I returned to the southeastern part of town where I recalled Theodore’s shop to be. The eastern part of town held most of the markets, while the south was focused on the pseudo-industrialism of the society. As usual, despite Glaucen being larger than one would expect of a medieval city, I quickly made my way there.

Faster still, as the crowd had a tendency to part before me, meaning no effort wasted on slipping between the occasionally dense swarm of bodies. Lyssa really wasn't kidding when she spoke of the ill will towards magicians. Maybe one in ten gave a malicious gaze, but at least a third on top of that were quick to avert their eyes. It may have been more still in actuality, but I was moving at a good clip.

Reaching the familiar boarded-up store, I rapped my knuckles on the door lightly. Interrupting an alchemist at work would be bad, so it was best to act conservatively. At least such were my thoughts, I had no idea how alchemy worked. Actually, if failure was that volatile, would anyone ever take on Klutz as an apprentice alchemist?

“Er, who’s ther—Aah!” Klutz asked as he opened the door, letting out a surprised gasp as he came face to face with my haramaki. Since he was short and I was tall, the blue cloth stood right in front of his eyes. At his surprise, he stepped back a bit, almost but not quite tripping over his own feet on the way. At least he saved himself last minute by flailing his arms about. “Oh, you...sir? Please…”Klutz had no idea what he wanted to say and fumbled about with his words “Master Theodore, uh, the one who came with Sir Castor is here.”

There were several thuds that sounded from the basement, followed by hasty footsteps. Theodore called out before even coming into view.

“Well don't just stand there, show him in! I can tell you're just standing there with the door ajar again.” The apprentice stepped to the side, making room for me to enter. Not wanting to get him in trouble, I quickly moved over the threshold and out of the door’s arc. Theodore emerged from the basement moments later.

Looking over me, he scratched at his hoary beard. There were a few ‘hrmhrm’s of acceptance; not feeling too troubled, he nodded his head.

“You've gone and registered yourself as a magic user. Those from Braan are more apt to pick up such arts, but why bother? If you're departing for Salt Village in two days there’s little meaning to it. Laying low would have been the path I chose. And before you ask, I am not a mage in hiding.”

What a sharp fellow, I was just thinking that.

“I encountered a Vara the other day, and after chatting a bit she helped me register on better than usual terms. Besides, the band can always be removed once I start traveling again.”

“I suppose it can. It doesn't really matter to me, but Dom is going to end up more skittish than usual around you.” He shook his head at his disparaged apprentice, who hung his head. “On that note, go draw at least 16 liters of water to distill as I speak with Alric.”

“Yes Master Theodore.” Klutz bowed his head and darted off to set about his task. Theodore watched until he left the building with eyes like a hawk.

“The only part of him suited for alchemy is his fine motor skills. If I weren't getting on in years I'd never have taken him on. But what about you? You didn't deny returning to Salt Village in a few days. Do you have questions, or did you plan on helping out until it’s time for you to leave with Castor? I've only ever actually seen Corsair on a few occasions, I'd wager the two of you got separated and you just need to burn time at the moment.”

“That’s a frightful ability of deduction you have there Master Theodore.” I rubbed the back of my head a bit bashfully. Considering how I didn't really mind how things would turn out, that was an impressive deduction of my motives. On the other hand he might be casting out fairly generic statements and letting me interpret them in ways that made sense to me. Or he could be doing nothing and I was interpreting it in ways that were interesting to me. “With my cleaning magic I've somewhat taken up the role of physician in the village for the time being. Learning about the uses of the local flora and how to effectively apply them would be a great help, even if it is just a little. I was hoping that I could pick up a little knowledge by helping out here.”

“After Castor’s delivery is when Dom begins doing more work, so there is time for me to watch over you. You are planning to stay at the village for a while longer at least?”

“I'll be reevaluating my situation around harvest time, but I may return once or twice before then.”

“Given how long the trip takes, you may as well just stay if you plan on coming twice before fall. Besides, it isn't as if Salt Village has much in the way of a harvest.” Theodore scoffed “It would be better if you could return even more frequently, but I can't really be choosey about passing on my techniques. They aren't some grand secret, but most don't seem to understand that even two of the same type of herb can differ in ways. At least the rudiments need to be passed on, even if I can't fully train you.”

Ha? He’s already planning to pass on his technique to me? He even said that it isn't something he felt should be all that secretive and great, but doesn't that mean that this world is lacking in people who understand controlling variables? Man, at this point it was becoming apparent I should probably be grateful the world I landed in had a language in the first place.

“I'd no intentions of imposing, so I feel extremely grateful for any tutelage you would offer me. I will do my best to understand and preserve your technique for the future.” It really was fortuitous beyond expectations, even if time was short. For I, who memorized thousands of recipes across hundreds of games, even without a cheat skill from a goddess or an eidetic memory, alchemy was a discipline I felt almost assured of at least above average competency. Other than practicing my pre-established skills, since arriving there had been no form of powering up. Even if alchemy revealed itself to be a weak skill, that was no reason not to learn it.

“Really, stop with the bowing, it’s really too much. That custom isn't typically Brannish; so if it’s just a personal habit, refrain from doing so inside. Putting your hair back is in good practice, but I don't want you flinging that ponytail into any potions.” Theodore put up is wrinkly old hands to gesture for me to settle down. Settle down? I'm way too hyped for that.

“Understood Master Theodore. When shall we begin, and is there anything I need to prepare beforehand?”

“Right now it seems, otherwise you may collapse before I do.” Theodore chuckled and led the way to the basement. “It’s good to have passion, but be sure you don't jitter about as Dom does. Since you picked up learning plants so quickly yesterday, I'll introduce them along with the basic properties of alchemy. I'm sure you'll have no reservations asking questions.”

Removing an earthenware jug from one of the numerous shelving units, he placed it on the heavy wooden table at the center of the room. Lacking in beakers and the like, instead there were cutting boards, knives, and pins of several hues that could barely be made out in the poor lighting of the basement. Taking off the lid, Theodore took out a plant.

By the gods, was it a plant. Green and possessing leaves, this thing couldn't even manage to be the poster child for plantdom it looked so generic. I leaned forward to try and get a better look as the alchemist began his lecture.

“Since you're looking to help Salt Village with this knowledge, I'll begin with the more common plants. As one would expect, something as humble and common as rhuvine holds next to no effect alone. Topically, the sap causes wounds to close and mild irritation. Alchemy is the practice of combining reagents to create useful potions and ointments, occasionally solid medicines as well.”

“Is there a theory behind the results of the mixtures, or is it entirely based on experimentation and refinement?”

“A question right after I define alchemy...Well, it is a good one.” Theodore gestured to the implements of varying colors. “Most potions are refinements of those discovered in the past, however there are a few theories that I've heard from other alchemists. Some say it has to do with the reagent’s affinity to the Flow of Life, while a sorcerous contemporary once stated it has to do with something called elements and their balance.

“Though there are effects if incantations are used on ingredients, the latter also shows effects. These different boards are made with different materials that according to the mage are comprised of different elements. It took many trials, but certain ingredients and potions can become more effective using different boards.

“However it seems elements aren't the same among plants even of the same kind, which is why I so greatly stress controlling the factors that can influence them. I'm not knowledgable on the topic of elements, nor am I in contact with that mage, and as such I constantly discover new sources that can affect the potency of the resulting mixture.”

Nodding along I wondered what exactly elements in this world were. Depending on the answer, it stood to reason that using magic might be able to create elements to help refine the alchemical process. Did elements compose objects like, well, elements, or were they more supernatural in nature? Though if they were a normal part of this world, then they didn't really qualify as supernatural.

“So the board to be used depends on the potion and the ingredient?”

“Correct, though in this case all of rhuvine’s products that I'm aware of use this brown cutting board. Now, to properly prepare it. Use the sticks with the curved ends, the same shade as the board to hold the plant down, the less you touch it the better. This isn't a good batch, so it doesn't make much difference if I hold it, but you should get into practice.”

“Where am I supposed to hold it? You didn't say what part was being used.”

“The whole thing could be used, and in fact that is what most do to avoid waste. But adding too much to certain potions will cause an extreme increase in the irritant’s effectiveness, and the amount of power contained in the leaves is highly variable. Cut off the end of the vine where it begins to taper off, usually about six leaves down. If you're unsure, cut off more. Then strip the leaves off from the vine, it’s best to cut from the side to not sever the main stem or strip the outer layer…”

It didn't take too long of a time, but it was delicate work. Green stemmed plants weren't all that resilient, and my fine motor skills were more in the fingers than wrist. I gained a bit of praise for handling the tongs(they were basically chopsticks with a tiny spoon-like end), but they were held left handed, so my skill must have only been relative to Klutz.

About half a dozen rhuvines were used in my practice, but Theodore assured me that they would still be usable. The effects from a slight mangling wouldn’t have much effect on such low power/low quality herbs, which was the reason he chose them for practice. Apparently few resources would be irrevocably destroyed after making such mistakes, but considering the costs of the higher end materials, even a simple drop in quality was avoided with great care.

After satisfactorily completing the processing of several more rhuvines, and beginning to reach perfection of the admittedly easy task, Theodore had me move on to the next step.

“What I’m having you make now is the Callus ointment, as it is easy to mix, and contains several different types of ingredients. It has a moderate healing effect, and makes the skin it’s applied to slightly tougher. The two primary ingredients are the rhuvine and rock nuts. When put together, the irritation of the rhuvines and the sluggishness of the rock nuts disappear. After mixing into a solution of purified water and shade bean leaves, it takes time to set. The process can be sped up with flame, but I do not use that method if I am to sell the product. We’ll use it today, since you won’t be here for long.

“Processing the rock nuts is a bit on the difficult side, and these old hands are a bit too shaky to demonstrate properly. Once Dom gets back, I’ll have him show you how it’s done. For the moment, I’ll retrieve the shade bean leaves.”

Theodore meandered between the sixth and seventh racks lined against the west wall. Crouching down, he picked up one of the wide pots near the wall, practically the farthest from the faint light coming from upstairs, and outside the range of the weak lantern that hung above the work station. Not a surprise that the shade beans should probably be kept away from light to retain their potency.

“Again, the shade bean plant is somewhat common and cheap to purchase, but my suppliers come from a farther distance than the backyard rhuvines. They’re getting on in age making them less effective still and more fragile to mistakes, but it also doesn’t matter if you use up a great number of them.

Since they’ve been here some time, the leaves have already been separated from the beans, so you won’t be able to practice that process; keep in mind that the beans are far more sensitive to outside influences. It’s best to keep them in the seedpod, and work in as close to darkness as possible with the proper tools before storing them.”

“What tool is best for the shade beans and their leaves?” I asked. The brownish cutting board went with the normal plant, but I felt as though a more shadowy material would be best suited to the shade bean leaves. “And how is it decided what tool to use on each ingredient?”

“It’s best to judge based on either the effects of the compound or ingredients, but some experimentation is needed to figure out which. Strengthening and healing properties are best used with brown, resilience to harm and disease uses blue, and if the components vary or the effect is an extreme change use red. When in doubt or using exceptionally sensitive materials, such as the shade bean, go with blue. You probably won’t have access to such a variety of implements for some time though. They usually aren’t comparable to their more mundane counterparts in utility, so they’ll need to be custom ordered.”

“Er, how do I know what they’re actually made of though? I doubt that any material of that color will do.” Theodore was right, my pockets were hardly deep enough to afford food, much less buy a masterwork alchemist lab for a measly +2 to my skill check.

“There are several oils you can concoct to test the affinity of a material. Save it for a later time, the shade bean leaves should be done before Dom gets back here.”

Under Theodore’s instruction, I used the blue tongs to pluck leaves from the pots before cutting away the veins of the leaves. They held more variance in potency than the stem of a plant, but less than the rest of the leaf. One could just use the main vein along the leaf, and leave the rest for less standardized quality potions, but Theodore required my to practice my scalpel manipulation skills. Diligently, I worked to remove the skeleton of each tiny and fragile leaf.

I suspected that many alchemists suffered from carpal tunnel, and that I needed to find the funds to afford a healing incantation for my wrists every once in a while.

A/N:Ahhhh!