38 The Potion-Making Class [3]
[Skill Completionist Insight Activated...]
Recipe for a Low-Level Healing Potion:
Ingredients:
- 1½ sprigs of Healing Herb
- 1 vial of distilled water
- 1½ ounce of Essence of Vitality
- 3½ drops of Sparkling Dew
Caius, utilizing his Skill Completionist Insight, accessed the recipe for creating the low-level healing potion. While they were already provided with a recipe, Caius preferred to rely on Compi's information, considering it more accurate.
To his amusement, he discovered minor discrepancies between the recipe given by the professor and Compi's version. Though seemingly insignificant, even the slightest change in potion ingredients could yield vastly different results.
'Compi has it right! It's 1½ sprigs of healing herb instead of 2, 1½ ounces of the essence of vitality instead of 1, and 3½ drops of sparkling dew instead of 3,' Caius noted the differences, mentally comparing the two recipes. With such variations, precision was crucial in potion-making.
Glancing to his left, Caius noticed Nerine standing on a stool, her height insufficient to reach the equipments. Beside her stood Ember, observing Nerine's explanations with curiosity.
Refocusing his attention, Caius prepared to carry out with his own potion. However, he knew he would require Nerine's assistance to maximize the potion's effectiveness.
'After all, while in the game every character could attempt potion-making, their success rate was a mere 20%, whereas Nerine boasted an impressive 80% success rate,' Caius pondered inwardly, formulating a plan to leverage her skills and create potions effectively.
"Alright, let's get started," he muttered, emerging from his thoughts and adorning the white lab coat and goggles provided for the class. With a quick mental request, he summoned the instructions from Compi.
Ding!—
[Instructions for creating a low-level healing potion:
1. Begin by carefully washing the Healing Herb sprigs under running water. Pat them dry with a clean cloth.]
Caius took the healing herb sprigs and followed the instructions, giving them a thorough rinse before gently drying them with a clean cloth. "Alright, step one completed," he affirmed.
[2. Take a mortar and pestle and gently crush the Healing Herb sprigs to release their healing properties. Be mindful not to overdo it, as we want to maintain their potency.]
"Crushing the sprigs, got it," Caius read, his focus unwavering. He carefully used the mortar and pestle to crush the 1½ healing herb sprigs, ensuring he didn't go overboard and compromise their potency. "Done!" he declared, satisfied with the result.
[3. In a small cauldron, pour the Freshwater and place it over medium heat. Allow it to come to a gentle simmer.]
Caius picked up the small cauldron as instructed and carefully poured the fresh water into it. However, a question arose in his mind, "Hmm, how much is the medium heat?" he questioned aloud, seeking clarification.
Just then, a helpful message appeared before him:
[For a cauldron, medium heat would typically range from medium-low to medium on a scale of 1 to 10, with 5 being the middle. This ensures a steady and gentle simmer without vigorous boiling.]
"...Well, I guess it was a bit silly of me to ask such an obvious question," Caius muttered under his breath. He adjusted the heat on the cauldron, ensuring it was in the safe zone of medium-low to medium.
"I am the kind of person who questions even the most basic arithmetic," Caius continued, shaking his head. "1+1=2? Well, let's just double-check with a calculator, shall we? Can't trust those pesky numbers!" he chuckled to himself, shaking his head at his own tendencies. "Can't blame a guy for wanting to be absolutely sure, right?"
Satisfied with the heat, he eagerly awaited the next step. "Alright, what's next?"
[4. Add the crushed Healing Herb to the simmering Freshwater and stir clockwise three times, invoking healing intentions with each stir.]
Caius didn't question a thing and followed the instruction obediently. He carefully added the crushed Healing Herb into the gently simmering Freshwater, watching as the healing properties infused into the liquid.
Taking a stirring rod, he slowly stirred the mixture in a clockwise direction, focusing his intentions on the healing properties of the herb. He repeated the stirring process three times, ensuring the essence of healing was well incorporated.
[5. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture infuse for 10 minutes, allowing the healing essence of the herb to blend with the water.
Note: A low heat would typically range from low to medium-low on a scale of 1 to 10, with 3 or 4 falling into the low range. For this case, lower the heat to 3.] The next step materialized from Compi, providing specific instructions for the heat adjustment.
Caius nodded appreciatively at the clarity given. 'It's good that you're being more specific now. It's not that I'm unintelligent, it's just that I prefer to avoid unnecessary mistakes,' he remarked to himself.
Lowering the heat knob to the designated level of 3, he allowed the mixture to simmer gently for the specified 10 minutes. The healing essence of the herb slowly blended with the water, creating a soothing and potent concoction.
With 10 minutes of waiting ahead, Caius decided to check on Nerine's progress. As expected, she was in the same step as him, with her healing herb sprigs gently simmering at a cauldron temperature of 4 instead of 3.
Observing her, he noticed that she was assisting Ember with adjusting the cauldron's heat.
Just as he was looking around at Aria and Damien's progress, who seemed to be struggling with their cauldron, a notification sound chimed, prompting him to refocus on his own task.
Ding!—
[6. It's 10 minutes, now carefully strain the liquid into a clean vial, discarding the herb residue.]
Caius refocused his attention on his potion-making process, following the instructions as they appeared before him.
[7. Now, it's time to add the Essence of Vitality. Measure PRECISELY 1½ ounces of the essence and pour it into the vial containing the infused Healing Herb water.]
However, upon seeing the next instruction, Caius hesitated. He didn't want to pour the Essence of Vitality himself; he wanted Nerine to do it for him, hoping to increase the success rate of the potion.
'...Because that's how the game works!' Caius mused to himself, understanding the mechanics of the game setting which could be true in his new reality as well. He called out to Nerine for help, seeking her assistance.
"Hey Nerine, can you help me with this?" Caius requested, holding up his vial.
"Sure, what do you need help with?" Nerine replied, glancing at his vial. But upon seeing its contents, her eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't help but mutter, "...I don't really think you need my help, though."
"No, I need your help in pouring the Essence of Vitality. I'm not very good with measuring," Caius explained with a smile, trying to convince Nerine of his need for assistance.
"....."
'How can someone be bad at measuring? We have all the necessary measuring equipment right here, even a toddler could handle it,' Nerine thought to herself, a hint of confusion crossing her mind.
However, she decided not to question Caius and chose to help him instead, considering their past favor and potential future business partnership.
She carefully measured 1 ounce of Essence of Vitality and prepared to pour it into Caius' vial. But just as she was about to proceed, Caius interrupted her.
"Wait!" Caius's sudden voice made Nerine tremble, freezing in her actions. She turned her gaze towards him, her expression questioning.
!!
"Please add another half ounce of Essence of Vitality before you pour it," Caius instructed, surprising Nerine with his request.
"...."
"...But in the recipe, it's only 1 ounce, isn't it?" Nerine questioned, voicing her concern. "Adding more than necessary might lead to failure. It's important to follow the recipe accurately," she warned, her tone cautious.
"Please do as I say. I know what I'm doing," Caius responded confidently, hoping to convince Nerine. He met her skeptical look with assurance. "You do remember that I secured full marks in the written examination, right? I have knowledge of what I'm about to do," he added, attempting to justify his decision.
"...Suit yourself," Nerine reluctantly agreed after a brief pause, not entirely convinced. She poured 1½ ounces of Essence of Vitality into Caius' vial as he had requested.
[8. Lastly, add the three and a half drops of Sparkling Dew, which will enhance the potion's revitalizing properties and give it a touch of enchantment.]
Before Nerine could turn her attention back to her own potion, Caius made another request. "Can you also pour 3½ drops of Sparkling Dew in it for me, please?"
"....."
"...3½?" Nerine raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the unusual measurement. She wondered if Caius was joking or intentionally bullying her by asking her to do his minor tasks.
However, she decided not to question his motives and simply wanted to get through this task. "Done!" she exclaimed, swiftly completing the request, and hurriedly refocused on her own potion, determined to avoid any further unusual requests from Caius.
[9. Securely seal the vial and gently shake it to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.]
"Thanks for the help, Nerine," Caius expressed his gratitude with a smile, sealing the vial with a cork.
As he stirred the potion gently, a mesmerizing transformation occurred. The color of the potion began to shift, gradually turning into a soothing shade of light green. Excitement filled Caius as he witnessed the successful fusion of the potion's ingredients.
[10. Your low-level healing potion is now ready for use!
Congratulations! You have successfully created a low-level healing potion. Remember, this potion possesses rejuvenating properties and can aid in the healing of minor wounds and ailments. Use it wisely and responsibly, and may it bring comfort and healing to those in need.]
Caius grinned in satisfaction as he watched the color of the potion transform into a soothing light green, a clear sign of success. The potion was now ready to be used, and he felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
