/Author's Note

Back into the groove, should be able to release another chapter tonight.

-Correction- Will release tomorrow morning.

P.S. Sorry for the shortness of this chapter.

/IMPORTANT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The magic incantations and names used by the residents of this universe will all be from google translated words as I do not wish to make up some gibberish every time a character uses a spell. As for why languages from the original world exist in the second it's really just for my convenience and sanity, please forgive me. Furthermore, there will not be a universal magic language due to one of the properties of magic which will be further explained in subsequent chapters.

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World Advancement Chapter 10: The Alchemist

Alric entered the two story alchemy shop and was greeted by a waft of various smells.

Covering the walls were shelves filled with various liquids, preserved animals, and minerals.

From a glance Alric could see primitive versions of chemicals such as sulfuric acid and ammonia, which were still impure and not at full strength.

As he walked further into the store he was greeted by a woman who appeared to be in her late fifties.

She was rather ordinary looking at first glance, she was around four and a half feet tall with brown eyes and hair.

Upon looking closer however there were signs that spoke of her experience as a great alchemist.

Her brown eyes that could be described as ordinary gave off a feeling that was anything but.

Great wisdom and knowledge radiated outward from those eyes giving off the impression of a master of her trade.

The clothes she wore appeared as if they were shabby but with closer inspection the long robe was made from sturdy materials.

The robe was covered in stains from various alchemical experiments and a fair amount of scorched areas.

Her arms too, had faint traces of burns. No doubt caused both by fire and chemical.

The woman spoke up with a surprised voice.

“It isn’t every day one as young as you visits my alchemy shop, to what do I owe the pleasure?” (Alchemist)

“My name is Alric, and I’m here to deliver some herbs from Catherine the physician.”

“Ah, Wonderful! I had be hoping those would arrive soon. I am Meredith by the way. Just bring the herbs over to the counter over here.” (Alchemist)

“By the way how did you create that sulfuric acid you have on the shelf over there?” (Alric)

“Sulfuric acid? I don’t know what you speak of? Could you point out which flask you are referring to?” (Meredith)

“That one over there, with the slight yellowish tint.” Alric said while pointing at the flask of sulfuric acid.

“Ah that one I found at a distant volcano, I hadn’t determined the exact properties yet so there wasn’t an official name but I was quite partial to Inedia fluid referring to the ravenous hunger it displays when coming in to contact with other substances. But you say it is called sulfuric acid?” (Meredith)

“Ah yes, where I come from that is what it is called.” (Alric)

“Then tell me the properties so that we can be sure you are referring to the same substance, as I was looking forward to naming a new substance.” (Meredith)

“When put into contact with any living or formerly living material it rapidly dissolves becoming black as if burnt, when applied to a metal rapid corrosion occurs, and when water is introduced it produces heat.” (Alric)

“That does indeed sound to be the same liquid… Boy, are you a fellow practitioner of alchemy?”(Meredith)

“No, I never practiced alchemy which takes into account the way magic interacts with substances, however I do know quite a bit about the physical properties of substances which is known as chemistry.” (Alric)

Alric realized that he was taking a risk by revealing some of the knowledge he gained from the other universe, but he decided to just play it off as something he learned from an isolated community.

Meredith was quite shocked by the amount of knowledge the young boy revealed and furthermore she was eager to learn more about this new concept the boy had introduced her to, chemistry.

She was about to inquire as to the origin of his surprising expertise when the door flew open with a bang, shaking the shelves and threatening to knock the multitude of alchemy supplies onto the floor.

“Damn it! Who the hell do you think you are barging into my shop like that! Don’t you know alchemy ingredients are dangerous…”

Meredith trailed off as she saw who had come bursting through the door.

Alric, too, was shocked.

Standing in the doorway disheveled and gasping for breath was the physician Catherine whom he had separated from not more than two hours before.

Between sharp intakes of breath Catherine attempted to gasp out her urgent message.

“Meredith….slums….dying…..help….no time….” (Catherine)

Catherine’s message was mostly unintelligible due to her current distress but it was enough to tell the situation was dire.

Alric sensed Meredith’s mana concentrate in her body and she loudly spoke a word.

“Sublevabuntur!” (Meredith)

Alric sensed the condensed mana flow from Meredith to Catherine, instantly Catherine’s breathing began to calm down and she became able to speak properly.

Seeing external magic for the first time Alric wanted to inquire as to how its use works but he realized that this wasn’t the proper time.

Catherine spoke up after catching her breath.

“Meredith, from one of my customers I learned that in the next city over the poor residents of the slums have fallen ill to a mysterious ailment. Furthermore because they are poor the local specialists refuse to help them as they are greedy people. Quite a few have already died and the people of the slums gathered their meager resources to send out someone to get help from Berrik. I’ve already decided to go myself but I realized that although I can help heal the people, if it is caused by a toxin or foreign substance I won’t be able to prevent them from becoming worse again. Will you come with me to help?” (Catherine)

“Aye, I’ll come. I can’t stand those snobs that believe that alchemy is nothing more than a way to sell random concoctions for exorbitant prices.” (Meredith)

“Alright, let’s go. We need to hurry to the stables and get the fastest horses they have. Sorry Alric I’ll just have to pay you now. I won’t be able to meet you at the inn tonight. “ (Catherine)

“Hold on! Catherine, did you know this boy is proficient in something he calls chemistry? I think he can help us so I say we take him with us.” (Meredith)

“Ok. Alric, what do you say, will you come? We don’t have time for deliberation so please choose with haste.” (Catherine)

“I want to help those people, I will come with you.” (Alric)

Meredith locked up the shop and the three of them rushed to the stables and picked out the fastest horses on hand.

Wasting no time they saddled up and rode out of town at top speed.