"Alchemy is the art of creating magic consumables," Professor Lyca Wanemyre continued, her voice steady and clear as she addressed the class. "It is similar to Forge Mastering, but unlike Forge Mastering, Alchemy products are not meant to last. They are prepared quickly and in large batches for an affordable price. Alchemical products are also one-use and cannot be recharged, but alchemical spells require relatively low mana. The main advantage of Alchemy over Forgemastering is that anyone, even non-magicians, can use Alchemy products, and they come at a lower price."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle on the students. "A common example of Alchemy products are healing potions and magic wands for frontline soldiers, and physical/magical enhancement potions for mages. While Forgemastering focuses on creating powerful enchanted items, Alchemy focuses on creating products that are readily consumable. Potions, elixirs, powders, and even certain enchanted items fall into the category of Alchemy."
Professor Wanemyre began walking around the room, her eyes scanning the class as she continued. "The process of making Alchemical products is far more volatile and requires a deep understanding of ingredients, their magical properties, and how they interact with the mana you infuse into them. Unlike Forge Mastering, where the magic circles dictate the power and stability of the enchantment, Alchemy demands a much finer control over the materials themselves, as well as the ability to balance the elements involved."
She stopped in front of the chalkboard and began drawing a series of interconnected symbols. "Alchemy isn't just about mixing ingredients. It's about understanding how mana flows through different substances. Take a healing potion, for example. The base of the potion usually consists of simple herbal ingredients, but to make it effective, you must infuse the potion with healing magic. If the balance between the base ingredients and the magic is off, the potion could either be too weak to heal or, worse, toxic to the user."
"Mana, in this case, acts as both the conductor and the amplifier," she continued, adding more symbols to the diagram. "When properly infused into the correct mixture, mana doesn't just empower the potion; it becomes part of it. The skill of the Alchemist lies in knowing exactly how much mana to add, how to channel it, and how to ensure it doesn't become overcharged. A potion that has too much mana might have unpredictable effects, and one with too little will not serve its purpose."
She faced the class again, her calm expression never wavering. "It is a delicate balance, one that requires constant refinement. The key is the right combination of ingredients, the proper amount of mana, and an understanding of the alchemical processes that govern them."
Professor Wanemyre's gaze locked onto Lith, who was listening intently. "Now, tell me," she said, her voice cutting through the silence of the room, "what do you think is the most important factor when creating an alchemical potion?"
Lith didn't hesitate. "The ingredients and the mana," he replied. "You have to understand the ingredients—how they work, what their properties are—and then you need to infuse the right amount of mana to make the potion work effectively."
"Exactly," she said, nodding. "But there's more. It's not just about mixing ingredients and mana; it's about controlling the process from start to finish. The timing, the environment, the temperature—all of these factors influence the outcome. An Alchemist is constantly adjusting variables, reacting to changes as they work. That's why Alchemy requires more hands-on practice than theory. You have to feel the mana, understand the flow of the elements, and sense when the potion is complete."
The room was silent as the students absorbed her words. Professor Wanemyre continued, "The first lesson you must learn is how to properly prepare your ingredients. Many beginners rush through this step, thinking that the magic lies only in the mana infusion. But without proper preparation, you might as well be throwing ingredients into a cauldron and hoping for the best. The finer the preparation, the more potent the result."
She stepped back from the board and smiled at the class. "I see some of you are already eager to get started. But before we jump into the practical demonstrations, we will first need to discuss the most common ingredients used in Alchemy and their properties."
The classroom atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as Professor Wanemyre moved to a large wooden table at the front of the room. On it, there were jars filled with various powders, leaves, and liquids, all neatly labeled with their names and corresponding magical properties.
"Alright," Professor Wanemyre began, her tone now turning more engaging, "it's time for a practical demonstration. You'll each have a chance to prepare your first basic potion—a healing salve. But before we do that, I'll walk you through the process."
She picked up a jar filled with a deep green powder. "This is Nymberry Dust. It's one of the most common ingredients in healing potions. The Nymberry plant has restorative properties, and when ground into dust, it can accelerate the body's natural healing process."
She added a small amount of the powder into a glass flask, which she placed over a heat source. "Heating is the first step. You need to warm the ingredients to activate their properties, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much heat and you'll destroy the essence of the ingredient."
As the flask warmed, she took a vial of clear liquid and poured it into the flask. "This is Alganite Essence, a stabilizer. It helps bind the magical properties of the ingredients together, making the healing potion more effective. Without it, the healing properties would be too volatile, and the potion could cause harm rather than help."
She closed her eyes for a moment, her hands hovering over the flask as she concentrated. "Now, the magic," she said. "Mana must be infused into the potion at the right moment. Not too early, or the magical energy will dissipate. Not too late, or it won't bind properly."
A faint glow emanated from her hands as she channeled mana into the flask, watching as the liquid inside began to bubble softly, changing color from clear to a soothing light green. "This is the final stage. The mana amplifies the healing properties of the ingredients, making the potion more potent. If done correctly, this healing salve will accelerate tissue regeneration and relieve pain in a matter of minutes."
She held the flask up to the class, allowing them to see the glowing liquid inside. "This is the power of Alchemy. A balance of ingredients, magic, and timing. And now, it's your turn."
She turned to the students. "Each of you will have the chance to create a healing salve today. I'll guide you through the process, and I expect you to take careful notes. Alchemy is not about rushing; it's about precision and patience. Now, let's begin."
As the students prepared their ingredients and began the process, Lith couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This was the kind of magic he could understand—practical, tangible, and rewarding.