Chương 92: Why not both?

Cal went about the routine of setting up his workbench, prepping measuring tools and casting [Scour] to clean the interior of his dusk iron cauldron. The laboratory hummed around him, a veritable storm of alchemical processes in various stages of completion. Across the room, Aurelian stood at his own station, guiding a shimmering cream mixture through the final stages of crafting. The D-tier potion emitted a powerful energy signature, its aura feeling a deep molten amber shot through with threads of crimson.

The air around the master alchemist's cauldron distorted with heat and the scent of something exotic and medicinal. Cal watched the process closely, trying to catalogue every minute gesture and tug of spiritual energy. Aurelian made it all look so effortless. The idea of effortlessness aligned perfectly with how spear work felt after his recent mission. These masteries are another key. The Sovereign's Toll is going to be as dangerous as it is gluttonous.

I can't afford to shallowly fracture my focus across a dozen disparate pursuits. I need to concentrate my efforts in a way that allows eventual consolidation and Mastery. To survive the climb, I must continue to forge these tools into disciplines that will make a difference. Aurelian's final gesture came moments later, a complicated twist of his wrist that sealed the reaction with a soft thrum of stabilized energy.

He used [Decant] to transfer the finished potion into a series of spirit-glass vials, each one glowing like a radioactive milkshake. The noble capped the last vial and turned, starting as he noticed Cal for the first time.

"You're early." Cal straightened from his workbench with a smile.

"I'm eager to get started. Today's the day I complete a potion. But before I do… I had a question. About the System." One silver eyebrow arched.

"The System is a vast topic." Drawing a breath, Cal organized his thoughts.

"Does the Mastery system apply to spellcraft and alchemy?" Aurelian's other eyebrow joined the first, rising slowly.

"An advanced question for an apprentice who is still working toward his first successful concoction." He set down the vial he'd been holding, giving Cal his full attention.

"What prompted this inquiry?"

"I achieved [Spear Mastery] yesterday." Aurelian went utterly still, his usually dismissive grey eyes boring into Cal. He placed both hands flat on his workbench and leaned forward slightly.

"Say that again."

"I achieved [Spear Mastery]. On the Legion expedition." The alchemist's jaw worked for a moment before he spoke, his tone losing its usual condescending edge.

"Mastery separates an artist from a laborer. It is the demarcation between one who merely follows instruction and one who comprehends the underlying principles so deeply they can create anew." He paused, looking Cal up and down.

"To have achieved it in any discipline proves the quality of the mind behind the tool. And yes, to answer your question; it can indeed be attained in nearly any pursuit the mind can conceive of." He fell silent, considering Cal with renewed interest.

"Finding the paths to such enlightenment, however... that is another matter entirely. But to do it once is to prove capable of doing it again." So… Mastery isn't about learning more techniques... it's about understanding the foundations of something so thoroughly it becomes a part of you. Lost in thought for a beat, Cal eventually formulated his follow-up question.

"With the Spells you're teaching me, am I working toward a Mastery in spellcraft or alchemy?" The alchemist gave a crisp nod.

"A better question than I expected." He gestured toward the array of equipment filling the laboratory.

"The answer is: why not both?" Clasping his hands behind his back, Aurelian moved to Cal's cauldron and began lecturing.

"Consider the nature of the craft. Whether you extract an essence with a Spell or more traditional mundane implements; whether you bind reagents through magical harmonization or mechanical agitation, the fundamental truth remains unchanged: a potion is still a potion. The System recognizes the synthesis of knowledge, not the rigid categorization scholars prefer." His gaze turned inward.

"You can develop Mastery in one direction—pure spellcraft divorced from physical implementation, or traditional alchemy without magical enhancement. You can pursue them both simultaneously, or a combination of both, learning to supplement one with the other as desired." He refocused on Cal.

"The choice is yours. In the end, it is all alchemy. And the pursuit of knowledge will be rewarded in any path you undertake." He smiled fondly.

"You will understand more in time. Now, it is better for you to complete your first potion than to get ahead of yourself. Theory without practice is merely philosophy." Aurelian turned to leave, but Cal stopped him.

"One more question?" The alchemist paused expectantly.

"The Legacy I was offered," Cal said.

"What are they, exactly?" Aurelian considered the question for a moment before replying.

"To the best of anyone's knowledge they are Skills, Spells, and Abilities tied to those who achieved the same stage of Mastery that you have. They become a potential reward for that achievement." He held up a hand to forestall any follow-up.

"But that theory is not conclusive. The greatest inconsistency is the selection of options offered to different people. When I achieved Mastery with fire magic I was presented with several Legacies I had read about at the Academy; but not all of them. I also had options that no one had recorded seeing in decades, and even a couple that had never been documented." Aurelian shook his head.

"We do not know why it changes. Perhaps it is random, or perhaps it is based on the System's perception of an individual's underlying aptitude. Nonetheless, it is different for everyone, and there are no guarantees. You can only make the best choice for yourself at that time." Cal absorbed the words, then gave a decisive nod.

"Thank you. I'll get started on the potion." He turned to his work and prepared to undertake the Mana potion recipe with the components he'd been studying for weeks. A soft creak sounded as the laboratory door opened. Selara stepped through, a basket of fresh-harvested reagents balanced on one hip. She observed the room, taking in the studious atmosphere and her brother's unusually serious expression. She moved to a far counter without a word, setting down her burden and leaning back against the workspace to watch.

Her presence subtly transformed the moment, elevating what had been a private practice session into something more formal. Great. Nothing like a little pressure to help with delicate magicking. Cal pushed the thought aside and refocused on the task ahead. He'd been thinking a lot about how this went last time and was confident his refinements and increased Wisdom would see him through. Time to begin.

He raised his right hand, fingers dancing in the air above the glass fern on the cauldron's rim as the sapphire lines of [Extract Essence] twirled into existence. The first construct hadn't stabilized before his left hand began to cast [Purge Impurity]. The second Spell materialized near the first, a complex grid of white light spinning in a circle. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Holding the two Spells near each other was like trying to force magnets of the same polarity together, and he had to lean on his Willpower to keep the magic from dispersing into chaotic energy. Sweat beaded on his temples. Forcing the Spells together, he positioned the purification filter directly in the exhaust path of the extraction siphon. The glass ferns on the cauldron rim withered as [Extract Essence] tore the spiritual matter from the physical container.

A stream of soft white light flowed into the waiting spiral of [Purge Impurity]. Flecks of black corruption were pulled forth and disintegrated, burning up in tiny flashes. He had modified the extraction Spell to bypass the [Container] rune, shooting the essence directly into the adjacent purification magic. Gravity did the rest. A pool of luminescent liquid gathered at the bottom of the pot as the ferns turned to dust on the shelf.

[Your proficiency with Extract Essence (F) has increased to Adept] [Your proficiency with Purge Impurity (F) has increased to Adept] Across the lab, Aurelian stilled. Cal immediately targeted the blue-cap spores, processing them before the first reaction could cool. One by one he processed the necessary ingredients until he severed the connection to the existing Spells and transitioned, his hands finding a new beat.

His right wove the temperature control matrix of [Thermal Manipulation], wrapping the cauldron in evenly distributed heat. Simultaneously, his left hand constructed [Harmonize]. [Your proficiency with Thermal Manipulation (F) has increased to Adept] [Your proficiency with Harmonize (F) has increased to Adept] It was a hyper-efficient production line. Extract and purify. Heat and harmonize. The mixture turned a brilliant azure as he combined the final reagents.

The mental strain was demanding, a pressure behind his eyes that threatened to migraine, but the reaction held. Cal carefully released his Spells as the blue glow in the cauldron dimmed to a pleasant light. To his [Spiritual Perception], the potion's aura was flawless—the unmistakable flavor of raw Mana seasoned with nature's balm. With trembling hands Cal constructed [Decant] and enjoyed the novel experience of guiding the liquid through the air by his Intent and into waiting spirit-glass containers.

Not a single drop was wasted. [New Spell Gained: Decant (F) - Novice] Cal capped the vials and set them on the table. [New Skill Gained: Pharmacopeia (F) - Novice] A batch of finished Mana potions. His first potions. Before he could process the accomplishment Aurelian stormed across the laboratory. He stopped inches from Cal's workbench, sweeping his arms aggressively at the table.

"Are you an imbecile!?" The venom in the words was shocking, a complete shift from the academic respect from earlier. Cal blinked.

"Huh?" Voice cracking slightly, the alchemist continued.

"You attempted an advanced dual-casting on your first brew! Well, perhaps it wasn't your very first attempt… but you could have destabilized the entire reaction! You could have been hurt! My—my equipment could have been damaged!"

"The Spells were stable and kept isolated," Cal said slowly.

"I never felt like I was losing control, and even then—wouldn't the concoction have just… gone bad?" The logical rebuttal only seemed to fuel Aurelian's anger as his nostrils flared.

"Alchemy is not just numbers on parchment! One misstep, one moment of overconfidence, and the reaction could cascade! Ingredients can become volatile! Energy can feedback through your channels! I have witnessed—" He stopped himself abruptly, his attention drifting as he stared past Cal at something only he could see. Cal realized his reaction may be about more than just this session.

"I understand the risks, and I don't take them lightly," Cal said gently.

"And while I appreciate your concern, trust me when I say I have no intention of injuring myself more than I already am." The statement punctured Aurelian's rage like a pinned balloon. The alchemist stood there, his usual armor of superiority stripped away as his hands opened and closed at his sides. He struggled to regain his composure. Selara stepped forward.

"He's careful, brother. More than you know." After exhaling a long breath, the alchemist turned abruptly and seized a Mana potion vial, holding it up to the light. His motions were sure again, his demeanor hardening back into academic scrutiny. He examined the vial intensely, his eyes tracking the play of light through the azure liquid. Squinting, he turned it this way and that, searching for any flaw, any impurity that would validate his concerns.

Selara watched her brother with a knowing expression, her arms crossed.

"It's good. Right? But consistency is the true test." Looking away from the vial and back to Cal, Aurelian's posture straightened.

"She raises a valid point. Once can be an accident. A fluke of circumstance or sheer, blind luck." He paused, his eyes narrowing.

"Twice can be a pattern." Aurelian set the potion down and stepped back, his posture stiffening.

"Brew the healing potion Cal, using the same method. Succeed, and you will be rewarded. Fail… and I don't want you using this method again unless under my direct supervision." As the master alchemist moved to give Cal space, Selara caught his eye across the laboratory and gave him a bright smile and a quick wink. Cal returned the smallest of nods. He turned his attention to his current state and assessed his Mana pool. The font in his lower abdomen felt noticeably depleted, perhaps down to fifteen percent capacity.

The dual-casting technique had been more draining than a sequential approach would have been, sacrificing regeneration and efficiency for speed. Without hesitation, Cal uncorked one of the three Mana potions he'd just created and raised it to his lips. The liquid was just as good as the ones he'd received during the Reaping Tournament, and the rushing energy refilled his Mana Font in seconds, washing away the mental fatigue that had been building behind his eyes.

Cal lowered the empty vial and set it aside, beginning to arrange the components for the healing potion. Aurelian watched from his station across the room, his arms still folded and his expression unreadable. Selara remained at her counter, her presence a quiet source of support. The only sounds were the soft hiss of Aurelian's own ongoing experiments and the faint hum of runic heating elements. After using [Scour] to clean the iron vessel, Cal drew a breath and dove back in.

[Your proficiency with Scour (F) has increased to Practiced] Familiarity oiled the mental gears, allowing the twin matrices of [Extract Essence] and [Purge Impurity] to snap into place. The Spells rose in unison, the slight tremor of uncertainty from the first attempt gone. But the clot-burr reagent was a different beast than the cooperative glass fern. The ingredient fought the extraction. Its essence clung to the physical husk like sap, requiring Cal to increase the Mana flow to the siphon.

He teased the essence from the hooked, sticky pods until it finally gave way, oozing like syrup, a deep red that throbbed with a heartbeat of its own. The purification vortex caught the rich stream. Impurities burned away in angry sparks, leaving a pool of clean crimson liquid in the cauldron. After a few more ingredients, Cal flowed into the heating and harmonization phase without pause. He wove the overlapping Spells, the movements beginning to feel like a rehearsed dance.

The reagents bound together, their spiritual properties merging under his direction. He persisted with the remaining spirit herbs until the mixture stabilized with a final pulse of ruby light. Dismantling the Spells, Cal looked down at the finished healing potion shimmering in the cauldron. The liquid flowed through the air under the guidance of [Decant], moving like Cinder's captured sunlight into the waiting vials.

[Your proficiency with Decant (F) has increased to Practiced] He capped the containers and looked up to face Aurelian. [Your proficiency with Pharmacopeia (F) has increased to Practiced] The master alchemist crossed the laboratory and took the vial from Cal's hand, tilting it under the rune light to examine the contents. His lips moved silently, as if conducting an internal dialogue or running through a mental inventory.

Aurelian lowered the vial and looked at Cal for a long moment before a leather-bound tome materialized from his void ring. His thumb ran over the worn cover as he held the book, weighing a decision.

"The Imperial Academy oathbinds its students from sharing its curriculum with others. A position I find... restrictive." He placed the book on the counter between them.

"This book contains my own F-tier formulae, but more importantly, it contains the foundational principles behind them. The why. It is the education I am permitted to give you beyond simple recipes." Aurelian tapped the cover, his face shadowing with something haunted.

"There is a reason for every step. A reason learned through failure." His voice dropped.

"Do not deviate from my text until you can explain exactly why my way is wrong, and yours is safe. Some mistakes..." He paused, temporarily lost in thought.

"You only make once." The moment weighed on Cal until he finally reached down and collected the book. Instead of opening it immediately, he stared back at the alchemist, acknowledging the unspoken hardship beneath the warning.

"I understand. Innovation shouldn't sacrifice safety. I won't be reckless." Cal held up the book.

"Thank you, Aurelian." The use of his name seemed to break through the alchemist's reflection. He looked down, his lips pressing together as if searching for words that wouldn't come. Unable to offer more, he gave a nod without looking up and turned away to busy himself at his own bench. A sad smile touched Selara's lips as she watched the exchange. Her eyes met Cal's in a brief moment of gratitude, and she walked over to her brother to begin rubbing his back.

Cal turned away and opened the book, cradling it carefully in both palms. The worn leather was soft with age and use; the spine cracked in places from repeated reference. He opened it to the table of contents, and his eyes appreciated the neat handwriting that filled the page. The recipes were organized by category and complexity. Near the beginning, he found the Stamina potion formula, completing the trifecta of resource-restoration potions he would need for adventuring.

Further down, the list expanded into elixirs for temporary attribute buffs, weapon oils for elemental enhancement, and various medicinal compounds. Tucked near the end of the list, almost hidden among more esoteric formulas, was a recipe titled Chef's Kiss: Culinary Enhancement Elixir. Cal smiled to himself at the thought of his young friend. I think I just found the perfect birthday gift for Leo.