After getting my guild card made at the Alchemist Guild, Hayato hurriedly rode off in his carriage, saying he had urgent business.
『Ah, right! Itsuki-san! Please, take this!』
What he handed me was a small bag.
I peeked inside, but it seemed empty.
『It's a magic bag. It's the small-sized one, but it has storage functions, so I think it'll be useful.』
『Huh…』
Wait, hold on—I heard magic bags were hard to get, so I specifically spent a lot of points to learn spatial magic for storage.
『Oh, and there are some ores and herbs inside that might be useful for alchemy. Feel free to use them.』
『Ehto… why are you going this far for me?』
Honestly, being treated this kindly makes me suspicious. Even if it's a small one, a magic bag like this would sell for a fortune—would anyone just give it to someone they just met today?
『Of course, I have my reasons. Itsuki-san, you don't seem keen on working, but I'd like you to raise your alchemy level quickly—there's something I'd like to ask of you later. Plus, I happened to have an extra magic bag lying around.』
『No, no, even so…』
『…No, really. I'm grateful. So this is my thanks. If the contents or the bag bother you, you can even sell them.』
『Hmm…』
I don't remember doing anything worth this much gratitude…
I'm all for taking free stuff, but still… hmm…
『Just take it already! Or if you're not gonna use it, you can give it back next time we meet! As for the stuff inside, use it for alchemy practice! Consider that your repayment for helping me!』
Lady Letty's irritated voice called down from the driver's seat.
Ah, right. They were in a hurry.
Lady Mii and Lady Chris were both glaring at me with dull eyes—seems like they're getting impatient with this back-and-forth.
『…A rival has appeared nano desu.』 『Indeed.』 『Huh!? How does that even make sense!?』 『Ano, that person is a man, right?』
I feel like they're talking about something else entirely, but it must be my imagination.
『Well then, Itsuki-san! Let's meet again soon! Or rather, I'll drop by to check on you before long!』
『O-oh.』
Areh? Is his face slightly flushed? No way… I didn't accidentally trigger any flags, did I?
『Let's go, Itsuki-san!!』
『R-right. I'll at least practice some alchemy. You young ladies take care too.』
『『『『Yes!』』』 nano desu.』 『Tch. Who're you telling?』
Ah, the tsundere one. You don't have to "tsun" at me, you know.
-0-
The magic bag now hung securely at my right hip.
I got it. I actually got one.
Ah… If I hadn't taken Spatial Magic, I could've acquired other skills instead – specifically the "No More" series like [No More Back Pain], [No More Headaches], and [No More Stomachaches].
Well… maybe if I level up Spatial Magic enough, teleportation might be hidden in there!
But this bag is so convenient I'll probably never bother raising the skill now!
「Alright, let's begin. Teach me the basics of alchemy, granny.」
「You shall address me as the beautiful Reinrich!」
「Very well, beautiful Reinrich. Please instruct me in alchemy.」
「How obedient… Correcting yourself without delay.」
「I prefer relying on others when possible. Advice is valuable. An elder's wisdom is precious. Also, start by teaching me items with higher resale values.」
Elders have lived long lives.
Whether their knowledge runs deep or shallow matters little – as master of the Alchemist Guild, her alchemical expertise is unquestionable.
「What a thoroughly disappointing guy… I wonder what that youngster saw in you.」
「I agree. I won't deny being disappointing. But even someone like me is still myself. That's worth cherishing.」
「What nonsense are you spouting!? Just take out the materials that youngster gave you already!」
Complying, I reached into the bag as words materialized in my mind:
『Medicinal Herb
Magic Herb
Toxic Herb
Moonlight Grass
Iron Ore
Red Copper Ore
Blue Steel Ore
Silver Ore
Magic Ore
Jade』
Impressive. Convenient, though quantities aren't displayed.
Most names are unfamiliar too. Beyond Iron Ore and Jade, I barely recognize any.
Wait – in other isekai stories, isn't it unrealistic for protagonists to instinctively know ore properties?
My science education ended in middle school. I've forgotten half of what I learned anyway.
I only remember basics like "Su He Li Be" (the Japanese periodic table mnemonic). No way I'd know properties!
Why did I choose alchemy again?
Musing on this, I carefully arranged the contents on the desk.
The quantity exceeded expectations – especially the herb-like leaves pouring out endlessly.
Then an avalanche of stones followed.
-0-
Whoa… this is a lot.
The desk became buried under mountains of vegetation and minerals in moments.
Not that I can distinguish one from another.
「For now, just the Medicinal Herb and Iron Ore will suffice. The rest are in the way – put them back.」
「Truly worthy of the beautiful Reinrich. To instantly identify items in this indistinguishable mess…」
「I'll commend you for not saying 'granny' this time. Though you do possess Appraisal, correct?」
Ah right – I had taken Appraisal.
Time to test it properly.
[Medicinal Herb – Used for HP potions. Quality depends on skill and technique]
[Magic Herb – Used for MP potions. Quality depends on skill and technique]
[Toxic Herb – Used for antidotes. Quality depends on skill and technique]
[Moonlight Grass – A plant steeped in lunar radiance]
[Iron Ore – Yields iron through alchemy]
[Red Copper Ore – Yields red copper through alchemy]
[Blue Steel Ore – Yields steel through alchemy]
[Silver Ore – Iron ore containing trace silver. Isolating the silver is challenging]
[Magic Ore – Produces magic power-infused stones through alchemy]
[Jade – A gem governing fortune, containing faint magic. Exquisite beauty]
"Exquisite beauty" – whose subjective assessment is this?
Still, Appraisal proves remarkably convenient.
The alchemical references – is that because I'm an alchemist, or do these lack other uses?
「Nothing extraordinary here」
「I see. Valuable items would only bring trouble anyway. This is sufficient」
「How peculiar. I'd expect someone like you to crave more precious items」
「No no, I am someone who knows my place. I avoid labor but don't seek luxury. This modest existence is luxury enough」
「Knowing your limits yet remaining disappointing… Youth should embrace adventure」
As she spoke, beautiful Reinrich produced a mortar, depositing the Medicinal Herb and grinding vigorously.
After pulverizing the herb, she added liquid, mixing thoroughly to extract essence.
The liquid shimmered, transforming into pale green solution.
Decanting it into a vial and sealing completed the process.
「Observe. This is alchemy's foundation – 'potion crafting'」
「It's… remarkably primitive. I assumed skills made it instantaneous」
「They can. But it consumes MP, and without proper understanding, quality suffers or failure occurs」
I see. Alchemy is an active skill after all.
「With practice, your skill alone can produce equal-quality items」
She handed me a [Small Recovery Potion].
「Even beautiful Reinrich produces only small ones?」
「…Call me granny if you must. Try it yourself and you'll understand」
Next came the Iron Ore.
Placing it on the table, she hovered her hand above.
「Alchemy」
At Reinrich's incantation, the iron ore transmuted instantly into an iron ingot and stony residue.
「Alchemy's fundamentals are 'decomposition', 'synthesis', and 'reconstruction'. The rest is application」
「Fascinating… This happens instantly」
「Indeed. Decomposition works regardless of precision initially. But at low levels, silver ore remains beyond you. Begin by separating iron ore into iron and stone」
Interesting.
Mastering silver ore decomposition means obtaining silver.
Silver doesn't seem particularly valuable, but this world may differ.
Still, this appears useful. No harm in practicing.
I'll endure effort now for future leisure. Probably.
But adventure? Absolutely not.
「These are basics, but I recommend developing your own methods for both 'potion crafting' and 'alchemy'. With 'crafting', you could produce accessories」
「Pretty deep. Many possibilities」
「Naturally. Even now, my days remain filled with experimentation」
「Incidentally, granny, might you share your techniques—」
「Impossible. Knowledge is treasure. Perhaps on my deathbed」
Rejected immediately.
Even guild knowledge has its limits, it seems.
「Regardless. First master 'potion crafting' and 'alchemy' as shown. Higher levels will enable decomposing blue steel and silver ore」
「Understood. I'll begin immediately」
The trial-and-error process appeals to me.
Perhaps someday I'll have a dedicated workshop, spending days immersed in alchemy.
The excitement reminded me of mastering Disg〇ea.
「Remember – reserve an alchemy room at reception. Performing alchemy in an ordinary house is prohibited. By the way, the cost is 5,000 nohl per session. You can stay as long as you want. You can borrow mortar and pestle, but potion vials cost extra. As a novice, you may pay later」
…It costs money?! And substantially too.
Half my daily funds vanished instantly. Proper preparation seems wise.
This would bankrupt me completely.
Thank goodness for Hayato's materials…
At least income becomes possible.
Naturally the vials cost extra too.
But deferred payment? Deeply appreciated!
My coffers are truly empty!
「Incidentally, what's this recovery potion's value?」
「1,000 nohl for (Small). (Inferior) or (minor) fetch 300-500 nohl」
Sigh… (Small) potions immediately seem unlikely.
Ten at minimum just to break even.
This will require exhausting both stamina and MP through extended sessions.