Inside the Alchemist’s Shop…
Leon stood near the counter while the old man picked up some crates of empty glass vials from under it.
“Kid… You don’t know what you’ve done. Even if you had ten alchemists with you, the amount they’ve given you is too much to make in two hours.
I would’ve completed the order myself, but three of my alchemists are Velthorne Academy students, and they refused because their monthly duels are coming early this month… I think it’s in two days,” the old man said.
“I see,” Leon replied.
‘Hmm… I’ll have to go to the Monthly Duels too, since it was clearly stated in the Non-Attending Students clause,’ Leon thought with a neutral expression.
*Thud*
“Here are your 600 empty vials, and those boxes over there are filled with Hermit and Limin Tree leaves.
All of this will cost you 14 silvers, with a 2 silver discount from my side, since I failed to complete the contract. I hope your alchemists can complete it in time, kid,” the old man said.
“What about pure mana?” Leon asked with a confused expression.
“What about it?” the old man replied.
“Don’t I have to buy that?” Leon asked.
“No one sells pure mana, kid. Alchemists can easily make it on their own. It’s not that hard… Your alchemists should know about it,” the old man said.
“I see… Here,” Leon said, handing over the 14 silvers.
“So, how are you going to take all this? Do you have a slave or a wagon?” the old man asked.
“How much do you think this crate of empty vials weighs?” Leon asked with a confused expression.
“This ? I don’t know… 7–8 kilos,” the old man replied.
“What about the boxes of leaves?” Leon asked.
“If you pick up both at the same time… I think the weight should be around 20 to 22 kilos. But why are you asking about their weight?” the old man asked, puzzled.
“Threads…” Leon muttered, immediately binding an invisible mana thread to a small wooden statue mounted on the wall behind the old man.
*Pull*
Leon pulled his hand back, and the statue immediately fell to the ground.
*Thud*
“What the- !? How did this fall down?” the old man asked, confused, as he bent down to pick it up.
He picked up the statue, and when he stood up again, he noticed the shop was empty. Leon was gone — and so was all the stuff he had just bought.
“Where did that guy go?” the old man muttered, looking around with a puzzled expression.
…
After leaving the Alchemist’s Shop, Leon stared at his inventory.
There were nine slots in total — three filled with leaves and empty vials, one holding a matchbox, and one holding a sharp knife.
Four slots remained empty.
“Let’s buy something to eat for Olga,” Leon said as he stopped at a fruit shop and bought some fruits.
‘Now, I need to learn how to make pure mana and to learn that, I’ll need to go to the Helix Library again,’ Leon thought as he immediately started walking towards it.
After walking for about 10 minutes, Leon reached the Helix Library.
He entered inside and noticed it was much busier than usual.
Even the first floor was crowded with people.
“Sir Leon, you’re back!” a familiar voice rang out.
Leon immediately turned to his right and saw Rita standing there with a smile, hugging the same book to her chest as last time.
“Ah… Rita. How are you?” Leon asked with a smile.
“I’m good! How about you?” Rita asked.
“Yeah, I’m still alive,” Leon replied.
“Looking for dungeon-related books again?” Rita asked with a smile.
“No, no… I’m looking for alchemy books — ones that can teach me how to make pure mana,” Leon said.
“Oh… Are you an alchemist?” Rita asked with a smile, continuing to stare at his face.
“Yeah,” Leon replied with a neutral expression.
‘Is there something on my face? Or do I look funny?’ Leon wondered, unable to understand why Rita was smiling while looking at him.
“That’s good… Very good,” Rita said, drifting into her own thoughts, her smile growing wider.
“So… Can you show me the way to…?” Leon asked, waving his hand in front of her face.
“O-Oh, yes! Please come with me,” Rita said, snapping out of her thoughts and walking towards the right side of the first floor.
“So… Why is it so crowded today?” Leon asked, confused.
“All the magic academies except Velthorne Academy decided to move their final exams to next month, because of the unfortunate deaths of soldiers on the battlefield last night.
These students are getting ready for their exams so they can pass and serve the kingdom,” Rita explained.
“Ah… I see,” Leon replied with a neutral expression as they stopped in front of a bookshelf.
Rita looked through some books before pulling out a small one.
She opened it and flipped through its pages carefully before stopping at one page and pointing her finger at it.
“This is the one. Here you go, Mr. Leon — this should help you,” Rita said, handing him the book.
Leon looked at the page carefully and saw the heading:
[Making of Pure Mana]
“Well, enjoy your reading and if you need anything, just wave your hand and I will be here,” Rita said, smiling as she left.
“Thanks,” Leon replied as he started reading.
—
[• Pure Mana is often used in making potions and enchanting weapons. Although it is a powerful chemical, it can be easily made by anyone.
• In order to make pure mana, one must know how to feel and control their own mana.
• The most efficient way to gain control over your mana is to close your eyes and feel it around and inside your body.
• Once you feel the mana, start concentrating a large amount at your fingertip.
When concentrated, the mana will automatically turn into a shiny blue-colored liquid and drip from your finger.
• The stronger your concentration, the more pure mana you can generate.]