It would be great if I could generate electricity in my alchemy workshop. If I could, would I even be able to access that electricity outside? Creating primary batteries through chemical processes is easy, and it's also simple to take those batteries out of the workshop. If I buy commercial batteries, copying them would be straightforward. However, I'd just be able to use them for things like flashlights, which isn't much of an achievement.
So, what about physical power generation? Spinning a generator and using the electricity it generates through a power cord? That seems pretty tough. Even if I could generate electricity, keeping the power cord connected from my item box to the real world would mean the end of it suddenly appearing somewhere in the sky, which is impossible. The moment the cord materializes, it would snap right off. Besides, I have no idea where my item box actually exists. If I had to say, it's probably inside my body. I would have to channel the electricity created in the item box outside through my body. I can't help but imagine a cord stretching from my nose to connect to the nearest appliances.
Looks like I'll have to buy a generator. In the end, it all comes down to money. It's a bit cliché, but the only thing I can think of is bringing the gold coins back to Japan to sell. However, since these coins are mysterious ones not issued on Earth, I hesitate to sell them outright.
Oh, wait! I could process the gold coins at an alchemy workshop and turn them into pure gold. If I'm prepared for the fatigue that might come with the work, I might end up creating more gold than the original coins are worth.
By the way, isn't there a potion that boosts energy or alleviates fatigue? If such a potion exists, chugging it while working could make mass gold creation possible without the alchemy process. I've only been thinking about potions to heal sickness or injuries, but if such a potion exists, I would definitely want it for crafting as well.
After a moment of contemplation, I headed to the kitchen where Lisa was working and had her drink a healing potion.
"This should have cured any unnoticed ailments," I said. "How do you feel?"
"I think my body feels a bit lighter?"
"If you feel substantially better after that, it means you were quite unwell before, so it's just right for now."
"Thank you!"
"Also, I came to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"The potion I just gave you was a healing potion, but do you happen to know about stamina potions or ones that relieve fatigue?"
"Are you possibly referring to a stamina potion, Master?"
"Yes, exactly. Stamina potions exist."
"Yes, they're relatively easy to obtain compared to healing potions."
"Where can I get one?"
"You can find them easily at the town's apothecary."
I cursed myself for not thinking of the apothecary earlier. Researching the shops, not just for stamina potions, was essential. Since I could easily create healing potions, I figured stamina potions would also be straightforward, but there must be other unique potions available at the apothecary. Upon asking Lisa where it was located, she suggested it was likely near the Adventurers' Guild.
And so, I set off for the location! But first,
"Lisa, can you get a larger bucket for the kitchen?"
"Sure!"
Lisa prepared a bucket for me, and I filled the bottom with a sizable block of ice, then packed it to the brim with cubes.
"If you're using ice, go ahead and make good use of it."
"At this time of year, so much ice—thank you! The kids will love the cold treats."
Now, let's head back to the destination!
I arrived in the alley next to the Adventurer's Guild. It wasn't empty, but no one noticed my presence. Even if they did, they would likely just chalk it up to a trick of the mind unless I was right beside them, so I had no worries.
As I made my way around to the front of the guild and searched for a shop in the vicinity, I spotted a wooden sign shaped like a potion bottle hanging beneath a protruding beam above the entrance.
Upon opening the door and stepping inside, I found a long counter stretching along one side of the spacious shop, with an older lady standing behind it. The wall behind her was lined with shelves, neatly displaying rows of potion bottles.
"Welcome!" the lady greeted me with a calm voice.
"Could I get the most effective stamina potion you have? Just one, please."
"The best one would be this Stamina Potion Level 3, but it's a bit pricier."
"I'm fine with paying a little extra for that. How much is it?"
"It used to be five silver coins, but the Alchemist Guild suddenly jacked up the price, so now it's three times that. That's why nobody buys Level 3 stamina potions anymore."
"Then I'll take it for two gold coins. No need for change."
"You look unfamiliar, but you must be quite wealthy. Are you a merchant?"
"Actually, I'm an alchemist."
"An alchemist buying stamina potions? That's interesting."
"My knowledge is somewhat limited, and I've never made a stamina potion before. I came here to see one in person."
"I've never heard of an alchemist like that, but being able to throw down two gold coins does suggest you know your stuff."
"Maybe. Aside from healing and stamina potions, are there any unusual potions?"
"Well, healing potions are our best sellers, but we also have cure poison and cure disease potions."
"Can't healing potions cure poison and disease?"
"Legendary healing potions might do that, but regular healing potions won't."
"Oh, I see."
"Are you really an alchemist?"
"Sort of."
After that exchange, I left the potion shop, wondering if the high-quality healing potions I had given to the children and Lisa were actually legendary potions.
After visiting the apothecary to conduct a market survey, I found myself suspecting that my slightly upscale healing potion might actually be legendary.
Putting that aside, I decided to try the Level 3 stamina potion I had just purchased. Wow! I definitely felt lighter. While I questioned whether it was worth the gold coins, it was still a decent product.
Feeling refreshed from the stamina potion, I ducked into a secluded alley and transferred to my room. Imagining a potion similar to the one I'd just consumed, I placed an order at my alchemy workshop, and to my surprise, a stamina potion was easily produced. When I tried it, I couldn't tell it apart from the first—exactly the same!
"That was surprisingly easy! Now I can really start crafting. But first, I should master healing potions. So far, I've only made a few decent healing potions, but if I create an ultra-high-quality one, it could have extraordinary effects and fetch a staggering price!"
"Alright, I'm fired up and ready to push past my limits!" After drinking another stamina potion to refresh myself, I eagerly began the process of crafting an ultra-high-quality healing potion.
Despite that, the alchemy workshop knows the method, and the process is handled by them. My role is simply to channel my energy into creating a high-quality healing potion and to use my willpower to summon the missing ingredients from the recipe. Before I even realized it, the healing potion was ready.
I can't confirm if I produced the necessary ingredients inside the workshop using my willpower, but I did feel a slight fatigue. I dripped just a drop of the potion from the vial onto the back of my hand. It seemed bluer than the last potent potion I made—would its effects be any different?
I downed the potion in one gulp. Naturally, I wasn't sick or injured, so I couldn't discern its true healing properties, but I might notice something unusual. "Wow, this is good. It really boosts my energy—much more than a stamina potion ever did."
The fatigue I had just felt vanished instantly, replaced by a burst of vitality. "The fact that I was able to make that potion means the previous stamina potion worked well. If I make a healing potion now, in this energetic state, it could turn out even better. Alright, here we go! Healing Potion!"
With determination, I set about crafting the healing potion. However, as I did, a wave of exhaustion hit me all at once. Here it comes!
After a long time, I heard the familiar sound of a notification:
*Ding!
Your alchemy skill has reached a certain level. You have earned 1 skill point. You now have 23 skill points remaining.*
Curious, I also appraised myself:
**Name:** Zenjiro Iwanaga
**Age:** 27
**Occupation:** Alchemist, Transfer Magician
**Skills:** Alchemy: Level Max, Item Box: Level Max, Transfer Magic: Level Max, Staff Technique: Level 3, Appraisal, Second Job Selection
As expected, nothing had changed. I took out the completed healing potion and, like before, let a drop fall onto my palm.
"Huh, I thought it would turn a deep blue this time, but the color has faded, resembling more of a wholesale healing potion. The difference is a slight stickiness to it.
In any case, just as I expected. If I keep this up, I should eventually be able to create the ultimate healing potion."
I felt tired from the earlier synthesis, yet my excitement was rising. I downed the potion in one gulp and burped; almost immediately, I felt its effects kicking in.
"It's here! Energy is surging through me!"
The feeling was worlds apart from before; it felt like I might explode from all the vitality welling up inside.
"Alright, here we go—Healing Poooooootion!"
Just as the healing potion was completed, the vibrant energy that had surged through me moments ago vanished, leaving me utterly drained.
As usual, I poured a drop of the healing potion into my palm, and this time it was a thick, cloudy liquid. Fortunately, it didn't have the smell of chestnut flowers; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to drink it at all.
I had an odd image in my mind, making it feel a bit hard to swallow, but I pushed through and gulped it down in one go.
"Ugh." Despite it being a potion, chugging down a liquid made my stomach feel bloated. However, since the active ingredients should have already been absorbed, it didn't really bother me—until a sudden wave of vitality surged through me!
"Here it comes! Wooooo!"
This was intense! I felt like I could fly around the room.
"This is the last one! Let's go! Heal-ing Pooooootion!"
I heard a voice echoing from a distance. I had managed to handle the healing potion, but—
"Gah! No, this isn't good. I'm feeling dizzy and can't stand anymore."
I sat down for a moment to catch my breath. Once I felt stable, I retrieved the completed healing potion from my item box, opened the bottle, and slowly let a drop fall onto the back of my hand.
What dripped from the bottle was a glowing white substance.
"It's glowing!"
As I licked the shimmering white liquid off the back of my hand, all the fatigue I had been feeling melted away.
"What is this?! What have I created? This is insane! I should stash it away in my item box. If I ever find myself on the brink of death, I can just drink this and fully recover. This is truly a supreme healing potion!"
The supreme healing potion had an astonishing effect, even from just a single drop. It was an incredible potion, but crafting another one would be quite the hassle. If such potions were made carelessly, it could throw the world into chaos, so perhaps it was best that it remained rare.
Setting the supreme healing potion aside, I decided to mass-produce level 3 stamina potions for my alchemical work.
"Stamina potion!"
I created about a hundred stamina potions in my item box. With this many, I felt no fatigue at all.