This ... really isn't just a study.
I told you, I'm learning.

　Currently, Daisy had a pile of materials in front of her, with diagrams of medicinal herbs and other materials with explanations about them. All belonged to the Wraith.

　Daisy looks at them with a delicate expression, but all the information in the materials is valuable. If you complain about it, you'll get a bee in your bonnet.

　By the way, these materials are actually used by Wraith as well. My master showed me this and took me on a tour of hell to collect the real thing.

　Thanks to this, I will never forget the information in the document. Wraith really didn't want to go through hell again.

　Anyway, knowledge is power to an alchemist. There's no need to have it.

''But is it really possible for alchemy to improve just by learning this?　If that's the case, I'd still be able to improve by using alchemy repeatedly, but...

　Daisy was still skeptical.

　Wraith wondered what was going on and then began to walk around the room. This room was the room Wraith was working in when she made her first request, and the herbs were stored in it.

　Wraith pulled out one of the more than ten different herbs.

　He decided it would be better to show Daisy the herbs in person rather than just explaining them to her with his mouth.

'Do you know what this is?'
"...Are you making fun of me?　--Lamb Grass. It's a herb used primarily as a hemostatic herb, and it's effective when ground up and applied to the affected area... am I wrong?
Yeah, you're right.

　The Wraith nodded with satisfaction.

'We alchemists can increase its haemostatic effect through alchemy to create potions that allow for the healing of wounds.

　Wraith activated the alchemy and created the potion in seconds. After that, she took out another rumweed and handed it to Daisy.

'Make one anyway.'
Well, okay.

　Daisy took a few minutes to create the potion as well.

　The two finished bottles were lined up in front of them.

You can look them up in 'Analyze'.

　Daisy honestly invoked 'Analysis (Analyze)'. The quality of the two potions were found and she bit her teeth at the result.

'Your potion is an advanced potion and mine is an intermediate one.
'Well, lamb's weed is a low potency medicinal herb to begin with, so that's about it. ........Now, what's the difference between you and me.......do you see?
I don't know...

　Wraith looks at Daisy sulkily and chuckles.

'There's only one major difference between me and Daisy. Whether or not you're using your imagination when you do 'sublimation'.
Imagination...?
Yeah. For example, if you're going to build a house, you're going to need a blueprint, right?　If you don't know the blueprint - or the finished form - beforehand, you can't create something that's highly finished. And that's no exception to alchemy.

　Wraith continued with the words, "So,

'For an alchemist, knowledge can be thought of as a blueprint. You have to 'imagine' what ingredients are in that herb and how it works in the human body, and then 'sublimate' the efficacy. It may be difficult, but that's what I'm doing.

　It sounds easy to say, but it is quite difficult. You have to learn not only the types of herbs, but also their ingredients and their effects on the human body, and recreate them in your mind.

It's important to study no matter what you're good at. Good luck with that.
Copy that.

　In contrast to Lace, who was smiling and laughing, Daisy had an exasperated look on her face. She looked at the materials piled up in front of her and sighed loudly.



　******



Long time no see, is it?

　The one who said that with a hint of a sigh was Sylvia, who was fluffing her beautiful white hair.

　Currently, Lace was visiting Raffy's home again. The time was just about dinner time. Lace had just completed a request at Daisy's place.

　It's not as if Wraith had asked for this visit, but rather that Sylvia, who was getting better, wanted to thank Wraith - she wanted to thank him.

　Apparently, the elixir is working well against Sylvia's illness. I'm happy for Wraith, who made the elixir, too.

''Yes, it's only been a few days.
'My sister has told me a lot of stories. So you've become an adventurer.
''But all I do is alchemy, so even though I'm an adventurer, I'm only an adventurer in name...''
Yeah, I guess so.

　Wraith felt a bit of shame, wondering if it included the matter of Daisy's fainting.

'So what's been going on lately, Wraith?'

　And then Raffy appeared there, dressed in an apron. Normally, he had only seen her in battle gear, such as her armor, so Wraith felt fresh.

　Raffy's long red hair was tied back in a single bun and she was holding a large pot in both hands.

　She had a beautiful figure, and her homely appearance suited her beautifully, and Lace couldn't help but look at her.

'Hmm, what's up?'

　Raffy, who was suspicious of the silent Wraith, called out to her, and Wraith laughed hurriedly and deceptively.

'I, no, it's so rare to see you in an apron...'
Wow, I am a woman after all.
Uh, I'm sorry.
Don't apologize!

　Raffy blushes and gets angry, and Wraith swims her eyes. Sylvia, who was watching their exchange, gives a small laugh.

''That's enough ... let's have dinner before it gets cold.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Sis, I'm sorry I had to do it all myself.
'Fine, Wraith is a guest today, and Sylvia isn't exactly in good shape yet.

　With that, Raffy took off her apron and sat down in a chair. The three of them gave thanks for the food that was lined up and then began to eat.

'--and how's Lace doing these days?
'Hmm, nothing much to it except that I started teaching Daisy alchemy.
''........One thing I was wondering, could the client be like the Wraith too......?''

　Wraith chuckled at the question that was fearfully uttered.

'If you try to be as good as I am, I think it will take decades for you to become as good as I am.

　I remember Daisy's dead eyes and feel sorry for her. Wraith has been down this road once, so she understands the hardship.

　As Wraith is immersed in a nostalgic mood, Sylvia looks at Wraith with a strange expression.

''Come to think of it, Wraith-san, are you self-taught in alchemy?''
No, I had a mentor.

　Wraith looks as if he has bitten down on a bitter worm and says with a look of deep disgust.

　In the first place, the reason why Wraith is able to use alchemy at such a young age is largely due to the influence of his master. The grueling training that mastered Sparta has greatly expanded Wraith's alchemy.

''What kind of person is he?''

　Sylvia's voice plays with her voice as her eyes shine and her curiosity shows on her face.

　In contrast, Wraith has a dark expression.

''In a word, no good person.''
...What?
"He doesn't do any of the housework, he's a terrible spender, he's a drunk, he's a monster, he's a freak, he's a no-good person.

　Wraith rattled off words in rapid succession, declaring his own mentor to be a no-good person. There was also a hint of anger in his eyes.

''Oh, you're that bad to say that much...''
Yeah, I try not to.

　Wraith nodded his head with a buzzing shake at Raffy's words as he pulled back lightly.

　From then on, they enjoyed their dinner with some light banter. All of the dishes Raffy made were first-class, and Lace was very satisfied with them.

　And then, when it was time to take a break.

　Sylvia and Raffy bowed to the Wraith.

"Thank you so much, Wraith-san.
From me too. Thank you so much for helping my sister.

　Wraith laughed shyly.

If my elixir saved Sylvia, that would be the best thing that could happen to me.

　Hearing Wraith's words, the two of them smiled calmly, as if they were impressed.

''Well, that's it for today. Keep up the good work.''
Yeah.
Yes!

　Wraith ended the day with a warm feeling as the two of them smiled at her and saw her off.