“Now time to bring it all together.” Setting half a dozen smaller containers on the table, Theodore swept them to the side and brought a beaker to the center. “I've told you of the properties of the ingredients so far, but we only now reach the true process of alchemy. The art of balancing our reagents. Take a guess as to how we should proceed from here.”

“Master Theodore, I'm fairly sure I recall you saying that it takes generations to create and refine alchemical formulas.” That grin of his he was wearing was far too smug. I guess this is what I get for being so adept at the theory, I've played too many games with lore integrated crafting to pass up the challenge though. “But since it isn't like I'll lose anything, I'll give it a shot. However, please refrain from laughing in case I say something foolish.”

Alchemy, the art of mixing and balancing the effects of ingredients. Chemistry by another name, most likely. Since the test was purely theoretical in nature, and I would be given the answers afterward, I allowed myself to make the assumption that the disciplines would be similar enough.

The final product, Callus ointment. It strengthens the skin and has a mild restorative effect. The restorative effect comes from the rhuvine, while the toughening effect comes from the rock nut. Apparently without the other, rhuvine can cause irritation, and rock nuts would cause stiffness.

Imagining each reagent as two different molecules, then each would have an effect molecule and a side effect molecule. Did the side effects negate each other, or were they absorbed? Hmm, processing this really is different than chemistry. But it’s probably close enough.

I wouldn't need to prepare so much rhuvine if only a fraction of it was needed to neutralize the effects of the rock nut, and considering the name of the ointment, there probably wasn't a common alternative for the effect granted by it. That meant a large quantity of something in rhuvine was needed to negate the rock nut’s side effects.

“The power of the rhuvine should be equal or greater than the power of the rock nut.” I tentatively guessed aloud. That was all I could get from what I knew, and looked to Theodore before continuing.

“They should be equal in power. But saying something so vague, wasn't it a 50% chance of you being right?”

“I'm not done, a bit more time.” I almost fiddled with my scruffy facial hair, but realized I'd removed it, so I went with the more classic running my hand through my hair.

There were so many patterns alchemy could work by, but it seemed I narrowed down a few. There’s nothing new under the sun, it’s just a matter of remembering where it happened before, and the certain twists applied to it in the situation. If the power needed to be equal, then if I was to guess the amount needed, the density of the power needed to be predicted.

I couldn't just say something as foolish as greater weight meant a greater density of power. Such a thing could be possible, but there were many possible laws. Instead, I thought back to how to prepare the plants. The shells could be handled manually, which meant that even Theodore had some level of negligible effect. So every part of processing was cutting away something of non-negligible importance.

Cutting away the end of the rhuvine, as well as stripping the leaves; but other alchemists would use the whole plant, or it had been implied just the leaves could be used as well. If just the leaves, being much less potent were used, then it had to be the mass of leaves could probably be combined with the rock nut practically, as in the mass of leaves would not be too great to mix.

Given the size of the beaker, an approximate fill volume minus the volume of a rock nut and small amount of shade bean leaves...I came to a fermi estimate of 100g of rhuvine leaves. Converting that to stem lengths...agh, this sort of piss-poor guesswork irked me! Fuming in the back of my mind, I doubled down on uncertainty to get through the process. Say 25g of stems, a pit was about 25g…

Please tell me the equal weight thing is just a coincidence. Or due to crappy calculations. Yeah, that’s it, isn't it?

“The weight of the rhuvine stems and rock nut should be equal, but there might need to be more rhuvines.”

“Unless you have a weak rock nut, there are always more rhuvine stems by weight. Do you still want to keep going?” Theodore was shaking his head, but didn't look too disappointed. This really was an impossible task, I haven't even made a single concoction yet. I don't have a ring with a heaven defying alchemist, you're my mentor, you old curmudgeon!

“No point stopping, when I'm already making a fool of myself.”

You know what? Screw it. 6 containers for about 100g of shade bean leaves? The solution needs to gel as well, but heat can shorten it to one day?

“Place the rock nut into 500ml of purified water, then put in 16g of shade bean leaves. Dump in the rhuvine stems immediately after. Stir with a blue tool and let it sit for three days before pouring into the final container to finish solidifying.”

There, it's done. Let's just go with the stupid meta-analysis, who cares about actually thinking through a problem?

“That’s...18 grams of shade bean leaves but otherwise,” Theodore’s eyes opened wide for a second in astonishment for a bit, but after observing my countenance, he looked back over our surroundings. He chortled. “Ah, I see. There’s no need to feel bad Alric, you did well. It's an impossible task for a first time alchemist. Even considering the hints, you showed rather impressive analytical ability.”

“Maybe don't act like I have such a knack for this and I won't feel so much pressure.” There wasn't really any pressure, but not being a prodigy felt like a missed opportunity to me. I suppose it was twice the effort for half the results in my future then. “Can you explain the process more thoroughly? I only made an educated guess.”

“Of course, that's why I'm here. You may have missed a step in your description, arts combining the three ingredients, they should be heated. Things break apart when burnt and even when underwater a similar process occurs. The shade bean leaves are also something I forgot to elaborate on, they are the catalyst of the reaction.

“As with all things there are a few exceptions, but nearly every alchemical recipe will require a catalyst of some sort. Most are from some sort of plant, but there are a few that are stone based. Importantly, you can not just switch out catalysts! This is why measuring potency is so important, if you were to use shade bean leaves that were too weak or strong, the whole thing would be ruined. The bean which shares the properties of the leaf will ruin the Callus ointment even in incredibly small amounts. Of all things, the catalyst is the most important to control.”

“What happens when too much is added? Why is it ruined?” Theodore called it a catalyst, but how do you have too much catalyst? Instead, it sounded more like another ingredient.

“Depending on the amount, the mixture will either no longer lose water and won't be reduced into an ointment, or it will become glue-like and the site of application will sustain damage. Since the shade bean plant is being used to mix the reagents, I suspect that in that case it ends up trying to fuse with the skin of the user, instead of strengthening it.” That made a sort of sense. Really, there shouldn't be any skepticism in a fantasy world, but that description seemed to simple.

There wasn't time to ponder further, as I was instructed to begin the process myself. It all went as previously described, I wasn't trying to deviate from the formula at that point after all. The stage of pseudo-chemistry went by with more success than the preceding stages, and made no mistakes during this phase.

“Those turned out quite well, I expected at least one would be fumbled, but you defy my expectations for the better. Now then, since you're not here for long we’ll place them over flames to be reduced. This isn't the most suitable method, as it will affect the mixture, but if pressed for time I suppose it can't be helped.”

With an anticlimactic finish, six short glass tubs the size of a palm and four centimeters high were filled with brown liquid of low viscosity before being placed over an oil-powered grill contraption. Theodore appraised them to be on the low end of success, but still good enough to be used.

“*F-Rank* medicine? At least it’s usable…” I sighed aloud before turning to Theodore. “I will try harder in the future. Please continue to teach me.”

“Try harder?” Theodore looked at me oddly. “This is already an incredible success. Even with my guidance and tools, it isn't normal to be able to make an alchemical compound on your first try. I'm not so harsh as to expect perfection all at once, this already shows much talent on your part. Experience is needed to become an alchemist of any skill.”

“Then instead of praising my meager abilities, would Master Theodore continue the lessons?”

Maybe I was just too hopeful that alchemy would be my otherworldly talent. If one didn't possess such talent, there was usually only one way to improve, trial by fire and excruciatingly bloody hard work. However, I didn't want to take steps only to trip, so I would be content slowly progressing at this point. As long as my power increased, things would end well for me.

I spent the rest of the day, and into the evening learning from Theodore. The information covered the location, properties, processing, price, and appearance of the materials. It was a lot to take in since I was expected to be both able to harvest them, because my resources were low, and purchase them, since my surroundings wouldn't have everything. I learned 14 reagents on that day, and it would have been more if I didn't have us keep going back over ones I gradually forgot. But it was important to have a foundation.

“So most of the ingredients used in alchemy can be consumed raw? Shouldn't this cause problems of some sort?” Despite being taught alchemy, Theodore skipped over all but the initial Callus ointment, Healing potion, Ease pill, Edge whetstone, and Livewood oil to give an example of the five main types of alchemical products. I didn't get to produce anything other than the Callus ointment either, he was just talking theory.

What struck me as odd was that reagents didn't have to be processed to be used. Having innate properties wasn't something too shocking, but the fact that there didn't seem to be any detriments made me suspicious. Eating random plants to increase my Alchemy Skill, there had to be some sort of downside. My concerns were once again looked at as if they were amusing.

“You mean other than the side effects they produce? What exactly are you expecting to happen? I've already stated the properties that each material has. Besides, how would the almost infinite variety always result in some negative result that’s the same for each?”

“When you put it like that, it makes more sense.” Naturally that rhetorical retort still left me skeptical, but I didn't further press my guess. “It just doesn't seem as though they should be able to mix with the body so easily.”

“You’re overthinking this.” Theodore sighed, and failed to further elaborate. While patient and ready to answer questions, he did occasionally seem to make assumptions about my knowledge base. In all, he didn't make for the greatest teacher, but by putting forth my own inquiries that deficiency was resolved, and my learning proceeded smoothly.

It grew late, and Theodore had already stayed later than he had anticipated to. Apologizing for holding him up, I departed after promising to return in the afternoon the next day. Contrary to my expectations of myself, I actually asked for a later time in the day; Theodore still ran a storefront, and although Klutz had been managing it during my tutoring, there had been a few accidents. The losses were only minor things, but I realized that taking up the old alchemist’s time ended up cutting into his wallet as more than a cost of opportunity.

Leaving, the sky of Glaucen already turned dark grey, slightly illuminated by street lamps. Short on funds, staying at an inn, even one of low quality, would be an unacceptable blow. After all my food vanished, I started to feel miserly.

Speaking of which, the silhouette of a benefit came into view. I thought perhaps it had been because the alchemy lessons were so engrossing, but despite having not eaten since morning, I felt little hunger. The days here were not in sync with those from Underworld of Armok, and due to the oddities of my body, that brought up an interesting hypothesis. Perhaps my nutritional and sleep requirements weren't tied to this world. I wasn't ready to try starving myself, but I'd wait longer between meals and sleeping now, and see if there were any long term effects.

Not sleeping tonight also meant saving on boarding. It was a winning move all around.

Time to check out Glaucen after dark.

A/N:AHHHHHHH!