A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 50: Arix’s Advancement
Chapter 50: Arix’s Advancement

Matis looked at Sims, who was being relentlessly persistent, with a headache. He finally began to explain, ”The president of the Hecaris Military Academy also spoke to me about this. He wanted Arix to join the Department of Chemistry.”

”And? Why is she still in the Department of Mecha Manufacture?” Sims glared at him fiercely, as though he was ready to charge over and start a fight if Matis couldn’t convince him otherwise.

”I asked Arix, but she isn’t willing to give up the Department of Mecha Manufacture,” Matis replied helplessly.

He had watched all the footage of Arix’s entrance exams and knew she had incredible talent in chemistry.

If she focused on chemistry, it wouldn’t be long before the Kering family produced a Master Chemist. But he would never force Arix to do something she didn’t want to, and the same went for the rest of the Kering family.

Upon hearing this, Sims furrowed his brow.

If Arix was unwilling, no amount of convincing could make a difference.

Sims rubbed his temples, frustrated. Then he waved his hand at Matis, saying, ”Fine, I’ll try persuading her again, but that’s all I’ll say about it.”

”Alright, thank you,” Matis replied with a slight smile.

Sims ended the video call and looked at the bathroom, scratching his head and wondering how to communicate with that stubborn girl.

He couldn’t bear to threaten her, and he didn’t have the heart to shout. He sighed and thought he would try gentle persuasion first.

Not long after, Arix came out of the bathroom, looking like a little girl who had her candy stolen, upset and faintly angry.

”Why didn’t you warn me it would hurt that much? I had no mental preparation for it at all,” she grumbled.

”Uh...” Sims froze and awkwardly cleared his throat. Trying to remain calm, he explained, ”It’s normal for first-time experience; it won’t be like that next time. I didn’t tell you so you wouldn’t worry.”

”Really?” Arix was still skeptical and sensed something was off.

Noticing that she hadn’t fully bought his story, Sims quickly changed the topic. ”How are you feeling? Does your physical power seem improved?”

At the mention of this, Arix forgot everything else. Her face lit up with excitement. ”I think my physical power is at the peak of the Planet Class! Soon, I’ll definitely reach Star Class!”

”Good, good. This is just the beginning. Once you’ve finished all your medicinal baths, you’ll be close to the Subgiant Class, if not there already,” Sims replied with a beaming smile.

”Thank you,” Arix said, brimming with joy. She had been stressed about her physical power, but now that worry was barely noticeable.

She now had more time to focus on what she really wanted to do.

Seeing Arix so happy, Sims probed cautiously, ”I heard you’re still in the Department of Mecha Manufacture. Since you’ve learned chemistry from me, why not transfer to the Department of Chemistry?”

”No,” Arix refused outright.

Sims held back his frustration and tried to maintain a kind expression. ”Why not? With your talent in chemistry, isn’t it a waste not to specialize in it?”

Arix scratched her head. Matis had asked her about switching departments earlier, and she had refused then too. But she hadn’t explained fully.

”It won’t go to waste because I won’t give up either mecha or chemistry. I’ll be studying both,” Arix clarified.

She had planned to include both the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Psychic Ware when classes resumed. Her interest in the Department of Psychic Ware stemmed from a wild idea she had: she wanted to use the principles of psychic healing to develop similar potions.

Currently, the Alliance had no way to address psychic health issues other than through the expensive Psychic Wares, leaving many to suffer and die.

Each year, hundreds of thousands in the Alliance died from psychic power outbreaks, poisoning, or psychic world collapse. Even the lucky survivors often ended up as patients worse off than ordinary people.

Most affected were military personnel, and since Arix’s family was full of soldiers, she was determined to find a cure to break the cycle of waiting for death.

Arix wasn’t just motivated by the Alliance’s needs; she was also driven by her own resolve.

If the old Arix had had access to Psychic Ware, she might not have died from a psychic-destroying potion.

So, the new Arix vowed to develop an affordable psychic healing potion that would prevent the tragedy from repeating.

With this resolve, her gaze became more determined.

Though Sims didn’t entirely agree with Arix’s ideas, he didn’t object either.

He disagreed because he felt her work in mecha was a waste of time. But he wouldn’t oppose it because everyone deserved a chance to pursue their youthful dreams. Denying her this opportunity would be like clipping a bird’s wings and locking it in a cage.

Finally, Sims sighed and said, ”I support you. Go do whatever you want to do.”

”Mm, thank you,” Arix replied, assuming Sims supported her research into psychic healing. It was a beautiful misunderstanding.

For the next three days, Arix practically lived in the Chemistry Department, only leaving to sleep.

She spent her mornings learning about various medicinal ingredients and spent her afternoons soaking in the body-refining baths.

After finishing the final medicinal bath, her physical power had reached the peak of Star Class. Now, with just a bit more physical training, she would naturally progress to Subgiant Class.

On the fourth day, Arix finally committed to memory all the medicinal ingredients in the book.

With a confident stride, Arix approached Sims, who was busy preparing medicine, and said with a smile, ”I’ve read through them all.”

Sims picked up a jar from the shelf, fully focused as he asked, ”Alright, let me quiz you. What is the purpose of elderberry?”

Arix answered seriously, ”Elderberry is a common herb often used to relieve cold and flu symptoms. It’s rich in antioxidants, helps boost the immune system, reduces inflammation, and may also help ease coughing and nasal congestion.”

Sims nodded and continued, ”What about mint?”

Without hesitation, Arix replied, ”Mint is famous for its refreshing taste and pain-relieving properties. It can help with headaches, indigestion, and nausea, and is widely used in aromatherapy to relieve stress.”

”And how would you treat underarm odor and athlete’s foot?” Sims abruptly shifted topics, asking a question about a home remedy.

After a brief pause, Arix answered, ”Underarm odor can be alleviated with tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar. Diluted tea tree oil can be applied with a cotton swab, or diluted apple cider vinegar can be used to wipe the underarm area, which helps reduce body odor.”

Sims chuckled and asked, ”What about athlete’s foot?”

Arix confidently stated, ”Soaking the feet in a mix of vinegar and water can inhibit fungal growth. Foot care products containing tea tree oil can also effectively relieve athlete’s foot.”

Sims continued to ask many more questions about medicinal ingredients, and Arix was able to answer them all, demonstrating a broad understanding of their uses.

Sims couldn’t be happier, and even his gaze toward Arix carried pride.

With a solemn tone, Sims said, ”Excellent. Arix, remember this: a healer might not be an expert in chemistry, but to create potions that cure diseases, one must be skilled in medical science. If a chemist lacks knowledge of medicine, they’ll never reach their full potential.”

”Yes, I understand,” Arix nodded.

”Today, I’ll give you a hands-on lesson in crafting a Star-Class potion. Later, I’ll send videos of previous Star-Class and higher potions to your opticomputer. You can study them slowly once you’re officially in school,” Sims said, walking over to the preparation station to begin handling the herbs.

”Alright,” Arix said before watching Sims’ actions intently.

The main difference between Star-Class and Planet-Class or lower potions lies in both the ingredients and the crafting techniques.

Star-Class ingredients go beyond simple medicinal herbs and minerals; even insectoids can be used, not to mention the many interstellar beasts and rare pharmaceutical ingredients available.

However, the higher the grade of medicinal ingredients, the more impurities they contain that are difficult to remove. Thus, potion-makers must use psychic power to cleanse the impurities before they can be used.

Additionally, the process of crafting Star-Class potions is more complex, and even a small mistake can ruin the entire batch.

This time, they were crafting a Star-Class healing potion, which could rapidly heal non-fatal wounds.

Higher-grade healing potions, such as Subgiant-Class, could mend life-threatening injuries.

As for the legendary Supergiant healing potions, they could completely restore anyone who still had a breath of life.

Of course, such legendary potions were far beyond Arix’s reach. She hadn’t even crafted anything above Star Class yet.