The Alchemist

The basement was spacious. The surrounding walls were entirely black, with no seams on their surface, as though they were naturally formed as a single whole. They might have been magical creations. The ceiling was paneled with patterned wood, and a Magic Lamp hung in the center, encased in a transparent glass cover that contained magical flames.

A round wooden table stood in the middle, with a Magic Lamp placed on it. The lamp was square and silver, shaped somewhat like a single-burner gas stove from modern society, with a control button.

A wooden box sat to the right of the Magic Lamp.

"My grandfather was an alchemist, but neither my father nor I inherited his talent in this regard. This place has not been used for a long time, though someone comes to clean it every so often." A nostalgic look appeared on George VIII's face. Then he opened the wooden box and took out a round transparent vessel, about the size of a frying pan.

Colin nodded, his gaze focused on the set of alchemical equipment. The most valuable item was the Magic Lamp, which could automatically replenish its magic power. Through the control button, it could produce magical flames at a constant temperature.

At that moment, four maids entered carrying four sets of Strength Potion ingredients. Some of the materials were powdered, such as the scales of a Hels Lizard, which had been ground into black powder. The Mitcher Magic Water, meanwhile, was a blue liquid stored in glass containers.

The maids placed the four sets of ingredients on the table, gave the three men slight bows, and withdrew one after another.

George VIII bent slightly toward Colin and extended his right hand in an inviting gesture.

Colin nodded. He first switched on the control button, and the Magic Lamp immediately released blue flames of intense heat. If it was not turned off, the flames could last for four hours before needing twelve hours to recharge automatically.

He skillfully picked up the glass vessel and placed it on the Magic Lamp, then swiftly took the blue Mitcher Magic Water and poured it inside.

This magical water had been invented by a mage named Mitcher. It was itself a specially prepared magical potion that could accommodate many kinds of magic medicine, making it the most crucial ingredient.

As the Magic Lamp heated it, the Mitcher Magic Water rapidly warmed. Bubbles formed across its surface, blooming and then bursting.

Colin watched coldly. The instant the Mitcher Magic Water was about to change from blue to red, he swiftly picked up Kael Magic Potion, a blue powder that smelled foul, like rotting wood in a swamp.

He quickly poured the magic medicine into the magical water. Black smoke immediately rose from it, and its color turned black. It showed signs of rapidly cooling, but soon began boiling again.

However, Colin made no further move and merely watched coldly. Potion crafting was difficult because the process was extremely long.

Basic potion crafting could last three hours. The properties of magical potions constantly changed. Some changed color, while others changed scent. Whether to add new ingredients depended entirely on the alchemist's judgment.

The process was not fixed. It varied slightly according to changes in the surrounding temperature and humidity. Potion apprentices had to observe their masters making potions, fail countless times, and waste vast amounts of material before they could grasp those fleeting changes and successfully craft a potion.

That was why alchemists needed at least 5 Intelligence.

Moreover, several hours of potion crafting often consumed a great deal of energy. Alchemists generally needed more than ten hours of rest before they could make potions a second time.

That was precisely why alchemists were so rare and potions so valuable. Likewise, becoming an alchemist meant enormous profits.

The status of a basic alchemist surpassed even that of an Imperial Lifetime Knight. If a commoner became a basic alchemist, marrying a nobleman's daughter would not be difficult.

If Colin's identity as an alchemist became public, marrying a baron's daughter would be effortless. Without that identity, it would be as difficult as reaching the heavens.

Colin's system interface showed that his Basic Strength Potion Crafting was at the mediocre level. Though far from ideal, he had undeniably entered the field. His movements flowed smoothly, and his timing in adding ingredients was excellent.

George VIII's grandfather had been an alchemist, and he also ran a magic shop. He had seen such scenes many times and knew how to recognize true skill.

There was no need to mention Ham. He was already a seasoned basic alchemist. As the saying went, whether someone had real ability would be known once they got on the field.

As they watched Colin's actions, they could not help nodding in unison. Their confidence gradually rose to absolute certainty. Joy welled up in their hearts. Alchemists had always been hard to come by.

Now that war had broken out in the eastern Empire, large numbers of alchemists had gone to the Imperial Capital or the front lines. Alchemists had become walking gold, while their magic shop was suffering from a shortage of talent.

Although Colin claimed that he could only make Basic Strength Potions, that was already precious enough. Besides, Colin looked to be only in his teens. At such a young age, he could already skillfully craft Basic Strength Potions. Would other potions really be difficult for him?

Though he was only a sapling, Colin possessed tremendous potential.

George VIII and Ham exchanged a glance. Both saw determination in the other's eyes. They had to win this man over.

As time passed, the basement filled with a pungent smell. Though there were ventilation openings, the odor was still hard to bear.

Yet Colin, George VIII, and Ham did not make a sound.

At last, the final moment arrived.

Inside the transparent vessel above the Magic Lamp, the magical potion had become utterly black, as pure as the night. Only one final ingredient remained to be added.

Raji Magic Potion, another blended magical medicine, was red and carried the scent of blood.

Colin made his move. He took the magic medicine in the glass container and dripped just one drop into the transparent vessel.

There was no sound, yet red smoke spread through the air. The black magical potion underwent a violent transformation, changing through seven colors in an instant before gradually settling into red and stabilizing.

It actually succeeded on the first try. Colin stared at the red liquid in the transparent vessel, feeling somewhat incredulous. Given his mediocre potion-making ability, it would have been entirely possible for him to waste all four sets of materials without succeeding.

Yet he had succeeded in one attempt. His luck was simply absurdly good.

But Colin was steady by nature. He quickly regained his composure and calmly turned off the Magic Lamp. The flames immediately went out. After the transparent vessel had cooled, he carefully picked it up and poured the red Basic Strength Potion inside into a long glass container. He sealed it with a black stopper and set it upright.

The process had lasted around three hours and drained Colin of an enormous amount of energy. By the time he finished, even his strong Novice Knight body could not help weakening. He staggered and nearly fell to the ground, but fortunately caught himself on the table with both hands.

His face was slightly pale, yet a faint smile appeared on it. He looked up at George VIII and Ham and said, "Now we can discuss my compensation."

Though George VIII had been prepared, looking at Colin, who was only in his teens, filled him with complicated emotions. His grandfather had also been an alchemist, but neither his father nor he had inherited that talent. Meanwhile, the youth before him was only in his teens and had a boundless future ahead of him.

Alongside his joy, he felt a trace of envy, but in the end, only joy remained.

"Very well, Mr. Alchemist." George VIII gave a flawless bow and said.