Chapter 45: First Hearing of the Alchemical Stone

Each and every exam is worth one thousand points.

Angie muttered these words to herself, lowering her head.

Beneath the table, Shaz reached out and grasped her slightly cool hand, gently rubbing it within his palm. Rest assured, I am here with you.

Mm. Angie managed a strained smile, her brow shadowed by a lingering cloud of worry.

Taking advantage of the commotion, Shaz swept a quick glance across the classroom and noted that a dozen or so other students appeared equally composed, causing him to exhale a silent sigh of relief.

It seemed the news regarding the point values had already circulated among the freshmen, yet those who were aware of it had chosen to keep their silence, thereby confining the knowledge to a very small circle.

Classmates, please quiet down.

Beatrice spoke in a gentle tone to pacify the restless students, waiting until the noise within the classroom subsided before she continued:

The examinations will last for twenty-five days, with one subject tested each day, commencing at eight o'clock in the morning and concluding at five o'clock in the afternoon.

The tests will be conducted in each person's dormitory, and three meals a day will be delivered to your door by elemental servants.

In addition to the multiple-choice questions from the classroom quizzes, the examination papers will also include application questions.

Each multiple-choice question is worth one to three points, while the application questions range from ten to twenty points each.

Low murmurs of conversation arose once more throughout the classroom.

Angie picked up her pen and jotted down a few figures in a blank notebook.

Shaz remained silent, making no unnecessary movements, merely observing as she calculated the examination duration and pacing.

From eight in the morning until five in the afternoon totaled nine hours; subtracting the time needed for meals, hydration, rest, and personal necessities, at most eight hours could be devoted to answering the test.

On average, this allowed roughly two minutes per multiple-choice question, and slightly more for the application questions—around fifteen minutes each.

Should one encounter a difficult problem that caused the mind to freeze, a vast amount of time would easily be wasted in a daze, rendering the nine-hour time limit utterly insufficient.

The classroom gradually grew quiet.

Shaz looked toward the delicate and graceful woman standing before the podium, conjecturing what she would say next.

Beatrice lightly clapped her hands, signaling a few students who were engrossed in animated conversation to resume listening.

Your enrollment period has been extremely brief, and your study duration is less than one-tenth of that of the senior-grade students. This twenty-five-day examination will prove exceptionally arduous for you.

Therefore, starting today, your introductory alchemy classes will be dedicated to practicing test questions. These problems are taken from the examinations of senior students in previous years; they were afforded no such privilege prior to their own tests.

I hope you seize this opportunity and strive to secure your qualification to remain within the academy during your very first examination.

Shaz tilted his head, gazing with perplexity at the dean who had begun distributing the examination papers.

Why had she not announced the passing score?

He was aware it was nine hundred and fifty points, but the rest of the students remained in the dark.

Fortunately, someone was deeply concerned about this question.

Seated in the front row of the classroom, a student raised his hand and voiced the inquiry.

While distributing the examination papers through the air, Beatrice replied:

The passing score for the examinations will be announced after all twenty-five tests have concluded.

Shaz nodded thoughtfully, beginning to grasp the dean's intention.

Such a measure prevented the dampening of the students' enthusiasm for test preparation.

Otherwise, certain students, upon realizing they could no longer pass, might deliberately disturb others in an attempt to drag them down together.

Two test papers drifted down from above, landing on the desk before them.

Angie impatiently removed the cap of her pen and set to work on the practice questions.

Shaz unfolded his own test paper, his gaze sweeping over the various questions on herbalism, yet he delayed putting pen to paper.

Too simple.

Simply far too simple.

The multiple-choice questions revealed their answers at a single glance.

As for the application questions, a modest employment of thought sufficed to locate the corresponding practical insights within his [Knowledge Reserve].

It was entirely unworthy of expending ink for practice.

Shaz covered his face with his hands.

For the first time, he felt that advancing too rapidly in his studies was not entirely a blessing.

Yet there was no help for it—the required questions had to be completed.

With a sense of helplessness, he lifted his pen.

He finished the entire test paper in a mere hour.

From beginning to end, his answering movements flowed with absolute smoothness, the tip of his pen never leaving the paper.

Upon completing the final question, he produced an ecological treatise and began to read.

Advancing his level earlier to accumulate sufficient free attribute points was of the utmost importance.

...

At six o'clock that evening.

Inside the dining hall.

Following dinner, Shaz inquired about Angie's experience with the test paper; she felt the volume of questions was somewhat excessive, requiring constant attention to the pacing, while the difficulty was moderate and not particularly arduous.

As she spoke, she leaned forward to nestle into his embrace. You are truly wonderful to me, sharing your memorization methods with me. Otherwise, answering those papers would not have been nearly so effortless.

Once this young girl learned to summarize the test points on the examination papers, she would eventually realize that those numbers actually represented the frequency with which the test points appeared on the exams.

Shaz gently patted her back and smiled. Cease resting thus. Do you have classes this evening? If not, accompany me to the toxic alchemy district.

I have no classes this evening... Angie straightened up, speaking in a hesitant murmur.

However, I have already mastered the formulation of toxins and the identification of poisons... Would it not be rather improper to continue disturbing Professor Kurov?

Shaz hoisted his backpack. I have other arrangements. My mentor has already given his consent for you to come.

Then I am entirely at ease. Angie smiled sweetly and hurriedly shouldered her bag to follow him.

That afternoon in the toxic alchemy district, Shaz had requested permission from his mentor for Angie to work on her test papers there. Kurov had readily granted approval, merely cautioning them against removing the examination materials from the premises.

Within the toxic alchemy district.

After handing a few collections of test papers to Angie, Shaz stepped out of the small classroom and approached his mentor.

Kurov was not engaged in meditation.

He sat beside the desk and gestured toward the wooden chair opposite him.

Such a demeanor and such actions had manifested three or four times over the past few months.

Each instance signified that events were about to transpire... at the very least, up to the present moment, none had been unfavorable.

Shaz felt his brow twitch, and steadying his composure, he seated himself in the chair.

Did you complete the test paper in the dean's class today in approximately a single hour?

Kurov retrieved Shaz's test paper from a drawer; every single question was answered correctly, without a single error.

Twirling the corner of his beard, he inquired, Have you previously worked through this examination paper?

No. Shaz shook his head, wearing an expression of absolute honesty.

Indeed, he had never done it before... he merely possessed the entire repository of test points stored within his mind.

Kurov suddenly realized that although his estimation of Shaz's memory was already exceedingly high, it was perhaps still not high enough.

He reached toward the bookcase, summoning twenty-five textbooks simultaneously, causing them to float in mid-air and form a circle overhead.

A certain book opened directly above Shaz.

In an even tone, Kurov asked, *Compendium of Magical Herbs*, what do the pages concerning the Bipedal Bud-Grass impart?

Shaz closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair, murmuring in contemplation for a few seconds before he began:

Bipedal Bud-Grass is a magical plant that thrives in the depths of dense forests. They sprout and grow from the soil much like ordinary weeds. Within a natural environment, they can attain a maximum height of eighty centimeters...

Over the course of the following half-hour, Kurov continuously changed the books, consecutively quizzing him on over twenty points of knowledge without prior notice. Shaz recited every single one fluently, differing only in insignificant and trivial details.

Upon Kurov's face, an expression of undisguised astonishment gradually emerged.

Despite having lived for over seventy years and having served as a high-tier mages for decades, this was the first time he had ever witnessed someone capable of reciting an entire book without the aid of spells.

Wait, there remained another possibility.

Kurov extended his arm forward. Give me your hand.

Shaz paused momentarily, extending his right hand, and where their palms met, a wave of warmth washed over him.

The gentle warmth persisted for several seconds before gradually fading away.

Kurov withdrew his arm and stared intently at him. You have never practiced a breathing technique... which means you possess a naturally extraordinary memory. Did no one discover this previously?

Shaz blinked. Before entering the academy, I spent a period of time in a circus; all the troupe members were aware of it.

The ability to commit things to memory at a single glance was not uncommon among those who practiced breathing techniques.

Among mages, it went without saying; there existed numerous methods for instilling knowledge into oneself.

Kurov's shock stemmed primarily from the fact that the youth was naturally endowed with such a gift.

He stroked his beard and let out a soft chuckle.

This final examination will prove effortless for you. No wonder the dean instructed me to issue the textbooks for the subsequent stage to you in advance.

He waved his hand, sending the twenty-five textbooks floating back to the bookshelf while manipulating two other volumes to descend onto the desk:

Of the three branches of arcane alchemy, one may select only a single discipline to study prior to becoming a formal mage.

These are the foundational textbooks for Ingenious Artifacts and Elemental Manifestation. Take them back with you to read first.

Once you have determined which branch to select, come find me, and I shall provide you with the remaining texts for that discipline.

Thank you, Professor.

The corners of Shaz's mouth lifted as he scooped up the two books and held them in his arms.

Very well, go read your books. When the hour for sleep arrives, the two of you shall return to rest.

Kurov waved a hand, picked up a volume, and reclined into the soft sofa.

Shaz walked back into the small classroom.

Angie was immersed in her work, head bowed over her questions.

He seated himself three vacant seats away so as not to disturb her.

The two books provided by Kurov were titled *Conceptual Illustrations of Ingenious Artifacts* and *Principles of Elemental Manifestation*, respectively.

He applied the Detection skill to both books.

Mhm, quite satisfactory.

The experience rewards were quite substantial.

Upon memorization, the former granted fifty experience points and zero point three spirit points, with seven associated [Treatise Combinations].

The latter yielded even greater rewards.

A full seventy-five experience points and zero point seven spirit points, though the associated [Treatise Combinations] were fewer, numbering only four.

Unconsciously, Shaz picked up *Principles of Elemental Manifestation*, which offered the more abundant rewards.

After flipping through it with eyes gleaming, the excited radiance in his gaze faded, ultimately replaced by disappointment.

It could not be studied.

His spiritual ocean needed to attain at least the minimum threshold of a mage apprentice.

In other words, his spirit attribute value had to reach a minimum of fifteen points before he could elect to study Elemental Manifestation.

The alchemical principles of this discipline were rather eccentric.

Unbound elements could be tamed into docile elements and subsequently housed within the spiritual ocean.

This constituted the content covered in *Introduction to Meditation*.

However, unbound elements possessed yet another application.

Following the taming of unbound elements, rather than housing them within the spiritual ocean, one could encapsulate them within a vessel resembling the spiritual ocean.

Such vessels were designated as elemental phials.

During the process of crafting an elemental phial, an alchemist was required to detach a small portion from their own spiritual ocean to serve as raw material.

This inflicted a certain degree of damage upon the spiritual ocean.

Yet so long as one practiced the meditation technique accompanying Elemental Manifestation, a rapid recovery could be achieved.

And one could even seize this opportunity to expand the spiritual ocean.

The so-called expansion of the spiritual ocean... well, might this denote the reward of spirit attribute points?

Viewed in this light, this branch was rather commendable.

He would study it after attaining the rank of a formal mage in the future.

Shaz opened the alternative volume, nodding as he read.

Ingenious Artifacts was splendid.

Its entry barrier was low; so long as one could perceive elemental light, the requirement for the spirit attribute value was merely nine points.

Furthermore, this discipline extended far beyond the fabrication of self-stirring arms, alchemical pendulum clocks, alchemical lamps, and similar trinkets.

It possessed a unique core alchemical product:

The Alchemical Stone.

Upon beholding the brief introduction to the alchemical stone, Shaz could not help but widen his eyes.

Ingenious Artifacts was unequivocally a discipline suited to him!

And the alchemical stone was likewise an alchemical product perfectly tailored to the vitality build!

The volume *Conceptual Illustrations of Ingenious Artifacts* mentioned merely a single variety of alchemical stone:

The Life Alchemical Stone.

Its dimensions did not exceed the palm of a hand; its form was smooth, translucent, and flawless upon the surface, possessing the tactile sensation of a moisturized pebble when held in the hand.

Its design was exceedingly refined.

Within its interior lay a spatial expanse capable of accommodating items.

The function of this space resembled that of a spatial pouch.

Nevertheless, the utility of a life alchemical stone extended far beyond mere storage.

To phrase it differently, the life alchemical stone served as a heavily reinforced version of the spatial pouch.

Having placed various restorative and functional potions within the life alchemical stone, the user needed merely a single thought during combat to summon the designated potion directly into their mouth.

This constituted merely the primary application.

The bearer of a life alchemical stone could additionally incorporate trigger-type magic arrays within it, enabling the stone to automatically supply the bearer with pre-configured potions under specific circumstances.

For instance, should one be struck with a heavy blow to the head and teeter on the brink of unconsciousness, their attention would become too scattered to consume a potion in time.

At such a juncture, the life alchemical stone would automatically administer a potion to restore clarity of mind to the bearer.

Severe injuries resulting in unconsciousness, proximity to death, acute poisoning, and various other sudden crises could all be resolved with the aid of the life alchemical stone.

It was quite literally an indispensable piece of equipment for staying at home, traveling, and murdering people for their treasures... cough, aiding the weak and rescuing the needy.

With a life alchemical stone, one possessed, to a certain degree, a second life, thoroughly deserving of the title "life" alchemical stone.

For Shaz, the significance of the life alchemical stone extended beyond this.

He could infuse it with toxins.

In this manner, he could shed blood to reap rewards at any given moment!

Should he additionally resolve the dilemma regarding the source of the toxins, would not this concept of a perpetual leveling machine become a reality?

Stirred by this realization, Shaz experienced a surge of excitement, causing his thigh to jolt and his knee to strike the desk with a dull thud.

Angie lifted her head in alarm, scurried over with short steps, and seated herself close by to gently massage his knee. Does it hurt? Are you alright...?

It is nothing, it is nothing. Continue with your questions.

Um... then call me when the time is up. Angie returned to her seat and once again immersed herself in the sea of questions.

Shaz gazed at the two books before him and nodded slowly.

Inability to study Elemental Manifestation did not imply an inability to memorize *Principles of Elemental Manifestation*.

The experience and spirit attribute rewards it provided were not to be refused.

Consequently, he would commit this book to memory first.

Following that, he would memorize *Conceptual Illustrations of Ingenious Artifacts*.

Once both volumes were securely deposited within his [Knowledge Reserve], he would seek out his mentor to acquire the remaining textbooks for the Ingenious Artifacts discipline.

During the morning hours of the dozen or so days to come, having finished the test papers in class and finding nothing else to occupy him, he could appropriately utilize the time to commit these two books to memory.

Shaz cast a glance at his personal character template.

[Spirit]: 8.5

A mere half-point of spirit remained before he would be able to perceive elemental light.

Allowing the final half-point of spirit to be provided by *Principles of Elemental Manifestation* carried a rather commemorative significance.

Beginning with this chapter, the alchemicalpunk world of my conception shall officially unfold. In reality, alchemy founded upon the four elements has been virtually and thoroughly invalidated by modern science. Constructing an alchemicalpunk world adhering to real-world alchemy is unquestionably unfeasible. Consequently, the alchemicalpunk world I have penned inevitably incorporates a significant degree of my personal subjective imagination. I shall endeavor to maintain logical self-consistency and avert major plot holes. Furthermore, I request my esteemed readers not to take matters overly seriously, but rather to enjoy the tale as a pleasant diversion.

(End of Chapter)