Volume 4 - CH 30

Chapter 4-30 : Growing High-priced Herbs Ⅲ

I wonder why this type of seed is not listed in this encyclopedia…

This encyclopedia only has information about plants and materials for alchemy, but even so, not all of them have their seeds drawn in this book.

I know many types of herbs but it’s hard for me to say that I can tell them apart only by looking at their seeds.

「It’s just my guess but… they are probably the seeds of those delicious fruits that Master usually eats… or maybe, these seeds are actually food ingredients that Maria-san has… They got mixed up with the herb seeds I ordered and Master accidentally sent them… Hmm… No, I don’t think that’s what happened. I doubt Master would make such a mistake. Besides, the bag of these seeds was at the bottom of the package, so Master must put it in the package before the other ones. There’s no way she wasn’t aware of it.」(Sarasa)

While I was whispering to myself as I thought, Lorea-chan tilted her head and curiously stared at me.

I think I should ask her. She might know something about these seeds.

「Lorea-chan, have you seen this type of seed before?」(Sarasa)

I put the small bag of the seeds on the counter and opened it, showing them to Lorea-chan.

「Hmm… I’ve never seen them. At least, it’s not the type of seed that farmers in this village use to grow crops.」(Lorea)

「I knew it… Hmm…」(Sarasa)

Should I ask Master…?

No…

Using a Transfer Device requires a lot of magical power.

Well, Master may have no problem with that but I don’t want to bother her. She must be very busy at this hour.

「Sarasa-san, why don’t you just plant them? You may be able to find out when they sprout.」(Lorea)

「Yeah, you’re right. I probably should do that. I still have plenty of empty pots anyway.」(Sarasa)

If they are really the seeds of the fruit Master usually eats, then growing them in my backyard is not a bad idea.

Perhaps we will be able to eat those delicious fruits together in the future.

「Alright then, I’m going back to my workshop. Lorea-chan, you can continue making those flyers. I’m counting on you.」(Sarasa)

「Un! Leave it to me. If these flyers can be useful to the Collectors in this village, then all my hard work will be worthwhile.」(Lorea)

As I returned the encyclopedia to Lorea-chan, she clenched her fist on her chest and smiled. She looks so enthusiastic.

I returned to my workshop, prepared another pot, and sowed the mysterious seeds in it.

「This will do. Now, it’s time to operate this artifact.」(Sarasa)

I put my hand on the Seedlings Growth Aid Tool and injected my magical power into it.

The magic stones embedded at the four corners of the board then glowed faintly in four different colors: red, blue, green, and yellow.

When I injected more magical power, the magic stones in the edges started to glow white one after another. When all the magic stones are glowing, the magical power supply is complete.

The amount of magical power required for a Seedlings Growth Aid Tool to keep operating differs depending on the number of pots, the surrounding temperature, and humidity, but normally it should last for about a month.

By the time the seeds turn into seedlings with a suitable size for planting, I should have finished preparing the field in my backyard.

「Alright. Now, where should I put this? Hmm…」(Sarasa)

I need a place that is safe from the rain but exposed to sunlight at the same time.

I can place it in my room by the window or near the window in the kitchen, but I think the kitchen is better since it’s close to the backyard.

First, I went to the storage room, grabbed a big empty wooden box, and brought it to the kitchen. I placed it by the window and put the Seedlings Growth Aid Tool with all the pots on it.

「Great. All I have to do now is to wait until they sprout.」(Sarasa)

◇　　　　◇　　　　◇

-The next day-

After lunch, I taught Lorea-chan the basics of manipulating magical power.

This is a very important skill to master before you can start practical exercises like transmuting alchemy materials.

Practicing manipulating magical power can be done anytime anywhere, so once Lorea-chan learns how to do it, she can practice even while looking after the store.

「Yeah, just like that. Lorea-chan, you learn quickly. You don’t have much magical power but I think you have an aptitude for manipulating it.」(Sarasa)

「Really? It’s all thanks to you, Sarasa-san!」(Lorea)

「Your earth magic practice is also going well. If you keep practicing, I can guarantee that you will get a lot better at it.」(Sarasa)

「I’ll try my best!」(Lorea)

Of course, I can’t guarantee that if she gives up halfway, but Lorea-chan is a diligent girl. I don’t think she will give up easily.

「Being able to manipulate magical power is important, so I suggest you practice this every day. As long as you’re good at manipulating magical power, you will be able to work as an alchemist no matter how little magical power you have.」(Sarasa)

You can’t be an alchemist by just having a lot of magical power.

The amount of magical power you have is not that important. Having knowledge and skills that are good enough for you to get a qualification license is more important.

Unlike magicians who need a lot of magical power to perform spells, alchemists need the ability to adjust the amount of magical power they use when performing alchemical transmutation.

「Oh, right. Lorea-chan, I want you to remember this. Please don’t perform alchemical transmutation without my permission. If the government found out, they would put you in jail.」(Sarasa)

After I warned her with a serious expression, Lorea-chan swallowed her saliva and nodded at me.

「I have no intention of doing that, but… I didn’t know they would put you in jail for that.」(Lorea)

「Well, Alchemist Licenses are not just pieces of cards, you know?」(Sarasa)

I started explaining to Lorea-chan.

People without Alchemist Licenses who attempt alchemical transmutation will be punished by the kingdom.

The only exception is when you perform it under the guidance of a full-fledged alchemist who has a license. You can’t do it by yourself.

The reason why the rules are so strict is because fake alchemists or people who pretend to be full-fledged alchemists can be dangerous.

Without enough knowledge and skills, you can’t make artifacts and potions properly, and poorly made artifacts and potions can cause accidents and great damage to people, especially the potions. Compared to artifacts, poorly made potions are more dangerous because they directly affect human bodies.

Fake alchemists are mostly people who dropped out from the Alchemist Training School and people who stopped learning alchemy from their masters before they could obtain Alchemist Licenses.

「ーThat’s why, even if you gave up on becoming an alchemist and quit being my disciple, please remember these rules.」(Sarasa)

「Understood, but… I will never give up!」(Lorea)

「Fufu. I know.」(Sarasa)

Even if she fails the alchemist exam, as long as she doesn’t get discouraged, I don’t think Lorea-chan will give up.

「Alright, I think that’s enough for today. Practicing for too long is not good, but you should practice from time to time every day.」(Sarasa)

「Okay. Thank you for today’s lesson.」(Lorea)

As I saw Lorea-chan nod at me, I stretched my arms upward and let out a sigh.

Seeing me doing that, Lorea-chan giggled a little. She then walked toward the kitchen drawer and took two empty cups and a teapot.

「Sarasa-san, since our break time is not over yet, let’s have some tea.」(Lorea)

「Good idea~」(Sarasa)