Chapter 105 (1/2)

Volume 2

Atelier Tanaka Volume 1 &2 Chapter 21 Part 1

Dorm Life 3

The alchemy test was a practical exam.

It seems I need to make a mana potion. This potion is something that recovers mana.

“a mana potion?”

I don’t think it’s possible.

I can’t make something like that.

I don’t remember ever seeing it in Edita Sensei’s book.

I remember the noble mage drinking something like that during the dragon extermination party. I remember it was a thick liquid with a blue colour. If it’s something like that, I’d never had any need for it.

What does it feel like to recover mana by drinking something?

My automatic mana recovery skill seems to be working against me here.

I’ve never even tasted it.

“Please begin.”

Following the voice of the instructor, all of the students began working.

I’m currently on one of the many floors of the school building in a classroom that looks similar to a home ec room. The test itself is pretty similar to a cooking exam in school. However, even if I describe the room as a ‘home ec room’, the room itself is pure white and looks rather modern.

It’s fairly reminiscent of a luxury hotel room. There are glossy, beautiful wood cabinets on either side of the room and two rows of thirty highly polished silver sinks set into counters.

“.”

If I look around to the rest of the students, they’re all moving things around. They’re all working diligently. While I’m just standing here with no idea what I’m supposed to do.

“Tanaksan? Is something wrong?”

The instructor noticed me pretty quickly.

This person, I remember meeting her on my first day here. I think her name was Lydia Nannuzzi and she looks like she’s in her mid-thirties. Her gentle eyes are distinctive.

Based on what she’s wearing I’m guessing she’s also a noble. She’s wearing a grey robe with gold embroidery. Her long brown hair is loosely tied up around her shoulders. The robe she’s wearing is actually pretty revealing and my eyes can’t help but be drawn to her large chest.

Is she married? She’s probably married. She’s definitely married.

I’ll work on conquering married women once I unlock the Yarichin cheat.

That will be my bonus challenge after clearing this game.

“Ah, no. There’s nothing wrong. I’m just trying to think of how to start.”

“Alright. Please, tell me if you’re not feeling well.”

“Sorry about that. Thank you for your concern.”

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you from Fahren-sama. He’s told me that you’re an extraordinary mage. I have high expectations for you. In fact, when you’re finished I’d like to use your potion as an example to the rest of the students.”

“N-No, you’re expecting too much.”

“There’s no way that’s true. This is the first time I’ve ever heard Fahren-sama praise someone else so much. If possible, I’d like to be able to sit down and talk about magic with you someday.”

“i-is that so? Thank you for saying that.”

“Sure. Then, I’ll get back to supervising the rest of the students.”

“Right.”

So it’s like that.

The noble mage seems to have made my life more difficult once again.

What should I do?

“Let’s do our best on the exam.”

Ester-chan is also sitting in the seat next to me.

What a uselessly nice smile.

She even said she wasn’t taking any alchemy classes for her major.

“S-Sure.”

On top of the attention I’ve drawn from what the lecturer said, the fact that Ester-chan is sitting here has drawn even more attention from the surrounding students.

It would be impossible for me to even cheat like this.

“.”

There’s no reason for me to start panicking so soon. I just need to calm down. It’s true that I have no idea what the recipe for a mana potion is, but I do have several recipes in my mind that I learned from Edita Sensei’s book.

As long as I follow the basic alchemy procedure of evaluate, dissolve, boil, and repeat; I should be able to create something that can restore mana. Even if what I create isn’t a mana potion, it should be able to be used in a similar way.

If I’m able to at least create a similar effect I should be able to pass this exam. Though, Edita Sensei was working on next-generation potions so I may risk accidentally creating something completely unexpected.

“ah, that’s right.”

I decided to get on with it.

When I occasionally look over at Ester-chan, I can see her measuring out water in different containers. She seems to be the only one taking this exam seriously right now.

Alright, I’ll do it.

I’ll do my best.

When I think about it, this will be the first time that I’ve ever used the knowledge I’ve gained for anything related to alchemy.

“Umm.”

On top of the counters, there are many different items and equipment used for alchemy. This entire room really resembles Edita Sensei’s atelier. Most of the items on the counter are things Ive never seen before.

“.”

I’ll just ignore all of the stuff I don’t recognize.

I’m not skilled enough to mix in things I don’t recognize.

Let’s just take things slow.

“this will be the main dish.”

I pushed everything I didn’t recognize to the corner of the desk and picked up an herb that I’d use as the main ingredient. It was a purplish plant that resembled garlic chives. It’s a medicinal herb that’s grown throughout the world. It’s little more than a weed and even has the nickname ‘Poor People’s Salad.’

For convenience sake, I’ll call it a purple chive.

It’s a widely known fact that the purple chive has no real nutrients. However, according to Edita Sensei’s book ‘Poverty and You,’ by using a special procedure, you can use the purple pigment of the chive to restore trace amounts of mana.

“How would I go about doing that?”