[Arius POV]
As much as I love learning, the amount of time it took for the Dakria to explain everything was just mind-numbing. I needed to quickly learn the way to brew a regular potion, not learning the million different types of plants, animals and gardening advice.
While I would love to, I can't spend the next few days learning about all this stuff. Big Brother Jaque said the barrier outside would only hold out for a few more days. It's probably even worst since a day has probably already passed. I tried to ask her to skip a few topics.
"Dakria, we don't have this much time, there has to be a faster way to learn all this!"
"Of course there is but alchemy is best learnt with a foundation, understanding before applying. This isn't like craftsmanship where you can simply rely on talent and instinct, this needs..."
"Dakria, please, I want to heal Jaque faster. It's my fault he's injured, I don't want him to feel any more pain. Please!"
As we stare at each other for a few moments, Dakria finally closes the book in her hand and pinches the ridge of her nose with a sigh.
"Fine, this would be what you are looking for. But as a little punishment you're going to have to figure it out by yourself."
With a snap of her fingers, two books appears before me and Dakria disapears.
I rest my gaze on two books titled, 'Fundamentals of Potions and 'Basic Potion Recipes'. They disappear and I heard a large bang from behind me. Looking behind, I see two giant books resting on top of a table ready to be read. Just the sheer thickness of the books made me shed a tear.
"Alright, this is for you Big brother Jaque."
With a determined face, I walk over and sit down. As I flipped through large sections of papers of the first book, I arrive at the section focusing on healing potions.
'Alright, create a base potion that is compatible with the healing material, add this much water, boil, inject mana, add dried crushed healing material...'
Reading through the twenty or so steps required to make any basic healing potion, I didn't understand even half of the words used, still, it looked pretty simple. After a few minutes on that, I started looking through the second book. I came to a big dilemma, there are hundreds of different variations of a minor healing potion and even more combinations of different materials. None of which I know about.
Looking beside me, there was a small assortment of plants and herbs with a large sign saying
'The Stuff We Got'
Looking at the herbs and back at the book a few times, I realize the scale of the hole I was in. I couldn't just look at the book to see which recipe it was. You know why. BECAUSE there are no pictures.
Giving myself a facepalm, I lean back in my chair. Visibly tired already, I wanted to just take a nap.
'I'm so tired but I can't stop now. Maybe I something to eat on me.'
Checking my pockets which usually had a few things in them, I pull out a bean, more specifically a bean that Big Brother Jaque uses to make coffee. I took one just to look at it and I must have forgotten it in my pocket.
'He did say something about helping you wake up. Urgg...'
After giving the bean a little lick, I could already taste that disgusting flavour. Still, I had to pull through for Big Brother.
"I'm doing this for you Big Bro."
*Gulp* *Cough* Cough*
'...'
'...'
'Nasty'
While the taste was horrible, its effect was there. Almost immediately, I felt my brain fog clear up. Getting up I go back to the library to try and find the book about plant identification. Looking through the first bookshelf, there was nothing. Second and third, nothing. Finally on the fourth bookshelf, I finally for what I was looking for.
'Codex of Alchemy Materials: #1'
'Number 1, why would there be a number 1?'
The next moments were something that would give anyone PTSD. Looking at the next book over, #2. Next one, #3. Next one, #4. Next, Next, Next. HOLY, THE BOOKSHELF ARE THESE BOOKS!!!!
No way I was going to look through all of them, or on time at least. I had to think of something else, something a little more unconventional. Trial and error. I'm going to forcibly figure out what available combinations I have.
'Alright... it won't take too long right?...right?'
...
And there I was. in a dark, homely room with only me, a few tables and a bunch of alchemy equipment. To my side, there was a much larger screen showing all the materials and potion recipes I can practice. Selecting the minor healing potion category. The 230ish pages of different combinations are listed.
Clicking on the first result, I see a bunch of fruits appear on one of the tables. They were the material for the potion. Pressing another potion, the previous materials disappeared and a set of new materials appear.
"Yes, just as I expected.'
With this, I could definitely do trial and error. I just need to remember a few of the fruits that I had and that would be enough to pinpoint what potion recipe to use.
Looking at the fruits I had, I had a few light greens, some reds, whites, the electric ones that we fed to the Lightning Squirrels and a few others.
And so began, my journey of opening another can of troubles and annoying moments.
...
[Lorraine POV]
As I ran, following Mr. Doherty toward where Big Brother Jaque and Arius are, I hold the sheath of my sword ready for combat.
'Thank the lord, I was able to unlock this skill.'
Pure Weapon Mastery. A skill that allowed me to master the handling and understanding of any weapon I could get my hands on. I would use it so naturally that it would be like a part of my body. Truly a perfect skill for me and my dreams. I just hope that it will be enough to save my brothers.
After spending some time drifting through my thoughts, our group arrived at the so-called S.T.A. Surprised would be an understatement, the ground in the valley was all black, black giant pillars and a deep red light was coming from the hole in the middle.
"It's not supposed to look like this."
Looking over to the who just commented, I see a beautiful big sister holding a giant sword with other weapons strapped to her belt. She had a look of concern on her face but she wasn't the only one. Almost everyone in the group had the same expression. Everyone except Mr.Doherty.
I go over to the side of the big sister and ask her why everyone looks so worried.
"Um, what's it's supposed to look like then?"
"The grounds suppose to be white-ish grey and there shouldn't be any light coming from where the S.T.A.'s entrance is located. Hmm, by the way, who are you? Why is a kid coming along?"
As the big sister was explaining, she glanced over at me only to give me a look that I shouldn't be there. The same kind of look when Big Sister Lisa finds me in the kitchen way past bedtime.
"I'm Lorraine. Mr.Doherty let me come along."
"Alright, whatever. My name's Emma, Emma Silfar."
"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! ENOUGH WORRYING! LET'S GET IN THERE!!!"
With my conversation cut short by Mr.Doherty's yell, I see him start running toward the hole in the middle. immediately after, the rest of the group started running down after him. I start running with them too.
"AHH!"
I let out a short yell as one of my steps sends me flying much higher than expected.
"Be careful, the gravity changes in the S.T.A."
"Yeah, I noticed!"
Eventually, after a perilous journey down the hole. We arrive in front of a giant fiery red circle that floated in the air. Even as a kid, I knew that whatever it was, it was dangerous. Still, I won't ever back out for my own safety if I know that the safety of Arius and Big Brother is in danger.
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Arius Quote
*From the future after the torturous events, known as alchemy*
'I hate alchemy. My brain hurts.'