Blood tax

Chapter 38 The Call of the Ancient Gods ([-])

Veronos said it was hard to refuse.

Alchemy is just a name for convenience, and the full name of the course is longer - Theory and Practice of Identification and Refinement of Magical Materials and Preparation of Potions.This name has no meaning at all. If you really want to clarify the content of the course, just let everyone read the outline.

Therefore, from professors to students, everyone is still accustomed to using alchemy or potions.

While most of the basic work of alchemy is done by ordinary people, formal wizards have little interest in the tedious affairs of alchemy.But only in terms of disciplines, this is an important knowledge that can be compared with the configuration of magic. The high-level alchemy of Homonwarts is presided over by one of the most powerful and wise wizards in the kingdom, Lord Salorian.This rigorous scholar does not have to worry about teaching the elementary courses, but his majesty still hangs over the entire academy.

After dinner that day there were two classes of alchemy lessons.Taking advantage of the gap before class, Griffith opened the "Potion Preparation Notes" and read it carefully.

This simple notebook is almost blank except for the initial gift.There was no feedback at all even if he poured his spiritual power.However, it was this notebook that started to heat up slightly when he was talking to Veronos at noon today, which gave Griffith a feeling.

The notes surfaced.

"Material and preparation of secondary deceleration potion."

"Less Healing Potion and Alternative Formula."

"Details of laboratory refining of secondary strength and agility enhancing potions."

Three pages of dense records appeared on the notes.The handwriting is correct and beautiful, the nodes that need attention are marked in the blank, and the configuration process is also marked with clear icons.

Griffith's heart shook, and a hunch suddenly emerged, and he immediately opened his textbook.

In the potions textbook, after hundreds of pages of basic theories and calculations, there are several practical items, including the materials and refining details of healing potions, slowing potions and attribute boosting potions.However, the written records are cumbersome and lengthy, and there are even large paragraphs of words that I know every word, but I don't know what they are talking about when they are connected.

After comparison, Griffith found that the effects of the potions and potions recorded in the notes were weaker than those in the textbooks, but the configuration process in the notes was extremely concise, and even the materials were cut out a lot.

interesting.Griffith put away the textbooks for the time being, and waited for the opportunity to verify after class.

As for the "Notes on Potions Concoction", Griffith tucked it into the inner pocket of his uniform jacket and fitted it closely.Maybe one day there will be a magical discovery!

"Griffith, you're here too!"

Sonia's pleasant voice came from the front.The trainee knight looked up and found that several girls had just arrived at their seats holding their textbooks.

"Did you choose the course on a temporary basis? Why can you still choose it today?" Sonia clicked on the textbook on the table, "Have you previewed? His Excellency Salorian will occasionally host elementary alchemy courses in person. This Academics would ask a bunch of questions in class and punish those unlucky ones who couldn't answer them severely."

"Ah~ no—!"

Before Griffith could answer, Galadia had already started to rub her hair.

"What's wrong with you?"

The elf's face was as white as paper: "Is there any way to keep me from class? I'm sick."

"This is not a good reason. The school doctors can cure you in a few minutes, and at the worst, they can let you go to class," Sonia said indifferently. "Is it really so scary?"

"Your Excellency Salorian taught me a few lessons when I was visiting my hometown, when I was young..." Galadia had already sat down on the seat, her whole body curled up, "I How do you understand those theories of alchemy composition! It's murderous!"

Just then, Griffith found Veronos walking into the classroom.

"Yeah!" Galadia cheered softly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the alchemy classroom," the associate professor opened his hands to the freshmen. "Alchemy is a rigorous and noble science, no less than magic. To prove it..."

While speaking, Vronos came to the table full of flasks and test tubes, and took out a small flask containing a crystal clear liquid.

"Potion of secondary strength, this magical little thing that can significantly increase the strength of a creature. With just a small bottle, a skinny tramp can have the muscles and physique of a strong man in a few days. That, um, Mr. Bolon , please don't use such eager eyes, I haven't finished my words yet.

"The Shutorals present already possessed secondary strength without taking potions, but they achieved this result through long-term exercise, regular diet and a little talent."

The associate professor pointed to Griffith who was reading the book: "Potions can give us rapid changes, but drinking them is very dangerous in itself. The probability of failure is greater than the possibility of success. If the act of taking the medicine unfortunately fails, no The force of catharsis will in turn tear your flesh and will. Oh, Miss Sonia, it seems that you have a problem."

"Yes, teacher," Sonia asked, seeming to have paid attention to this issue for a long time, "the apprentice knights will be given more powerful potions when they pass the review to advance to a higher sequence. According to your theory, In addition to the verification of merit, is the audit itself also confirming that their bodies can withstand it?"

"Indeed," Veronos nodded. "The intermediate potion course will be next semester. At that time, some apprentice knights should have passed the assessment. If they still need potions to strengthen themselves, we will demonstrate them live. The process of gaining new power."

We sounded like guinea pigs... Griffith glanced at the guinea pigs closed on the shelf and couldn't help comparing himself to them.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, please open Chapter 1 of Introduction to Alchemy," Veronos interrupted Griffith's wild thoughts, "We are an academy, not a workshop, and we won't let everyone configure a A bottle of secondary strength potion. I hope you have previewed it in advance. Today we are studying an important material that you must use in your future studies and research, dust crystals. You can’t live without this thing in the future. Crobis Sir, tell us about the attribute classification and form of dust crystals."

"..."

The named freshman stared at the associate professor dumbfoundedly along with the others.

Isn't it our first day of class?Shouldn't you know nothing?

Clobis, who came from a baron family, stood up awkwardly from the seat that had not yet sat in the warm seat: "The classification of dust crystals, um, includes burning, freezing..."

"It's not classified that way," Veronos waved his hand. "It looks like you didn't study for the midterms. Two points are deducted from the midterm exam. What about the others?"

Veronos' eyes swept across the classroom, focusing on Griffith.The apprentice knight's face turned pale and cold sweat dripped down his neck.He didn't know the answer to this question either, and was more nervous than Clobis, who had already deducted points.Homonwarts conducts assessments four times a year, and the results are directly related to promotion, recommendation places, and graduation appointments... and it's very humiliating!

do not!My introduction to magic has been deducted 5 points, this is the first day!
At this time, Sonia raised her hand.

"Aha! Miss Larmor, maybe you can give us an introduction." Veronos nodded happily.

"The classification includes fire, ice, thunder, air, light, and darkness that can be preserved under normal conditions, and two rare attributes of time and gravity," Sonia said, "dust crystals under normal conditions..."

Speaking of which, the alchemy class was quite interesting.Griffith found several special effects that could be used in combat.However, subject to the price of materials, these interesting alchemy results are difficult to be widely used in actual combat.

……

"Brandon apprentice knight," Veronos said at the end of the course, "come with me."

Griffith honestly followed the associate professor to the nearby mage tower.Veronos pointed to a spacious study: "It just so happened that today, Lord Salorian is in there, let's go in."

Salorian?Why?Why is he waiting for me?Griffith was taken aback, nodded hurriedly and knocked on the door.

"Come in." An unforgettable, majestic and powerful voice sounded.

Griffith walked into the study and found that the high-level archmage in white robes was busy with something by the flask, without even looking up at him.

"Griffith Brandon, apprentice knight," Griffith said loudly, standing upright, "Dear Salorian, please instruct me."

"How much do you know about alchemy? Have you ever participated in an alchemy experiment?" Salorian glanced up at Griffith, as if he was looking at the guinea pig just sent for the experiment, "Veronos Tell me you're a determined, promising young man."

"Associate professor, this is the first time I have come into contact with the subject of alchemy," Griffith quickly replied, "I have participated in dissections or assisted military doctors in operations on the battlefield many times."

"Well, the hand is more stable, but the brain may not be good." Thalorian watched the alchemy reaction in the flask, then pushed it aside, raised his head and looked at the young man in front of him, "I will be in Hormon this year. Watts stayed for a while to conduct some experiments. You are coming to be a research assistant for the team, any questions?"

Can I say no?Griffith shook his head immediately.

Lord Salorian is a great scholar and one of the few supreme mages in the world.Even in Griffith, the white-haired elder even felt the light of wisdom and irresistible majesty even in the silent gaze.According to Galadia, he once instructed the elves in the theories of arcane magic and potions, and facing his students with less intelligence and knowledge was like watching a swarm of ants.

"No problem, Your Excellency," Griffith replied.He was still very interested in an opportunity to gain access to magic materials.

"Okay, as a price for taking up your time," the supreme mage took out a notepad full of words, "Young man, this lists all the research that my assistants and students are doing. In charge of daily alchemy In addition to being a course assistant, you can find a topic you like to join in, which should be enough for you to find your future direction."

This was a bit unexpected. Your Excellency Salorian didn't just dismiss Griffith casually because he was an unknown little sergeant. Instead, he talked to him very politely and planned to give him some compensation.

I was able to join research topics! ?Griffith was so flattered that he flipped through it immediately.

Soon, he was dumbfounded.

Although I don't have any amazing talents, I don't think I'm an idiot, but the content recorded in this book... Griffith saw that the dense topics were related to the temperature control and extension of magic energy, fine container processing and engineering applications. , magic energy transmission and material application, and some other obscure things, I don't even know that these words can be combined into such a word.Although the subject is described below, he still can't understand anything.

It's a little embarrassing, let alone making a choice, I'm only in first grade, and I can't even understand these things... Griffith quickly flipped through the book to find any words he could understand.At this time, he suddenly discovered an interesting thing.

On the last page of the notebook, there is a study called "The Call of the Ancient Gods", and no specific description is given other than the name.

Griffith still has some understanding of the term "ancient god". There are rumors that they were once the rulers of the world, and now the authority has been handed over to twelve new gods.Some remote provinces still have their believers who will offer sacrifices and worship.But Griffith has never seen these existences, it is more like an old gimmick made for grandstanding.So when he saw that this appeared in a research project managed by such a great professor, he couldn't help but be a little surprised, and his curiosity was suddenly aroused.

Moreover, I can understand this feeling, at least I can understand what is being said.

"Professor, I'm more interested in this." Griffith pointed to the "Call of the Ancient Gods" page.

"Let me see, the call of the ancient gods?" The wise Professor Salorian paused obviously, his pale and neat beard even trembled slightly, as if remembering something he didn't want to recall, "This is already involved in In the field of theology and philosophy, are you sure you want to try this?"

"Yes."

"This field can be said to be almost untouched. Even I gave up after only a little understanding. Are you really sure?"

Lord Salorian's expression became complicated.Although his old and serious face made it difficult to detect his feelings, Griffith was sure that he was not in a calm mood.

This must be unusual.

"Yes." The apprentice knight replied affirmatively.

"Well, honestly, young man, you are brave. Let Veronos take you to Peperange, one of my assistants, and the only one at Homonwarts that I know of. The guy who did this research. He'll tell you everything, of course, if he can tell you."

　Great tribute to Lovecraft!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)