Chapter 756: One-Man Show (8)
The day after meeting with Claris and having various conversations.
Lennok silently gazed at the object placed on his personal laboratory workbench.
“……”
Golden liquid swirling inside two glass bottles.
Two bottles of Elixir, a gift from Aris to Lennok, delivered via Claris.
One bottle for himself, the other for someone else, she had said.
But instead of consuming it, Lennok had spent the entire day yesterday thinking about the Elixir.
Her reason for dedicating herself to research in the magic tower. Her good intention to create more time for Lennok than he was given.
However, Lennok’s hesitation wasn’t simply due to that fact.
“Elixir, huh…”
Claris had said that Aris named this miraculous potion by referencing ancient world documents.
Ancient world documents likely referred to traces or records of WORLD 1.0 and WORLD 2.0, which Lennok was familiar with.
The problem was that the meaning of the word [Elixir] as Lennok knew it was not singular.
‘In WORLD 1.0 and 2.0, Elixirs each had different abilities.’
Lennok thought, staring at the swirling golden light within the potion bottles.
‘One was related to recovery, and the other seemed to have a rather peculiar ability… I can’t quite recall the specifics.’
Since Elixirs themselves were extremely rare items in WORLD, Lennok didn’t have many memories of seeing them in person.
He only remembered that neither world’s version was solely focused on recovery.
That’s why Lennok had been organizing his thoughts after obtaining Aris’s Elixir.
Even if Aris had recreated an Elixir from the ancient world, there was no way to know if it was from WORLD 1.0 or 2.0.
Even if he found out, he couldn’t be sure if it would improve Lennok’s current condition or penalty.
‘Claris said the Elixir’s name was given with a double meaning. That could mean she referenced both cases, but…’
Alternatively, it could mean it’s an Elixir yet not an Elixir, hence the double meaning.
In WORLD, top-tier consumable artifacts like Elixirs were not only difficult to manufacture, but also required consideration of weather, environment, and timing.
Their creation itself depended on the natural environment and physical laws of the ancient world.
That’s why Lennok hadn’t even attempted to manufacture top-tier ancient world potions, despite having acquired alchemy.
The difficulty of obtaining the necessary ingredients was too high, the manufacturing environment was hard to match, and he didn’t remember all the preconditions.
Naturally, Aris wouldn’t have been able to perfectly reproduce the ancient world’s manufacturing method either.
Yet, she still gave this potion the name Elixir.
Wouldn’t that be related to the Primal Mind Imprint that Aris Richellen obtained upon reaching the Peak of Extremes?
Thinking so, Lennok turned his gaze toward the massive mechanical device hanging on the laboratory wall.
“It’s done.”
Shhhk!!
He poured the diluted solution into the large container hanging on one side of the wall, then portioned it out in order.
The automated machine filled dozens of potion bottles with a fixed volume of diluted solution and arranged them neatly.
Click!!
As he neatly filled the organized case with potion bottles, Lennok picked up one bottle of undiluted Elixir from the workbench.
He opened the lid and carefully poured about half of the undiluted solution into the container.
The Elixir, mixed with the diluted solution preserved in the container, was injected into dozens of potion bottles through the sub-dispensing device.
As the potion dropped onto the pre-portioned drops of Elixir, it diluted the undiluted solution.
Drop, drop, drop.
The work Lennok was doing in the laboratory wasn’t just component analysis of the Elixir.
He was diluting one of the two Elixirs Aris had gifted him, increasing its quantity instead of weakening its potency.
Davi, who was watching from atop the workbench with his tail curled up, asked in an exasperated tone.
[I don’t think she gave it to you as a gift to be used like that….]
“When she said to use it for others, she probably didn’t mean for a fixed number of people, did she?”
Lennok said, tilting his head and observing the scene intently.
“Wouldn’t it be better if as many people as possible could benefit? Just in case, I’m absolutely not saying this because I begrudge the undiluted solution.”
[……]
Leaving the silent spirit, Lennok, who had finished his work, straightened up and quickly tidied the workbench.
“The portioning is roughly done. Now, if I set up a barrier on the storage box and cast preservation magic…”
One bottle of undiluted solution for himself.
And a set of diluted Elixir for others.
Of course, Lennok might occasionally be included among those ‘others’, but what did it matter?
Aris wouldn’t be overly strict about its exact usage when she gifted the Elixir to Lennok, either.
[Master’s obsession with conserving the undiluted solution is even more impressive.]
“If you keep subtly teasing me, I’ll let you try this outcome first.”
[Heh.]
Lennok chuckled, ignoring Davi who was holding his breath and desperately pretending not to care.
“Don’t worry. Of course, I plan to take it first.”
[…You’re not going to die, are you?]
“Of course not. I also finished the toxicity test during the portioning process. It passed the 555-level harmfulness standard, so probably…”
[Probably?]
“…Probably, there should be no theoretical problem in concluding, based on cautious, careful, and logical reasoning, that there is a high probability it will not cause significant harm to life.”
[Master, you’re just trying to persuade yourself with unnecessary modifiers right now.]
“……”
At the biting remark, Lennok couldn’t readily answer.
Although it bore the auspicious name Elixir, the potion’s exact effects were still unknown.
Moreover, the fact that Aris, who had no expertise in pharmaceuticals or manufacturing, had created this potion added to his unease.
While he trusted Aris, he couldn’t deny that his faith wavered slightly when considering her known dexterity.
Lennok, who had been silently gazing at the opening of the transparent golden potion bottle, slowly turned away.
“…Come to think of it, taking it immediately might be a bit too soon.”
[I knew it, didn’t I?]
“Still, there’s plenty of time for experiments. The reason I portioned it out in the first place was…”
As Lennok said that, he placed a potted plant from the laboratory window onto the workbench.
It was a plant that absorbed mana to promote growth, and when dried and ground, it could be used as a component for magic circles.
It was harmless while alive and not bad for ornamental purposes, so he had bought it at an auction.
Lennok stared at it for a moment, then carefully and slowly poured the diluted Elixir solution into the pot.
[…Gulp.]
Davi watched with a tense expression, tail held high.
Soon, the plant that had absorbed the diluted solution began to react.
Chiiiik…!!
[S-something sounds amiss!]
“Calm down. It’s still alive.”
The plant faintly vibrated in place, emitting a strange noise.
As Lennok and Davi watched its changes intently, without even blinking.
The trembling leaves suddenly stopped moving.
“……”
[…Is that it?]
As Davi muttered, Lennok stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“Aris wouldn’t give me medicine for this kind of effect. Perhaps it was the type where the effect doesn’t manifest when diluted.”
[So, we just wasted one of the diluted elixirs that organic creature gave us?]
“…No. That can’t be.”
Lennok knew what kind of person Aris Richellen was.
A person who took responsibility for her thoughts and decisions, and whose words and actions carried immeasurable weight.
A temperament that didn’t hesitate to take responsibility and share the burdens of others.
A person who understood the weight and gravity of a promise, and demanded it of herself more strictly than of others.
It was self-evident how heavy the responsibility she felt would be, at this point, long after the sabbatical Aris had promised Lennok.
She must surely have thought she needed to send a result as perfect as the time that had passed.
Nevertheless, if she was gifting Lennok the fruit of her labor, it must undoubtedly be an item that met her own standards.
Its efficacy would not be blurred or weakened by a mere few dilutions.
The act of immediately diluting one bottle of Elixir to increase its volume was only possible due to Lennok’s trust in Aris.
“There might be an unexpected activation condition. First, let’s move and analyze the components—”
The moment Lennok thought that and lifted the potted plant with both hands.
Crash!!
The base of the pot shattered, and the plant’s roots rapidly began to spread out.
The plant, which had been in Lennok’s hands, grew explosively, becoming massive enough to pierce the laboratory ceiling.
Thud!!
Unable to bear its weight, Lennok dropped it, and the vastly enlarged roots spread in all directions.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!!
The plant, spreading in all directions, transformed into the shape of a giant tree right there.
Davi, perched on a branch that stretched above his head, looked at Lennok with a bewildered expression.
[This is, if anything, too much!]
“……”
[This plant isn’t listening to us, is it?]
“Of course not. If anything, it’s just the type where the effect takes a little longer to set in.”
Lennok muttered, stepping back to avoid the leaves and roots spreading and filling the central workbench of the laboratory.
“But this isn’t very good… It’s rather difficult to make use of it like this.”
[Isn’t it good if it can forcibly promote growth with its efficacy?]
“Not necessarily. The fact that growth occurs in this manner itself is proof that the drug’s effect is not controlled. Look.”
Lennok said, pointing to the roots stretched out at his feet.
As soon as the growth finished, the roots instantly began to wither away in place.
Crack…!!
They quickly crumbled from the root tips, and sections broke off. The leaves withered and lost their vitality, and the green stems turned yellow and drooped.
It was a completely different sight from how it had been vigorously spreading roots just moments ago. Watching the plant rapidly die, Lennok said.
“It’s dying quickly due to the backlash of not receiving enough nutrients to sustain the forced growth.”
[This is…]
“The drug’s efficacy itself is focused on status enhancement, and the backlash for maintaining it is outsourced to the environment.”
Lennok said, carefully lifting the potion bottle.
“Considering the growth and backlash observed in the plant, is this really an item intended to reproduce the effects of the Elixir I knew of?”
[With this much efficacy from a solution diluted hundreds of times, it would be a disaster if you took the undiluted solution, wouldn’t it?]
Davi muttered, climbing onto Lennok’s head, but Lennok shook his head.
“Since it was absorbed directly by the plant’s roots, it’s natural for the backlash to be strong. If consumed, it would be much more stable than this.”
However, even as Lennok replied, he felt a question arising in a corner of his mind.
“Indeed, I won’t know unless I drink it myself.”
Murmuring this, Lennok immediately picked up one of the diluted Elixir bottles on the workbench.
[Cardiac arrest defibrillator ready. Emergency services call also ready!]
“……”
Ignoring Davi, who was jumping around and making a fuss, Lennok closed his eyes and poured the diluted solution into his mouth.
A refreshing yet subtly sweet taste. It was strangely difficult to remember the taste after consuming it.
Suppressing the urge to carelessly take another bottle, Lennok quickly checked his internal state.
Indeed, when consumed orally, there were no explosive reactions or signs like the plant Lennok had experimented with.
Only a peculiar mildness characteristic of the diluted solution, and a faint circulation of the elixir within his body, could be felt.
All his senses sharpened, and the speed of his mana circulation increased.
His metabolism became more active, his body temperature rapidly rose, and his skin felt hot.
Maintaining that state and circulating mana, Lennok checked his condition and nodded.
“Indeed, it’s not a healing potion. It’s more accurate to see it as a stimulant or a doping agent.”
While forcibly promoting metabolism could accelerate recovery, that wasn’t the Elixir’s primary purpose.
What Lennok could discern from the diluted Elixir was that it could be used as a safer and more convenient stimulant.
It had similar effects to the painkillers or stimulants Lennok usually used, with the only requirement being to quickly supply necessary nutrients after consumption.
Compared to any stimulants he had used so far, it was undoubtedly the safest drug with the fewest side effects.
However, it was also clear that its efficacy fell short of expectations for it to be named Elixir just for this.
What exactly did Aris expect when she gifted Lennok this potion?
As Lennok fell into thought, Davi seemed to observe something else from his body.
[Master. I’m currently observing your body with the lab’s component analysis device, you know?]
Davi tilted his head as he said that.
[But ever since you took the elixir, your condition seems a bit strange.]
“What?”
At those words, Lennok idly looked at his own body.
His body temperature had risen slightly, but as Davi said, there was hardly anything abnormal or changed.
Lennok thought hard and recalled any discomfort or problems he felt.
“If I had to say, I’ve felt a little hungry right after taking it.”
[…No, it’s not that.]
Davi shook his tail frantically, as if dumbfounded.
[There’s no way a component analysis device could see through Master’s stomach, is there?]
“Then in what way is something abnormal?”
From the moment he first opened his eyes in this world, Lennok had been extremely sensitive to his body’s condition.
Through continuous effort and trial-and-error, he had managed his body to the point where he could immediately detect even the slightest problem.
So, was Davi saying that a problem he couldn’t perceive with his own senses was visible on the lab’s component analysis device?
As Davi said, it would be strange for the analysis device to penetrate Lennok’s resistance and observe his state.
As Lennok took a step to investigate further, Davi pointed to the analysis device’s screen with his paw.
[If you check this time period’s log, there’s a section where Master’s mana quantity has no fluctuations at all.]
“……”
[Normally, even if mana quantity measurement is impossible, its fluctuation could be estimated through the graph, right?]
Davi tilted his head.
[There seemed to be a section right after consumption where it couldn’t even be estimated. That’s why it’s recognizing Master as a non-living object.]
Indeed, the component analysis device simultaneously displayed the subject’s mana quantity and a graph estimating its fluctuations.
However, there was a section where the mana fluctuation graph, which was supposed to reflect Lennok, drew a perfectly flat vertical line.
This meant there was a point where the mana quantity itself was observed as fixed externally, regardless of mana consumption or accumulation.
Lennok suddenly asked as if something clicked in his mind.
“Davi, how were the mana preservation fluctuations of that plant just now?”
[I just checked that log, and it’s the same as Master. There’s a period right after the diluted solution was injected where mana quantity observation was impossible.]
Even though the plant, which promoted growth through mana, grew explosively, there was a section where its mana quantity showed no fluctuation.
“I see…”
Lennok murmured, staring intently at the graph with an intrigued expression.
“Perhaps the secret of the Elixir Aris gave me lies here.”
Lennok moved away from the device and immediately consumed another bottle of the diluted Elixir from the workbench.
The moment he felt his senses rapidly awakening, he drew upon his mana and chanted a spell.
[Alpha Light]
Flash!!!
A dazzling light source instantly filled the wide space of the laboratory and spread out.
The light source was so intense that Davi grumbled and covered his eyes with his paws.
But Lennok didn’t stop there; he continued to chant the same spell consecutively in the same spot.
[Alpha Light]
[Alpha Light]
[Alpha Light]
……
Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh!!!
The laboratory was bathed in dazzling light, becoming so bright that he couldn’t see an inch ahead.
It was almost as if he was engulfed and flowing within a gigantic halo of light.
However, Lennok ignored the surrounding environment and focused solely on checking his mana quantity.
‘No fluctuation in mana quantity.’
Even though he had consecutively chanted Alpha Light, which was very mana-inefficient among common spells, there was a point where no mana consumption occurred.
Only then did Lennok finally understand the Elixir’s ability, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
“The awakening and enhancement through consumption were just secondary effects. The true efficacy was elsewhere.”
If he had used magic immediately after consuming the Elixir, he would have noticed it right away.
By focusing on checking his condition without doing anything, he had ironically failed to realize it.
The reason the analysis device couldn’t observe Lennok’s mana fluctuations.
The fundamental reason why even Lennok initially couldn’t fully understand the Elixir’s true ability.
The Elixir didn’t just hide or obscure Lennok’s mana.
It possessed the power to preserve the inherent mana quantity, even when magic was used or a large amount of mana was extracted.
“A power that preserves the inherent mana quantity regardless of mana consumption… Aris truly created something unbelievable.”
The Elixir Aris manufactured had literally ‘fixed’ Lennok’s mana quantity for a short period.