Chapter 288

It wasn’t that Kanzaki Rei lacked the means to advance.

But having guidance—and having none at all—were two entirely different matters.

The principles of an alchemist weren’t particularly difficult to grasp.

At its core, it was simple: potion crafting.

Refine potions that others had already developed. Improve existing formulas. Or create entirely new ones.

That was the most fundamental rule of the profession.

However, if one sought perfect advancement—

Then, much like Origin Magic, there existed an exceptionally unique requirement:

A Personal Arcane Elixir.

A potion born from one’s own unique understanding of pharmacology.

Even if others obtained the formula, they would be nearly incapable of reproducing it.

A formula that only its creator could truly wield.

"...Interesting."

There was more—and more—to think about.

Pharmacology. Material identification. Foundational synthesis. Biology. Pathology...

Medicine was meant for living beings.

At least, most of the time.

So learning alchemy wasn’t just about understanding potions—it required studying anatomy, life processes, and the nature of countless forms of existence.

...What a bottomless pit.

Even though class advancement difficulty didn’t scale directly with the number of professions one held, juggling multiple classes still made progression extremely difficult.

Because to reach higher levels in any profession, one had to master a vast body of knowledge.

Death Priest. Cryptologist. Mage. Seer. Alchemist.

Even something as seemingly simple as a Warrior required immense study.

After a brief exchange, the three of them relocated.

The city had already been reduced to ruins. This lone surviving area would inevitably attract attention.

Although Kanzaki Rei possessed the "Unsolvable Enigma," it could only conceal himself—it had no effect on entities with no direct connection to him.

If others came looking for Eukinri rather than him, he wouldn’t be able to stop them.

Trouble would come, sooner or later.

And Kanzaki Rei had no interest in being disturbed.

So he moved their discussion to the wilderness.

Half a day passed.

There were still no signs of leaving.

And within that half-day, Kanzaki Rei had already grasped the foundational knowledge required of a Level 1 Alchemist.

As expected—having an experienced guide made all the difference.

No need to grope blindly in the dark.

"And now..."

"I need to think about my own Arcane Elixir."

For some reason, it didn’t feel as difficult as he had imagined.

It was said that this step—the creation of a Personal Arcane Elixir—was a hurdle most alchemists could never overcome.

And yet...

To Kanzaki Rei, it felt... manageable.

Perhaps prolonged exposure to Origin had dulled his sense of awe.

"My Arcane Elixir..."

Kanzaki Rei sat cross-legged before the alchemy table, deep in thought.

Spread before him were various potions.

All of them were crafted by his own hands.

Healing potions. Stamina restoration potions. Mana recovery potions.

Basic—utterly basic.

Eukinri swallowed.

He had heard that Kanzaki Rei had only just become an alchemist today...

Originally, he had never taken on an apprentice. But if he ever did, he imagined it would be a fresh beginner—a clueless novice.

Who could have expected...

That he’d end up guiding a monster like this?

"Eukinri, I don’t understand something."

"Explain it to me."

Kanzaki Rei examined a vial in his hand, glancing at the book beside him.

"The color of this potion doesn’t match what’s described here. Why?"

Eukinri took a look.

"...Did you use mana during the process?"

Kanzaki Rei nodded. "Yes. I used water manipulation to control the liquid."

At this point, Kanzaki Rei used magic wherever possible.

Handling vials manually was simply too cumbersome.

Magic was far more convenient.

"The ingredient known as Sunyellow Grass reacts to mana. Even the slightest trace will cause it to turn green..."

"That’s why your potion ended up this color."

"However, it doesn’t affect the potion’s actual effect."

"...I see."

Kanzaki Rei responded briefly, then returned to his thoughts.

Everything influenced the ingredients...

Mana. Force. Even temperature, humidity, weather, and the position of the sun.

Not to mention the moons—whose impact on this world was profound.

The deeper he delved into alchemy, the more vast and intricate it revealed itself to be.

But his rate of comprehension was far faster.

Back when he had learned Origin Magic, he had been simultaneously absorbing the world’s foundational knowledge.

Now—

He was no longer the same person who had just arrived in this world.

Kanzaki Rei closed his eyes, contemplating.

Then—

He turned toward the Golden Dragon.

"Dragon."

"Help me test something."

The moment his words fell—

Herberzio saw a fist rapidly enlarging in his vision!

What the hell?!

Weren’t you studying alchemy just now?!

Why are you suddenly attacking?!

Are you insane?!

But Herberzio knew full well the power behind Kanzaki Rei’s fists.

He didn’t dare be careless.

Crossing his arms, golden scales erupted across his body as he braced for full defense!

BOOM!

And yet—

The impact that struck him felt... soft.

Soft?

Like cotton?

"This is just a normal drill," Kanzaki Rei’s voice echoed calmly in his mind.

Herberzio was completely baffled, but still replied, "Understood."

And so—

In the wilderness, man and dragon exchanged rapid blows!

As Kanzaki Rei attacked, he simultaneously pulled out various potions—occasionally hurling them at Herberzio, or drinking them himself.

Glug—

Crash—

None of the potions seemed particularly impactful.

Which only made Herberzio even more confused.

After a short exchange—

He began to feel it.

Kanzaki Rei’s presence... was growing stronger.

Just like before—during their earlier battle.

But suddenly—

Kanzaki Rei stopped.

He turned his head.

Looking back at Eukinri.

"...Ah. I’ve got it."

"I should be able to create my Arcane Elixir now."

Eukinri froze.

...Wait.

What?

Not just Herberzio—Eukinri was completely stunned.

One second, this man was studying alchemy.

The next, he was throwing hands with a dragon.

And now—midway through the fight—he turns around and calmly announces he can create an Arcane Elixir?

Didn’t you just say you became an alchemist today?

Weren’t you just fighting?

What the hell does fighting have to do with potion-making?!

How do you fight for half a minute—and suddenly claim you’ve figured out how to create a Personal Arcane Elixir?!

...Don’t tell me—

You gain alchemical insight through combat?!