Chapter 95

With the three of us—Master, the Innkeeper, and myself—we began our research on alchemy and concoction.

"Well, let's get right to it... What shall we do? I'd like to avoid making new medicines in an emergency like last time. Let's study each other's research a bit more before we start making things, shall we?"

"I want to study how alchemy can be more widely applied. Especially, if there are areas where <Concoction> can work together with alchemy, that could be a good research topic. After all, <Alchemy> has limited recipes. However, when alchemy requires concoction techniques in between, it becomes too difficult."

It seems that while we share areas that we previously considered separate fields, our interests are different. Master wants to create medicines that are more effective without putting a strain on the body. The Innkeeper wants to make alchemy more accessible to the general public.

"That's right... Hey, rookie, what about you? How did you find both techniques?"

"Regarding the alchemy reagents from last time? Master gave me the recipe, so I tried making them on my own... There were no problems. If we focus on the collaboration between <Alchemy> and <Concoction>, perhaps we could modify the alchemy recipes to make them more user-friendly for concoction, or make the relationship between the two more intimate?"

"Clay, that's detailed!"

In concoction, sometimes the raw materials cannot be used as they are, so they need to be processed. One of the most common processes is using neutralizers to remove the inherent attributes of the materials. This is often done with monster materials, especially in intermediate recipes. Additionally, neutralizers are often used to enhance the effects of materials.

Master, of course, uses neutralizers for concoction and buys them in bulk from the commercial guild. Recently, I've been making them. However, they are not very user-friendly, so I've been modifying them.

"Oh, I remember, you've been modifying the neutralizers to make them more user-friendly... You didn't just dilute them, right? They're much easier to handle, and I appreciate it."

"Neutralizers?"

"Here they are."

I hand the Innkeeper a red neutralizer <Weak>, which I have processed to significantly reduce its effect from the original.

Initially, I would dilute the neutralizer I made to make it <Weak>, but recently, I've been changing the recipe itself to achieve this effect from the start.

"Did you fail? The effect seems weak."

"No, in concoction, we often use neutralizers with this level of weakness. Sometimes, we don't want to completely neutralize the material, but leave some of its effects. Strong neutralizers can damage the material, so we dilute them... It's time-consuming, so I started making weaker versions from the beginning. Here are the different strengths."

I show the Innkeeper the neutralizers <Weak>, <Medium>, and . The standard neutralizer is . The <Medium> is one level weaker, and the <Weak> is two levels weaker. I've adjusted the quantities of the materials in the original recipe, except for the magic stones, to achieve the desired strength.

"I see... So, the traditional neutralizers are too strong for concoction?"

"For <Alchemy>, the materials used often have magical properties, especially from high-level monsters with significant magical power, so strong neutralizers are used. However, for <Concoction>, we use natural materials like herbs and trees, or weaker monsters, so we use weaker neutralizers. However, diluting them can lower the quality..."

"Quality drops? What do you mean?"

"The recipe uses the same materials, but the quantities are different. This is the content of the recipe I made."

"Can I check it?"

I hand the Innkeeper the materials, and she quickly performs the alchemy. She is clearly experienced, and despite using a modified recipe, she shows no hesitation.

"It seems there are no problems... How will this change the concoction process?"

"Basically, it makes the work easier. When the effect is too strong, it's difficult to apply it evenly to the material while leaving some effects. With a weaker neutralizer, you can soak the material and leave it, and it's possible to retain some effects. This allows for other tasks to be done simultaneously, making the process much easier."

"Few alchemists can handle neutralizers well... Being able to do both alchemy and concoction, you can notice such things. I struggled with neutralizers too. There can be slight quality differences depending on the person... The commercial guild even requests that the same person make the neutralizers to ensure uniformity."

Master, being experienced, can quickly and evenly apply strong neutralizers to materials while retaining the desired effects, a high-level skill. I can't do that, so I've been trying to cover it by weakening the neutralizers... I'm still quite inexperienced in this technical aspect.

I understand why there are few alchemists who can handle neutralizers. The reason there are few high-level alchemists is probably due to such challenges.

If we make the process easier for everyone, perhaps more alchemists will become more widespread? However, the alchemists in this world are a privileged class, so they might not be motivated to change...

"You don't know such things... In a merchant's household, alchemists and concoctionists might work together. Should we register this?"

"Should we register it?"

I'm still not quite clear on the recipe registration process.

Registering a recipe incurs a registration fee, and you can choose to make it public or private. If you make it public, you earn money from people who buy the recipe.

If you sell the product according to the recipe, you pay a recipe purchase fee and a usage fee. However, if you use it for personal or family use, there is no usage fee. After 5 years, the usage fee is waived.

In essence, the registration protects the developer for 5 years if the product is sold according to the recipe.

"If this makes it easier for alchemists to buy neutralizers, it might be worth registering. I can even write a recommendation and get the Alchemy Guild to recognize it."

"Thank you. Can I ask you to do that?"

"Pamela, of course, I'll take care of it."

The Innkeeper is enthusiastic, so I'll leave it to her. I don't think there will be much demand... I can make them myself, and I make them for Master. Whether other alchemists will use them is uncertain... If they've managed so far, there might not be a need to switch.

"What about the other neutralizers?"

"Like <White> and <Black>? I don't have the original recipes..."

They neutralize light and dark attributes, but I don't use them often because the materials are rare and I don't have the recipes. If needed, I can buy them.

"Why don't you try making them? If we can buy <Weak> neutralizers, it would be convenient, but there's no profit in buying the original recipes to create modified ones."

"Is that so? Is it okay?"

"Yes, please."

Since she's so enthusiastic, I'll ask her. Someone will probably try to register the recipes for the prestige if she doesn't.

As I discuss the differences between <Alchemy> and <Concoction>, the Innkeeper's eyes seem to light up.

"Indeed, the handling is quite different in <Concoction>."

"<Alchemy> always uses magic stones, and it's assumed that the materials have magical properties... <Concoction> can have enhanced effects with magical properties..."

"Magical medicines can put a strain on the body. They can even be counterproductive when someone is already weak from illness."

Yes. <Alchemy> can create magical substances, which should be valuable... However, in reality, the public perception is mainly about potions. The customer base is mostly adventurers. While potions are useful for jobs with a risk of injury, they should be used with caution.

Additionally, these potions have registered recipes due to their effects on the human body. The harmful effects of consuming large amounts of magic stones are known, leading to a bias against alchemy.

However, I've learned that <Concoction> is more about medicines, while <Alchemy> is more about potions. After making various items for nearly two months, I think the fundamental difference is that <Alchemy> uses magic stones to create magical substances.

It's like adding a <Craft> technique to use magic stones to imbue materials with magical properties.

However, <Alchemy> has a master-apprentice system, and it might be risky to do things without permission, so I haven't tried it.

"What do you think, should I take this kid as an apprentice?"

Huh?

I'm taken aback by what Master said to the Innkeeper.

"Um? Master, what do you mean?"

"You use alchemy. Even nominally, it's better to have a master, right? You can do things on your own and learn on your own, so it won't be much trouble."

Master is suggesting this to the Innkeeper... Well, I do tend to do things on my own. I've read all of the Innkeeper's alchemy books, so I could be considered an apprentice.

"Is it okay to take Pamela's apprentice as my own? She's an important apprentice, isn't she?"

"That's why. If this kid can do what they want freely, that's the best. It's good to have an excellent master for alchemy... Well, compatibility is also important, so I won't push it."

"If I can be mentioned alongside Pamela, I'll do anything! I'll prepare right away, so please wait."

The Innkeeper runs off.

Yes, it's all very sudden and confusing.

"Master..."

"You want to do alchemy, right? As for the money, you can discuss it with her. If you're going to register recipes, it's better to have a master."

I understand that, but... I only think of Master as my master. I feel bad about the Innkeeper...

"Don't worry. I know you're excellent, and if you need a name, take advantage of it. I'll answer any questions... Since you've studied my books, you're not unrelated."

"Um... Thank you?"

"Recipes? I'll sell mine at the same price as the guild."

"Thank you."

It seems very casual, but is it okay? When I became Master's apprentice, it was also quite casual... Is this how it works?

I'm a bit confused but start preparing.

"I'm sorry... I don't have much time left. If you're here, I can feel more at ease."

"Don't say that. There's still a lot of time ahead. The kid still needs you."

"Is that so? Well, I still want to collaborate with you. I'm still active."

"Yes, of course."

I didn't hear the conversation between Master and the Innkeeper, but it seemed to be about my future.