Chapter 106 (1/2)

Volume 2

Atelier Tanaka Volume 1 &2 Chapter 21 Part 2

Dorm Life 3

I was only trying to find a way to restore mana and I wasnt paying attention to anything else at all. This was a mistake only an amateur would make. Even though the instructor explained everything properly, I wasnt listening to her, and now Im probably going to fail. Thats right. I still have time.

Could I try dissolving it in water once more?

“.”

But if I dissolve the tablet here, the aojiru flavour will return.

I think that terrible taste would be enough for me to fail anyway.

Even if the taste is that bad theres no chance Ill pass the exam with what I have now.

How much time do I have until she checks mine?

“Alright. Ill begin checking each of your potions starting from the front.”

Oh, Lydisan is starting to move.

Each of the students has started to infuse their mana into their respective potions.

Surely the students at this school are capable of charging the potions using their own mana.

“.”

And yet Ive come up with nothing to fix this.

And while I was left to think about what to do, the instructor continued judging each student. Slowly, she made her way down the first row of students one after another. She’ll try the potion and, after determining its effectiveness, she’ll decide if the student passed or failed. After hearing the verdict from the instructor, each of the student’s tense faces showed a bright smile.

So far it seems that nobody has failed. That’s rather unfortunate for me. If even one other student had failed, this ramune candy that I managed to make might not seem so bad. Everyone is better than me. My classmates are amazing.

“.”

Finally, the instructor made her way to the seat next to me. Ester-chan.

“FitzClarence-san, are you sure you want me to grade this? This class is strictly for alchemy. There’s a rule in this school that classes outside of your major won’t count towards your final grade.”

“I know. I don’t mind. I’d like it if you would grade it.”

“Alright. I guess it is good for a student to learn as much as possible.”

Lydisan seems to be a bit intimidated of the blonde loli. As the daughter of a powerful noble family, Ester-chan is already pretty intimidating. Add on to that the fact that she was a part of the dragon extermination party and the recent assassination attempt, and its not surprising that the instructor would be acting cautiously around her.

“This is the mana potion I created.”

Ester-chan said this while pointing to a vial filled with blue liquid on the counter in front of her.

“I see. Then.”

Lydisan was clearly nervous as she inspected Ester-chan’s potion. She swirled the blue liquid around in the vial before lifting it to her mouth.

*Gokuri*

I could hear the faint sound of her swallowing.

All of the students watching also seemed a little nervous.

“the potion itself is a little hard to drink, but it definitely has an effect. You pass.”

“Thank you.”

Ester-chan managed to pass.

As soon as she did, the rest of the students that were watching looked amazed. She never even attended one class but was able to make a potion capable of passing this exam. She showed everyone here just how amazing she really is.

I was surprised.

You actually did it, Ester-chan.

Being able to pass an exam without ever attending any classes, how cool does she look right now?

“Amazing, FitzClarence-sama.” “The rumours about the dragon extermination party must be true!” “It has to be!” “What have I been telling you this entire time!?” “It’s true that FitzClarence-sama is majoring in attribute magic.”

Even with all of the students in the room praising her, the blonde loli’s face never changed.

While still acting as if she didnt notice their praise, she sat down in her seat. Maybe, even though she never attended any classes, she was still studying on her own in her room. Otherwise, I dont know how this would be possible.

“.”

If I get the opportunity Ill check with her personal maid, Rebeccsan.

Its kind of what Id expect a tsundere like her to do.

Now that Ester-Chan had passed its my turn.

“.”

I have no more time. I have to make a decision.

Then.

Ill have to dissolve it.

“Now then, Tanaksan let me see yours.”

As Lydisan turned to me I quickly threw the ramune candy into the vial of water.

*Plunk*

The eerie sound of the tablet hitting the water could be heard.

Theres no turning back now.

At the same time, bubbles began to form in the vial. More and more appeared as if I had just added a bath bomb to the water. The water started to foam and the wooden supports holding the vial began to shake.

Wait, what is this?

Stop.

Stop it.

I didnt want this kind of reaction.

“T-This is.”

Lydia is staring at the vial with a look of shock on her face.

The other students are doing the same thing.

What did I do?

Why are you foaming?

The stares from the surrounding people hurt.

It hurts.

I remember this feeling from my previous life. In a quiet, peaceful classroom I had a terrible urge to sneeze. I couldnt hold it back and let out a loud, “Achoo!” followed by me snorting my nose to bring in the excess mucus. This is what led to me getting the nickname ‘Two Combo.’

Nonetheless, I cant be worried about that now.

I just need to do my best with whatever Ive created here.

“Please, just give me a moment and I can add my mana to it.”

I half muttered this to myself and made a pose as I started putting mana into the potion.

It was a pose similar to the one youd take when operating a lathe.

Its the power I honed in the battle against Christina.

“Hnnn.”

I let out a slight groan as I pushed both of my hands forward and tried to imagine sending my mana to the vial. Come on Tanaka. Please respond to my mana aojiru. I can feel the mana in my body pulsating at the same rate as when I use my healing magic.

Then, I felt as if my magic was slowly flowing out from my hands.

I don’t know if it went to the aojiru or not. I have no technique that canconfirm this.

However, there was a clear reaction in the vial. The blue liquid inside the vial started to violently bubble.

“W-What is this.”

Lydia once again let out a shocked voice.

At the same time, a dazzling light was emitted from the vial.

Now what’s happening?

Fine

Do whatever you want.

The bright light completely enveloped the entirety of the room. Everyone inside of the room was forced to cover their eyes due to the intensity of the light. Naturally, I was also forced to close my eyes.

Slowly, the intense white light hitting my eyelids faded back to the original black.

The light was completely gone after only a few seconds.

I waited for the brilliant light to completely fade before opening my eyes and I looked down at the counter in front of me. The vial seems to be fine and the bubbling has completely stopped. The liquid has now changed to a dark green similar to moss. It kind of looks like tea. What happened to the blue colour?

Honestly, if I were told to drink this I’d have to say, “No thank you.”

“It should be done. You can check it now.”

I was the one telling Lydisan to test my potion.

I’m sure there will be no problems.

It will be fine.

I already have my healing magic prepared.

Lydisan, if anything happens to you I’ll be ready to help you.

I’ll send you back to your husband in perfect health.

Besides, considering her age, I’m sure she’s used to swallowing stinky liquid like this.

“y-yes.”

She timidly extended her hand out towards the vial.