It Started with Slime - Chapter 94, Alchemy

What Aarav really wanted was to try loads and loads of different things, he had hardly experienced anything of what this world had to offer and if he had less than forty years here, he was going to make them count and enjoy himself. Exploring what this game-like world had to offer. Maybe something truly substantial would come out of it…

Now with full Mana and full Stamina again Aarav was ready to tackle the next challenge, which came in the form of Haemish attempting to teach him potion making, a basic skill required for an Alchemist. What Aarav wanted to know was how he could obtain a class and was he 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 table top where Haemish worked. In front of him he had a number of herbs, water and some other powders. Identify on each of the items reveal what was arrayed in front of him.

Basic Small Forest Herb Level 1; a very common herb type fern, it has some small healing capability if ingested. This can be used as an Alchemical Ingredient.

Cleansing Dust Level 2; a common type of sand found on the ground in the forests and other locals. It has some basic anti-poison properties. This can be used as an Alchemical Ingredient.

Water…it is just Water, useful for Life…

What’s up with the notifications being sarcastic again? Is it because of me? I see it that way so it is? Anyway, let’s ignore than and keep going.

“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 actually interesting person who thinks about and teaches useful topics. It was harsh he knew and immediately amended it, it would be just his luck if he left without learning anything Alchemical and then immediately succumbed to a wound or something which could have easily be prevented if only he had learned from Haemish and acquired an Alchemt Class. Also, those potions were insane! They really buoyed him up when he needed it and topped him off each time. Either they were the type that healed full Health or Stamina or Mana or he was just so weak that even a paltry potion would max him out.

What Aarav needed more than anything else right now was: context. He needed to understand how strong he was compared to others, he felt strong but that was more mentally than physically. I am not fully confident that my physical stats are in a reasonable range. Mental might be okay though.

Then he recalled that he had gained telepathy when he reached a fully century in Intellect. Why can’t I hear people’s thoughts? So much for awesome abilities… Just add it to the list of things I need to find out about.

“Awesome! Okay let’s do this! I am very happy 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 percentage 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 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 so 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 then 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. It is also used for charging up enchanted equipment and transferring 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…basically 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 for us to get your foundation sorted before we work on anything as advanced as improving your regenerations. Suffice it to say that it is not enough to simply use your Mana, Stamina and Health – use it and not lose it mind – to improve it. There are other factors that need to be in place first. 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 to that there is always another way to grow, whether it is expensive or easy to achieve is another matter but growth is always greatest in the face of adversity…”

“Another Law?” Aarav asked, intrigued. These laws were like Newton’s Laws of Motion and not like The Law…bureaucratic that was subjective.

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 but depending on how much you put in you can create a very powerful healing potion, a salve or a deadly poison, seriously be careful. Too much of a good thing can kill you, you know!” I guess phrases travel across universes…come to think of it he really 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. 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 definitely heard him – he saw that their shoulders were heaving as they laughed as well. Haemish in 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 angry 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 cackling and heaving breaths.

Language   Mastery: Portugese 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, didn’t even know I knew Portugese 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 get to work! You will only learn by doing.” Aarav rolled up his proverbial sleeves and got to work.