Alchemy Students

“So, my theory is that with enough stored information it will be possible to predict every possible interaction between biological and magical alchemical components during the brewing process.” Thresh says before we even have a chance to settle in at the table aboard the floating ship.

“Acquiring that much information would take an extraordinary amount of time, but I’ve already proven the viability of my theory using only fawn grass, frost hearts, and green seeds. I’ve managed to store the information in my support device in a Skill, but expanding the Skill to include more ingredients, temperatures, bases, and brewing conditions, is getting exponentially more complex.”

“How is this different from how things are ordinarily done?” I ask, looking over at the teacher for the Alchemy class who watches us with rather severe concern drawn on his face. It couldn’t be clearer if it was written in bright red marker.

Outside the window the world is slipping away, and my muscles instinctively tense up at the sight. It should be fine. Even if there’s a ship crash, my reactive defences should easily be enough to keep me alive, though I still think escaping the ship could be so much safer compared to going down with the vessel, even if air resistance isn’t so much a thing anymore.

“The quality of the information.” Thresh replies, keenly diving back into her conversation. “Alchemy Skills are almost exclusively instinctual, meaning they’re inevitably imperfect and thus unable to develop perfect products. I want to develop a Skill or codex library, or something that will record all possible reactions, thus allowing for greater quality end products.”

“That’ll take quite some time, even with everyone adding to it.” I say, “Recording so many variables would be rather…”

“Difficult, yes.” Thresh says, whispering further. “It may even be beyond the limits of the support device.”

“A network of devices, though...” I whisper thoughtfully, wondering what it would take to make a brain chip internet network. At the very least developing a shared Skill that can act like Thresh is imagining seems possible, though that might just be because I don’t understand the potential problems well enough.

Shaped mana seeps into me and floods the air all around, the familiar feeling of being teleported no longer as much of a bother as it once was. The memories from that first trip aren’t so easily shrugged away, but thankfully, while I’m not unaffected by trauma, it’s never able to trap me in its grasp.

A deep breath as I look around at my allies and I’m back in the moment, trying to decipher the new topic that Thresh is nervously going on about. If I had to guess, she’s rather excited about this whole affair, which is why she’s suddenly so talkative compared to just yesterday.

“I get it!” Vii hums, “I get it, so much! Instinct based Skills feel so wrong for alchemy, it’s like doing maths and just guessing at the answers instead of working it out.”

Thresh’s eyes bulge and an eager smile rises on her lips at suddenly having someone supporting her theories. The conversation, while eager and loud, is rather short lived, as we lower to the port of this new world.

The windows are frosted over, but even so it’s impossible to ignore the layers of white spread out across the land. The town itself, from what I can see, is split between one part that’s nearly free from snow, and another drowning in it, though I can’t make out much more than that.

The ship lands a little softer than I was expecting, but the ramp doesn’t lower just yet, instead the two teachers stand together by the door and wait a moment for us to quiet down.

Freid seems rather impatient with us, and the sight of him is enough to settle down all of the combat students without need for any loud words. The alchemy students, however, they take a little longer to settle.

The teacher, the same I recall from when I visited their classroom during my early exploration of the classes, is an elvish being with cat-like features, he has orange hair, and a long tail of the same colour. His ears flicker about as he smiles excitedly.

His name is Simeon, if I remember correctly.

“Students, could you please calm down, we have to cover a few things before we let you loose on the town.” He says, stepping up when Freid gives him a quick elbow jab to the side. The students pay attention and start settling down.

“We’re doing a cooperative class excursion for this week.” The man says, “Your task as alchemy students is to explore the landscape, locate useful alchemical ingredients, harvest them efficiently, and brew something on site. Most ingredients you’ll find here will wither and die when taken away from their natural environment, which is why you’ll need to brew your potions here. Some are so delicate that you’ll need to put some real effort into preparing them.”

The students bubble with excitement and worry as they gaze out the window and quickly start chatting between each other again. After getting them calmed down, Simeon continues.

“This world is dangerous, and there are beasts here that will likely be both useful ingredients and dangerous threats. Which is why you’ll be teaming up with combat students in your work.” He explains. “I’ll let the combat course teacher explain in more detail.”

“Each group will consist of one alchemist student, and three combat course students, to ensure safety. Don’t worry, we’ve already properly accounted for the sizes of your class, as you can see by looking around.” Freid says.

“Combat students.” He turns to look at our group in particular for a moment before looking out across the room. “Your task is to protect the alchemy students and to provide them assistance as needed. This will be a chance to put into practice all the lessons that I’ve taught you up until now.

“I will be around to offer assistance and to monitor how well you’re all performing. Expect ambushes from myself and from the local collared beasts and tamers, so don’t think you’ll get through this without a fight.”

We’re already used to worse. So, I’m wondering exactly how bad things are going to get for us out here. Is a giant snowman going to appear and roll us into slush, or what other possible disaster am I going to inspire with my unlucky presence.

“We’ll assign you to groups as you leave.” Freid says. “You’ll remain in these groups until the end of the week, so get used to one another. Housing and food will be supplied for you, but there isn’t much in the way of available houses. I believe there are larger barracks available for this trip, so expect little in the way of privacy.

“Now, come over here so you can be assigned to your groups.” He says.

“We’re together, then?” I ask, stepping up from my chair. The line was fast to form for once, though it’s not so bad. We’re already on land, so I’m not in too much of a rush.

“Aren’t we one too many?” Thresh asks.

“I’m a welfare officer.” Adler says, much to the alchemist’s surprise. “I won’t be counted in the groupings.”

“Oh?” She asks, turning away worriedly.

“Don’t worry too much about her. She’s one of the good ones.” I say, restraining a smirk. Adler has fully lost her last allegiances by this point, I’m not willing to voice it aloud here, but I very much doubt she’ll turn on us in favour of the welfare officers.

“This is a good chance to see how good your alchemy skills are.” I say with a smile as I watch the large arachnid shifting about, her human half standing tall and proud, though still twitching with barely supressed worry.

“You won’t find a more talented student in my alchemy class.” She says with a confident smirk.

“I’m also hoping that you’re not bothered too much by the beasts that’ll be coming for us.” I say, “As I understand it, some of the best ingredients come from the biggest beasts.”

“Yes, well, we’ll also need to discuss what you’re capable of hunting.” She replies. “I’m sure that you’re strong for students, but I’ve been warned to temper my expectations.”

“Don’t worry too much about that.” Eshya says, stepping in close and patting her shoulder. “If a beast is too much for us to deal with, you’ll probably be the first one dead.”

“There shouldn’t be beasts that dangerous out there.” Freid says, “If you do come across something, contact me for support. I didn’t think something so simple needed to be explained, but then again, I do occasionally underestimate the stupidity of my students.”

“We’ll be fine.” I say, as we get to the front of the line. “Thresh is with us, by the way. Our group is already together.”

“I see.” He nods, “It’s good to see that you’re ready for this, at least. Preparing your teams in advance can be a good way of ensuring smooth communication but do mind that you won’t always have that luxury.”

“Thanks for the compliment, I guess.” I reply as he lets us off of the ship.

The other groups are waiting nearby, alongside some representatives from the locals. I’m guessing we’re going to be sent over to the barracks shortly.

The rest of the groups seem to be a little more awkward than our own, the alchemists split among the groups of combat students with tense expressions and firmly downcast eyes. This only makes our combat students a little more cautious.

“Do we have that bad of a reputation?” I ask Thresh.

“Somewhat.” She tilts her head. “You’re talented in violence and cruelty. It makes sense for people to be… careful around you.”

“Huh, why don’t we get treated differently at the academy?” I ask.

“Do you advertise yourselves as combat course students?” Thresh asks. “Before you ask, I’m not bothered because I know that you’re not like the wild beasts. Your capable of tempering your more violent natures.”

“For the most part.” Eshya replies, feeling for the hilt of the sword on her hip. Since she’s taken to the liquid stage of development, she’s loath to use training weapons any longer, and dressed in my armour, I can’t say that I’m being overly cautious myself.

“So long as you don’t attack me.” Thresh says, looking at Eshya cautiously.

“You should be more worried about Kyra, then.” Vii quickly joins the conversation, her own quiet talk with Adler coming to a sudden close as she playfully looks back towards me. “She’s been running around gathering up girls, and you’re right in her strike zone. No one knows the limits of her avarice.”

“Hey now, you’re going to make me blush.” I say, stepping between Vii and the alchemist that I’m hoping to acquire.

“Ah, I’m not interested in that sort of thing either.” Thresh says as she looks back at me. Is it just the cold breeze, or is that chill coming from her gaze. “I’m very much not interested, thank you.”

“I can respect that.” I say. It wasn’t as if I was really interested but getting turned down so easily does hurt my pride a little. I know it’s just my ego getting a little big, but I feel like I should be the one turning people down.

I catch a glimpse of Eshya’s back as she heads towards the locals, standing politely in wait of our teachers.

“Are there any powerful and dangerous beasts around here?” She asks them.

The old men and women look between each other in some surprise at her question.

“There are dangers, but nothing so bad as what you might be imagining.” An older man says, his cane clacking against the stone as he lowers his furry eyebrows. The rest of him is just as hairy, even though he’s greyed with age. With mana and magic, I wonder how old you have to be to be old like this.

“Nothing?” Eshya sighs in frustration. “There’s nothing here that’s big, mean, and dangerous that would make for a good hunt?”

“Oh,” The old man chuckles quietly to himself. “I’m afraid that this land won’t satisfy you in that regards. It is the land itself that provides most dangers here, though there is… No, no, he won’t bother you any. Instead, you should be wary of the black snow.”

“Black snow?” Thresh asks, stepping into the conversation.

“Yes, the black snow that falls occasionally is attuned to darkness and can steal your sight worse than even the most blinding snowstorms.”

“That black snow sounds like it could be a useful potion base.” Thresh says thoughtfully, inciting a chuckle from the old man and his companions.

There is an interesting divide between them, though it doesn’t seem political, or anything. No, rather there are those who are born to the cold, with thick fur and only some loose clothes overtop, then there are those which are covered in mana dense clothes to protect against the cold. Both are still vaguely humanoid, though they differ wildly in height, regardless of how hairy they are.

My own breath forms small white clouds into the air before me, but I barely feel cold. Taking a moment to ease the mana in my mana ‘defences’ category, for now that means my armour, I quickly feel the difference.

The breeze cuts right through the cloth parts of my armour, and I can almost feel it icing over. Returning my mana to focus on my armour and skin, the chill becomes easily manageable.

Does this mean I can finally swim in cold water without freezing to death? What wonderful, and unexpected blessings come from my mana form development.

“Alright, this way!” Simeon says, cheerfully hopping over to the towns elders that have gathered for us. “There is some shelter prepared for our students?”

“There is.” The same old man says. “There are some large homes prepared in the spring town.”

“Very good.” Simeon nods. “Let’s get moving then. There’s no reason to be wasting time that could be spent brewing.”

“You say that now.” Freid grumps quietly.

Thresh shivers, but quickly shakes her head and returns her attention ahead after a moment of hesitation.

“You alright?” I ask.

“I’ll be fine.” She replies a little stiffly. “The cold isn’t good on my body, but I haven’t been lax in developing my mana form, I’m already over 500 units of mana, and I’ve even developed the mana skin Skill.” She gloats.

“Ah, yes. Congratulations.” I say, unable to put any heart into it. Is that impressive to most of the students here?

Following the teachers and elders into town, I find myself quickly entranced by just how strange this town really is. I’d only seen white snow from this part of town when looking down from above, and the reason for that is quickly made clear as I see the igloo-adjacent structures.

The walls are made from mana-drenched blocks of ice and are built tall, but with large curved rooves like the aforementioned igloos. The scale is much larger however as these are proper abodes with room enough to raise a family, a few kids in the attic, spare room for grandma in the closet, and a lounge-cross-kitchen with room enough for a whole two visitors.

I don’t think I’d make much of a real estate agent.

The houses are lined up with barely a space between them. Snow is falling gently from the sky, but for some reason absent from the road we walk. The path is made of the same mana dense ice as the buildings, and it’s not nearly as slippery as it probably should be.

The townspeople bow and move aside when we come through, parting enough that I can see the second half of town ahead.

The ice and snow gives way to bright flowers, greenery, and buildings made of stone rather than ice. Stepping over the boundary between, I can feel the air turning warm.

“What is this?” I ask, looking back towards the frozen land behind us.

“This place has multiple mana attunements.” Vii says, hopping back over to the world of ice. “Here is rich with icy mana, and here with spring mana.” She says, hopping back over to me.

“That explains everything?” I ask, as we catch up with the others that have gotten ahead of us.

“It does.” She chirps happily. “It’s how the mana expresses itself, making this world.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to all this magic.” I sigh as I get a look at the barn we’ll be staying in. It’s not the worst, and at least it’s not going to be cold.

The other students aren’t quite as easily pleased however, and I’m just as displeased, if not in the nature of our shelter, in the nature of the company that I’m going to have to keep.

“Everyone.” I gather together our team. “Let’s make sure we get a good corner for ourselves, alright?”

“Right.” Eshya says, smiling as she reaches for her sword hilt. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or if it’s just what she does when she gets to feeling bloodthirsty.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Skills & Stats

~Mana Form:

Current mana density: 1712 units

~Mana distribution:

Defence: 55/55%

Offense: 0/57%

Mana sense: 0/73%

Recovery: 0/30%

Gluttony: 0/26%

Misc.: 0/42%

Efficiency: 55/100%

~Favourited Skills:

-Chip Shredder

-Multi-mind

-Tag

-Mana surge movement

-Reactive defence

-Fire burst punch

-Annihilation magic

-Charged casting (Annihilation)

-Mana form flow fixer

-Branching magic