Chapter 7

"Congratulations on completing the request! I never thought you could actually do it..."

"Indeed, he was a strange person, but it turned out to be manageable."

"Huh, that's good. Here, this is one gold coin as your reward."

Lais felt joy at Amelia's praise while accepting the reward. Since he had promised to continue taking Daisy's requests, it could be said that he had secured a steady income.

Moreover, making an acquaintance with an alchemist was a pleasant surprise for Lais. After all, one could easily feel a sense of camaraderie with a fellow professional.

In terms of social connections and income, he was building a solid foundation for his life in the capital. When he left his previous place, he wondered how things would turn out, but with a bit of luck, he could lead a peaceful life.

Lais spoke proudly to Raphi, who was standing next to him.

"See, I can handle requests on my own."

"Hmm... Then, could you tell me again what happened during the request?"

Lais was taken aback by Raphi's cold stare and felt his breath catch in his throat. Raphi already knew what had happened during the request and was acting this way despite that.

"Well, maybe I went a bit overboard..."

"A bit? To the point where the client fainted from shock?"

"That's..."

Lais hesitated and his eyes darted around.

"Besides, Lais, I think you're being taken advantage of."

"Taken advantage of?"

"Yes. I'm not an alchemist, but I can tell you're amazing. So, to a professional alchemist, you must seem like an incredible presence. Being able to get such a presence to help regularly and even teach alchemy is an ideal situation for the client."

Lais recalled Daisy's mischievous smile and shuddered. "So, that was her plan..."

"But, in the end, I secured a steady income, so it was probably right to make the promise..."

Raphi looked at Lais with a deadpan expression after hearing his words, which seemed to be a brilliant deduction.

"Because of that kind of thinking, you got most of your money stolen on your first day in the capital."

"…You're right…"

Lais slumped his shoulders and reflected. It was fortunate that Daisy had no intention of deceiving him, but if he wasn't careful, he might have been tricked again.

"Having a good personality isn't a bad thing, but sometimes being cautious is important. And in Lais' case, knowing one's limits is also important."

"Knowing one's limits...?"

He muttered thoughtfully.

Lais didn't want to cut corners in alchemy. Moreover, he wasn't sure how to know his limits.

If he was asked whether making high-quality potions was a bad thing, it wasn't. In fact, given his background in alchemy research, it was natural to strive for efficiency and effectiveness in potion making.

"Knowing one's limits is difficult..."

Raphi sighed deeply upon hearing Lais' honest words.

***

A few days after becoming an adventurer, Lais was, as promised, taking a request from Daisy.

"Hey, Daisy, knowing one's limits is difficult."

Lais looked into the distance with a resigned expression. Daisy stopped her alchemy work and looked at Lais, who was sitting next to her, with a troubled look.

"What's this all of a sudden..."

"Well, a friend told me I should know my limits... and when I thought about it again, I got confused."

"Wow, you have friends?"

"Hey... what do you mean by that?"

Lais looked at the young girl (for now) next to him with a shudder.

Did she think he was a lonely guy with no friends...?

Lais deduced an answer that was almost correct and hurriedly dismissed it.

"In Lais' case, you are indeed an incredible alchemist... I think it's all about moderation."

"What do you mean?"

"For example, if you sold a large number of elixirs, it would cause chaos, right? So, you could decide to sell only one every six months. Of course, I don't think there are many people who would recklessly produce elixirs."

"…Y-Yeah…"

"?"

Lais, sweating from a topic he was all too familiar with, tried to avoid it by looking away.

"Anyway, I understand what you're saying."

"That's good. By the way, can Lais make elixirs?"

"Yeah, I can."

"…Then, I need to learn how to make them too. —Well, let's start, shall we?"

"Start" referred to alchemy training. It was the first time, and Daisy was waiting with some anticipation.

"Got it. Then, show me 'Extraction,' 'Purification,' 'Component Fixation,' and 'Sublimation.'"

These were the basic steps required to make a potion.

'Extraction' and 'Purification' were the processes Lais had completed in his first request, turning herbs into liquid.

'Component Fixation' was to stabilize the medicinal effects in the liquid, and 'Sublimation' was to enhance the effects.

Daisy performed these processes repeatedly, focusing intently. Lais observed her seriously, not missing a single moment.

Lais could usually make most potions in a few seconds, but Daisy couldn't do that.

—A few minutes later, Daisy exhaled as if expelling fatigue.

In front of her was a bottle filled with red liquid.

"An advanced potion... Yeah, I see."

Lais nodded in understanding.

"Daisy, let me give you my honest feedback."

"Okay."

Daisy, slightly tense, held her breath, waiting for Lais' words.

"To be honest, I think your technical skills are quite advanced. Your speed is fast, and the quality of the potion is impressive. I think consistent practice is all you need."

"Really!?"

"Yes, but—Daisy, I think you lack knowledge."

Lais smiled, implying that this was her challenge.

"Of course, you have basic knowledge, but you lack advanced knowledge that isn't in books. Imagination derived from knowledge is also important in alchemy."

For example, herbs. There are various types of herbs used to make potions.

The Cykla herb, which Lais possessed, can only grow in places with a dense concentration of magic in the air and is suitable for making elixirs and high-effect potions.

Information about the Cykla herb is not found in general herb guides.

Lais' exceptional alchemy skills were partly due to this kind of specialized knowledge.

"Well, I was taught alchemy through experience rather than knowledge..."

Lais' master took him on actual field trips to gather alchemy materials, regardless of the dangers, whether it was a forest infested with monsters or a perilous cliff.

Of course, Lais had no intention of subjecting Daisy to such hardships. He planned to teach her alchemy properly.

"I understand what you're saying, Lais... So, what should I do?"

In response to her words, Lais smiled.

"Well, it's time for a study session."