Master Of None

Chapter 2315: 2315. Mana Herbs

Every alchemist would focus on the herbs which they used. It was just a major aspect of making a potion. However, they would usually trust what was known or focus any research on known aspects of the herbs in general.

Even when researching newer herbs or unknown herbs, the characteristics were easily discovered by referencing related or similar herbs. That being the case, those doing altogether new research were not actually all alchemists. It was better to say it was the herbalists who were leading that aspect of alchemy.

The herbalists were responsible for managing more than just growing the herbs. What they did could change the herbs at the core of what they were.

One herb grown in a slightly different soil could change the strength of healing aspects or even make a healing her poisonous. This was just the tip of the iceberg through. Changing the amount of light or the amount of mana a basic healing herb gained during growth could again change the quality and size of an herb.

Right now, there was a small field of what were being called micro sage being grown. A cooking herb also used in some fragrant potions and even perfumes. However, when forced to grow smaller with a larger amount of light mana used, the micro sage had changed color to have a yellow hued leaf. The size was smaller and less usable for cooking, however, in light affinity potions, it was perfect.

Remey had received this herb some time ago and praised the potent light mana within the herb. That was why it became a major ingredient within the light affinity potion.

Since she had this example to go off of, Remey could follow the clear flow of research. The herbalists she had met with constantly were focusing on the herbs which were already used within kitchens, homes, and other aspects of all kingdoms.

Finding diversity in those herbs would allow for larger production while never worrying about the rarer herbs recently discovered or struggling to grow due to the low numbers. It also saved costs when it came to using these rarer and harder to grow herbs. Things that everyone would be happier to hear about in the long run.

The field that Remey went to was one that most would find to be strange. Not because it looked like nothing but weeds grew there, but because it also had bone shards from monsters scattered through it.

”I see we have a guest.” A chipper voice broke the silence as Remey had been thinking about herbs and what she would be asking of the herbalists.

The scent of various herbs and a calming general aura met Remey when she saw the woman carrying a basket of herbs. ”I was just planting the bone reed stems to take over this field. From what we gathered, they grew on old battlefields because of the bones left behind in them. They also kill any other weed or plant when they grow because of the high nutrients they need from the earth.

When they release their fruits, they rehabilitate the soil. But we donʼt understand what other uses they may have.”

This was where that saved money went too. In to experimenting with rare herbs recently found locked away within different ruins. Specifically, some found within the undead city where Immortal king used to occupy.

”I read the report brought to the alchemy guild about them. They might be able to help the vampires stave off their need to feed on different bloods. It also might help any other undead races we discover in the future. If they exist.” This was a going theory which many hoped for. Hence why the vampires closely followed it as well. Their bodies were still somewhat weak after being freed.

”I am glad to see you visiting to check on the herbs. Whenever the meets occur within the guild building, many of the high herbalists are raving about what our herbs become.” The woman smiled and became more energetic as she waved to a group walking the edges of the field.

”And here I wondered why I was being waved over. One of the guild masters came to greet us.” The others with this woman had been waved at to keep moving since they had work to do. However, the demi-human woman standing tall over Remey was someone with very high skill.

Even the elves had all agreed that she possessed an intuition for growing difficult herbs rarely seen in a lifetime. Hence why she had grown so quickly from a new member of the guild all the way to a managing member in charge of several experimental fields. This one being a focus.

”Ingrid, you arenʼt hoarding any herbs, right?” Remey let a little threat slip in her tone. Not because she disliked Ingrid as an herbalist, but because she knew that Ingrid loved to collect specimens to research in her own herbalist laboratory. It was part of her river salamander demi-human traits.

Apparently, the ancient river salamanders, known as the river swallowing salamanders, used to keep certain underwater plants around their nests. Noth for eating and for general looks. This had been partially passed down in the demi-humans with these traits, making them prone to collecting plants or herbs. Leading them to become herbalists or farmers.

”You have accused me of that every single time you see me. I have not hidden away thousands of herbs. I just have my research collection.” Her huffing tone was followed by a little laughter before she glanced back at Remey. ”You arenʼt here for that though?”

”No I am not. I came to tell you that we need more herbs to produce grand healing and grand mana potions. Then we need to thin those potions out using some other herbs of weaker quality. What I am asking of you, is to pause some research unless it can directly influence what we need right now.”

Some part of Remey was telling her that this was wrong. She too did a lot of research. But she had to stop that so she could work on grand potions to be sued to make larger numbers of weaker potions. It was the best usage of her time and effort right now. That was the same case for the herbalists right now.

”I see. Then you can come to the isolation greenhouses. We have an herb that draws manas like no tomorrow. It even kills itself if it is in a pace with too little mana because it canʼt blossom.” Ingridʼs tall figure came from the larger growth of her ancient bloodline traits. But she was delicate and careful with every step. She had never set foot on an herb if it could be damaged.

Thatʼs why Remey trusted her words very much.

Following her to the greenhouses which were smaller due to the isolated growing methods used within each one, Remey was surprised to see the pale white leaves growing in the one she had just been ushered inside of. She could also feel the very low amount of mana within caused by multiple runes carved in to stone pillars inside.

”We have to keep the mana flow slow or else the plants will grow rapidly and leave nothing behind for use. The seeds will even sprout and grow to the point where they canʼt have their flowers pollinated to produce more seeds.”

”Do you think that these herbs were affected by the changes in mana?” Remey felt that these herbs might have been influenced since this was an herb which wouldnʼt normally survive outside of controlled growing.

”Actually, we believe this herb only grew in places where mana was thin to begin with. We also think that this herb would thrive in secluded places with odd mana flow naturally. Many places where unique ecosystems cross have sections like that. The mana is thin so they grow slower. If they go too far, they grow too fast and die off allowing for other plants to grow or other monsters to feed on them.

They also might grow where certain monsters feed on them. I want to do some tests with just one mana or-”

”You could go on like this all day. Why do you think these small stringy plants with white leaves are useful?” Remey wasnʼt playing around here at all.

”Because, they help the body absorb mana naturally. The flower petals when bloomed have an odd sap inside which attracts mana. If consumed, it can help extend the strength of a mana potion. Recovering some mana from the potion itself and then pulling mana from the air as well. Making a whole new mana potion if you can manage to protect that sap in your alchemical process.”

This was the genius that Remey needed to hear. It was the king of changes that made her grin with anticipation. ”Good, then prepare some for me to bring to the lab. I Will have a new form of mana potion in the next week. And also, find me more healing herbs for health potions. I need to do that too.”

”Oh, we have an herb that might help there too.” Ingrid was grinning now too.

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