Nathaniel looked at the sheet of paper in his hands.

Nathaniel,

I’m sorry, but I can’t take you to your alchemy lesson today. I’ve commanded Helmer to take you. I’ll check on you tonight.

Sincerely yours,

Ophelia,

Nathaniel set the paper down and looked up at Helmer who gave him a strained smile. [Annoyed] sat above Helmer’s head. Nathaniel smiled slightly as he finished off his small breakfast. He finished getting ready and turned to his attendant.

“I’m ready,” Nathaniel said.

“Excellent sir,” Helmer said tightening his fist. He led Nathaniel down the halls to a simple wooden door on the first floor. A heavy herbal scent emanated from it. “Here’s the alchemy lab sir. If you’ll excuse me, I have other duties I need to tend to.” He ran off before Nathaniel could say anything.

Nathaniel knocked on the door.

“Enter.”

Nathaniel stepped into the room and was silently assaulted by the musty scent. Two large tables sat near the center of the room filled with alchemical sets. A large bookshelf sat along the wall opposite a stove and counter with reagents on it. An elder man hung herbs to dry.

“The hero arrives,” the elderly man said, “Are you ready to learn the secrets of [Alchemy]?”

“Yes sir,” Nathaniel said, “But please call me Nathaniel.”

“A pleasure Nathaniel,” the alchemist said, “I’m Antron. How familiar are you with the skill?”

“I’m already level two,” Nathaniel said, “I learned it by watching a hostel alchemist.”

Antron gasped a laugh, “I would have loved to see that,” he said, “The guild does everything in its power to keep its control over alchemists.”

“And now there’s a hero that can specialize in [Alchemy],” Nathaniel laughed along, “But I’m surprised you don’t have a problem with it.”

“The guild cares more about control than progress,” Antron said, “It has caused my craft to stagnate and wither. I want to see it change, so I’m thrilled to that you’re here.” Antron pulled out a large book and flipped it open, “So let’s get started. Let’s start with the basics, the health and mana potions.”

Antron gathered the ingredients and placed them on the second table. One contained a sunny yellow flower shaped like a lily. Sol Flora was written on the side. The second was a powder that glistened blue, green, and violent labeled Powdered Arcanum.

“For the health potion, we’ll take five Sol Flora petals and ground it up with two spoons of Powdered Arcanum,” Antron said gesturing to the mortar and pestle.

Nathaniel plucked off the petals and tossed in the powder, “What purpose do these ingredients do?” Nathaniel said grinding the ingredients.

“Sol Flora has properties that increase blood production and fight infections,” Antron said, ‘Whereas Powdered Arcanum will infuse magic into the potion, amplifying the effects.” He turned to the small pot filled with water, “You’ll boil the ingredients for fifteen minutes while stirring gently the entire time.”

“The entire time,” Nathaniel said with a sigh, “I need to invent an automatic stirrer.”

He dumped the ingredients into the water and started stirring. About a minute in, he had to switch hands. Slowly, the water took on a dark red color making it look like tea but had a pungent coppery smell.

“Now we let it boil down until it thickens up,” Antron said, “You’ll stir occasionally to keep it from burning on the bottom.”

“Mind if I open a window?" Nathaniel asked rubbing his nose.

“Sorry,” Antron laughed opening the small window, “I’ve been doing this for so long that my sense of smell is pretty much gone.” Nathaniel continued stirring until he started scraping goop from the bottom of the pot. “Scrape the spoon off on this,” Antron held out a large leaf the size of a plate, “That’s the main ingredient of healing salves, so you’ll want to keep it.”

“Will all potion recipes create secondary ingredients?”

“Not all, but most will,” Antron said, “The mana potion will create a substance that’s mostly used for poisons, so we’ll be throwing that one out.”

“A poison?” Nathaniel said, “Is there someplace safe to dispose of it?”

“No, but there’s nothing to worry about,” Antron said wrapping up the leaf and grabbing another, “The substance is known to cause numbing when it gets on the skin. But it is used in poisons that can stop your breathing.”

“Do you have surgeons?” Nathaniel said scratching his chin, “Someone who performs battlefield operations on wounded soldiers?”

“Yes, why?”

“Back in my world we had anesthetics,” Nathaniel said, “It’s a drug that causes someone to lose feeling when applied. Doctors, I mean healers, back home used it all the time when treating patients.”

“What? Why?” Antron asked in shock.

“To help with surgeries,” Nathaniel said, “Imagine how much pain someone goes through when you saw off a leg, or an arm. It was used help the patient from suffering through all that pain.”

Antron stared with his mouth wide open, “Bloody brilliant,” he said, “If we could make a salve with the numbing substance then we could do the same thing. The potion’s done.” Antron grabbed the pot and set it on the counter, “Congratulations, you created a pot of lesser healing potion.”

[Skill leveled: Alchemy Lv. 5]

[Class leveled: Inventor Lv. 5]

“My [Alchemy] is level five now,” Nathaniel said with a large smile.

“Excellent,” Antron said, “Now, for the mana potions we’re changing out the Sol Flora for this,” he pulled out a jar filled with dried ivory mushrooms, “Luna caps have a property that’s used to rejuvenate stamina and magic.” He pulled out one mushroom, “It uses a dried mushroom but follows the same instructions as the health potion.”

Nathaniel nodded. He started grinding the ingredients together and placed them in a pot of steaming water. A thought came to Nathaniel, and he activated his [Intuition] skill. Fifteen minutes appeared at the top of his vision. This skill is quite useful. The water turned an iridescent blue-green and after the allotted time, he scooped out the dark teal residue. Then he set the potion to the side to cool.

[Skill leveled: Alchemy Lv. 7.]

“Do certain recipes require skill levels?” Nathaniel said.

“In a sense,” Antron said scooping the last of the health potion, “You can craft any recipe at any level, but crafting certain recipes have better chances at certain levels.” He flipped to another recipe, “For example, in order to have a guaranteed success at crafting a full health potion your [Alchemy] needs to be level fifty.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“So, at level seven, I’d most likely fail,”

Antron laughed, “Probably, but as a hero you’d have a higher chance of success than a basic alchemist.”

“What’s the level needed for the healing salve?” Nathaniel said looking at the alchemy book.

“Level five, so you have nothing to worry about,” Antron said pulling out a wooden bowl, “It’s an easy recipe. We take the healing potion residue and mix it into a solution of flour and water until it becomes a paste.” He passed Nathaniel the bowl, “Give it a try.”

Nathaniel took the bowl and scooped a spoonful of the residue alongside a handful of flour and half a cup of water. He beat the solution together until it produced a bright red paste.

[New recipe acquired: weak healing salve]

[Skill leveled: Alchemy level 8]

Nathaniel smiled then looked at the mana potion residue, “Do you have a piece of paper and something to write with?” he said.

Antron grabbed a sheet of paper and a quill. Nathaniel looked at the recipe for the healing salve. [Innovation] appeared at the top of his vision. So, it activates by intent. He copied the recipe for the healing salve but replaced the health residue with the mana residue. Afterwards, quickly whipped up the anesthetic paste.

[New recipe created: weak anesthetic salve]

Nathaniel handed Antron the paper, “Here’s a recipe for the anesthetic salve,”

“You were able to make it!” Antron said, “This is amazing. I’ll take this to the infirmary for testing, then I’ll send it to the guild so that you will be recognized as the creator.”

A large explosion sounded from the window. Nathaniel rushed to the window and saw Shizuka standing out in the practice field rubbing her face with a handkerchief. Five feet in front of her was a black smoking hole with a mage lying on the ground screaming in pain.

“Someone looks to be hurt badly!” Nathaniel said.

Antron held up the salve bowls, “Then it’s a good thing you made these.”

The two rushed outside to the practice field. A group of soldiers gathered around the smoking hole while Maria and a group of priests gathered around the hurt mage. White magic showered down from Maria’s hands and enveloped the mage as his burns rapidly healed.

“I’m so sorry!” Shizuka said crying and sneezing into her rag, “I didn’t mean for him to get hurt.”

“We understand that lady Shizuka,” Ollimier’s elderly advisor said, “We’ll see to his treatment, and will find a different method of training that doesn’t require you to be outside.”

“How bad is it?” Nathaniel asked, “We brought some medicine if anyone needs it.”

“Not too bad, thankfully,” the advisor said, “Only one person was badly hurt. The Saint’s healing has everything covered.”

“Don’t be that way Debin,” Antron said, “We saw what happened and thought the Inventor’s new recipe could help.”

“New recipe?”

“Yes,” Antron showed him the blue salve, “It’s called weak anesthetic salve. It causes a numbing sensation to help treat wounds!”

Debin sneered, “And you want to test it on our wounded?”

Nathaniel sighed and wiped a small amount of the salve onto his hands. A cool sensation spread throughout his hands. It reminded him of using vapor rub or the ointments used to treat sprains.

“It’s not as strong as I thought it was,” Nathaniel said, “The most this can be used to treat minor injuries like sprains, burns, and joint pain.”

“Joint pain,” Debin said looking at the paste with interest. He rubbed some into his hands and he sighed in relief, “I’ll speak with his highness about using this on our wounded,” he cleared his throat, “Excellent work Inventor.” He turned to the mages, “We’ll have the Archmage continue practicing inside so that this doesn’t happen again.”

“We can’t!” the head mage said, “There are certain spells that require us to be outside.”

“I’m sorry,” Shizuka said, “It’s these damn allergies.”

“I understand Archmage,” Debin said placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, “We’ll do our best to get you the best training possible. For now, go inside and teach her something less…volatile.”

The mages grumbled but did as they were told. A pair of medics placed the wounded mage onto a stretcher and carried him away with Maria and the priests following closely. Left alone, Antron and Nathaniel made their way back to the lab.

“I’m glad Debin saw reason,” Antron said laughing, “Now we can start testing this new salve and send it to the guild for approval.”

“So, we’re going to spend the rest of the day making this?” Nathaniel looked at the paste apprehensively.

“Of course not,” Antron said with a sly smile, “That’s what medics and apprentices are for.”

“Good,” Nathaniel said scratching his chin, “You don’t happen to have a book about alchemical components, do you?”

“Yes,”

“Would it be all right if I borrowed it?” Nathaniel asked clearing his throat, “I want to make some medicine for Shizuka. Something to help her with her allergies.”

Antron’s eyes sparkled, “A new recipe!” he said, “You can have it, and the recipe book too.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully, “The guild supplies them to every member, so I’ll have them send me a new one.”

“Thanks,”

“Don’t mention it son,” he said with a bright smile, “But I want to be there when you make it.”

“I’m going to try and develop it today,” Nathaniel said, “My boons should guarantee a successful creation.”

“Then let’s go.”

They stepped into the lab and Antron pulled out a thick book from the bookshelf. Nathaniel cleaned up the second table so that Antron could lay it down.

“What are you looking for?” Antron said as Nathaniel started flipping through the pages.

“Ingredients that treat symptoms of illness,” Nathaniel said, “Runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.”

“Just the symptoms?”

“Yes,” Nathaniel said turning to the recipe book, “Allergies are caused by the body treating things like pollen as potential threats. So the only way to deal with allergies is by treating the symptoms.”

“I understand,” Antron said taking the book, “Then I recommend ashwort, dried seranbell, and blue shawls.” He pointed to three pictures. Ashwort showed a black and grey truffle, seranbell was a pear-shaped fruit that looked like a cross between an orange and lemon, and blue shawl a flower with dropping hood like petals. “These three ingredients are the most common in recipes meant to fight illnesses.”

“Do you have any?” Nathaniel said looking around.

“I have ashwort and blue shawls, but we could get seranbell from the kitchen,” Antron said, “We’ll have to dry it ourselves.”

“That’s fine, we can use the oven for that,” Nathaniel said snapping his fingers, “Does the kitchen have any honey?”

“Probably,”

“We’ll need to grab a jar of that too,”

Shizuka blew her nose into her moist handkerchief. She sniffled and rubbed her bloodshot eyes as she walked down the dark corridors. Another fit of sneezes struck her and she nearly ran into the wall. To call today a disaster was an understatement.

After the accident, the mages took her into one of the labs and had her practice simple utility spells. Of course, being inside didn’t help calm her allergies and she nearly blinded another mage with a simple light spell. After that, they had her study for the rest of the day, alone.

“This place sucks,” she said, “Other worlds are supposed to be different,” a sad smile appeared on her lips, “But that’s only for the main character…which isn’t me.”

“Why can’t it be you?”

Shizuka stared at the man standing next to her door. Her short stature made the man look like a giant as he stood a foot taller than her, and the gentle aura he produced help ease some of her tension. It’s a shame that his presence brought on a sudden awkwardness, one that was her own fault.

“B-because I’m not their precious champion,” Shizuka said sharply, “Just a mage.”

“I see,” Nathaniel said scratching his chin, “But I disagree. You can easily be a main character with your explosive presence.”

Shizuka stopped her chuckle with a growl, “Why are you here?” She said, trying to put some anger into her scowl.

Nathaniel laughed nervously, “Sorry,” he said holding out a leather bag, “I came to fulfill a promise.”

Shizuka took the bag, and inside she found a small glass jar filled with what looked like individually wrapped pieces of candy. A folded piece of paper was tied around the jar reading Allergy Meds. The recipe appeared to be written on the inside.

“Here’s the allergy medicine I promised,” Nathaniel said expectantly, “It was quite simple to make, but I thought, why not make them into honey candies. That way you can start building up an immunity to the allergens here. I’ll try and have your motion sickness meds shortly, but I thought this was more important.”

Shizuka couldn’t stop the tears, “Why’d you make this?” she said, “After our…fight, after ignoring you. Why make these for me?”

Nathaniel placed a hand on her shoulder, “Because I want to help,” he said, “I mean, you saw the crater you made right. Next time make sure you target Duncan.”

Shizuka laughed, “I’ll try,” she said, “Thanks Nathaniel, and I’m sorry about earlier,” she held the jar close, “I thought you would abandon me like everyone else.”

“I’ll always be here,” Nathaniel said pulling her into a hug, “Even if my class was something different. It’s just…I think we should start off as friends.”

“I understand,” Shizuka held on tightly, “Maria and Ophelia gave me an earful on the way here, but I don’t fully agree with all their reasons.”

“Good night, Shizuka,” Nathaniel said patting her shoulder, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Nathaniel,” she said. The moment he was out of sight, she popped one of the candies into her mouth. Shizuka smiled at the sweet taste.

Nathaniel felt satisfied. It felt good to help Shizuka by making her medicine. In fact, it was that feeling that made him choose to be an engineer, and now, he had an entire world that needed his help. Even if they looked down on him. Well, not everyone.

Ophelia stood by his door, “Are you here for an update?”

“I actually wanted to congratulate you,” Ophelia said with a bright smile, “I heard about your first innovation,” she laughed, “I wasn’t expecting Debin to speak so highly of you.”

“It’s that bad,” Nathaniel said with a heavy sigh, “They don’t see me as a valuable asset,” He looked to his room, “Guess I’m not crazy.”

Ophelia lost her smile, “I-I’m sorry,” she said, “I tried to convince them, but they wouldn’t believe me. They needed proof,” she folded her arms, “Which is absurd.”

“I have my work cut out for me.”

Ophelia placed a hand on his shoulder, “I have faith in you,”

“Thanks, I won’t let you down.”