Chapter 77: Alchemy (1)

Professor Mia began the class with a bang—literally—and was forced to conduct the first part of it completely through writing on the blackboard. It was only after a quarter of an hour that the deafening sensation was reduced enough for the students to hear again.

“Ahem, can you all hear me now?” she asked, her voice unusually quiet.

“I’m sorry professor, you’ll have to speak up a little.” Lilly raised her hand, wearing an apologetic smile.

“Tsk, you bastards are deaf huh?” She spat, loud enough for the whole class to hear. Not only was the language crass, the way she spoke was completely at odds with her small and petite frame—almost like she was some kind of crime boss.

The sight was as confusing as it was shocking.

“Listen up. Alchemy is an art form.” She stated, crossing her arms and beginning to pace in front of her desk. “We take magical herbs and ingredients, extracting their properties and developing cutting edge medicine and tonics with various effects.”

“Medicine, mana potions, vitality boosters—hell, there are even recipe’s to turn someone into a dragon for night time activities…” she stated, her voice trailing off. A sudden panicked look appeared on her face, as if she realized the last part was probably not appropriate for children.

“Professor, are there really potions that can turn someone into a dragon!?” Lilly raised her hand, a glowing interest in her eyes.

“Shit…” The professor reached into her robe, her hand touching another vial, as if considering pulling another stunt in order to dodge the awkwardness. Eventually she retracted her hand and cleared her throat, deciding to ignore the question.

“Most of you will be too garbage to become anything more than a useless hack in the mystic arts of Alchemy—but the headmaster seems to think that is fine.” She stated, clearly in disagreement with his viewpoints.

“As one of the top researchers in the field, it is my job to teach you the basics of this mystic art,” she continued, “my only hope is that when you finish your first-year you will learn to appreciate the craft…”

Michael watched the professor with curiosity—still at odds with the woman’s personality. It seemed that every professor they’d met so far was eccentric, leading to even more questions.

Perhaps it is a prerequisite of becoming a professor… he thought grimly.

But there was another burning question in his mind—one that he wasn’t sure he could ask. The professor had only mentioned tonics and medicine, but there were no mention of pills, like the one in his storage ring.

Those pills should also be a result of alchemy… perhaps the way to make pills has been lost as well? He reasoned, deciding to ask at a later time.

“Now, we’ll be jumping right into our first tonic today—the mana potion,” professor Mia announced, flourishing her hand dramatically. “The humble mana potion, capable of replenishing one’s mana by up to twenty percent in a single moment. Thanks to its purity, there is no need to refine it upon absorption.”

“For Ember mages it will replenish the full twenty percent, but Crimson mages would only receive half the benefits due to their higher tier mana,” she added, flicking her robe as she turned. “And for those above Crimson mage, the effects of the potion are basically negligible.”

Her eyes scanned the class, as if evaluating the potential of the first-years by appearance alone. Yet even after a few moments, she looked disappointed.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Hurry up and light your cauldrons.” She barked, sending the students into panic.

Michael realized that Melody and Rudy were sharing a cauldron beside him, so he would have to pair up with Lilly next to him. The girl looked stressed as she inspected the cauldron—unsure of how to light it.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Melody fiddle with a cylindrical metal object on the table before placing it beneath the cauldron. Then with a flick of her finger, she sent a small spark above the opening—causing a flame to ignite.

Everyone in the class turned to her almost immediately, many filled with awe at how she knew the steps to light it.

Is that a gas tank?

Michael thought, his eyes evaluating the cylindrical object.

It was quite surprising that cauldrons used gas to maintain the fires, he would have thought a simple fire with magic would be easier and far less expensive.

Perhaps the mana would interfere with what is brewing?

“D-do you know how to light it?” Lilly asked him, her hands holding the small gas container.

Michael took it off her and fiddled with it for a few moments before finding a mechanism. He carefully twisted a small knob before the sound of gas escaping met his ears.

Then following Melody’s lead, he placed it beneath the cauldron and used chore magic to ignite the fire. A small but healthy flame stood in place, licking the bottom of the cauldron as it began to go to work.

“Thank you…” Lilly said, letting out a sigh of relief. “I’m Lilly by the way, we haven’t officially met,” she said, holding out her small hand.

“Michael.” He replied simply, giving her a smile.

From his observation of the girl, she seemed quite sweet and sincere—he had no qualms with being acquainted with such a person.

Now that their cauldron was lit, they were the only two in a sea of confused students who were now whispering amongst each other in a panic.

The professor cast her eyes around the room, letting out a long and dramatic sigh—as if the sight had ruined her day.

“Do you not even know how to light the fire?” she said, mumbling something about useless nobles under her breath. Only Michael caught some of it on her way past to help another group.

Michael was baffled.

How could the professor expect teens with no prior Alchemy experience to know how to light a gas canister? Especially since most of these kids were nobles—and were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

If it wasn’t for the fact he’d seen Melody start her fire, even he would have been stuck.

This class might be difficult, he thought bitterly, his eyes following the petite professor.

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