Chapter Ninety-four: Searching for a Master 2
While Julius had a beauty that exuded dignity, the elf Yuluyana possessed a beauty that radiated grace. But more than that beauty, what captured Karen’s attention was Yuluyana’s name.
“Elf alchemist Yuluyana… could it be?”
“Just as you guessed, this is Lord Yuluyana, an S-rank alchemist.”
Karen was dumbfounded. An S-rank alchemist was the pinnacle of alchemy. One of only three highest-ranked alchemists in the Kingdom of Earthfill. And that was exactly what Karen aspired to become.
“No need for such formality. We’re about to become master and disciple. It’s like becoming family, so let’s not create barriers between us.”
“Th-thank you. My name is Karen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be so stiff.”
Having heard that masters were extremely strict, Karen felt relieved by Yuluyana’s relaxed atmosphere. Although she was prepared to endure harsh instruction for the sake of learning, it was certainly better not to be scared.
“I also want to become an S-rank alchemist someday. To achieve that, please let me learn as much as possible from you, Lord Yuluyana… Master!”
“S-rank, is it? I see…”
Yuluyana stared down at Karen for a moment before shaking his head.
“It would be impossible for you to become an S-rank alchemist the same way I did.”
Karen held her breath. Despite appearing gentle, perhaps he was a strict master after all. Yuluyana flashed a smile and said:
“In my case, I was granted S-rank status in recognition of my two hundred years of service to the Alchemists’ Guild of the Kingdom of Earthfill. Since you’re human, your lifespan would end before you could follow the same path.”
“Ah… that’s true.”
Two hundred years. Though it might be possible to live that long in this world, one would probably be decrepit toward the end.
“You will need to find your own path. I’ll do my best to guide you and help with that.”
“Thank you very much!”
“Karen, Lord Yuluyana is incredibly knowledgeable and will be the best master for you. However, though he seems easygoing, he’s quite eccentric, so keep your wits about you, Karen.”
Natalia offered advice that made the prospects seem concerning. Seeing Karen’s troubled expression, Yuluyana hastily intervened:
“Come now, Ms. Natalia, please don’t scare Ms. Karen. I’ll treat her with the utmost care so that her hands won’t stop creating new types of potions.”
“Karen, this person is a potion fanatic.”
“A potion fanatic.”
Karen found herself repeating the phrase.
“Humans, perhaps due to their short lifespans, conduct research at a faster pace and make more discoveries than elves who continue studying the same thing for years. Taking notice of this, he joined the Alchemists’ Guild of the Kingdom of Earthfill because he wants to see all the potions that humans continuously create.”
“When I saw your potions made from non-magical materials, I was trembling with excitement. Even as an elf, I didn’t know potions could be made from such non-magical ingredients. Moreover, even when taught how to make them, I couldn’t do it myself. You, an E-rank alchemist, can do what I can’t. I’ve been absolutely dying to meet you!”
Yuluyana moved his face closer and closer. Karen gently distanced herself from the beautiful elf whose face was ecstatic with excitement.
“I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”
“Oh, it seems you have resistance to elves, Ms. Karen. Like Ms. Natalia—rare for young human women.”
“She has a lover.”
“Even if she has a lover, surely he can’t be more beautiful than me?”
It was immense confidence, but Karen didn’t think it was overconfidence. Nevertheless, she responded somewhat indignantly:
“With all due respect, Master, the person I’m dating is more beautiful than you.”
“Haha. They say love is blind!”
It was clear Yuluyana didn’t believe her at all.
“Now, before we form our master-disciple contract, there’s one thing I’d like you to prove.”
“Prove?”
“Yes. Please make the fever-reducing potion described in this paper, right here in front of me.”
This potion fanatic was drawn to Karen’s recipes and agreed to become her master despite what Natalia called disadvantageous conditions. Naturally, he wanted to confirm for himself whether Karen could truly craft the potion that had caught his attention.
“Karen, the alchemy workshop at the guild is ready for you.”
Karen moved to the guild’s alchemy workshop. The workshop was already equipped with jars containing three types of dried herbs.
“For example, if you soak a World Tree leaf in water, it immediately becomes a healing potion. The roots make a magical power recovery potion, and even the petals or fruit each produce potions. Even without being an alchemist or having magical power, anyone can make these potions. So, in case some rare ingredient you weren’t aware of slipped in and accidentally formed a potion, I prepared all the materials myself.”
It seemed he wouldn’t tolerate any deception. Karen confirmed the types of dried herbs and infused each jar with her magical power. The magical power flowed smoothly, so she focused her thoughts on creating a fever-reducing potion.
“Hmm, it doesn’t transform like magical materials do.”
“Transform? What do you mean?”
“Magical materials, such as medicinal herbs, disappear as if they’re unraveling during the potion-making process, don’t they? That’s what I call a transformation. It means the herb is magically transformed into something else—a potion.”
Indeed, when making healing potions using medicinal herbs, the water would shimmer with rainbow colors, and the herbs would dissolve and disappear. Karen had simply thought the herbs dissolved in the water, but it was odd that they dissolved without leaving any fiber behind, without being boiled or roasted. It seemed this was understood as a magical transformation triggered by the infusion of magical power.
Karen nodded in understanding as she boiled water in the kettle.
“Non-magical materials must also be transforming since they become potions, but visually it’s not apparent.”
“I see, that makes sense.”
“Ah, your water is boiling!”
“Thank you!”
Karen brewed tea and placed a teacup in front of Yuluyana. She also placed cups for Natalia and herself.
“Karen, this isn’t tea time—it’s your trial to become a disciple.”
“R-Right…!”
The atmosphere was so pleasant that she had nearly forgotten.
“Oho, well, well…”
Yuluyana was intently examining the teacup when he looked at Karen and grinned.
“It really has become a potion. You pass, Ms. Karen!”
“Thank you! You can tell just by looking?”
“Of course not. These glasses are appraisal lenses.”
“Wow, that’s convenient! Your hands stay free.”
“Right? Right?”
Having successfully passed the test, Karen proceeded with the master-disciple contract. The contract terms were incredibly favorable to Karen, including confidentiality clauses, but Yuluyana signed enthusiastically.
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