"Here they are." John said, after laying a small chest on the table.

"Let's see what you can do." Said Andy.

We were in their basement, they used this for storage and as their lab.

It had various tools that i didn't know the name of, a kind of distiller, some wooden boxes, chests and mason jars.

"Feel free to use whatever you need." said Andy.

"Ok" i said, i opened the chest and used identify on everything that was inside the chest:

- Potion bottles

- A mortar and pestle

- A copper Retort

- A stand for the retort

- A small fire Magic stone

Besides the tools they gave me, Andy said i could use any of her herbs.

"Right, let's begin." I said choosing the herbs i needed.

How do i know how to make a Potion you ask? Well...

+++About 40 minutes ago+++

"Hm...what can i do more?" I'm an admin now, even if it is for a small amount of time it's a lot of power, the options are....too many.

"System, can you give me a skill i want?"

must not interfere with the trial.>

"Ok, ok, but..."

You see my situation is a little unfair...why? Look at my status:

[Status] :

「Name」: Venir「Race」: Human 「Sub-Race」: High Human「Level」: 1「Gender」: Male 「Age」: 18「Class」: Magus 「Sub-Class」: Alchemist

「VIT」: 220「STR」: 40 「AGI」: 150「DEF」: 48「Mana」: 1000/1000 「INT」: 500

《Skills》

「Heavenly Barrier」「Create lv.2」「Enchant object lv.3」「Magic Circle」「Identify lv.4」

Oh? I didn't level up but both my vitality and mana went up by 100, strength and defense by 30 and agility and intelligence by 50. That's probably because of the evolution.

I will be working as an alchemist, so i'll use the「Rune making lv.1」, 「Magical brewing」, 「Craft: alchemy lv.4」and 「Create lv.2」....

Some 「Identify lv.4」on them:

「Rune making lv.1」- The ability to make working magic runes.

Lv.1 - fire rune (low)

「Magical brewing」- The ability to apply magic effects into potions.

Level dependent on the 「Spellcraft」skill.

「Craft: alchemy lv.4」- Creates an alchemical substance.

Substance quality depends on the complexity and the skill's level.

「Create lv.2」- Creates objects with specific materials, the objects size depends on the material and mana used.

Lv.1 - fabrics.

L.v2 - Wood.

You might think "good, you're ready"...no, i'm not.

Those skills only help in making potions, they don't 'make' potions, I don't know any ingredients or how to use my mana... Damm, system help me out.

"...I can't make potions because i don't know how and I don't have any knowledge in Mana manipulation. I don't know how any of this skills work."

"Ohh,i see, but still...at least give me something to do with the potions skills, please." Yes...i said please.

"Come on, system.", Does it make sense to beg to an A.I? I care not.

"I'm like a baby in this world, know nothing, can do nothing. Give something to help me out in this situation."

Hm...it seems like it won't listen, ok...

**『time to bargain』**

What can i do to make the system listen?

Hm... let's see.

-Information?

Nah, it probably has already checked everything on my brain.

I have the 「create」skill, in other words the system can create anything it wants...so nothing material.

Can't believe i'm actually trying to bribe THE WORLD

Wait...if i remember correctly she said:

"must not interfere with the trial.>"

That 'must'....is it a rule of some kind?

"System, what i if allow you to interfere with the trial?"

I see

"What are the trial rules?"

< Trial rules:

- The system must not interfere with the Administrator's trial.

- The administrator must not use the system assistance after the trial has begun.

- The administrator must not acquire skills that nullify the objective of the trial.

- Under class A and S threats, the system and administrator must cooperate.

- During B class threats and below, the system notifies the administrator and decides the most appropriate course of action.>

This information appeared on a rectangular translucent window, titled 'Trial rules'.

"Are there any penalties if one breaks a rule?"

"Huh?"

Oh i see, it's a trial, something is decided here....and if i break one rule here, i may just lose my position as the administrator

"...how much time until the trial begins?"

"First, the trial didn't start, second, you can help me and still not break any rule"

I got the feeling that the system knows this already and it just doesn't want to help me

And what is the point of the trial anyway?

"Hey, system, can't you just search through my memories and stuff? Instead of all this trial."

I won't question that.

So, if it can't access my mind the only way of analyzing me is...to watch me.

Hm...i got an idea

"System, can you give me a skill that will solve my problem and in exchange i will give you permission to access my mind?"

"By who"

"Hm..."

Think...think...

The system doesn't have much information on me...wait, why? Wasn't she who analyzed me on the selection?

"System, was it you who did the selection?

"Who was it?"

"Was it the same individual who locked my mind?"

Hm...a different system maybe?

So the system wants information, but it can't take it from my mind.

From what i can see information about me is the only thing i can use as coins to bargain here.

So...how should i do this?

The system will collect information for 1,2 years and if i die it will have 15 years.

So the longer the better for the system.

"System, who decides how long the trial is?"

"Can the administrator extend the trial period?"

Got you!

"System, here's the deal, you grant me the skills i need and i give you more time in the trial."

Come on

It's a win-win situation

A translucent and faintly glowing White window appeared, it was beautiful, it was as if it was radiating purity, it had a thin layer of mist around the borders that reminded me of clouds on Mount Olympus, it seemed holy, it was mainly white, it also had some golden lines along the borders and a golden laurel wreath on the top...the title was 『The Deal』.

Well...she made it look like something very important.

"Let's see..."

Looking at the window i saw a exchange symbol, two arrows point to each side of the window, to the left was a very decorated hourglass, below it, '8 months' was displayed in red.

8 months? Isn't that a too much? It doesn't seem negotiable so i guess... It won't get lower no matter how i complain.

Why put it in red though?

System? I'm not selling 8 months of my life right?

To the right were two transparent cubes side by side, the first cube had a small blue fireball inside it and the second had a important looking, thick and old book titled 'The Library'.

I had already confirmed that i could 「Identify」things that were displayed on the System windows, so let's give it a try...

Hm...of course

At the bottom of the window were the two option buttons:

Yes/No

"Give me some good skills....YES"

"Wow." was all i could say...it had worked.

<"Good luck">

Huh?

Until now the system's voice had been monotone but that 'Good luck', sounded natural...hm, i'm probably imagining things.

"See you in 2 years, system" i said in a low voice.

"Right, let's check my new skills...「Identify」"

「Mana manipulation」- Improves the ability to manipulate Mana.

「Mana sense」- Improves the ability to sense mana

Lv.1 - presence.

Lv.2 - concentration.

Lv.3 - State.

「Library」- Grants access to a small portion of the god's library.

"Amazing skills."

This should be part of an 'Isekai Skill pack', yeah

Now... let's test this.

Still in bed, i lifted my hand upward and imagined a small flame... nothing.

Hm...again, this time i whispered "fire" softly....still nothing.

What?

I have Mana manipulation and Mana sense...so why?

"Ohhh" i said, realizing the problem.

This time i focused and and imagined my blood flowing through my veins to my hand and said "fire"....oh? I think i saw a spark there.

Huh? Not impressed? I just made a spark... A SPARK OUT OF NOTHING!

"My amazing spark may just burn down this bed so.... let me get out."

I got out of the bed and stood at the center of the room.

They say you can concentrate yourself better if you're naked, so i didn't bother dressing up.

Well I'm not exactly naked ,but it should still help.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on myself, 2 minutes passed and i started to feel something flowing through me.

It was warm...and... soothing... I could feel it flowing from my toes to my chest, my arms and toes again.

I could feel the slow and velvety beats from my heart.

It was like being on a Jacuzzi, having a massage, drinking a cup of hot chocolate during winter, bathing on the rain and sleeping inside multiple layers of blankets during a thunderstorm, all at the same time.

I wanted that feeling to last forever but...i knew, this is a one time thing.

To fully appreciate those wonderful sensations, i stood there... like a statue, smiling.

This pleasant moment...shall be etched into my memories forever.

Snapping out of my trance, i once again focused....this time i tried to slowly guide that warmness from my heart to my palm, i felt it flowing through my arm to my palm...

"FIRE" i said, in a firm voice, imagining a flame, then....

With a small gust of wind...

A pale blue flame formed.

My eyes opened wide, the blue light that was reflected by my eyes was...real.

I stood there dumbfounded.

Why am i this surprised? I don't know, it's just so beautiful.

That was 「Fire magic」:

Lv.1 - Flame.

Lv.2- Fire arrow & Fireball .

Lv.3 - Wall of fire.

Let's try another skill

Still in my underwear, i sat on the cold hard floor.

"「Create」" i said in a soft voice, extending my right hand and imagining a small wooden bottle.

"!?" I heard the sound of wood breaking, then a small weirdly shaped piece of wood fell to the floor.

"Come on" i thought, annoyed.

Then i remembered that i didn't guide my mana.

Ok, let's try again

"「Create」" i said, i guided my mana through my hands as i had done before, this time instead of failing or a bottle simply forming, i felt something like... instinct telling me something, following my guts, i imagined my mana taking the form of a small bottle and then i imagined that same mana changing into light brown wood.

"So this is what the system meant." I said holding the bottle that took 3 minutes to make.

The system had said that the operation o skills was instinctive and this is the proof of that....i have no idea how to change mana into other things and what molecules wood is made of.

I wonder how the inhabitants of this world learn magic, it's probably hard as heck.

"Let's try something else..."

I don't have any ingredients on me but let's try...

「Magical brewing」its level depends on「Spellcraft」which for me it is on level 3.

「Spellcraft」- Grants the ability to use the arcane arts.

Lv.1 - Low grade magic.

Lv.2 - Mid grade magic.

Lv.3 - Spell effect conferment.

Spell conferment - Grants ability to confer the effects of some magic spells to objects or substances.

So if i use the conferment and the [Heal] spell it should work right?

[Heal] - low grade spell, cure minor wounds and bruises.

I used the「Water magic」 level 1 spell [Create water] and filled the bottle with water and tried to use the [ Effect conferment] but...

I used 「Appraise」:

I guess it makes sense, you can't just make a Potion by using just water.

Now, my unique Skill:

「Library lv.1」> Alchemy

When i thought about it, a window opened with the title Library, there was only one option inside , i clicked on it and...

「Library lv.1」> Alchemy :

- Potions

- Medicines

- Bombs

- Poisons

- Tools

- substances+

Ohh, interesting

I clicked on and found there a couple potions displayed with their names and effects in a description box...some were....questionable.

I clicked on the most shiny one:

The recipe had some ingredients that sounded like they were taken out of a fantasy worl....oh, right.

They were definitely rare, so i chose to look for something more easy and common.

The Ingredients look like common grass you can find in a forest so...yeah... let's memorize this.

After about 10 minutes studying...

*Knock* *knock* *knock*.

"Wait a minute." I said, after had realized that i was sitting on the floor.... Still in my underwear.

++++++

And that's how...i got my cheat skills.

I was now selecting ingredients for my Potion.

I spotted a glass jar with some big dried blue leaves in it:

Dried Angelicas Sage leaf (High quality)

This is is the main ingredient in my potion, i took 1 leaf.

Angelicas Sage aka Cure herbs, is a purple plant commonly found in forests with high mana concentration, they are quite hard to get since they are found deep into dangerous forests, when dried their color change to blue.

I searched for some more ingredients and placed them on a the table. I took some red thyme(the pulp of a anesthetic berry), 2 medium sized hyssop roots, some quaria powder (made from the wood of a treant), Artems's seeds and put them together on the mortar and ground them, i took about 20 ml of echinacea essense from a glass bottle and put it in the retort, which i then placed on the stand and put the neck above the mortar.

I put the fire magic stone on the stand below the retort and focused some of my mana in it, it produced a normal flame and after a couple seconds, i could see some drops of the now refined essence coming out of the retort's neck to the mortar.

I created a small amount of water and put it in the mortar, i waited for about 6 seconds while focusing mana into the mortar before the mixture started to give a faint blue glow, i began mixing slowly, the droplets of the echinacea essense were to keep being added to the mixture throughout the mixing process.

After 1 minute the glow faded, i removed the remainder of the hyssop root with a pincer, added water and then focused some mana into the mortar while mixing.

Seconds later the glow returned, but this time it was stronger and the glow was an ominous purple, this is the most reactive stage.

Let's do this!

I read on the 「Library」that in this phase is adding the echinacea essence is quite dangerous, because if you put too much it can make the potion super toxic, so i just separated the magic stone from the retort, stopping the evaporation and condensation of the essence.

Holy rats. This is scary.

Andy apparently recognizing that glow, told john to stay at the door, he shrugged and stood next to the door, completely unaware of the danger.

Sh#t, this is a potion, right? Why does it look like Poison?

For some reason Andy got even closer to me.

Lady? Can't you see that ominous color?

Her eyes were wide open, as if to observe everything that was going to happen at that table.

Right, calm down, the system wouldn't give you a suicide skill.

Wait a second, why wouldn't she? Isn't she the one that wants to observe me for as long as possible?

Wait....she can't interfere with the trial. Hm...she gave me this skill before the trial.

Being reborn isn't that bad but i prefer not to.

"System, i'll trust you on this." I thought, adding a tea spoon of rabbit horn dust while mixing.

"!?" It changed to yellow and stopped glowing.

Until now, i was using what i memorized, but....just to make sure i used 「Library」to confirm what i was doing.

<"....After the mixture's color has changed to a bright yellow and the glow has subsided, let it sit for 1 minute, after that, add a five drops of refined echinacea essence while focusing a slow flow of mana into the mixture...">

I stopped mixing, waited for about 50 seconds, then focused some mana on the magic stone that i had already returned to it's place, the retort stand.

Now, the final part...

The essence inside the retort had already started to evaporate and condensate...

I focused my mana through the pestle, guiding it to the mortar, like recipe mentioned, a slow flow of mana, so i had to focus more, i didn't want to make it smell horrendous. Apparently that's what happens when you put too much mana.

1 drop of echinacea essense, with slow flow of mana...2 drops.

With each drop, the mixture glowed a little and changed to a different color with each color change, Andy's eyes widened even more and she got closer and closer.

Lady?

Ignoring the lady...a quick glance at 「Library」:

<"...after that the mixture should turn translucent with a light mint tone.">

After 3 more drops....

YES, i did it.

On the table was now a mortar filled with a green translucent liquid.

I used a filter/funnel to pour the finished product to the glass bottles Andy provided me, it was a type of filter i had never seen before.

"「Appraise」"

Name: Filtering funnel Quality : Medium Material: Tin Durability: 15/20

Hm...

"「Identify」"

Name : Filtering funnel Type : tool Description : A filtering funnel made with tin, it is used both to funnel and filter liquids, most used in alchemist's laboratories. Durability: 15/20.

As soon as i began pouring Andy left the room, i was now alone with John which had already returned to my side.

"So, where did she go?" I asked, as i finished filling the last bottle.

Andy and John... that's how I'm supposed to call them, "no formalities" they said.

"Probably to take the appraisal glasses."

"Appraisal glasses?" I asked... requesting for more information

"Yeah, those glasses that those big wig merchants have, they can perform a level 6 「Appraise」"

"Whoa."

"Wha-you never heard of them? Were you living under a rock or somethin'?"

Otherworlder here.

Andy returned, face serious...with some golden glasses on.

"Let's see." She mumbled, as she examined one of my potions

"!?" She grinned...then looked at me, i turned to look at John, he was covering his ears with his hands...

"Oh." I thought...i was too slow

"YEEESSSS, AMAZING..." She screamed, putting both her hands on my shoulders and.... shaking me.

Umm, lady? You're freaking me out.

"*Cof* *cof* " that was John.

"Ahum." she cleared her throat and handed John her glasses and a potion.

"Oh." he said, then nodded.

Guys?

As if sensing my confusion, john handed me the glasses and a potion

"There, try them."

"Amm..." I don't know how they work...

Maybe 「Identify」should help?

"Just focus some mana on them." John said.

Yeah, easy said than done.

I imagined the mana flowing throughout my body going to the glasses and... nothing.

Of course.

To not waste their time, i just guided mana into the glasses with my hand.

Focusing on one of the bottles on the table i saw it glow....or better it was highlighted.

Above it was a small system window:

Name : Antidote potion Class: Mid grade Quality : High Durability: 20 days Manufacturer: Venir

"Wait.... the name of the manufacturer? It shows my name?"

"It shows if you aren't registered with the Merchant's Guild...wait..you didn't know that?" Said Andy, surprised.

Ops.

"Anyway, you really are a skilled alchemist, you made 4 antidote potions in such a short time, and look at the quality." Said Andy, smiling.

"Oh.. thank you." I said.

"Yeah, a talented youngster far from home huh?...that reminds me of someone. I didn't see a 'A' in your name, why is that?" Asked John.

What?

Andy's enthusiasm died, she sighed then looked at me "Are you a self taught Alchemist?"

Is there something wrong?

"Yes" I nodded.

"I see." she said, with a worried smile, seemingly reminiscing about the past.

She looked at john, he nodded.

"Venir would you like to work here as my apprentice? I mean, until you get enough money to go home that is."

"Yes, thank you." I said, bowing.

Well, that is why i came here in the first place.

She drank one of my potions and said "You're now my apprentice."

Ohh, LEVEL UP!

A title? Cool.

Let's see my new status..."[Status]"

「Name」: Venir「Race」: Human 「Sub-Race」: High Human

「Level」: 2

「Gender」: Male 「Age」: 18「Class」: Magus 「Sub-Class」: Alchemist

「VIT」: 160(^20)「STR」: 50(^10)

「AGI」: 160(^10)「DEF」: 58(^10)

「Mana」: 1000/1000(^100)「INT」: 500(^50)

《Skills》

「Heavenly Barrier」「Create lv.2」「Enchant object lv.3」「Magic Circle」「Identify lv.4」「Mana manipulation lv.3」「Mana sense lv.3」「Library lv.1」

《Titles》

【Alchemist's Apprentice】

Skill points: 10 available

Ooohhh, yeeessss.

My stats were upgraded, I suppose those numbers inside brackets are how much they went up, and i gained a title:

【Alchemist's Apprentice】- A title acquired by alchemists who are under an apprenticeship.

"Looking at your new title?" Said Andy.

How did-

"Relax, I can't see your status or something, all apprentices get that title" she said

"Oh."

It could be a problem if she saw my 「Sub-Race」

"Appraise your potions again"

First i appraised with my skill...after seeing no change i remembered the glasses:

Name : Antidote potion Class: Mid grade Quality : High Durability: 20 days Manufacturer: a.Venir

"Hm"

"Confused? You're probably seeing a lowercase "a" that's the proof that you're an apprentice, try focusing on it."

I did and...

"M.A?"

"Master Alchemist"

Holy moly, she is a big deal isn't she? Master? Well, lucky me...i guess.

"You're an apprentice now, but when you leave you'll be a full Alchemist... officially.... From what i've seen, your level is probably Master already, this is just a formality so that you won't have to undersell your potions."

"Undersell?"

"Without an Uppercase "A" before your name, you won't be able to get a Merchants Guild's license to open a shop and as an apprentice, most merchants will take advantage of that and demand a unfair price."

"I see."

So, she's doing me a favor.

"A lowercase "a" is for apprentices, an Uppercase "A" is for full fledged Alchemist, recognized as such by it's master, and "M.A" is for an alchemist who passed at the Annual Royal Exam."

Royal? I'm not interested, too much attention.

"You just need to finish an apprenticeship and you're ready to go." Said john.

"Right" i said, Good people indeed i'll definitely enjoy working with them, well, as long as they don't make me do the laun-

"For now, you'll do the laundry with John." She said shamelessly.

Well, i'm an a apprentice here...so i guess i can't complain.

+++++

I was now outside washing dishes, John was cleaning the tools i used.

You are only two people! How do you use this many plates and spoons?

"Hahaha, what's up with that depressed face?" John said, mockingly.

"There's nothing interesting in washing dishes and this soap doesn't work properly."

Really...the soap practically makes no foam...at least not as much as i'm used to seeing.

"Hahaha, don't let her hear you saying that, you'll clean the house if she does."

"Well, at least you're enjoying yourself."

"Hahaha, indeed i am."

And this is how i began my apprenticeship in Rose apothecary, under the Master Alchemist Andy.