Chapter 288: Attempting Alchemy
“But, this time the nightmare affects so many people… is it really okay?”
“What are you worried about? Those lazy people who are still sleeping at this time during the day? The nightmare will only teach them a lesson in the dream world, letting them know that just eating, drinking, and sleeping in the Witch Academy may lead to retribution.”
The Academy Head’s words eliminated my sympathy for those innocent people. If they were really sleeping at this time… it indeed seems unreasonable.
However, although what the Academy Head said sounds reasonable, it also proves what a powerless pawn might face once drawn into a script without any knowledge.
This is a tool without any choice, meant to be manipulated. That’s why Sister Bai hoped so much that I would not get involved…
“Um… there is one last thing. I also watched the battle just now, perhaps you can try practicing body techniques. Body techniques are not just about enhancing physical qualities and learning combat skills; they might have other effects. Of course, if you feel too busy, I won’t insist that you practice body techniques.”
In the end, I exited the dream with the help of the Academy Head, and my consciousness returned to my body. I lay in the dream pod, feeling utterly powerless, both physically and mentally.
However, this also resolved a trouble: that large amount of fortune had left me.
With that, I shouldn’t attract unnecessary trouble from anyone, right?
Thinking back to the various inexplicable discussions about me online in the Academy, although it seemed there was a reason behind it, one cannot completely rule out the interference of fortune.
After closing my eyes and pondering for a moment, I picked up my phone to check the current situation on the Academy’s website.
I don’t know if it’s psychological, but I felt like the topics related to me had hardly been updated at all.
Of course, it could also be because I’ve been too quiet recently; the Witch Academy never lacks other sources of entertainment. Did they really think those news clubs were just sitting idle?
But the Academy Head’s words still echoed in my mind.
“Body techniques, huh… I should find a chance to ask Sister Bai about them, to see what magical effects they have…” I shook my head and gave up the idea of trying body techniques immediately.
Learning too many things at once can lead to inefficiency; some things are enough to just have a basic understanding, as long as I have a rough plan in mind.
Just like the two main things I’m currently studying: alchemy and rune literature.
Runes, needless to say, are the most fundamental element of extraordinary ceremonies. No matter whether you understand them or not, if you utilize extraordinary power, you must have used some kind of ceremony. Any ceremony can be broken down into runes or be the runes themselves.
Even a minor spellbook without rune ceremonies—guess what constitutes its spells? It’s also runes.
As for simple minor spells? These minor spells also have another name: tricks. They don’t even qualify for the title of spells, which is why we refer to them as minor spells for the sake of sounding better.
As for alchemy, studying it is also a consolidation and practice of rune literature. Furthermore, there is a type of alchemy called “Energy Transmutation,” where such alchemists can use energy techniques that rival those of energy mages.
At this moment, I’ve already encountered a threshold with spellbooks; it’s not something I can touch at my current stage. Relying on my spirit vision ability, I have barely grasped some modified techniques. This is already taking a shortcut, which can be described as straying from the orthodox path.
Overworking oneself on a shortcut is not the right path. It’s not that one cannot walk it, but one shouldn’t take it as the main road moving forward.
What I have been painstakingly trying—modifying and troubleshooting—after grasping real editing, feels completely like child’s play.
This is the understanding I have gained after the Academy Head allowed me to experience a real editing perspective.
Many things require more effort to accomplish if one hasn’t reached the corresponding stage. Rather than coveting that beautiful view in the sky for a fleeting moment, it’s better to spend this time solidifying a stronger foundation.
Moreover, extraordinary power, in essence, is quite similar; it just expresses itself differently. Energy transmutation and elemental arts are likely similar in that regard. The interconnectivity of skills means that only by encountering more can one gain more inspiration.
Also, isn’t the ultimate goal of biological alchemy within alchemy to create life as well?
This aligns perfectly with my desire to give life to foolish dreams.
Looking at it this way, actually, ten years in the Academy seems far from enough. Even true geniuses can’t fulfill my current ambitions. I want too much, and just voicing this thought might invite ridicule, considered unrealistic; even I think so myself.
But even so, does that mean I should stop striving?
Absolutely not. I will only work twice as hard. My rest period should also come to an end. The turbulence on the Academy’s online platform seems to have passed; it’s time for me to get involved.
I recalled the group of senior students I met earlier in the library who studied runes, and that one who wanted to venture into the field of alchemy; they seem to be the only alchemy circle I have contacted so far.
Doing everything in isolation is never a good idea. Communicating with others promotes growth and progress, and a good learning environment is also crucial.
It would be perfect to study rune literature alongside Sister Bai and learn alchemy with those seniors.
I can tell Sister Bai isn’t interested in alchemy, and I can’t keep imposing on her to spend money just to accompany me. After all, no one’s money comes from the wind, and Sister Bai is the same. Even if she is willing to spend this money for me, I wouldn’t want her to do that.
So I tentatively sent her a message, and after a while, she replied.
I was surprised she was still studying at the library after all this time.
Well, not everyone has a forbidden-level spellbook like the Memory Shelf. The accumulation of theory is also very important.
After finishing our chat, I prepared to head to the library to find her.
As for why I’m going to find her, it’s naturally to try to actively make a friend. We’re both at the initial stage of learning alchemy, sharing common topics about alchemy and communicating… Even if we ultimately can’t become friends, I could…
Thinking that, I slapped my forehead. “Yang Yuelan, you haven’t even started making friends, and you’re already thinking about not being able to be friends. It’s no wonder you have no other friends besides Sister Bai.”
After giving myself a little scolding, I subdued my earlier thoughts.
I arrived at the library.
I found the girl in the familiar spot.
“Ah? Senior, you’re here! Long time no see.” Once she saw me, this girl spoke softly, given this is a library, it’s better not to make noise.
This girl is great in every way, but she has this habit of calling everyone ‘senior’… it’s hard to explain.
“I told you not to call me ‘senior’.” I lightly corrected her and sat across from her.
“It’s fine. I generally call anyone stronger than me ‘senior’. But senior, where have you been these past days? You haven’t been to the library even once… you didn’t even speak in that group.”
“Oh, I went to the Witch Secret Realm. There’s no signal for phones there.” I simply explained and glanced at the books she had. “By the way, didn’t you say you wanted to try alchemy? Why are you still in the theoretical stage?”
“Sigh? The cost of studying alchemy is too high; I’m still saving money. Besides, I’m currently reading alchemy books; theoretical practice is still practice…”
“Alright… So it’s delayed because of a lack of funds; that’s really a realistic reason. ‘Then you should be able to buy some alchemical tools to practice, right? Just reading isn’t sufficient. I bought a set of tools, and while I haven’t used it much, it’s not expensive.'”
“I’ve seen it. The tools aren’t expensive; I have a set too. But the expensive part is the materials. That can really cost a lot. Seeing the failures from the last few attempts drained my part-time job earnings for several days; I realized I might be on a road of no return.”
“Ah? What exactly did you do?” I asked curiously.
“Just… I got a potion recipe and wanted to try it out.”
“Ah? You’re starting with potions?”
“Yeah, I’m planning to go in the direction of alchemical stone potions, so I wanted to try preparing potions first. This recipe is a general potion, no authorization fee needed for use. If it really doesn’t work and I lack the talent for alchemy, I can switch to specializing as a potion master. I’ve heard potion masters don’t have such a high talent threshold as alchemists.”
“Another one focusing on alchemical stones; it seems many are going that route.” I exclaimed.
“Of course. Alchemical stone potion masters are high-profit occupations. If any potion recipe is developed, just the contract authorization can earn a lot. Plus, the initial alchemy also evolved from preparing alchemical potions, and later alchemy became more widespread, leading to a regulation of alchemical potions into a subfield of alchemical stone techniques.”
“You really know a lot.”
“Sigh… this is nothing. I like flipping through these while in the library, as I’ve planned my life’s direction toward alchemy; I naturally have to understand some of the development history of alchemy.”
After chatting with her for a while, I got a general understanding of her current situation. She was already a student under an extraordinary mentor. The reason she kept studying here in the library was that she was making up for lost knowledge.
She chose a mentor focused on alchemy, which is why she said she was on a road of no return. After all, changing mentors in the Witch Academy can be quite troublesome, especially for regular students.
From this, you can see the differences in how different mentors treat their students. For example, this one seems quite normal in guiding a student, whereas that one who owns an entire plantation… isn’t the gap quite apparent?
“By the way, after talking for so long, I still don’t know your name.”
“Um? Oh, right! I’m Betty Emily; just call me Betty. Also… Yang Yuelan, pleased to meet you.”
“Uh… um… pleased to meet you.” I responded awkwardly. I didn’t expect she recognized me. Even though I had disguised myself, my phone information wouldn’t change; opening the personal info would show my name.
“We really need to work hard together then. If I don’t, I can only keep calling you ‘senior’ in the future~”
“Alright, alright! Don’t call me senior anymore!” As expected, this girl calling me ‘senior’ is just to see me laugh at myself… sigh…
“Okay then. By the way, you don’t usually attend classes, do you?”
“I’m exempt from courses.”
“Wow… is this the treatment of a genius? But I’m still curious about that secret realm you went to; they keep saying you blew it up. Is that true? Has the Academy not done anything to you yet?”
“It’s not me; it was the Academy Head’s doing. I was just caught in the crossfire. Rumors can be deadly; let’s not talk about that anymore. I’ve recently become interested in alchemy; I want to give it a try.” I don’t know if it’s because my identity was revealed, but I felt much more relaxed in speaking with her now.
“That’s great! How about… come to my mentor’s laboratory? Usually, my mentor isn’t there, and you can use the tools there for free.”
“Ah? You’re really not afraid of your mentor finding out?”
“What’s there to fear? My mentor actually encourages us to engage in academic exchanges with others; she won’t mind.”
“Alright.” I nodded and agreed; it was a good opportunity to see what other laboratories have, even though the one prepared for me by Teacher Ji has plenty of equipment and tools, it still lacks some professionalism for some reason.
However, I declined her invitation to start brewing the alchemical potion today. After the Academy Head’s arrangements, I really had no energy left for anything else, so I decided to go back and rest for a while.
But tomorrow, I could accompany her to try recreating that potion.
After asking a bit, Betty directly told me the name of the potion she acquired: it’s a wound healing potion, a very popular potion in the Witch Academy.
After all, healing spells require a high learning threshold, and if the threshold is low, then that’s a high purchase threshold. For example, my Flesh Healing spellbook consumes a three-digit amount of magic power for a single use, and the cost may be even higher for severe injuries.
Thus, this common and relatively easy-to-obtain wound healing potion is really popular. Or rather, potions of this type are generally popular as long as they are not too expensive. Many shops accept collaborations with potion masters, so there’s no worry about selling them.
Now that I’ve realized the importance of money, I also felt a slight itch to try it out. After all, who can refuse to master a skill that can yield stable income?
I remember that the first time I entered the Witch Secret Realm, I also got a potion recipe, right?
Although the raw materials were somewhat challenging to obtain, Sofiry, as one of the participants in obtaining this potion recipe, certainly wouldn’t lack raw materials. Moreover, she has a plantation; growing the raw materials from that secret realm there would be no trouble at all.
“Well, I’ll head back now. See you tomorrow.” After saying goodbye to Betty, I prepared to leave.
Of course, if I were just chatting with this Betty senior, I really wouldn’t need to make a special trip here. The main reason I came was to find some theoretical books on alchemy to expand my knowledge base. Even though the knowledge in the Memory Shelf doesn’t belong to me at this moment, it’s still a very convenient tool, even more so than a search engine.
Furthermore, I should mention my current decision to Sister Bai; sigh… I’m also worried she might feel jealous or something. Clearly, she encouraged me to interact more with the outside world. I wonder how she would feel about my discussions about academic knowledge with another girl?
