Master Of None

" What? Couldn't sleep with the noise out there? Or were you just listening to the calling of a real alchemist?" Trish found that Remey and wandered in to the lab that she had claimed as her own. They had all claimed their own with Remey making the guild master's office and alchemy lab hers for now. But she was ready to step down if need be. She would not be some miser reigning over the guild. 

"No. I want to work on battle potions. We talked about it before and since the party wants to leave sooner to help out more, I need to be read. I have until midday tomorrow." Remey knew this was a lot to ask. But for an alchemist, long nights and harsh potion making was normal. They would often be consumed by research and end up lost. 

"We can get to work now then. Most of my herbs already arrived from the city and I have plenty for us to play with. Do you want some paralyzing gas potions, sleeping potions, explosive potions, maybe even some acid potions? I will avoid the rotting flesh potions made from the purple slime bodies. They could poison the water whereas the other potions would be safer to use in the water." Trish knew that poisons would end up killing the ocean life and the merfolk instead of helping anyone. 

" What do you think would be the most useful when facing an ocean environment? Do you think the explosion would hurt us more? I want to say defeating more enemies is good since they might be in higher numbers." The idea that Remey had was that there would be a densely packed baby krakens threatening everyone at all times. The mother would be dealt with by others so the babies would need to be completely oppressed. 

"The explosive potions are the better idea. You can throw them a decent distance and allow for them to explode without worry. But they can also be strapped to an arrow and sent on their way. Both methods work. But since you are in the water I can share a strategy that I have read about." There was a wicked glint in Trish's eyes. 

The tactic she had remembered had come from a book another battle alchemist had left behind. It was very interesting because unlike others they had grown up during a time when floods had been more common. "The tactic is to use dense vials or even bottles to store the potion. It's made sot hat mana activates the potion in to ex[plording over time. The dense bottle will cause a larger explosion but also make it heavier. Drop the potion in deep water and allow it to sink. Then it had gotten further underwater to explode and take out further away enemies." 

This tactic would be very useful against the kraken since they could remain above the water and drop potions down before anyone dove underwater. It would also leave a lot of the young kraken defeated and injured. Overall making things safer. 

"I think that is a good idea. I want to learn how to make them so that I can use them in the future but knowing these tricks is even better. I don't have any idea about what herbs to use though. Part of me thinks using some water or fire slime body might be necessary but the look you have on your face says it is not." Remey realized that this would be a lot more simple as soon as she started to speak again. 

"You need water, iron dust, some red star vines, and finally mana. That's it. The red star vine usually disrupts potion making and the iron dust will react with it to pull out the dense mana that ruins potions in an instant. The water bonds the two. But the mana causes the reaction to begin. It's simple. You don't even need to heat it. Most people won't come across this issue though since the red star vine is eaten by a lot of plant eating monsters or located in a small area of the forests." Remey wasn't sure what to say. It was really very simple to make a basic explosive potion. The issue she had was the lack of red star vines. 

"I have three crates of red star vines that I brought with me to make some potions. I wanted to sell them but we will be growing them come the warmer days. They only take about a week to be grown enough for harvest. Let's get to work making some quick explosive potions in thick vials." The pair headed toward a storage room that had been newly organized by the old master alchemist and Trish. 

The pair flowed in to their work and Remey was soon scraping the leaves off all the vines. Trish said that the leaves would release the dense mana first so they were made for the faster exploding potions and the vine stalk for the longer exploding potions. This made sense and Remey had a variation of the two. They all equally had thick glass vials from their storage though. The alchemy guild had personally hired a group of glass makers to provide vials monthly. It was one of the most important business deals for them at the moment. 

By the time the morning came and midday was approaching, Walker had found his way to the alchemy guild and climbed the steps to the floor that Remey was on. He had to pick up the remaining mana and health potions but also saw over a hundred explosive potions. He also managed to find Remey asleep and drooping on her work table. 

"She worked pretty hard to make these with me. If there is a carriage going with you, then let her sleep. If not, then give her this. It's not a potion but a drink made from coffee beans that I personally condense." Trish Left Walker to it after handing him a small cup. 

…..

….