Chapter 18 Alchemist Guild
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Following Mr. Baldric’s advice, he arrived in front of the Alchemist Guild. From what he had heard along the way, potions were crafted inside this wooden two-story building.
Standing there in front of the aged structure felt pointless, so he pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside.
The interior was dark and sparse—not exactly run-down, but carrying a desolate, melancholic air that clung to both the outside and inside of the building.
Directly ahead stood a compact wooden reception desk, oddly adorned with test tubes and ceramic flasks. Instead of a welcoming receptionist, a weary Matron sat slumped behind the desk, puffing on a smoking pipe.
”What’s up… It’s rare to see someone like you here. You don’t look like a customer… If you’re just browsing, best be on your way,” she said with a grimace, her voice sharp with annoyance.
(Wow, can I really learn potion-making in a place like this? This atmosphere is unsettling…), he thought uneasily.
Trying to ease the tension, he forced a smile and spoke cheerfully, “Hello. I’m interested in making potions and came here to apprentice under you.”
The Matron didn’t react to his smile or words. She simply kept puffing on her pipe, eyes half-lidded.
Maintaining his smile, he thought, (Ah… this might not work…) and waited silently for her response.
After a long pause with only the sound of her pipe smoke curling through the stale air, the Matron finally pulled out a dusty book and placed it on the desk. He leaned over and flipped it open.
The book was titled Basic Healing Potion. It seemed she was too lazy to teach him personally, expecting him to learn on his own instead. Such a lackadaisical approach!
Glancing through the instructions, he read it quickly in about 20 to 30 seconds, then shut the book. Picking up the test tubes and flasks in front of him, he made his way toward the Alchemy Chamber.
The chamber was fully equipped with all the necessary tools and materials for potion-making. He began to concoct the Basic Healing Potion, carefully following the steps he had just learned.
First, he poured water and two ground leaves of Swaying Grass into a flask and set it over the fire. As the liquid boiled, he separated the leaves from the broth, transferring both into different containers. He then placed the broth in a distillation apparatus to purify it. The resulting concentrated extract, free from impurities, collected in a test tube. Finally, after securing a cork lid, the potion was complete.
He returned to the Matron and said, “It’s done.”
She took the offered potion and peered at it through a single lens. The lens suddenly shattered with a sharp crack, leaving no fragments behind.
”Hmm… that’s a passing grade. It’s rare for a first-time concoction to produce a Basic Healing Potion (small, superior). Usually, it’s inferior or slight. If it’s poorly made, it’s substandard. Was it luck? Or perhaps you have innate talent…” she mused.
”Well, that’ll do. I’m Rhines, an apothecary. Call me Master until you can stand on your own as an independent,” she added curtly.
”Yes, Master Rhines,” he replied promptly.
”This was just a test, so I won’t charge you for materials or the use of the alchemy room. Next time… make sure you study this carefully.”
She handed him a parchment to review.
—
An alchemist refers to someone registered with the Alchemist Guild, including apprentices.
Alchemy must be conducted indoors, in an official alchemy room, by law.
Addendum: Outdoor alchemy is strictly limited to first-class alchemists and only in emergencies.
—
”Thanks, Master Rhines,” he said.
”Finished reading? Then get going! You probably don’t have the registration fee with that look! Go sell the potions you made yourself! I’ll give you until tomorrow—don’t let them lowball you!”
Her words, surprisingly kind despite her gruffness, struck a chord with him. He would remember that advice.
”Understood. Then, I’m with this…” He picked up the two potions he had made and left Rhines’ guild behind.
Notes:
• Baldric – The branch manager of the Elandric Merchant Guild.
• Rhines – A weary apothecary who serves as the protagonist’s mentor at the Alchemist Guild.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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