Chapter 51: The First Year at the Academy - Rackendale
After that, the students checked the monthly lecture schedule and events posted at the school building's entrance and busied themselves with preparations.
A few more days passed, and the first lecture of the academy began.
The first subject was liberal arts, and as Hval had explained, the students were divided into two groups: the best students, the Yux, and the rest, the Vienus.
Perhaps because it was the first day, the content is an explanation of the subject of liberal arts.
Hval's hair shone brightly in the sunlight from the window.
I'm not bothered by the lack of lectures, but what bothered me more was the small number of lectures.
The schedule showed five lectures on the first two or three days of the week, and the remaining five days were blank. While they teach liberal arts, academics, and the art of war in rapid succession, they only teach magic and alchemy once a week.
According to Hval, this is because the study of magic and alchemy is too specialized.
The study of magic and alchemy is not something we learn overnight, so cramming lectures into a class is repetitive. It was not much different from reviewing on one's own.
The blank period is not only for such review but also for studying subjects that are interesting or subjects that the students want to focus on. The school also had instructors on call for this purpose. And they were always available to offer advice.
The students are left to their initiative.
It sounds pretty easy for students who only have liberal arts and academics, but I was grateful for it too.
I had already acquired some of the liberal arts through classroom learning from an early age, and I was good at other subjects as well. If I had to spend time reacquainting myself, I should be doing something else.
First, I needed to repair my house, and then I needed to make ends meet.
My living expenses are a pressing issue.
After paying the rent, my father sent me only six gold coins for living expenses. I have about 30 gold coins in my savings, so I will not starve immediately, but that is just for this year.
If I spend it all, I will have to live on six gold coins from next year.
If I sell the magic stone from Eras Rhino, it will last until graduation, but if Roland finds out, he will lament that he should not have returned it.
So, how do I find the money?
Selling potions is difficult. This is Selene, where there are many alchemists and prices are low. If it was just for pocket money I can, but if it is for my living expenses, I would have to make it in large quantities. Probably, I would have trouble with the magic guild.
Another candidate is to become an adventurer.
The distribution from "Battle Axe of Destruction" was more than the profit from the potions sale. At first glance, this seems like a good idea, but it has its pitfalls. The "Battle Axe of Destruction" is a C-rank adventurer, and their reward is high. And since they are a powerful team, the monsters they hunt are also quite powerful.
I can't always find monsters, and the rewards for F rank are cheap. Even with my total take-home pay, I would have to raise my rank to D, or else I would be in trouble.
The only thing left to do is to look for work in town, but if that is the case, it would be better to steadily work my way up the ranks while earning daily wages as an adventurer. There are many jobs that I can't do because of my physical condition.
My immediate goal is to repair the house, then become an adventurer.
The class is over and the students are leaving the classroom.
As I'm packing my things, Lambert and Felix came over to me.
"What are we going to do after this? The lecture on the art of combat is in the afternoon, right? We've got some time, so we are talking about doing some physical exercise. How about you join us?"
Saying this, he made a pretense of swinging his sword.
"Sorry, I have an alchemy lecture coming up."
"Oh, right. I'm sorry, You've got a lecture on alchemy coming up. You're a man of many talents, you know."
"If it's just numbered, Elphimia is no different."
Elphimia is taking a course other than the art of combat. They had no talent for magic.
"Even if you bring up the daughter of a court magician. Well, that's all right then. I'll see you later."
"Ah."
I parted ways with Lambert and the others and headed for the alchemy class.
Elphimia is also in the group moving in the same direction, and when she noticed us, she quickly approached.
"How much can you do? Alchemy."
"As good as anyone else. How about you?
"As good as anyone."
Elphimia and I exchange a smile.
I think she wants to compete with me, but I've already won the game.
Elphimia has "Mixing 2" which is inferior to Simon's, the alchemist from Reedwald "Mixing 3". It's a big feat for a ten-year-old to be on par with his real work, but I was an unbeatable "Mixing 6". It is even better than Reedwald's top class, Tsuzan's "Mixing 5". It's not a coincidence, but it's not for nothing that I can recreate Potion of Sharpe. Magic, though, is a dismal failure.
Slashing with a smile as a weapon, we arrive at the alchemy room.
Upon entering, I found the interior to be worthy of its name.
The desks are spacious, with plenty of space between them. Since I can handle fire and dangerous materials and avoid bumping into each other. My shelves were lined with alchemical tools and inexpensive materials, and they would not have been out of place even if I move to the previous school.
Since there are no fixed seats for any lectures, I took a seat at an appropriate place and looked around the room.
I felt that there were not enough desks and chairs for consideration.
There were 10 students in the room, and even so, the empty seats were noticeable.
No one entered the room after that, and it was time for the lecture.
These were all the students who had taken the course.
Isn't this a little bit terrible? If recovery magic is a surgical operation, potions are internal medicines. Everyone should be taking care of them. Compared to flashy magic and combat techniques, potions are behind the scenes, and it takes dozens of minutes or even days to make one. I know it's simple, but…
While I'm confused about this situation, a lecturer entered the room.
His name is Luckendale, and my first impression of him is round.
He is short, and apart from his body, contours, and narrow eyes, even his facial parts are round.
Shaking the fat off his body and his nearly gray blond hair, the round old man stood at the podium.
"Hello, everyone. I already greeted you at the entrance ceremony the other day, but let me introduce myself again. I am Rackendale. I am an alchemy instructor."
He bows his head and immediately begins his lecture.
He begins by explaining what alchemy is, the main ingredients of potions in circulation, and even the manufacturing process. Rackendale's hands were moving as he gripped a piece of charcoal.
There are no blackboards in this world, but there are tools that serve a similar function.
It is called lacquer and board. Lacquer and board were used in the previous world until the blackboard came into existence. In this world version of lacquer and board, a large board is coated with Fizka Stone, and charcoal is used as a brush to draw letters and figures. It is a whiteboard, not a blackboard.
It is a great help to the students, but it is a classic. I wonder if Alphis was not interested in this kind of thing.
With his palms stained black, Rackendale's lecture continues.
There is no textbook, so the more enthusiastic ones bring in parchment paper and frantically jot down the main points.
I only attend the class due to my financial situation. As Hvar also said we can see the textbooks and materials used by the teachers at any time in the library, and it seems that there will be quite a bit of competition during the blank period. You are all very studious and wonderful. I'm going to go home and fix up.
"Well, that's enough talk. Let's try mixing the ingredients, shall we?"
As Rackendale began, a boy appeared from the back room.
He introduced himself as Cody, a fourth-year student, and started handing out small bags to everyone.
When we looked into the bag, we found a brownish powder.
After confirming its safety through "Appraisal," I sneak it into my mouth. I see its characteristic and once again use “Appraisal”.
Name: Nilkabu Grass
Features:
Annual herb, about 40 cm tall.
Nilkabu can grow anywhere except in cold and hot climates.
It produces a series of small purple flowers in the height of summer. Nilkabu roots have antipyretic properties.
Characteristics:
Extracting the dried roots can be expected to have a strong antipyretic effect.
However, if Nilkabu Grass is not handled carefully, its effect will be reduced to half and it may cause headaches.
So, antipyretic. A rival of General Grass.
"Today, we are going to mix an antipyretic potion. It's one of the easiest mixings among alchemy, so don't be daunted and give it a try."
Even so, most of the students' gazes wandered around anxiously.
The not bothered one is Elfimir and other "Mixing" holders.
Come to think of it, I wonder how long this instructor has been here. I would like to know the skill level of the person I am about to learn.
I use the "Appraisal". My expression became delicate.
Rackendale was at "Mixing 4".
Less than our Tsuzan.
If this is the case, it would be better to stay in Reedwald. The dean is also that way, and Selene is in a talent crunch. I don't think I'm going to learn much from this.
When I lowered my gaze with a hint of indifference, my eyes suddenly caught the girl sitting diagonally in front of her.
She was carefully transferring Nilkabu grass powder into a flask, but what caught my attention
was the material.
When I invoked "Appraisal," the word "Defective" appeared in the name.
Is the processing incomplete?
Does that mean that the antipyretic effect is halved and produces the accompanying effect of the headache potion?
Failure is inevitable, but it is pitiful to be sure of failure.
"May I have a word?"
"Eh–?"
She looks like a commoner And she knows I'm a noble. Well, can she tell by the clothes?
"That material looks a little different from mine, doesn't it?"
When I point this out without care, the girl compares the material and me with a wince.
It's frustrating. I wish I could say it clearly.
While I was wondering how to explain, Rackendale noticed us.
"What's wrong?"
"I felt a little uncomfortable with her material. Maybe."
"Hmm."
Rackendale took a pinch of the girl's material and immediately put it back in the bag.
"This is no good. You'll have to wait a bit."
With that, Lackendale smiles.
With his round face even more rounded, he pulls the material back into the back of the room, material in hand.
Just then.
"Cody, what the hell? It's full of impurities and incompletely dried!"
I heard him yell.
In an equally loud voice, the fourth grader from earlier apologizes frantically.
What's amazing anger. Is that how people treat assistants?
Okay, I'll graduate in three years.
A short time later, Rackendale returns.
With his original harmless round face, he offered her the new material. The girl's hands trembled as she accepted it.
Then Rackendale turns his narrow eyes to me.
I don't know, I'm getting a predator vibe from her.
"You've noticed it well, haven't you?"
"Somewhat."
"Are you skilled at "Mixing"?"
"It's our family secret."
"Ha, that's right., that is very important. Alchemy is full of secrets. Why is it full of secrets? Who knows?"
The students look at each other in response to Rackendale's question.
"No one? Then you. Answer me."
"Well, I don't know."
"Ha ha, you're not very good at jokes."
I've strangely caught his attention. I'm sure it's okay, though, since it wasn't hostile.
And, I can answer Rackendale's question.
Right now, the situation in this classroom is the answer.
Alchemy, and "Mixing" in particular, doesn't require a skill.
With the right amount of materials, knowledge of input and stirring, or instructions from a skilled holder, it is possible to mix a potion without skill. It is impossible to make a high-grade potion because it is difficult to discern, but anyone can make an antipyretic potion. That is why alchemy emphasizes the importance of the master-disciple relationship.
Rackendale also tells the same story to everyone. He was looking at me a lot.
Rackendale pulled out a chair from the empty seat and sat next to me.
He then asks Cody to instruct the other student, a fourth grader.
He's staring at me, the round old man.
"Um, why are you sitting next to me?"
"Never mind. I'm just looking."
"It bothers me a lot. It's hard for me to do this."
"Again. I'm looking away, but it's not a perfect input."
Ah, I'm starting to get the picture.
He's the type of person who I can't measure by status. The "Mixing" skill is 4, but he has a very good eye for "Mixing".
"That's great, that's I used to do it. I knew you were good at Mixing. You're better than me."
He can tell so much by the way I move.
He's a great guy, but I'm starting to feel a little sick.
"Oh? You've left a little bit of material."
Such a round old man tilts his head.
Since I didn't touch the sachet, he seemed to judge it only by the amount I put in.
That's not good. I guess I left too much to the "Mixing".
It is already too late, and Rackendale opens the sachet and compares it with the powder floating in the flask.
"Hmm, I knew it. The quality of the solution is right for you. But it's pretty small. Even I can't see this far."
Rackendale shook his cheekbones and nodded, as if impressed.
I don't know. It's not a bad thing to be appreciated. But I don't think it's a good idea if this continues.
If I fail on purpose, I'll complicate things even more. I should just give up and make it normal.
Ignore the neighbors as much as possible and focus my attention on the flask.
Nilkab–I guess I shouldn't stir it.
I move the flask up a little and away from the fire.
And as I slowly heat it, the powder begins to rise gently in the solution.
The powder goes to the surface of the water as if swimming. And from there to the bottom of the water as if tracing the wall surface.
A bright green color oozed from the powder and trailed as it moved.
What put a damper on such a beautiful scene was the sickening feeling that swelled up next to me.
"Oh…what a pure …… swaying prodigal fluttering veil …… beautiful ……."
The round old man writhed and squirmed, panting and gasping.
Oh my God, there is a pervert here. It is the alchemy pervert.
The old man's appeal of the heart reached no one, and after a struggle, I finish the potion of antipyretic.
I haven't been this tired in two years from mixing.
The most important thing to remember is that you can't just take a look at the information you have on the internet.
No, don't take my potion. It's in good shape.
"It looks like you all got most of it done. Those who failed, don't be discouraged. Alchemy is a series of failures. If you gain experience little by little, you will be able to mix a potion of antipyretic in a single hand. However–"
Rackendale holds up my potion.
"You will not reach this state with ordinary effort! Do you understand, ladies and gentlemen, that this potion is of high quality? Only a few people in Selene can make this with these materials. Please observe and learn!"
I put my potion under my lab coat. Hey, what about observation?
In the end, the potion does not return and the lecture is over as I watch the students taste the potion.
Exhausted, Elphimia approached me happily.
"Good for you, the teacher praise you."
"Did it look pleasing to you? That situation."
"You're not only good with swords, but also with alchemy. You can use magic at least at an intermediate level, can't you?"
"I will refrain from responding."
As I was dodging around appropriately, Rackendale glanced over at me.
The herbivore's figure overlaps with my own.
Oh no.
I was out of my seat faster than the predator could step out.
"See you tomorrow."
I said to Elphimia, and then I heard a voice say, "You–" and escaped from the alchemy room.
I got a little serious and ran down the hallway.
Will I have to do this every time?
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