Chương 32: Bonus story : The Druids' Guild: Part 2 : The Alchemy Laboratory

Emma continued down the aisles before stopping in front of a long shelf devoted to dietary supplements.

"I need vitamins... magnesium... and spirulina." Aldric, who had been walking a few steps behind her, slowed almost immediately. This aisle was unlike any they had passed since entering the shop. There was hardly any food here in the sense that he understood it. The shelves were filled with jars, bottles, pouches, and neatly arranged boxes, each bearing a name he had never encountered before. Matcha. Spirulina. Maca. Ashwagandha. Moringa. Collagen. Adaptogenic mushrooms.

They reminded him far more of the rare herbs and mysterious ingredients that the alchemists of his world sought through long expeditions into dangerous lands. Emma picked up a container of spirulina and dropped it into her basket. The moment she let go, Aldric took it from the basket to examine the label. The product claimed to promote energy, improve vitality, strengthen the body's natural defenses, and help reduce fatigue. He returned the container to the shelf before picking up another.

This one claimed to improve concentration, support normal bodily function, and enhance overall well-being. He continued his inspection with a third product, then a fourth. Each one seemed to possess a different property. Some improved sleep, others supported the immune system, while still others promised more energy or faster recovery.

"What's wrong?" Aldric set the bottle down.

"So potions are sold freely throughout your kingdom?"

"They're not potions..." The knight frowned before picking up the spirulina again.

"Yet this elixir claims to strengthen the body's natural defenses, increase vitality, and reduce fatigue." He then pointed to a second bottle.

"This one improves concentration." Then a third.

"And this one promotes sleep." His finger continued moving from one container to the next.

"This preparation strengthens immunity. This one aids recovery. Another increases energy. Each has a different effect, and each is made from herbs or substances whose names are completely unfamiliar to me. If these aren't potions... then I no longer understand what that word means." The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

In his former world, alchemists spent years searching for rare plants capable of restoring the strength of the wounded, increasing a soldier's endurance, or accelerating recovery. Here, all of those preparations sat neatly arranged on shelves where anyone could purchase them. Only one conclusion now seemed possible to him. The alchemists of this kingdom had reached such an extraordinary level of mastery that they sold their potions as ordinary everyday products.

Emma finally took the container of spirulina from Aldric's hands and placed it back into her basket.

"They're dietary supplements. They're not medicine. They're just... plants or substances that provide certain vitamins or nutrients when you're lacking them." Aldric picked up another bottle. His eyes slowly scanned the label: Boost Your Energy. He returned it to the shelf and picked up a second.

"The alchemists of your kingdom write their own labels."

"Each of these preparations promises a specific effect. This one increases vigor, that one protects against disease, another sharpens the mind, while a fourth claims to slow the effects of time itself. As for this last one, it says it purifies the body itself. In my world, no merchant would dare make such claims about an ordinary food."

"So... it's food?"

"Not exactly. Well... yes, but... they're mostly supplements. Some people take vitamins because they're deficient. Others want to improve their diet. There are scientific studies, recommended dosages, safety precautions... and sometimes people experience results simply because they believe the product works. That's called the placebo effect."

"The alchemists of my kingdom worked in exactly the same way. They selected specific herbs, combined them in precise proportions, explained their effects, recommended appropriate dosages, and warned their patients that excessive use could prove dangerous. You've just described the work of a master alchemist." Emma finally gave up trying to argue. Aldric continued exploring the aisle. The farther he walked, the more unfamiliar preparations he discovered.

Protein powders stood beside protein drinks, while green blends promised to revitalize the body. Farther along, other boxes displayed labels such as Detox, Focus, Energy, and Relaxation. Every product seemed designed to address a specific need, and each came with its own detailed list of ingredients printed on the back. Aldric's attention was then drawn to a young man standing a few yards away in front of the same shelves. The customer compared two large tubs of protein powder.

He carefully read every line of the ingredient lists, frowned, put the first container back, then picked up a second, followed by a third.

"He's preparing a recipe..." The customer eventually approached an employee.

"Excuse me, I'd like to boost my energy without sacrificing my focus. Which one would you recommend?"

"If that's your goal, I'd recommend this one. You can also combine it with this one. They work very well together."

"And how much should I take?" The employee explained the proper dosage, the best time of day to take it, and the precautions to follow. They then discussed different combinations, what should be avoided, and the results people generally noticed after several weeks. Aldric had witnessed conversations like this before. Not here, but in his former world. Two alchemists exchanging their knowledge on the best way to prepare an elixir to increase a warrior's endurance.

"I understand now why your kingdom is so prosperous. Even your ordinary citizens have mastered the fundamentals of alchemy." Just then, a woman called out to the employee, who was still speaking with the young man.

"Excuse me... do you have something that helps with stress and also improves sleep?" The employee gave her a reassuring smile.

"Of course. Follow me." He left his aisle and guided the customer toward another shelf that apparently contained products better suited to her needs.

"Your master alchemist is exceptionally skilled."