Chapter 63 The Alchemist Of The City
It's been several days since we discovered The Drinking Water of the Spirits. Before we knew it, more than half of our training days had passed.
Since then, the three of us, excluding Lukas, have been working hard on synthesizing The Drinking Water of the Spirits.
"Laura, I tried some new synthesis methods..."
Chelsea sighed softly as she handed me a notebook. I looked down at the notebook in her hand, waiting for her next words.
"No matter which herbs I try to synthesize with, I can't see any effects other than healing power. No enhancement of effects, no recovery from abnormal conditions, no circulation stimulation... I tried using all sorts of herbs, but nothing worked."
I responded with a wry smile to Chelsea's somewhat resigned expression.
――Yes, despite spending the past few days locked in the synthesis room experimenting with The Drinking Water of the Spirits, I had yet to achieve any results. No matter which herbs I synthesized, the results were always the same. The effects didn't manifest at all, being completely overshadowed by the "overwhelming healing power" of The Drinking Water of the Spirits.
"Perhaps The Drinking Water of the Spirits is too powerful, canceling out other effects..."
Peering into my own notebook, Lina-senpai murmured.
"Maybe it's best not to mess with the synthesis and just use the original recipe."
"That might be true. We don't know how this spring water came to be, but I speculate that the power of spirits has a significant influence. It could be a warning not to meddle with the mysteries created by nature, suggesting that humans should not interfere."
Lina-senpai's words made sense.
The composition of The Drinking Water of the Spirits has not been revealed in "Last Brave." In fact, there may not even be any settings prepared for its disclosure. After all, The Drinking Water of the Spirits is just a "universal healing item."
I remember not being able to select it as a material in the game's synthesis, so perhaps The Drinking Water of the Spirits is already recognized in this world as a finished, unalterable item.
"For now, I have contacted Kasper-san and the others. We may have to cut short our training earlier than planned and return to the royal capital."
On the day we discovered The Drinking Water of the Spirits, we sent a report to the royal capital. I expect to receive a response today or tomorrow. Our current synthesis activities are essentially a way to pass the time while waiting for instructions from the royal capital.
Prescribing The Drinking Water of the Spirits directly may cure Elvira's Self-destruction disease. For now, I want to prescribe The Drinking Water of the Spirits as it is, without making any changes.
Searching for synthesis methods like this, even without understanding anything, there's no need to be so discouraged. Most importantly, I am waiting for permission to cut short the expedition training.
"I think it's best to return to the royal capital once. The facilities at the Flaria branch are not bad, but realistically, they can't compare to the royal capital. Besides... we can access the knowledge of many more people in the royal capital."
Lina-senpai said softly, furrowing her brow at the same time.
Flaria branch has all the necessary facilities, resources, and herbs, just as she said. With such well-equipped facilities, it probably won't cause any major issues in our regular tasks. However, it still pales in comparison to the royal capital. I don't think it's fair to compare them.
And more importantly, we are not welcomed by the alchemists at the Flaria branch.
Even with our small group brainstorming, we eventually hit a dead end. That's why I thought we needed fresh perspectives or advice from outside, but the alchemists in this city just walk away as soon as they see us. In short, we are disliked.
Despite Chelsea showing hesitation in response to Lina-senpai's words, she nodded in agreement."
"The people at the Flaria branch clearly dislike us. Every time we pass by them in the hallway, we get glared at... I know we're asking a lot by coming during a busy period, but when we're met with such hostility... I don't know what to do."
"The branch manager here is a Royal Alchemist, but the other alchemists are not part of the royal family; they seem to be alchemists from this city. So, well, they might have some reservations about us."
Thinking about Lina-senpai's words, I recalled the gazes of the two alchemists directed at me on the first day we visited Flaria.
Alchemists in the country of Ostria can be broadly divided into two categories: Royal Alchemists and non-Royal Alchemists.
Royal Alchemists, as the name suggests, are alchemists belonging to the king and the country. It's a position given only to those who pass the annual exam held in the royal capital.
Non-Royal Alchemists, on the other hand, are self-taught in the synthesis method and operate in villages or cities. They haven't passed the national exam, but they are essential, especially for small villages where Royal Alchemists alone can't handle everything.
Some alchemists travel from city to city, providing treatment wherever they go, while others base their activities in a single city. Similar to Royal Alchemists, larger cities often hire exclusive alchemists and provide them with workplaces.
The Flaria branch, as the name suggests, is a "branch" dispatched by the royal capital for Royal Alchemists. It's common for non-Royal Alchemists from cities to be employed there. In fact, it's typical for only the branch manager to be a Royal Alchemist, while the rest are regular alchemists.
Originally, Royal Alchemists refer to alchemists who usually work in the royal castle, but the reason why some alchemists are sent from the royal capital to branches is...
Chelsea blinked several times. Then she tilted her head slightly.
"Um, I've been wondering for a while, but is a Royal Alchemist always assigned to each branch? Royal Alchemist refers to alchemists working in the royal castle, right?"
"Well, basically, yes. But since the country needs to have a certain level of oversight and supervision over the city alchemists, branches are established in relatively large cities, with at least one Royal Alchemist assigned to each branch. There can be multiple Royal Alchemists in some cases. From their perspective, it might feel like they are being monitored, which can be unsettling."
"But it's a job that involves people's lives... I think some level of supervision is necessary."
Lina-senpai chuckled at my words.
As someone involved in a job related to the lives of alchemists, the country cannot simply leave unaffiliated alchemists unchecked. Therefore, branches are established in various locations, and Royal Alchemists are dispatched there to supervise their movements - more like monitoring, which is closer to how they perceive it.
Here in the Flaria branch, the branch manager is a Royal Alchemist. However, the other alchemists besides him are not affiliated with the country, but rather city alchemists. Although the nature of their relationship is unclear, suddenly arriving Royal Alchemists are freely doing as they please in their territory. It's definitely not enjoyable.
"Does that mean we might be transferred to a different branch starting next year? Our senior one rank above us is in a branch, right?"
Chelsea's words made Lina-senpai shake her head immediately.
"Youngsters won't be transferred unless they express a desire themselves. That child has a branch in their hometown, and strongly wished to work there. Luckily, that branch was short-staffed. Generally, those dispatched to branches are mid-level. Just like the branch manager here."
It was a moment of relief for Chelsea as she let out a sigh. Suddenly, the lunch bell rang.
The three of us looked up together. The timing was so perfect that we exchanged smiles.
We casually started tidying up the desk to take a break. Time flew by as we contemplated various syntheses - with some casual chatting included.
Anyway, from recent experiences, I realized the importance of taking moderate breaks. I thought about going out to eat something delicious together - and the face of my childhood friend popped into their mind.
Since The Drinking Water of the Spirits was found, he had been training with the Savila Knight Order to not disturb us. We hadn't had much time together in the past few days, so I thought it would be nice to have a leisurely lunch together.
"It's lunchtime, so I'll go check on Lukas. Please have lunch without me."
* * *
On the way to the Savila Knight Order's Flaria garrison, Ispotted Lukas and Olivelle-san walking towards them. Lukas also seemed to notice me and waved enthusiastically.
"Laura!"
Relieved that we didn't miss each other, I hurried over to them.
"Lukas, what's up?"
"I was training with Olivelle-san."
"Hello, Laura-chan."
Olivelle-san greeted me with his usual princely smile.
It seemed like they had a good relationship, as Olivelle-san had been personally training him.
"Are you going to have lunch now? Would you like to join us?"
"Um..."
I hesitated for a moment, thinking they might want to talk alone. But Lukas, smiling happily beside him, made it impossible to refuse, so I nodded.
――And so I was taken to a tavern. Despite being a tavern, it had a family-friendly atmosphere, resembling a restaurant during lunchtime. In other words, it was a very wholesome tavern.
The staff immediately led us to a table upon seeing Olivelle-san's face. While not a private room, there were partitions providing some distance from other customers. It seemed like a thoughtful gesture.
After ordering the recommended lunch set and calming down with a glass of water, Olivelle-san spoke up.
"How's the synthesis going?"
"It's not going as smoothly as I'd hoped. No matter which herbs I combine, they don't seem to have any effect... I'm wondering if I should just prescribe them as they are."
"It's like overcoming one obstacle only to face a new one, isn't it?"
I nodded in agreement with Olivelle-san's accurate assessment.
It was understood that the road to complete recovery from the Self-destruction disease would not be easy, but with problems arising one after another, the anxiety just couldn't be shaken off. Yet, the slight peace of mind I have now is because the hope that this "The Drinking Water of the Spirits" might work against the Self-destruction disease has not been crushed. If Elvira prescribes it next and no effects show up... just thinking about it feels like my heart is being tightly gripped.
So, with some level of composure now, I am struggling to find out what lies beyond The Drinking Water of the Spirits. It's better to have multiple paths to explore the possibilities.
"In the first place, the existence of The Drinking Water of the Spirits is shrouded in mystery. It certainly has a strong healing power, but what is its source... even if we find out, it doesn't necessarily mean we can overcome the current situation."
To be honest, I wish I knew a little more about The Drinking Water of the Spirits. I understand it's a versatile item, but with just that knowledge, it's too much trial and error.
I recall how The Drinking Water of the Spirits used to spring forth. I remember the particles of light approaching the water's surface. And then — my childhood friend remembered being able to communicate with those spirits. From there, I arrived at one possibility.
――If Lukas could directly ask the spirits what that spring water really is?
"...Lukas, I have something to ask of you."
As soon as I brought it up, Lukas' eyes lit up for some reason. I had a hunch, but it seems he doesn't mind being relied upon unexpectedly. Of course, I shouldn't take advantage of his kindness.
"I want to talk directly to the spirits."
"Right now."
It was an immediate response. Not only that, he answered as if slightly overlapping with my words.
At that moment of relief from his answer, Olivelle-san spoke up.
"Please let me accompany you. I'm also interested in The Drinking Water of the Spirits."
Though smiling warmly, his voice had a slightly calmer tone than usual, making me secretly tilt my head. It was then that I finally realized. Olivelle-san also knows about Elvira's illness.
In fact, when Elvira first met, he was there too. It's certain they have a connection. Perhaps the reason he readily helped me this time was that he knew all the circumstances.
Being dragged along, another possibility came to mind. Olivelle-san is an Elf, a different race from us. Elves are said to have the blood of the spirits living in the sacred forest. It's natural that he would be curious about his ancestral beings, the spirits.
Whatever the reason, it's an unexpected turn of events for Olivelle-san to come along. Deciding to act immediately, we visited the forest again after lunch.
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