Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Yi-han, having learned swordsmanship extensively under the family knight Arlong, was well-versed in fighting. As such, he knew that Yonaire was preparing to beat the living lights out of Gainando.

Hold it right there.

Knowing what was to come if he didnt intervene, he positioned himself between the two.

Gainando, you shouldnt look down on alchemy.

But its lame!

Just as always, Gainando was oblivious to the situation he was in.

Whats there to like about alchemy anyway? I cant feel a shred of intelligence from it.

Magic was a field of endless study, and there were many branches of magic, including but not limited to illusion magic, summoning magic, transformation magic, and elemental magic.

Even within elemental magic, there was fire magic, water magic, light magic, dark magic, etc.

Studying even one such field in depth would take an entire lifetime. Such was the profoundness of magic. And in this world of magic, alchemy was often looked down upon.

Especially to fledgling mages, alchemy seemed ratherdull.

While others waved their wands and summoned forth angels or split the earth, alchemists remained in their labs, adding herbs to potions

Well, you know, thats

Move aside Wardanaz. Ill take it from here, Yonaire said to Yi-han. I promise I wont go overboard.

If you say so.

Yi-han quickly moved away, allowing Yonaire to stand before Gainando. Gainando cocked his head.

Whats wrong?

Dont you dare ask for a healing potion after this. Theyre made through alchemy after all!

Whack!

Along with a thud, Gainando tumbled backward.

It was truly an impressive blow.

***

You sure that was alright?

Ill just apologize to him after a day.

It didnt seem like this was the first time Gainando had suffered under Yonaires beatings. Yi-han was aware that cousins often fought, but he didnt expect Yonaire to beat up Gainando to that extent.

Shouldnt have bothered trying to intervene.

Yi-han decided to be a silent spectator from then on.

Oh, and just in case you misunderstand. Im not the type of person that goes around beating everyone I see, got it?

Yonaire explained so as to not be misconstrued as a brute.

Nobles, especially the more powerful ones, valued etiquette and elegance, and it went without saying that throwing punches over minor arguments wasnt deemed as such.

Whats wrong with getting into a brawl when youre angry?

???

For a second, Yonaire wondered if she had heard wrongly.

Is this how the Wardanaz Family teach their children?

If the Wardanaz Family was a family of knights, she wouldnt have found what Yi-han said weird. However, it blew her mind that a descendant of one of the empires most distinguished families was saying this to her.

Hes clearly different from the others, Yonaire reasoned.

There was an air of authority around Yi-han which the other freshmen didnt possess. Though the other students from the Blue Dragons were also part of the nobility, they had just become adults, and Yi-han stood out from the crowd. From the way he moved to the way he conducted himself, there was something different about him.

As expected of a Wardanaz.

Yonaire decided to move on to a different topic. Since Yi-han was willing to turn a blind eye to her actions, she had no reason to linger on it either.

But are you really fine with taking alchemy classes with me? If youre doing it for me, you dont have to.

Im actually interested in alchemy myself.

Thenwhat about my proposal to work together in the future?

Im considering it.

They had bottled up frustrations from their time outside the academy, and yet even after arriving at Einroguard, they were scorned by students from the Blue Dragons. It was no wonder they were wary of the two.

Dude, stop staring at them. That one over theres a young master of the Wardanaz Family.

So what if he is? He cant do anything inside the academy.

Its not like were going to study here forever. What if he takes his revenge after we graduate?

Ill cross that bridge when the time comes.

Yi-han clicked his tongue. Being hated for something he didnt contribute to was unpleasant.

Seems like trying to get close to them backfired.

For a while, hed have to stick to his friends from the Blue Dragons.

Quiet down everyone.

The short dwarven professor opened his mouth to speak. Though his figure was small, his voice carried weight.

Im Uregor Gumdal. You may call me Professor Uregor. Now, Im sure many of you are wondering why were gathered here at the field when we have such splendid classrooms in the back.

Indeed, they werent gathered in a classroom. Instead, they were on a mound.

Adenart, the royal princess, raised her hand, to which Uregor shrugged.

Wasnt looking for an answer, but have a go at it.

Its so that we can feel the mana in nature.

Alchemy required magic as well, and simply mixing in various herbs wasnt all there was to it. It was important for alchemists to feel the mana in their surroundings and understand what kind of forces existed in nature.

Wrong.

Professor Dwarf stared at Adenart as if hed just heard something stupid, making her blush in embarrassment.

Yi-han, who didnt think much of it, asked Yonaire who was next to him.

Is it because its easier for us to gather materials here?

Dont you think thats too simple of a reason?

Oh, we have a winner!

Both Yi-han and Yonaire were at a loss for words. Uregor, on the other hand, seemed impressed by Yi-han.

Its rare for an Ironhead to get it right.

Were freshmen, not Ironheads

Yeah, yeah. Ironhead freshmen. Anyways, good job. Youve got talent as an alchemist.

Yonaire looked at Yi-han enviously upon hearing him get praised by the professor. Adenart also stared at him as if she was looking at a rival.

Why the hell is she staring at me? Is she seriously getting jealous because I was praised over something like this? Yi-han wondered.

The reason why were gathered here is because I wanted to teach you Ironheads about the essential skills of alchemists. Many of you might be thinking that to become an alchemist, you just need exceptional intelligence and excellent mana control.

Pause right there. We need to have excellent control over our mana?

Yi-han flinched.

But the reality is different. The most important skill of alchemists is the ability to gather materials.

The students were stunned to hear this as they never expected such a skill to be so highly valued. Adenart raised her hand, unwilling to accept this.

Professor, when it comes to materials, we can grow them or have adventurers get them for us. I hardly see why we need to be able to acquire them ourselves.

Lass, what would a greenhorn Ironhead like you know? Professor Dwarf retaliated in disdain.

An even darker shade of red covered Adenarts face.

Out of all the materials and reagents we require, do you know how much of them could be artificially grown? Not even 10%! The rest we must buy with our money. And you think everything will be fine if we have the money? Why do you think we mages employ adventurers and follow along? Do you think we have so much spare time? Its because adventurers suck at harvesting herbs! Instead of treating them with care, they just pull them out! Uregor said all this angrily as if to vent the frustration that had been building up.

For these reasons, its important that alchemists learn how to acquire the materials and reagents that they need. An alchemist that relies on others can never become first-rate. You think someone would baby you later on if you complain about not having enough materials?

The students gathered at the mound nodded in understanding (one nodded while looking dejected).

Thats it for the explanation. Now go and find them.

Huh?

Whats up with those confused faces? Go search for materials!

Uregor waved his wand, and several pieces of paper appeared in the air before being distributed to the students. On the papers were lists of drawings of herbs.