Chapter 12

In the morning, I did some shopping for necessary items and food, and cleaned the room. This house has a lot of books collected by the landlord. There are specialized books on alchemy, plant encyclopedias, and more. As I organized them, I gathered the ones I wanted to read, and ended up carrying quite a few to my room.

I think it will take a long time to read them, but I'm relieved that there are many specialized books for alchemists. Even if I can learn how to mix potions, I have to study alchemy on my own. I thought I might not be able to do anything at all, but it seems I can manage by reading the books. I'll have to buy the recipes, but I should be able to learn the basics well enough.

In the afternoon, I headed to Pamela-sama's house, who would be my master.

"Well, let's start by forming a master-disciple bond, shall we?"

"A master-disciple bond?"

"It's not a big deal. We'll use a contract magic scroll to prove that we are master and disciple. This way, I can give you recipes for free."

"Recipes are expensive, I've heard... Is it really okay?"

"Yes. Most of what a pharmacist makes can't be done without recipes. The kingdom strictly manages these recipes. It's better to be my disciple."

Can't recipes be given for free? I thought I was being overcharged, but maybe they're expensive because of the strict management.

It's necessary, I guess... but if I try to do both potion-making and alchemy on my own... the money situation is going to be tough.

"Um, are there any disadvantages?"

"First, the master-disciple relationship can't be dissolved without mutual consent. Well, it can be dissolved if one of us dies, but even if it's dissolved, the record of who was the disciple will remain. Also, in your case, the impression of the Pharmacist Guild will worsen, and you won't be able to take on their requests."

"Why is that?"

If the impression worsens and I can't take on requests... Wait a moment. I'm affiliated with the Adventurer's Guild, so if I take on requests, they'll basically be from the Adventurer's Guild. And, is there a case where I can't take on requests?

"In the past, due to various incidents, the Pharmacist Guild has been hostile towards me. If you become my disciple, you might also become a target. You won't be able to take on requests from the Pharmacist Guild."

"I see... But, isn't it true that you can only register with one guild? I'm affiliated with the Adventurer's Guild, so can I even take on requests?"

"You know, right? That's the point... For you, changing guilds would be a disadvantage, but staying with the Adventurer's Guild won't make much of a difference. Besides, if you improve your skills, you'll get requests from nobles even without being in the Pharmacist Guild."

"Really? But... I don't want to get involved with that."

My master is an enemy of the Pharmacist Guild, but because she's skilled, she gets requests from nobles... I see. Well, to the Pharmacist Guild, she must be like a thorn in the eye. And I'll become the same... Hmm. If I stay affiliated with the Adventurer's Guild, it shouldn't be a problem. I won't have to pay for recipes, so it's all benefits for me.

By the way, individual requests aren't prohibited. Without a guild taking a cut, you might even earn more. However, if it's a dangerous request and you fail, the guild won't mediate. You might anger the noble behind the request, so you need to be careful. If you succeed, it's fine, but dealing with the trouble if you fail is difficult.

"Um, is that all?"

"Then, we just need to submit this scroll to the lord. I'll take care of it."

The lord? I wonder if this will cause any trouble... But, it might be better than taking an exam to become a pharmacist.

Then, the potion-making lesson started as usual.

Basics of Potion-Making:

- Having the recipe for what you want to make

- Having the necessary materials (some materials are fixed, while others can vary)

- The success of potion-making is uncertain. At a certain level of Potion-Making, you won't fail. However, if you add enhancements, you might still fail. The higher your Potion-Making level, the less likely you are to fail. However, with certain stats, you might still succeed.

As your Potion-Making level increases, you can add extra materials to improve quality or increase quantity. However, the failure rate will also increase. When I received the recipe, I could see the master's methods and the combinations she had tried to improve the effects... This single recipe seems to have more information than the ones sold by the Pharmacist Guild.

In other words?

Can I learn the methods and combinations my master has researched to improve the effects of advanced potions? This might be something the kingdom wants more than the guild?

The first recipe I received was for "Wound Medicine" and "Syrup" from my master. The recipe is a copy of the master's recipe.

The recipe itself is written on a special magic paper. It can be updated to include new materials and effects that have been tested. The recipe for Wound Medicine is densely packed with additional materials and effects.

However, copying the recipe is apparently difficult. I was told I would receive one recipe per day for a while. My master apparently made one yesterday and had already made one today.

By the way, the master and disciple can use the recipe together.

"Then, do we not need to copy it?"

"If I give it to you, I can't make it. The same goes the other way. For valuable potions, it's one thing, but for simple recipes, it's inconvenient not to have them. Once you get used to it, I want you to copy them yourself."

Hmm. I need to think about a lot of things. I have to be careful not to get my master involved in trouble.

After repeating potion-making a few times, I reached level 5 and learned the ability "Disassemble." My Potion-Making and Observation skills also improved, and my status values increased.

According to my master, you can level up not only by fighting but also by making things. The recipes I learned today can be made with easily obtainable materials, so I should make as many as possible to level up and improve my abilities.

There are several ways to make "Wound Medicine" and "Syrup." Trying them all will deepen my understanding. The available materials change with the seasons, so I shouldn't stick to one material. The results of trying various combinations are recorded in this recipe... Yes, this recipe contains several methods and ways to improve the effects. I realize my master is a truly great pharmacist.

"Observation" is learned by closely examining various things. Once it reaches level 5 and I learn "Appraisal," I can appraise the things I make. I was told to learn it quickly because I can't sell items in stores without appraising them. By the way, until I learn "Appraisal," my master will do it for me, but I'll have to work for it. I plan to work hard, including paying for the recipes. Rather, I'm very grateful that she's not charging me money. "I'll take care of material gathering" is something I can't say yet because I'm still weak. However, I was asked to gather some materials, so I'll do my best to get them.

I made the recipes I learned today until I ran out of materials, and my level reached 6. I learned "SP Insufficient." I repeated the process of making notes on what I learned, recovering, and making potions. As expected, it seems to be an ability I learn when my SP or MP is insufficient.

Potion-making uses SP, so I haven't used much MP except for cleaning the room and getting water from the well. ...Once the room is clean, I want to try alchemy. The main concern is obtaining recipes.

Also, I need to accumulate more knowledge. Not knowing enough about this world is a problem. The books in this house are very helpful for alchemy materials and ways to improve effects, but I need to figure out how to get general information.

There's a lot to do, but I feel like I can manage to survive.

---

**Pamela's Perspective**

Honestly, my new disciple is a surprising novice.

At first, I thought she was a novice adventurer with no skills, but it turned out that her lack of knowledge was even more concerning. She lacks basic knowledge and doesn't realize the mistakes she's making, so I can't leave her alone.

She's not a bad kid, but... I can't help feeling anxious about leaving her alone.

Her innocent actions and youthful appearance... They remind me of that child from the past.

I helped Leo about 30 years ago. He was an adventurer who pushed himself too hard and nearly died. I knew many adventurers end up like that. By chance, that child brought the collapsed Leo here.

"Please, help him! I'll be in your debt for life! I beg you!!"

I helped him because of that child's desperate plea. It wasn't a big deal... I just gave him a potion I had prepared. Leo survived because he was strong.

However, the two of them, Leo and that child, kept coming back to repay the favor, bringing materials for potion-making. Even when I said I didn't need them, they kept bringing materials, so I started giving them potions in return... Before I knew it, 30 years had passed.

The party members changed over time, but Leo and that child always stayed together. I assumed they would always be together.

However... 10 months ago, that child died.

Adventurers can die at any time. I didn't ask Leo what happened when he was crying.

In the end, Leo disbanded the party and married one of his companions. He retired as an adventurer and became a guild staff member to repay the guild. He still brings materials occasionally.

However, I lost the motivation to make potions. There was no longer any danger, so I didn't have to worry. But, I lost my drive.

I suddenly realized that Leo and that child were like my own children.

I had been making potions for the children, but now that they were settled, I didn't need to make potions for them. I had been a pharmacist for over 60 years, but it was the first time I didn't feel like making potions.

I talked to Leo about retiring recently. He said I shouldn't, but he didn't have any alternatives and left with a sad expression.

A few days later, Leo suddenly asked if I would take on a disciple.

I wasn't very enthusiastic.

My past disciple sided with the Pharmacist Guild during a dispute. After that, I had no interest in taking on disciples, and no one wanted to be one.

Leo introduced a new adventurer who was interested in gathering materials and had the "Potion-Making" skill but no master.

I was a bit interested. I thought I was the only pharmacist not affiliated with the Pharmacist Guild, but there are always exceptions.

With Leo's persuasion, I decided to meet the new adventurer who wanted to be both an adventurer and a pharmacist. She seemed to have a good personality, but her understanding of the world was off. She didn't realize that using magic to dry plants was unusual. Leo was also worried and kept shaking his head.

Adventurers usually form parties to avoid danger when they're alone. She wanted to be a solo adventurer because she was afraid of putting her companions in danger due to her mistakes. I thought she was too cautious, but there seemed to be something else. Leo also subtly shook his head, indicating she wasn't as inexperienced as she seemed.

"You remind me of someone..."

"Yeah... You're surprisingly honest."

She's about the age where people would believe she's my child, and her face somewhat resembles that child. Well, she's not as capable... but watching her fight monsters, I muttered in agreement... and ended up chuckling.

A young pharmacist apprentice who reminded me of my other "son." I couldn't leave her alone.

Honestly... I'm an old woman who could be called at any time... but I can't hand her over to the Pharmacist Guild.

If Leo is supporting her, it's better for me to take her as a disciple and watch over her. I thought I wouldn't take on any more disciples, but it might be good to train someone to inherit my knowledge in the last years of my life.

The young disciple skillfully made Wound Medicine. Even though it was a simple recipe, if she can make it quickly, she has potential. Well, using magic to get water instead of going to the well is unusual, but I didn't say anything. She can do as she pleases. A pharmacist must research and experiment to understand and improve.

"By the way, can't alchemy also be done without recipes? And what about enchanting?"

"Yes... Alchemy requires recipes and magic stones. Some materials are the same as those used in potion-making, but others are different... If you want to learn alchemy, I can buy you some recipes."

"Um..."

"In potion-making, alchemy-made neutralizers are often used. I'm old, so buying them is easier than learning, but you're still young. It's better if you can make them yourself."

When I told her it wasn't a big deal, she looked relieved.

Well, if you can do both potion-making and alchemy, it's more convenient. However, it's difficult to excel in both. The knowledge required is vast and completely different.

Most people can't learn both and end up specializing in one. I tried in the past but gave up on alchemy at the beginner level. Being an adventurer, pharmacist, and alchemist... it's difficult to do all three, but if she wants to, I'll support her.

"I heard that you can't be in multiple guilds and that you'll be overcharged if you're not affiliated with one..."

"What? I've been a pharmacist in this town for a long time. I have connections with the Alchemy Guild, so I won't be overcharged for recipes. This is the price for the recipe."

I held up the dried bitter kudzu and shook it lightly.

I used the one she gathered yesterday to make a potion, and it was much easier to handle than the one I dried carefully. I can expect more from her in the future.

No... I even thought about researching the difference between normal dried materials and magic-dried materials. I realized there was still something I could do as a pharmacist.

"Um... Isn't bitter kudzu easy to gather?"

"The large amount you gathered yesterday was just luck. The fruit can only be harvested at a certain time, and more than half of it fails to dry properly. With that amount, I won't run out for years. ...Well, considering your needs, I should gather a bit more. Also, I don't know much about enchanting. Enchanters who can enchant magic items, weapons, and armor are rare. Elves and dwarves might know more."

"I see."

"Well, only potion-making and alchemy require recipes because they can affect the human body. It's natural to regulate them since they are ingested or applied to the body. The quality and safety are ensured by following the recipes. Other crafts are made with creativity and don't have recipes. Even craft recipes are often different from the actual methods."

She nodded, but... she won't ask about irrelevant things.

If she can enchant, I need to teach her to hide her status so it doesn't get revealed.

Honestly, I need to go to the Alchemy Guild to buy recipes tomorrow...

She learns quickly and tries various things when she's interested. She absorbs both knowledge and skills quickly. It won't take long for this novice to become a full-fledged pharmacist.

I might ask Leo to take me to that child's grave... I've been avoiding it, but I can introduce this novice and scold her. It's a shame she died so quickly and couldn't see such a cute disciple.

Honestly... I'll be busy for a while.