After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

Anyway, the two alchemists naturally decided to stay indefinitely. They were allowed as guest researchers in the Research Center after taking the basic oath of nondisclosure.

Cheman was pretty much dragged by Hoffen and the other pharmacists elsewhere, while Zenno was with Althea to help her get out of her slump.

During the past months, she had been trying to make her elementlist potions like the Goldleaf Elixir, Earth Core Elixir, Aqua Vein Tonic, and Verdant Heart Elixir.1

So far, after weeks, she had only been able to do three to five of each, which was really not good productivity for her.

She, the creator, had such trouble making these. Even if no one made it before, it was no wonder World Knowledge did not give her rewards for most of them.

This was what Grandmaster Zenno could help her with.

(Of course, before leaving, Grandmaster Hoffen stared at him and made a warning, reiterating that Althea was his apprentice!)

For the next half day, the older alchemist watched Althea’s work, and he couldn’t help but gape.

He was very impressed. Although she seemed to dislike her progress, it had to be known that a person being able to make one of anything she had already created could already be their life accomplishment.

”Don’t be too harsh on yourself,” he said, smiling patiently. ”You’re already doing well. Normal people wouldn’t be able to achieve a portion of what you have done in their lifetime.”

She gave him a small smile. ”I want to feel that way too, but the burden of responsibility is very heavy.”

She was the Lord, she was a toolmaker, she was a farmer, and she was a pharmacist.

More importantly: She was a wife, and she was a mother.

She had the ability to reduce deaths, so when it felt like she didn’t do her best and someone died, it felt like she took part in it.

Logically, she knew that she had already done so much. She had done so much more than others could even imagine, but it was difficult to control what one felt emotionally.

”Child...,” the old man said, patting her shoulder. ”Regardless of your position and your capability, you do not have to do everything for others.

”It is why everyone is given their own lives and their choices. That burden is not for someone else to carry; it never is.

”Now...let’s go back to your work,” he said, tying his sleeves back. ”We certainly have a lot on our plates—too much to think about other things.”

His attire reminded Althea of traditional eastern clothing, which had loose sleeves and a robe-like appearance. There were some differences, especially the patterns, but the initial impression was quite similar.

On a second look, it also looked quite western. She wondered if this was the fashion in Holt.

There was a strip of cloth inside the robes, which was used to tie up the sleeves securely so it didn’t interfere with the work.

”Watch me.”

Althea nodded and watched the older man create one of his signature works: The Fire Awakening Potion.

Depending on the quality, it could allow the user to control fire for 2 to 6 hours, the strength of which heavily depended on the person’s level and talent, as well as the quality of the potion itself.

His skill was definitely quite close to her own [Elemental Integration], so she knew she’d have a lot to learn in this demonstration.

He started by creating the base solution, with materials he got from his space.

He didn’t even hide what they were. Some were not too rare, but there was a rare ingredient called volcano’s gem, which was a mineral from a western volcano (there were apparently a few volcanoes far, far west near the Undead Territory, and a few northwest near the seas), and he would scrape bits of it to add to the solution.

This specific material was interesting. She didn’t have an affinity to the fire element, but she could sense that the aether was strong, so the specific element, fire, must be too.

”Would adding more of this increase the quality of the potion?” she asked.

”Good question. Yes and No,” he said. ”In the hands of an immature alchemist, then the amount above the minimum can be negligible, even useless.”

”On the other hand... if it was an experienced alchemist integrating the materials...”

Althea’s Eye was open the entire time, and she was watching the flow of mana as soon as the Grandmaster took out his materials.

Immediately, the difference between her skill and this one was obvious. The Grandmaster’s was much more concentrated and explosive, and it had to be to do what it was supposed to.

It seemed like it would restructure the entire solution and, when it stabilized, then the elements and the aether would be part of it!

”So interesting...” she said, as she mumbled her observations.

The alchemist’s eyebrows rose, a little surprised that she could see everything so closely, but he ended up smiling anyway.

He ended up wanting to show off a bit more, and completed the potion soonafter.

Althea clapped her hands. The Grandmaster did it within 2 hours! For such a high-level potion, this was amazing.

The old man chuckled. ”Did that help you?”

Althea nodded. ”I think so,” she said. ”But it might still take a while.”

”It’s okay, you can take your time. I’m already so old, and I have all the time in the world. Don’t feel pressured to finish quickly.”

Althea nodded and started with her process. For the most part, she followed her own process.

She only varied with a few steps, inspired by certain techniques she saw Grandmaster Zenno employ.

Since she wasn’t a fire elementalist, what she saw was only the vague movements aether, but her mind made up for the patterns automatically, a skill she developed from countless hours of practice.

There was a very specific movement he made that the elements followed. In alchemy, any change, any sequence, and any pattern could create different things. After watching the grandmaster at work, she learned a few of those patterns, which would ultimately become part of her repertoire.

And a few hours later—

[Created! Goldleaf Elixir (A)!]

Her eyes were bright, even when she was panting in exhaustion and was drenched in sweat. This potion that would usually take her a full day to create, now took a little over three hours!

Zenno, on the other hand, was also pale. Although he could only see the aether movements, he had an idea about what happened, and it was miraculous.

”Can you be my apprentice?”

At the side, Hoffen gasped.

He and Cheman had arrived a bit earlier (not that Althea noticed), and they had been watching the process for half an hour now.

Now that Althea was finally done with her project, he wanted to congratulate her. But before he could even approach her, this bastard said that!?

”YOU!!”

”What?”

”Traitor!”

”But I’m a Class A Alchemist too, but also an elementalist! Also, I’m younger than you.”

”You—You—” Hoffen gasped, face puffing and reddening in anger. ”NO! Althea is my student!”

”It’s not like you can only have one,” Cheman smiled, winking at Althea. ”Add me too.”

”HEY!”

He could barely spend time with his apprentice with everything going on, and these two old coots decided to interfere on top of that!?

Suffice it to say, two old men bickered for a long time after that.

Goldleaf Elixir (A). Increases the healing regeneration rate by 300% for 10 minutes. Has maximum efficiency for Level 40 individuals and below || Earth Core Elixir (B). Increases defence and constitution by 30% for 1 hour. Effective for Level 30s and below || Aqua Vein Tonic (B). A potion that loosens and improves the flow of energy in the body. Increases rate of spirit mana recovery by 50% for 10 minutes. Effective for users Level 30 and below || Verdant Heart Elixir (B). Grants permanent adaptation traits to a single plant, increasing survivability by 100% regardless of terrain, soil type, or climate. Enables the plant to absorb nutrients and moisture even in hostile environments. Ideal for rare or non-native species seeking long-term integration