Drew got the Antidote Potion formula first. Since it was a potion formula, it naturally required no magical materials.
It was very simple, requiring only five nonmagical herbal ingredients.
Four herbs could be found in the forest, while the fifth had to be purchased.
The four forest herbs were bought for 50 copper coins per portion, or 200 copper coins—2 silver coins—for all four.
An ordinary family earned about 20 silver coins a month. Finding two portions of herbs a day would be enough to cover their daily expenses.
The townsfolk were also putting their backs into gathering herbs in the forest. Drew believed it wouldn't take long for the little warehouse he'd had built at home to be filled.
The remaining herb was called Red Sweet Potato Flower. Although it didn't grow in the forest, it could be cultivated on a large scale.
It had to be imported from a large town, but because it was available in bulk, it wasn't expensive. Each portion cost only 80 copper coins.
Drew knew the other four herbs could all be found in the forest, so he had the caravan bring in a large quantity. Buying in bulk brought the price down to 75 copper coins per portion.
Karen calculated the total cost of the ingredients at 2 silver coins and 75 copper coins per portion.
Drew had the caravan ask about the price of Antidote Potions at alchemy shops in the large towns. They cost a full 10 silver coins each.
The four forest herbs were bought for only 20 to 25 copper coins per portion, and they grew the Red Sweet Potato Flower themselves. Its cost was probably under 50 silver coins—meaning each Antidote Potion cost at most 1 silver coin and 50 copper coins to make.
Of course, they also had to account for the success rate. A mature alchemist—even an alchemy apprentice—had a 60% success rate when making Antidote Potions.
That meant each Antidote Potion cost 2 silver coins and 50 copper coins to make. Even after paying the alchemist's share, the total cost wouldn't exceed 3 silver coins, leaving a profit margin as high as 300%.
Marx had said that with profits above 300%, capitalists would risk their lives to get in on it. What a racket.
Never mind all that. Drew was a calm system.
Drew decided to try making one potion first.
He bought a Material Extraction Device from the Alchemist Association and easily completed the extraction stage.
Next came the mixing stage. He added one portion of Material A according to the formula, then added one portion of Material B.
He carefully watched the medicinal liquid from Material B to ensure the active ingredients were in a 1:1 ratio. It seemed this batch contained 1.05 portions of Material A.
Drew gave his wrist muscles a controlled twitch, letting a drop of liquid fall. Good, now it was one portion. He added it to Material A.
Then he used the Scanning System to observe the molecular movement under a microscope. The reaction was almost complete, so he added Material C. He needed to add 1.5 portions of its medicinal liquid, but this batch contained 1.55 portions. He used the same wrist-flicking motion to add the mixture.
He observed the molecular movement under the microscope again. Hm?
It seemed Material C hadn't reacted completely. There were still 0.02 portions of material left unreacted.
Never mind. He'd record it for now and analyze it later.
The formula said to add Material D next, then add the Red Sweet Potato Flower liquid when the reaction was halfway complete.
Drew observed the molecular movement under the microscope. Once the reaction had reached exactly halfway after he added Material D, he added the Red Sweet Potato Flower liquid.
He continued observing the molecular movement. When the reaction was finally complete, the extra 0.02 portions of Material C hadn't participated in it and had ended up as impurities.
Half a portion of Material D's liquid reacted with the mixture from before, while half a portion of the Red Sweet Potato Flower liquid reacted with Material D. The two resulting liquids then reacted with each other.
At last, the reaction was complete. Perfect.
The mixed liquid settled down, leaving only the solidification stage.
He recalled Karen's solidification technique and the sensation of casting the spell, then carried out the process in sync and obtained the potion.
He examined its quality. It was an Excellent Quality potion, just shy of Outstanding Quality.
He considered whether the excess 0.02 portions of Material C had affected the potion's quality.
He recorded the results and tried again, this time adding only 1.48 portions of Material C. The result was an Outstanding Quality potion. He recorded the results.
Drew conducted many more experiments, eventually compiling the data.
In a controlled comparison, he used 1.5 portions of Material C to make 20 Antidote Potions. The result was two Outstanding Quality potions and 18 Excellent Quality Antidote Potions.
Using 1.48 portions of Material C to make 20 Antidote Potions resulted in 14 Outstanding Quality potions and six Excellent Quality Antidote Potions.
He concluded that the optimal formula for Antidote Potions called for 1.48 portions of Material C.
However, other people couldn't distinguish between 1.5 and 1.48 portions of medicinal liquid.
So, for everyone else, there was little difference, and it couldn't be put to practical use. Only Drew could use the optimal formula. The truth was often in the hands of a few.
Although this was only a small adjustment to a potion formula, it had epoch-making significance.
It heralded a new era for alchemy and meant that countless formulas would be improved.
It also meant that Drew once again had a chance to become the world's greatest alchemist.
Moreover, by observing things under a microscope, he could create and combine even more alchemy formulas.
Of course, that was for later. His top priority now was selling the Antidote Potions he'd made.
He would surely have all kinds of potions and medicines to sell in the future, so having a stable sales channel was essential.
Should he open an alchemy shop in this town? Drew didn't want to deal with people, though. That would increase the risk of exposing himself.
He could hire a manager, but the person had to be trustworthy. It seemed it was time to visit the mayor again. Drew picked up three Outstanding Quality Antidote Potions and set off for the mayor's house.
When he arrived, Drew first took out the Antidote Potions and handed them to the mayor.
"Hello, Mayor. These are Antidote Potions I made recently. They're all Outstanding Quality."
"What? Outstanding Quality? Let me see. I've never seen an Outstanding Quality potion in my life."
"People capable of making potions of Outstanding Quality all go on to make medicines, so Outstanding Quality potions are very rare."
"You're too modest. Those alchemists who call themselves grandmasters..."
"Ask them to start over and make potions, and not many of them would manage to produce one of Outstanding Quality."
"May I ask what brings you here today?"
"First, I'd like to thank you for all your help these past few days, Mayor. Please accept these potions as a small token of my gratitude."
"Oh, I was only doing what a mayor should. How could I accept such a valuable gift? Please, take them back."
"Mayor, you're too polite. I can make more Outstanding Quality Antidote Potions. These are just ordinary things to me, nothing special."
"Please accept them. If you don't, I'll feel awkward asking you for help later."
"Since you put it that way, I'll accept them."
"What was it you wanted to ask me about?"
"It's like this. I'm planning to sell a batch of potions."
"I'd like to buy a shop."
"That's good news. No problem."
"I have two things I'd like your help with."
"What are they?"
"First, I've spent all my money on alchemy materials, so I can't afford to buy a shop right now."
"Second, I don't like being constantly interrupted by trivial matters, so I want to hire a manager. They'll need to be capable and honest. I don't want to handle things myself, but I don't want anyone taking advantage of me, either."
The mayor pondered for a while before replying, "The money's no problem. I can lend it to you."
"As for the person, I do have someone in mind. He's absolutely honest and responsible, though he may not be especially capable. What do you think?"
"May I ask who you have in mind?"
"My nephew. Don't worry, I'm not playing favorites. He really is a good candidate."
"Our town is small, so talented people don't stay long. My nephew is one of the more capable people here. You can ask around if you don't believe me."
"No need. I trust you, Mayor."
"Besides, how about this?"
"We can work together. You provide the money, and I provide the potions and medicines."
"We'll split the profits seventy-thirty, with seventy percent going to me and thirty to you. You can hire someone to manage the shop. I won't handle the day-to-day business; you'll make all the decisions. I'll just supply the potions and check the accounts at the end of each month."
"What do you think?"
"No problem. It's settled, then. I'll get everything arranged over the next couple of days."
And just like that, Drew's little alchemy shop opened for business.
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