Aarav wanted to try loads of different things, having explored hardly anything of this world. Before, access had been the Slime’s limiter but not anymore. If there were less than forty years to do it, the Copycat was going to make them count—exploring what this game-like world had to offer. Maybe something genuinely substantial would come out of it.

Aarav was ready to tackle the next challenge with full Mana and Stamina again. It came in the form of Haemish attempting to teach him potion-making, an essential Skill required for an Alchemist. Aarav wanted to know how to obtain a class and was limited to one. How did the class system work, and was it similar to his monster evolution system? Could he have both?

Instead, he said, “Okay, let’s start with this; I have a lot to learn and even more to earn. If I am going to get strong enough to be able to stand on my own, then, let do this.” Aarav crawled up to sit on the tabletop where Haemish worked. In front of him, he had many herbs, water and some other powders. Identify each item arrayed before him to reveal their purpose.

Basic Small Forest Herb Level 1, a ubiquitous herb type fern, has some small healing capability if ingested; it also works as an Alchemical Ingredient.

Cleansing Dust Level 2: This is a common type of sand found in the forests and other locals. It has some basic anti-poison properties and works as an Alchemical Ingredient.

Water

Not sure what I was expecting with that last one.

“This is all we need for now. Ignore the rest of the materials. You can learn about them later on. I will teach you other things after we do this. What kind of Alchemist would I be if I didn’t teach you Alchemy first! Huh?” Haemish grinned and laughed.

Aarav inwardly groaned and then thought, an exciting person who thinks about and teaches valuable topics. It was harsh, he knew, and immediately amended it. It would be just his luck if he left without learning anything Alchemical. Then immediately succumbed to a wound or something which he could have easily prevented. If only he had the knowledge from Haemish and acquired an Alchemist Class. Also, those potions were insane! They buoyed him up when he needed it and topped him off each time. Either they were the type that healed Health or Stamina or Mana to their maximum values, or he was just so weak that even a weak potion would max him out.

What Aarav needed more than anything else right now was: context. The Slime required an understanding of how he stacked up against others. He felt strong, but the mental attributes were more potent. I am not entirely confident that my physical stats are in a reasonable range, and mental might be okay, though.

Then he recalled that he had gained telepathy when he reached an entire century in Intellect. Why can’t I hear people’s thoughts? So much for extraordinary abilities, and just add it to the list of things I need to learn.

“Awesome! Okay, let’s do this! I am thrilled to work with you on this.” Aarav had wanted to say excited but didn’t know the word for it yet. I guess that’s what it means to be less than one hundred per cent in a language. There might be words here and there that I don’t know.

“Good, I am happy to have a willing student,” then he shifted into the role of intolerant mentor, “maybe you won’t be a complete waste of my time then! Let’s begin. Taler, you go ahead and continue with what you were working on.” The other two still hadn’t left their ministrations and didn’t need to be told.

“All you have to do is put the herbs into this mortar, and then with the pestle, you grind it up until it is a powder. Once you have it in powder form, you simply add water and a small amount of your own Mana. You can do that with Mana Infusion. Would you like to try?” Haemish finished up the explanation and demonstration with alacrity turning to Aarav.

The Slime looked at his paws with the distinct lack of opposable thumbs and sighed. He was going to have to hold the pestle two-handed. Then he recognised a second problem. “I don’t have Mana Infusion…the Skill…spell?”

Haemish sighed, “I shouldn’t be surprised. Yes, you have guessed correctly. It is a spell of sorts. It does not do anything flashy, but it will allow you to transfer Mana to your creations. You can also use it to charge up enchanted equipment and transfer Mana to others. However, with your pitiful regeneration levels, it is not going to be something you do for a while.”

“Wait, but I have been trying to get my regenerations higher for ages, but nothing seems to improve it significantly. What’s the fastest way to improve them? I feel like that should be my focus right now. Uhh, anything to not make me super weak! What do I do?”

Haemish considered for a moment before speaking. “Honestly, right now, there are so many holes in your knowledge base. It would be better to get your foundation squared before working on anything as advanced as improving your regenerations. Suffice it to say that it is not enough to use your Mana, Stamina and Health– use it and not lose your mind – to improve it. Other factors need to be in place first, and it is too much to get into all that now.”

Then Haemish got a far off look and spoke in an almost robotic voice. “The First Law: Every Problem in this World has a Solution.” Then he relaxed, coming back, he laughed. “I can’t even remember how long ago I learned that, but it is true. In this world, it does not matter was the problem you face is. There is always a way to solve it. In addition, there is always another way to grow. Whether it is expensive or easy to achieve is another matter. However, know this, growth is always greatest in the face of adversity.”

“Another Law?” Aarav asked, intrigued. Like Newton’s Laws of Motion, these laws were not like The Law, the type open to interpretation.

Haemish laughed heartily, it caused his belly to rumble and roll along with his substantial neck, an enjoyable sound to listen to, and Aarav found himself smiling as well. “No, no, but it likely should be!” There was a murmur of agreement from the others.

“You have the ingredients in front of you. The herb is potent, be careful. Depending on how much you put in, you can create a potent healing potion, a salve or a deadly poison. Too much of a good thing can kill you, you know!” I guess phrases travel across universes, come to think of it, he didn’t know if this world was in the same universe as earth. Wow, I get distracted a lot. Is that because my Focus is so low, or is it my Command? The two attributes were 41 and 46 respectively at the moment, not zero, but he had always been prone to distraction, so maybe it was relative?

“I want you to work to find the right balance of materials, I could tell you for this potion, but then you will not learn to feel out that spot where the concentrations are exactly right. Also, you will need to keep the image of what you want to create in your mind. Visualization is important, and it will aid with making sure you don’t make any mistakes.”

“Also, it will align the universe to my needs, right?”

“Yes!” and then Haemish’s face twisted like he had eaten a particularly sour Sherbet Lemon. I need to find out if they have something like that here. Belatedly Aarav realised that he was struggling not to laugh and visibly reddening. Turning to the other – they had heard him – he saw that their shoulders were heaving as they laughed as well. Haemish, at that moment, couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. It was too much to hold in, and tears leaked from his eyes as he slumped to the floor, rolling around on his back. If Aarav hadn’t been beside himself with anger at being the butt of the joke, he would have found the large man’s condition hysterical. The rest of the men in the room had no such compunction, and they too quickly joined Haemish on the floor as they lost control.

“Okay, okay! It wasn’t that funny! Idiota!” Aarav yelled over the sound of laughter and heaving breaths.

Language Mastery: Portuguese, you have 0% Mastery. Use it every day to master it.

Language Connoisseur has increased to Level 86!

…

Language Connoisseur has increased to Level 89!

Huh, I didn’t even know I knew Portuguese, and I thought that was Spanish. Maybe it’s both? Also, I’m getting close to the exhalant Level 100. Ahh, I forgot to ask Haemish about those landmark Levels.

Haemish got up and wiped his eyes before turning back to Aarav. “Right, Resh, enough messing around, your turn gets to work! You will only learn by doing.” Aarav rolled up his proverbial sleeves and got to work.