{21 Mulud 832}
Inside the laboratory, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of spices and strange ingredients that filled the air. Sunlight rarely touched the laboratory, making it a separate world hidden from time and the surrounding reality. The darkness outside the windows was lit only by the flames of candles, creating a magical atmosphere in a room filled with strange equipment and scrolls containing hidden knowledge.
In the centre of the room, a wise teacher was teaching with enthusiasm, explaining the secrets of alchemy to his students. The teacher turned out to be Goun. He had eyes filled with deep knowledge. His voice echoed in the room, creating a hypnotising effect on Genevieve who listened silently to his every word. He explained the principles of alchemy with passion, teaching about the transformation of simple materials into substances with magical powers.
Meanwhile, strange alchemical tools and equipment were scattered around the room. There were elegant glass distillation flasks, ornate copper vessels, and a variety of hundreds of bottles filled with illuminated rainbow-coloured liquids on shelves. The fragrant smell and thin smoke from a small fireplace in the corner of the room made the atmosphere even more mystical.
In this laboratory, time seemed to move slowly. Genevieve, who was seated around the table, took careful notes on Goun's every word.
Amidst the splendour of alchemy being taught by Goun said, "it seems you have recorded quite a lot of material and theories about alchemy young lady Genevieve."
"Yes, I've jotted down a lot," Genevieve stretched her hands as she was tired of writing.
"Then perhaps it's time we put those theories into practice," Goun said.
Genevieve looked at Goun with curiosity and nervousness. She had never done alchemy experiments before. She wondered what Goun would teach her.
"Don't worry, Genevieve. This experiment is not too difficult, as long as you follow the instructions and rules I give you," Goun said with a smile. "We will start by making a mana-restoring potion, which is useful for restoring the magic energy drained when using Magic."
Goun led Genevieve to a table containing various alchemical materials and tools. He showed her a vial filled with a clear liquid called *pure water*, a container filled with a white powder called *alkaline salt*, a test tube filled with a blue liquid called *acid solution*, and a small vial filled with a red liquid called *spark extract*.
"To make the mana-restoring potion, we have to mix pure water, alkaline salt, acid solution, and sparks extract in a certain ratio. The ratio is 10:1:1:0.5, meaning that for every 10ml of pure water, we have to add 1 gram of lye salt, 1ml of acid solution, and 0.5ml of sparks extract," Goun explains.
"Why is that?" Genevieve asked.
"Because that is the basic formula of the mana restoring potion. Pure water is a neutral and stable medium, which can contain magic energy without reacting with other ingredients. Alkaline salts are alkaline materials, which can balance the pH of acidic solutions, so that unwanted chemical reactions do not occur. Acidic solution is an acidic ingredient, which can break the molecular bonds of the sparks extract, thus releasing the magic energy contained in it. The fire flower extract is an ingredient rich in magic energy, which can have a mana-restoring effect when drunk," Goun replied.
"I see," Genevieve nodded.
"Then, how do you mix it?" Genevieve asked again.
"We have to use these tools," Goun pointed out a measuring cup, a digital scale, a pipette, and a beaker. "We have to measure the volume and mass of each ingredient precisely, then pour it into the beaker carefully. We have to stir the solution with a glass spoon until the colour turns light purple. That's when the potion is finished," Goun explains.
Fortunately, Genevieve had the unique ability of Alchemical Wisdom, which really helped her remember every detail.
Because of her helpful ability. Genevieve felt confident that she could do the same thing Goun was doing.
"Can I try?" Genevieve asked.
"Of course you can. I'll help you if you get stuck," Goun agreed.
Geneviéve began the experiment according to Goun's directions. She measured 10ml of pure water with a measuring cup, then poured it into a beaker. Then she weighed 1 gram of alkaline salt with a digital scale and sprinkled it into the beaker. Next she measured 1 ml of acid solution with a pipette, then dripped it into the beaker. Finally she measured 0.5 ml of the sparks extract with another pipette, then added it to the beaker.
As she stirred the solution with a glass spoon, she saw the colour of the solution change from clear to light blue, then to light green, and finally to light purple.
"I did it!" Genevieve exclaimed happily.
"Well done, Genevieve. You are very meticulous and careful. Your potion is finished," Goun praised.
"Thank you, Goun. What should I do now?" Genevieve asked.
"You can either taste the potion yourself, or give it to someone who needs it. This potion can increase your mana by 10 per cent of your maximum capacity," Goun replied.
"Wow, that's very useful. I want to try it," Genevieve said.
"With pleasure," Goun nodded.
Genevieve drank the potion she had made herself. She felt a warm, refreshing sensation in her throat, and felt her magical energy increase.
"It feels so good. I feel stronger and more energised," Genevieve commented.
"I'm glad you like it. This potion can also help you in learning alchemy, as you will find it easier to master alchemical techniques with enough mana," Goun said.
"Really? I want to learn more," Genevieve said enthusiastically.
Genevieve was really feeling very enthusiastic. With the knowledge of her previous life as a researcher and her unique abilities, she felt that she could create anything perfectly with just one try.
"Then, let's continue our experiment. This time we will try to construct a chemical compound into a new form," Goun said.
"Constructing chemical compounds into new forms? What does that mean?" Genevieve asked.
"It means that we will change the molecular structure of a chemical compound, resulting in a different chemical compound with different properties. It's one of the most difficult and challenging alchemical techniques, but also the most interesting and rewarding," Goun explains.
"How do you do it?" Genevieve asked again.
"We have to use these tools," Goun pointed out a test tube, a pair of wooden tongs, a lighter, a watch glass, a filter paper, and another beaker. "We also need to use these materials," Goun showed a bottle of yellow liquid called *sugar solution*, a bottle of black liquid called *carbon solution*, and a bottle of pink liquid called *oxygen solution*.
"To construct a chemical compound into a new form, we must perform a process called *decomposition* and *synthesis*. Decomposition is the process of breaking down a chemical compound into its constituent elements by applying heat or electrical energy. Synthesis is the process of putting the elements together into a new chemical compound by applying magic energy or a catalyst," Goun explains.
"Why is that?" Genevieve asked.
"Because that is the basic principle of alchemy. Alchemy is the study of the transformation of matter, both physically and magically. By changing the molecular structure of matter, we can alter its properties to our liking," Goun replied.
"Understood," Genevieve nodded.
"So, what are we going to make?" Genevieve asked again.
"We are going to make something very interesting and beautiful. We will make *diamonds*," Goun said with a mysterious smile.
"Diamonds? Those sparkling, expensive gemstones?" Genevieve was surprised.
Genevieve had never thought that diamonds could be created by human hands. If in her previous life diamonds could be created by human hands, there would have been a massive inflationary disaster.
"Yes, diamonds. A gemstone made of pure carbon arranged in hexagonal crystals. Diamonds are one of the hardest and most heat-resistant materials in the world, and also have high aesthetic value. Diamonds can also be used as materials to make advanced and powerful alchemy equipment," Goun said.
"Won't doing this hurt the market price of diamonds?" Genevieve asked hesitantly.
"Hehehe...., it will if we do this en masse" Goun replied with a laugh.
"Oww, Ok" Genevieve decided not to ask any more questions regarding this matter.
"So, how do we make diamonds from these materials?" Genevieve asked curiously.
"We have to do two steps. First, we must decompose the sugar solution into carbon and water by heating it over a fire. Second, we have to synthesise the carbon into diamonds by applying magic energy and catalysts to it," Goun explained.
"Catalyst? What's that?" Genevieve pretended not to know.
"A catalyst is a material that can speed up or slow down a chemical reaction without reacting or changing itself. The catalyst we're using is an oxygen solution, which helps the carbon organise itself into hexagonal crystals," Goun replied.
"Got it," Genevieve nodded.
"So, how do we do it?" Genevieve asked again.
"We need to use these tools," Goun showed me a test tube, a pair of wooden tongs, a lighter, a watch glass, a filter paper, and another beaker. "First, we have to pour 10ml of sugar solution into the test tube. Then we should hold the test tube with wooden tongs, and heat it over a flame with a match. We should observe the change in colour and texture of the sugar solution. When the sugar solution turns dark brown and emits gas bubbles, it is a sign that decomposition has occurred. We should immediately switch off the flame and put the test tube on a watch glass to cool it down," Goun explains.
"And then what?" Genevieve asked.
"Then we have to filter the dark brown solution with filter paper into another beaker. We will get two results from this filtration. On the filter paper, we will get a black powder called *carbon*, which is the building block of diamonds. In the beaker, we get a clear liquid called *water*, which is a by-product of decomposition," Goun explains.
"So how do you make a diamond out of carbon?" Genevieve asked.
"We have to synthesise the carbon into diamonds by infusing it with magic energy and catalysts. We have to pour 5ml of oxygen solution into the test tube containing the carbon. Then we have to stir it with a glass spoon until it mixes well. Then we have to cover the test tube with a rubber stopper, and shake it vigorously for a few minutes. This will make the carbon and oxygen react magically, and form hexagonal crystal bonds. We should observe the change in colour and shape of the carbon. When the carbon turns white and shiny, it is a sign that the synthesis has taken place. We must carefully open the rubber stopper, and remove the result from the test tube with tweezers. We will have a beautiful and precious *diamond*," Goun explains.
"Wow, that's really amazing. I want to try it," Genevieve said.
"With pleasure," Goun nodded.
Genevieve began the experiment as directed by Goun. She poured 10ml of sugar solution into a test tube, then heated it over a flame with a match. She saw the sugar solution change colour from yellow to dark brown, and emit gas bubbles. He quickly switched off the flame and put the test tube on a watch glass to cool it down.
Then she filtered the dark brown solution with a filter paper into another beaker. He got a black powder on the filter paper, and a clear liquid in the beaker. He realised that the black powder was carbon, and the clear liquid was water.
Then he poured 5ml of oxygen solution into the test tube containing the carbon. He stirred it with a glass spoon until it was well mixed. Then he closed the test tube with a rubber stopper, and shook it vigorously for a few minutes. He felt the vibration and heat from the test tube, and heard a rustling sound from inside. He was curious about the results.
He opened the rubber stopper carefully, and took the result out of the test tube with tweezers. She was mesmerised by what she saw. In his hand, there was a white and sparkling diamond, the size of a marble. It reflected light of various colours, and brought a sense of awe and pride to her heart.
"I did it!" Genevieve exclaimed happily.
"Well done, Genevieve. You are very talented and intelligent. Your diamonds are beautiful and perfect," Goun praised.
Genevieve did everything Goun told her to do and with a little help from her unique abilities, Genevieve succeeded in making her first diamond.
"Goun, do you know how to make other precious items" Genevieve asked.
Genevieve wanted to do this kind of practice again. She really enjoyed making precious crystals with intricate craftsmanship, it made her very excited.
"Of course I know, how about we make gold?" Goun asked enthusiastically.