Alchemy

With the first part of the schedule complete, Rarsu proceeds in the next section about Magic fundamentals and training, lasting from 6:20 am to 8:20 am.

"Now, we'll go on to the basics of spell-casting and its inner mechanisms." Rarsu begins his lecture. "As I mentioned before, a Mage is required to know the Elven chants of the spell for it to work. But simply learning them is not enough. One is required to spend the necessary amount of Ability points as well."

"Hmm." Gray rubs his chin as he ponders deeply. "Right. I've been thinking about that particular procedure ever since I read it at the book last night. Is it absolutely necessary to waste Ability points? Shouldn't learning the spell be enough since you already know the methods to do so? I find that particular part of the System quite illogical and absurd."

"Heh, you'll find out soon enough." Rarsu simply smirks. "But that is not our main topic for today. With your current limited knowledge of Elharis, learning new spells will still be quite a chore for you. As such, we'll be focusing on spell-casting instead."

"Fine." Gray frowns slightly but nonetheless, complies with his Master.

"Now, trying casting one of your spells," Rarsu instructs him. "We'll see how well you perform under the constraint of the seal."

Gray nods in agreement as he attempts to channel his Mana into his hand. His efforts are proving to be harder than ever as he struggles to do so. After in a short while, he manages to finally breakthrough despite the grueling curse as the familiar bolt of pure Arcane Energy was conjured.

Unfortunately, it was significantly smaller and less potent than what he had hoped to achieve.

"D-damn it!!" Gray utters in frustration as even casting his simplest spell from his arsenal proves to be an extreme annoyance.

With nothing else to do, he directs his displeasure at one of the dummies, launching the projectile at the said object.

Although the blast was significantly weaker than before, merely causing not as much destruction to the dummy as only a small portion was broken to bits.

Rarsu crossed his arms. "Now you see how difficult casting even the simplest of the spell is? One of our goals is to ensure that even when you're under the effects of the seal, you are capable of casting with competence. The benefits, in the end, are highly advantageous, especially when a Mage attempts a curse of a similar nature to you. Thus, you are capable of maintaining a degree of efficiency despite being under the cursed effects while in combat."

Gray merely nods in recognition at Rarsu's explanation.

"Now, go back to meditating and practice more of your Mana control," Rarsu instructs the elf. "The pain may be endearing at first, but trust me, once you'll get used to it, then it'll only be a matter of time until you achieved results that would far surpass your expectations, hehe. I'm sure you can do it, let's say… 2 and a half months maybe, or even less if your dedication won't falter."

And with that, Gray complies with Rarsu's instructions as he went back to the harshness of meditation again.

***

The next part of Gray's training is Alchemy, something that the elf will be tackling for another two hours.

As such, Gray and Selena as well were led into the Alchemy workstation that is beside a cage with five mice inside and a typical table filled with different potions and empty bottles.

The Alchemy workstation consists of different types of alchemical apparatuses such as a mortar and pestle, and a small heating stove below the retort pot of an alembic, all arranged in an orderly manner.

Rarsu then begins lecturing the elf about the subject matter.

"Alchemy is the art of fusing raw ingredients to produce potions or poisons with specific effects. It's also the act of processing, boiling, and extracting various substances to obtain their chemically magical properties. Some potions are ingested orally and usually grant the user their intended results while few others can be applied externally.

Rarsu pauses for a moment as he continues his lecture. "Alchemical ingredients include extracts from plants, creatures, and other sources, mostly magical in nature. Certain ingredients are precious to alchemists due to their irregularity, many of which are extracts from Magical beasts."

"I see," Gray said in acknowledgment. "After finishing concocting the potion, how are we going to test it? Will the System reveal the potion's effects?"

"The System will only reveal the newly created potion's effects once tested," Rarsu replies. "There's the easiest way of either ingesting the raw ingredients or tasting the finished product yourself. Of course, I wouldn't recommend that course of action for obvious reasons, unless you are absolutely certain that your potion will work. You wouldn't want to die by accidentally poisoning yourself now, would we?"

"Haha, makes sense." Gray chuckles in response, remembering Skyrim's weird System of Alchemy, where the Alchemist would taste the ingredients first to unlock its effects. "So, how are we going to test the effects of the potion, then?"

"First, let me tackle on Alchemy's dark and questionable background," Rarsu said in a severe tone. "Alchemy, like among others, has some dark characteristics and history behind it. In times of war or conflict, especially in the past, this is where the Alchemist thrived in the very peak of their profession. Every governing body of each province would authorize Prisoners of War or POW for short, without exception whatsoever, to be subjected to the various kinds of alchemical experimentation as Alchemists observes the potion's effects on the poor sods. POWs are forced to take part in the experiment by either the notion of freedom or death. It's also for the purpose that the potions or poisons produced from this wicked ordeal will be a valuable asset in attaining victory at war. Although such policy proves to be quite effective, especially in the many innovations that have brought in the Alchemy profession, one can't deny the horror and questionable morality that accompanies it. Poisons are the notable reasons that brought the topic into the light, where the POWs are brought under the unimaginable horrors and experiments of the Alchemist. Today though, laws were passed and approved for the limitations of the policy to an extent, where only the vilest of criminals would be subjected to the treatment. Although not all Alchemists agreed with the strict constraints of the laws, turning themselves into outlaws as a result and establishing their hideout at different locations. As such, there are many cases of missing people reported, only to be found in a hidden cave, subjected to the horrifying operations and torments of the Alchemist's vile self-interest. You should tread lightly when traveling outside across these lands."

Gray's eyes indeed widen as he realizes the dreadful revelation and history behind the profession that he is about to partake.

"Nevertheless, we still can't deny the benefits that Alchemy has brought to this world, so the profession won't be dying anytime soon despite all of that," Rarsu added. "In this current time of age, we merely utilized lab mouses for the testing of simple potions. Although, the more complicated ones still require the actual mortal-being for a more accurate test."

"I see." Gray understood the whole topic all too well, a deep frown gracing his face at the prospect of mortal subjects that hopefully he won't resort in the future.

In anything that is poison-related, that is.

Perhaps he may experiment with a Bandit or two if the opportunity presented itself.

[+3 CHAOS]

"Anyways, let's begin the actual lesson," Rarsu said. "But first things first… Safety."

Rarsu conjures two laboratory aprons, masks, and goggles from his Inventory for them to wear and handed one of the set to Gray.

The lizardling also ponders if he should be giving one to Selena as well. But the girl simply shook her head in rejection as her artificial body is immune to the minimal hazards of the laboratory operation.

Gray agrees as he dons the equipment given to him.

The lizardling then begins his lecture. "First, we acquire a solvent to serve as the base for the potion that we will be creating. The best solvent for most potions is clean water from an untainted natural source. The water's purity defines the potion's quality, so the best sources are from clean rivers or natural springs. Other potions also make use of other solvents, but for now, water is what we are going to focus on as this is the simplest one to acquire of them all."

Rarsu then brought out a glass bottle filled with clean water from his Inventory to emphasized the procedure and lays it at the table beside the workstation.

"Next are the reagents that we will be using for our potions." Rarsu continues as he brought out red flower petals from his satchel, places it at the mortar and pestle, and begins pounding it. "This is a flower known as the Lover's Bloom, a common ingredient used in health potions and is abundant in every garden. Anyways, where the solvents act as the potion's base, the reagants are the raw ingredients. Each reagent has one or more unique properties and is the key factor in determining the end result of what our potion is going to be. We pound the reagents into a simpler substance by the use of this mortar and pestle. The reagent then is to be mixed thoroughly with the solvent. You may utilize one reagent in brewing a potion or incorporate two or more to achieve different distinct results."

"Right," Gray answers as he observes Rarsu's actions.

"Finally is the crafting of the potions," Rarsu said as he finishes pounding the flower and demonstrates more of the procedures. "You bring the solvent and reagent to the Alchemy workstation. Some potions require additional procedures, and not all of them are the same, but we'll tackle first on something basic. Since we only used one reagent in this scenario, the procedures are pretty straightforward. We pour the mixture inside the retort pot, then heat the stove for the distillation process to begin. We do this so that the magical properties of the substances are separated from their raw ingredients. The substances are infused, then heated until vapor is produced. The vapor then condenses in the separate container, precipitating the extracted components with the desired properties. Once distillation is done, the finished product is poured into the receiving vessel."

When the potion was finally done, Rarsu first opens the mouse cage and injures one of the mice inside with a light scratch from his claw, causing the small creature to yelp in pain as it bleeds and gets weaken from the act.

Rarsu then grabs a dropper from the nearby table and draws in a small portion of the finished product from the receiving vessel and feeds it to the injured mouse.

In a short while, the mouse's injuries have recovered as the creature was back to being active once more. Rarsu nods in approval at the results.

"Woah." Gray was definitely impressed by the scenario as he could not help but smile in excitement. "So, this is Alchemy, huh. I wonder what more effects one can possibly achieve?"

"Oh, there are plenty, that I can assure you, my dear apprentice," Rarsu smirks in amusement. "Now that I have finished my demonstration, it's your turn to do what I have exhibited."

"Yes, Master," Gray responds with enthusiasm as he happily followed the lizardling's instructions.

And with that, Gray's lesson of Alchemy continues as he performs the techniques that were shown to him earlier.