Chapter 45: *First alchemy class part 2*
This paper contained a detailed formula for crafting a low-grade Healing Potion. It listed all the ingredients, their necessary quantities, and the steps to successfully create the potion.
Their teacher was already there, waiting for everyone to arrive and stand behind a table to introduce himself. Once everyone was present, he coughed to catch their attention and said, "Hello everyone, my name is Ian, and I will be your alchemy teacher for your first year at the Sun Sect. As you can see, there are no chairs here, as you will be spending your time standing behind your cauldron crafting potions. In the magic bag given to you when you registered, you will find vials and magical herbs that you will use to craft your first low-grade potions.
The cost of ingredients for crafting low-grade potions is not very high, and any potions you complete successfully can be sold back to the warehouse. Also, be aware that in my classes, the books provided to you will be useless. I value efficiency and hate wasting my time. This is why at the start of each class, you will find all the information you need to craft a potion on a paper like the one on your table right now.
In each class, you will learn a new potion, and when you have learned the 15 different low-grade potions, those who manage to master all of them will be able to move on to medium-grade potions. Those who do not will have to work hard to catch up with the rest of your classmates."
He paused for a moment to watch their reaction, but everyone was quiet and waiting for him to continue. He added, "Next month, selections will be held in Luna City to participate in the annual capital tournament. First-year students cannot participate in the selections, but for those who want to see how it goes, you can go to support and observe your seniors. You will just need to find Douglas for a special authorization to leave the Sun Sect for this event. I urge you not to miss this opportunity to observe your seniors; it will be an experience that will prepare you for next year when you will be able to participate in those selections yourself."
Kevin’s eyes brightened upon hearing this news; it would be great to observe his seniors, and he would probably be able to copy a lot of spells thanks to this event. Ian was pleased to see the effect he had intended.
"Okay," he finally said, "now that the introductions are done, we’ll start with the simplest and also the most popular potion, the low-grade Healing Potion. Take out your cauldron and the ingredients needed, and get to work. I will come and see you one by one to give you advice."
Kevin took out his cauldron and the ingredients he had received from Uncle Douglas. After taking only the ones needed to craft this potion, he immediately put the rest back in his magic bag. Like his teacher, he liked everything to be well organized; it always helped to avoid mistakes.
He then placed the ingredients on the table in the order in which he would need to add them to the cauldron. When everything was ready, he began by emptying the water bottle into his cauldron. He followed the detailed formula step by step. The teacher had also taken the time to explain how to use their Soul Force; it was simply a matter of putting their hands into the cauldron and focusing on the spiritual energy surrounding them and guiding it into the water.
When the water started to boil, he would have to add 1/3 of a vial of goblin blood, using the spiritual energy that surrounded them until the mixture turned a bright red. Then, he needed to add three stalks of the magical herb called Vitality. Once again, with the help of his Soul Force and the spiritual energy, the mixture would have to become light purple.
There were two more magical herbs to use, and after each addition of a magical herb, he had to use 1/3 of a vial of goblin blood. For one low-grade Healing Potion, he needed one vial of goblin blood plus 1/3 of another one, three stalks of the Vitality magical herb, four stalks of the Energy magical herb, and two stalks of the Heart magical herb.
So, when his water started to boil, he began crafting his first potion ever. Each time, he had to wait for the mixture to change color as indicated by the detailed formula. When he finished adding his last ingredient and the potion turned a brilliant purple, he heard the familiar sound of the System echoing in his head.
Curious about what it was, he opened the holographic screen in front of his eyes and read the messages:
[ Congratulations, you have crafted a low-grade Healing Potion! You have gained 10 EXP points and 1 Soul Force point. ]
[ Congratulations, you have just unlocked a new Skill Block: Crafting Potions. ]
Kevin was stunned but delighted. Not only would he be able to gain experience points by crafting potions, but he had apparently just unlocked something important. He decided to check his Skills menu right away.
Nothing had changed in his passive and active skills, so he continued to scroll down. Just below the "Mastery of the Elements" skill block, a new one had appeared:
[ CRAFTING POTIONS ]
Potion Low Grade Level 1: 1/50
Potion Medium Grade: Requirement to activate—reach Potion Low Grade Level 3 and 1,500 Soul Force points.
Potion High Grade: Requirement to activate—reach Potion Medium Grade Level 5 and 3,000 Soul Force points.
Potion Legendary Grade: ???
Kevin, who hadn’t forgotten where he was, didn’t show any of his emotions, but he was really pleasantly surprised. His Soul Force points would increase quickly with potion crafting—that was awesome!
He checked how much Soul Force he had used to craft this potion and was shocked to see that it had taken him 150 points to create it. He then remembered the selection criteria to become a mage, which stated that the Soul Force had to reach a minimum of 150... So that criterion was in place because it was the minimum required to craft a potion.
