Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 641 140.5 - Concocting

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As Astron continued his work, Maya observed him remembering the information regarding the complexities involved in alchemy.

She had seen alchemical processes before, but watching Astron now, it became clear that potion brewing wasn't just a matter of adding ingredients at the right temperature and timing.

If that were the case, anyone could attempt it with a bit of study. But there was something more, something essential that only a true alchemist could wield—a skill only Awakened practitioners possessed.

Alchemy required more than practical knowledge and precise temperature control; it demanded an alchemist's mana, channeled carefully into the brew. The herbs he was using were not ordinary; they were evolved plants, infused with natural defenses and resistance, making them nearly impossible to blend through physical means alone.

They required mana to activate and harmonize their properties, and this was where the skill of a true alchemist came in.

Of course, that did not mean every alchemy product needed to be produced by an Awakened as with the recent development of the Magic Engineering, even ordinary people who couldn't command mana directly would be able to generate mana from Mana Machineries.

But for those at higher levels, that was a completely different case. One needs to have such precise control of mana and a high level of mana that, at that point, they might as well have become a direct hunter themselves.

Such was the scene before Maya.

As Astron reached a critical point in the process, he extended his hand over the beaker, his gaze focused and began channeling his mana into the mixture.

A faint glow emanated from his hand, and Maya could feel the energy resonating through the room. The liquid in the beaker responded, its color shifting subtly as his mana guided the mixture, binding the essence of each ingredient in a careful balance.

She watched in awe as he navigated the process, his control unwavering, adjusting the flow of his mana with an expertise that made it look deceptively easy.

But she knew better. This was one of the reasons alchemists were rare; the task required not only theoretical knowledge but the ability to channel mana with finesse and precision, an ability only an Awakened individual with years of training could possess.

Maya's gaze remained fixed on Astron, her thoughts drifting as she watched him channel his mana with a precision that bordered on artistry. The glow from his hand pulsed in harmony with the mixture, guiding it through each subtle transition, each shift in energy. She couldn't help but feel a surge of pride—hadn't she been the one to first guide him on how to control mana and use it effectively?

'Indeed, should I be proud?' she wondered, the thought filling her with a quiet satisfaction.

But then she paused, the memory of those early days flashing through her mind. She shook her head lightly, recalling how quickly he had picked up everything she'd shown him. Even then, it hadn't really been her doing; it was his innate talent, his natural aptitude that had brought him this far.

'No… I didn't do too much,' she admitted to herself. 'It was always his own potential—his skill, his drive. I merely pointed him in the right direction.'

As Astron continued his work, Maya shook her head.

*******

On the other side, Astron leaned over the beaker, his focus absolute as he sent a thin thread of mana into the simmering mixture.

The alchemical components required a gentle, steady hand; any slip and the entire concoction would lose its potency. His gaze sharpened, his breath even, as he calibrated the flow of his mana.

'Alchemy, like so many disciplines, is a matter of control,' he thought, weaving a thread of mana into the liquid as he would like he was training with Reina, an exercise in managing disparate forces to create unity.

He recalled his early days of training, where each discipline had shown him pieces of the same puzzle. 'Martial arts, mana shields, even refining the perception of my [Eyes]—they all come back to one thing: resonance.'

As he continued, Astron carefully balanced the threads of mana that flowed from his fingers, layering them in delicate synchrony. His training with Reina on filtering mana psions sharpened his focus; each thread now resonated with the unique qualities of the ingredients he introduced.

'It's all part of the same principle,' he reflected, his focus unwavering. 'Every technique I've mastered—creating a shield, splitting my attention across multiple tasks, manipulating psions to sift through information—it all hinges on precision, on finding the right balance and frequency.'

He guided the energy with deliberate care, watching as the Aetherial Water pulsed with each addition.

The liquid began to change color with each ingredient, its energy waves shifting in response to the interaction of mana. It was a dance of forces, each one influencing the other in subtle, complex ways.

'Alchemy isn't just mixing ingredients; it's about aligning each element's mana signature,' he thought, his hands moving with practiced precision.

'Each one has a natural resonance, a rhythm that needs to be preserved to achieve the desired effect. A disruption in that rhythm, even for a moment, could destabilize the entire brew.'

Astron reached for the Dokebloom, gently adding its vivid petals to the mix, the silvery hue deepening with its introduction.

The potion began to emit a faint glow as he channeled his mana, harmonizing the natural mana waves of each ingredient, keeping the temperature stable through precise adjustments to his own energy.

'It's the same principle as any defense or attack spell,' he mused, sensing the familiar feedback from the potion. 'Different, but fundamentally the same—find the natural resonance, adjust, and guide it forward. There's no forcing here; only aligning.'

As he let the Voidroot dissolve, the liquid took on a murky tone, absorbing mana with an intensity that made the air around him grow denser.

His mind went back to his training as a [Martial Artist]—how he had trained his body to move seamlessly, each part in unity with the whole, creating one singular, fluid motion.

That practice had been for battle; this, though different, demanded the same awareness and fluidity.

'This is also why, most of the high-ranked Awakened tends to focus on multiple disciplines.'

With one final touch, he added the Rostglow Moss, allowing its cold aura to infuse the mixture. As his mana threaded through the brew, he felt the liquid's energy settle, each component attuned, harmonizing with the rest. He watched as the mana waves rippled, locking into place.

'It's as if each skill is connected, each thread of knowledge leading to the next. Everything... linked.

The potion's glow steadied, and Astron allowed himself a small, satisfied breath. As he stepped back, he could feel the weight of the task settle into a quiet sense of accomplishment. All around him, the alchemical equipment hummed softly, the air thick with the mingled scents of rare herbs, magic, and precision.

'And, now, the concoction is complete.'

Astron observed the potion before him, noting the calm stability of the mixture. Contrary to the dramatic reactions one might imagine in tales of wild alchemy, there was no explosive flash or rolling cloud of smoke; the potion simply settled, its energies in perfect harmony, emanating a soft, steady glow.

And that was how it was supposed to be.

Alchemy was about balance—not about chaos. This particular brew, crafted with such precision and attention, embodied that principle.

With each element perfectly aligned, there was no need for spectacle; only a quiet completion, a product of discipline and finesse.

Just then, a soft voice broke the silence. "Is it over?"

He turned slightly, almost surprised to find Maya standing beside him, her gaze trained on the potion with a mix of curiosity and admiration. In his focus, he had almost forgotten she was there, so immersed in the flow of mana that her presence had faded into the background.

"Yes," he replied, meeting her gaze with a nod. "It's finished."

Maya's eyes lingered on the potion, a faint smile touching her lips as she glanced back at him. "It's quite beautiful. There's a sense of… control in it."

Astron nodded, understanding the sentiment perfectly. "Alchemy, for the most part, is about finding equilibrium. With this one, if every component resonates just right, there's no need for flashy reactions."

Maya's gaze lingered on the softly glowing potion, a faint smile touching her lips as she glanced back at Astron. "You're truly someone who can do a wide range of things, Junior," she remarked, a hint of playful admiration in her tone. But as her curiosity grew, she couldn't resist asking, "When did you even learn alchemy?"

Astron looked at her, his expression thoughtful before he replied, "I didn't specifically learn alchemy. What you're seeing is just the result of learning how to control mana with a high level of detail. That's what makes this possible."

Her brows lifted in surprise, and she tilted her head slightly. "So, you just… adapted the skills you learned from somewhere else to alchemy?"

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Exactly. Mana control, once mastered, can be applied to a wide range of disciplines. In fact," he continued, his tone calm yet encouraging, "if you were to research alchemy, with your skills as a mage, you'd be able to do the same without much effort. You already possess the necessary arsenal."

Maya looked back at the potion, her mind stirring with the possibilities.

'Interesting, can I really do it?' The idea that her own knowledge of mana could translate into alchemical skill was both surprising and invigorating.

'Maybe, if what he says is entirely true.' Her excitement was tempered by skepticism. 'But… why do I feel like it won't be as easy as he says?'

Even as she doubted, an idea was already forming in her mind. She met his gaze, the glimmer of eagerness unmistakable in her eyes. "You make it sound like it's entirely within reach," she mused, her voice soft but edged with curiosity.

Astron gave a slight nod, his expression steady with quiet certainty. "It is, for those who have the skill and the patience. You're more than capable, Senior."

Maya's lips curved into a smile as her resolve settled. "Then… when you have the time, you'll teach me about alchemy at the academy."

Astron raised an eyebrow, his tone mildly evasive. "I'm sure there are better candidates for that."

"But I want you to do it," she insisted, her tone playful yet earnest. "Promise?"

He looked at her, momentarily silent.

"Promise?" she repeated, eyes unwavering.

"When I have 'free' time," he relented, a faint sigh escaping him, trying his best to leave an open end. Her smile widened. "It's a deal, then."

"…..A deal…."

Maya was indeed really happy at that moment.