It Started with Slime - Part 1

Chapter 94 - Alchemy

Aarav wanted to try loads of different things, having explored hardly anything of this world. Before, access had been the Slime's limiter but not anymore. If there were less than forty years to do it, the Copycat was going to make them count—exploring what this game-like world had to offer. Maybe something genuinely substantial would come out of it.

Aarav was ready to tackle the next challenge with full Mana and Stamina again. It came in the form of Haemish attempting to teach him potion-making, an essential Skill required for an Alchemist. Aarav wanted to know how to obtain a class and was limited to one. How did the class system work, and was it similar to his monster evolution system? Could he have both?

Instead, he said, "Okay, let's start with this; I have a lot to learn and even more to earn. If I am going to get strong enough to be able to stand on my own, then, let do this." Aarav crawled up to sit on the tabletop where Haemish worked. In front of him, he had many herbs, water and some other powders. Identify each item arrayed before him to reveal their purpose.

Basic Small Forest Herb Level 1, a ubiquitous herb type fern, has some small healing capability if ingested; it also works as an Alchemical Ingredient.

Cleansing Dust Level 2: This is a common type of sand found in the forests and other locals. It has some basic anti-poison properties and works as an Alchemical Ingredient.

Water

Not sure what I was expecting with that last one.

"This is all we need for now. Ignore the rest of the materials. You can learn about them later on. I will teach you other things after we do this. What kind of Alchemist would I be if I didn't teach you Alchemy first! Huh?" Haemish grinned and laughed.

Aarav inwardly groaned and then thought, an exciting person who thinks about and teaches valuable topics. It was harsh, he knew, and immediately amended it. It would be just his luck if he left without learning anything Alchemical. Then immediately succumbed to a wound or something which he could have easily prevented. If only he had the knowledge from Haemish and acquired an Alchemist Class. Also, those potions were insane! They buoyed him up when he needed it and topped him off each time. Either they were the type that healed Health or Stamina or Mana to their maximum values, or he was just so weak that even a weak potion would max him out.

What Aarav needed more than anything else right now was: context. The Slime required an understanding of how he stacked up against others. He felt strong, but the mental attributes were more potent. I am not entirely confident that my physical stats are in a reasonable range, and mental might be okay, though.

Then he recalled that he had gained telepathy when he reached an entire century in Intellect. Why can't I hear people's thoughts? So much for extraordinary abilities, and just add it to the list of things I need to learn.

"Awesome! Okay, let's do this! I am thrilled to work with you on this." Aarav had wanted to say excited but didn't know the word for it yet. I guess that's what it means to be less than one hundred per cent in a language. There might be words here and there that I don't know.

"Good, I am happy to have a willing student," then he shifted into the role of intolerant mentor, "maybe you won't be a complete waste of my time then! Let's begin. Taler, you go ahead and continue with what you were working on." The other two still hadn't left their ministrations and didn't need to be told.

"All you have to do is put the herbs into this mortar, and then with the pestle, you grind it up until it is a powder. Once you have it in powder form, you simply add water and a small amount of your own Mana. You can do that with Mana Infusion. Would you like to try?" Haemish finished up the explanation and demonstration with alacrity turning to Aarav.