64 Alchemy (1/2)
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 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.
***
For the next part of Gray's training is Alchemy, something that the elf will be tackling for another two hours.
As such, Gray was 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?”