Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 641

Chapter 641 140.5 - Concocting

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.