cleaning. It wasn’t my first time clearing away the Rotting Sea. Cleaning up a garbage dump was strenuous work, but compared to the entire building of the “tower,” it was still better. I had some know-how in my own way. Initially, Ordrishka was cautious of me, a sort of intrusive wife. However, humans are weak to pleasure—clean, comfortable living quarters, a comfortable bed, and above all, food. The method of feeding is effective for domesticating any creature. The mansion’s servants were friendly towards me, providing meals for two and offering assistance.
She was similar to the “tower” mages. Silent, diligently handling enchantments, subtly observing me as I established order and cleanliness. Once she realized I had a reasonable foundation of knowledge, she began showcasing her research in alchemy. After all, they want someone to ask about their expertise. Nudging the conversation while nodding, subtly guiding it, revealed the contours of alchemy.
The kingdom’s Magic Ministry, known as the “tower,” is divided into several departments. However, all fields are interconnected. The magic department studies magic circles, the magic soldier department trains magic soldiers, the magical tools department creates magical tools, and the enchantment department, which was formerly the alchemy department. They handle things like magic circles, more precisely the relationship between holy words and magic elements, and their application. Alchemy is the process of converting drop items made from magic elements back into magic elements and manifesting them in any desired form.
“By pouring my own Od into the target object, I loosen the binding of magical elements that make up the item and break them down, right?”
“You catch on quickly. Yes, what is extracted is Ether.”
Inside the small bottle, something fluctuates, neither liquid nor gas. This is what is commonly known as ether in chemistry, but it’s different from what you might find in science fiction. Mana, abundant in everything in this world, especially in magic stones, and the Od circulating within one’s own body. While collectively referred to as magical elements, what is extracted as Ether in this world’s unique definition isn’t necessarily wrong.
The difference between surface and dungeon monsters. Surface monsters incorporate magical elements into their bodies, becoming stronger. When defeated, they leave behind a normal corpse like any beast, and magic stones can be harvested from within. On the other hand, dungeon monsters leave behind a fixed amount of gold and drop items when defeated. They are like a kind of imitation, a virtual existence created from magical elements. Alchemists are trying to replicate what dungeons do, producing monsters and drop items.
However, alchemy has not yet reached the point of transforming etherized magical elements back into different substances. At best, it injects ether into existing substances, adding certain characteristics or abilities. This is the essence of enchantment.
“So, drop items from wind-attribute monsters can be reduced to wind-attribute Ether and imbued with wind-related properties on the target item?”
“That’s the idea. What comes next is still uncharted territory.”
Ordrishka carefully pours Ether into the staff entrusted by the client. Given her job dealing with many items, it seems she possesses an appraisal skill. When she reaches the limit of Ether filling, she murmurs, “It’s done,” and lets out a deep sigh. This signals, “Bring me tea.”
“By the way, this dish of yours is quite good. While sweet potato butter tea was common in the village, such cooking was unknown.”
She seems to favor sweet potatoes. As a forest elf, she is well-versed in other emergency crops, but forest elves don’t seem to have much interest in processing food. She enjoys dishes made from potatoes and buckwheat.
Though she looks like a beautiful girl similar age to me at first glance, she is a skilled alchemist. However, her clothes are worn, her hair is messy, and her mouth is covered in food crumbs. The workshop is a mess. Despite being a master alchemist, she has various unfortunate aspects.