Chapter 6

--- In that room, an extraordinary scene was unfolding.

Lais, the one causing this abnormality, was unaware of it. He was simply performing the 'extraction' and 'purification' as Daisy had instructed, silently and diligently.

If Rafi had seen this room, she would have covered her face in exasperation. Indeed, Lais had not made the elixir against the warning, nor had he shown it to anyone.

However, he was currently engaged in something equally unconventional.

"Extraction, purification, extraction, purification, extraction, purification"

Alchemy was being activated at an incredible speed. Moreover, the quality was impeccable. Just in terms of speed, it was probably more than fifty times faster than an average alchemist.

"Phew... Is this enough?"

Lais stopped the continuous activation of alchemy and took a breath. In front of him, a large number of transparent liquids were lined up in bottles.

He had received an order from Daisy to make as much as possible, so he had continued to activate alchemy at a speed that did not compromise quality. He didn't know the exact number he had completed, but the pace was not bad.

There was no time limit, so he didn't know how long he could continue, but he should be able to produce enough to satisfy Daisy.

He would complete this first request brilliantly and prove to Rafi that he could handle things on his own.

Lais formulated a perfect plan (in his own words) in his mind and smiled confidently.

Just as he was about to resume his work,

"How are you doing? Maybe you should take a break..."

Daisy, who still looked tired, entered the room. As soon as she stepped in, she froze and her eyes widened.

"Hmm, are you done already?"

When Lais asked, there was no response.

"Th-this is..."

Daisy walked around the room unsteadily,

"It's not something you brought in... The herbs are reduced, and it's really been made..."

She muttered, looking incredulous.

"Um, excuse me..."

Lais, who had been ignored, cautiously spoke up.

"Lais!"

"Yes!"

Startled by the sudden loud voice, Lais instinctively straightened his back and responded.

"What did you do!? How did you make this much in such a short time...?"

"Well, I didn't do anything special... I just used alchemy normally..."

"Normally? There's no way you can do this much so quickly with normal methods!"

Rafi and Sylvia, who were unfamiliar with alchemy and had seen it for the first time, were only vaguely surprised by Lais's skills, but Daisy was different.

Having studied alchemy for as long as Lais, she could clearly see how far beyond the norm his actions were.

That's why she couldn't easily believe it and became suspicious.

"Come on, tell me! How did you do it!"

"Really, I just did it normally... Ah, maybe it's better to show you."

Seeing that Daisy wasn't going to listen, Lais gave up on explaining verbally. Reluctantly, he resumed the work he had been doing, demonstrating it to Daisy.

"Extraction, purification"

The herbs instantly turned into transparent liquid, and the impurities were removed.

Seeing this scene, Daisy's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"You, you, just now..."

"See, I'm not lying. I didn't do anything special. I just used alchemy normally."

"This is normal...?"

At this point, Daisy's thinking seemed to reach its limit, and her eyes started to spin.

And then—

"Kyu..."

She collapsed onto the floor.

***

"Hmm..."

"Oh, you're awake."

Daisy slowly opened her heavy eyelids and gradually regained consciousness. The familiar ceiling came into view, and she felt a hard, yet elastic sensation at the back of her head.

"Hmm...?"

Daisy was puzzled.

—Why is Lais's face so close?

Then, she realized the situation.

She was being cradled on Lais's lap.

"W-why are you giving me a lap pillow...!"

Blushing, Daisy hurriedly sat up and shouted at Lais, who looked bewildered.

"Well, you suddenly fainted, and it wouldn't be right to let you wander around the store on your own, nor to leave you on the floor. So, I decided to give you a lap pillow."

If it was done out of kindness, Daisy couldn't pursue it further. She took a few deep breaths to calm down.

Daisy, with a clearer mind, recalled what had happened just before she fainted.

"I fainted from lack of sleep and the shock of that scene... I must look pathetic."

Most of the fatigue was gone from Daisy's face, and the dark circles under her eyes had disappeared. However, she had exposed her ugly side to a man she had just met today.

"Ha... Lais, I'm reluctant to admit it, but your skills are genuine. But if you're this good, why aren't you famous?"

"I just arrived in the capital recently. Before that, I was only doing alchemy research in the countryside."

"Ah, I see."

Daisy pondered for a while, then suddenly broke into a broad smile, as if she had a good idea.

"Hey, Lais, could you help me out occasionally like today? Of course, I'll pay you."

"Hmm? Ah, sure, I don't mind doing this much."

"Also, when you help, could you teach me alchemy?"

"Me?"

Unfortunately, Lais had no experience teaching alchemy to others. However, teaching what he had done today should be possible.

It wouldn't be every day, so it shouldn't be too much of a burden.

"Alright, I understand."

"Great. Then, let's get the request form."

Lais took out the request form from his pocket as instructed. Daisy quickly signed it and returned it to Lais.

"Here, good job on completing the request. I look forward to working with you again."

Daisy smiled mischievously and gave a light bow.

And so, for some reason, the agreement to teach alchemy was made, and Lais's first request was completed.