The Alchemy Master’s Solution

“Mandrake induces amnesia because the anesthetic compounds in its sap act upon the human brain and brainstem. Administered in the correct dosage, it functions as an effective anesthetic. However, an overdose allows it to permeate every region of the brain, even affecting memory cells.”

Rudios sketched the outline of a human brain on the massive blackboard with a white marker, then added several arrows.

“Human memory cells are fragile,” he explained. “Once influenced by drugs, they often suffer irreversible damage.”

Below the podium, Roland and Roxy stood side-by-side, much like diligent students. They nodded occasionally, their expressions solemn and earnest.

“The sap of the Rofenia Herb contains a substance that affects the cerebral cortex,” Rudios continued. “This substance can stimulate a person’s imaginative consciousness and primal instincts.”

Rudios drew another arrow.

“Its addictive nature stems from its ability to replace a hormone naturally produced by the human brain. This hormone is generated when a person experiences happiness, and the substance in Rofenia Herb sap closely mimics its properties. The synapses between cells cannot accurately distinguish the difference, leading the Rofenia Herb’s active component to directly supersede the brain’s own secretions, which in turn…”

Rudios tapped a specific area on his drawing with emphasis. “This prevents the brain from producing the hormone on its own, thereby creating a powerful dependence.”

Having explained, he turned, glancing at Roxy, then at Roland, whose brow was deeply furrowed. “Do you understand the principle now?” he asked with a sigh.

“Yes, we understand,” Roxy affirmed with a nod.

“Mmm…” Roland’s expression remained exceptionally serious as he also nodded. “While I don’t quite understand it, I am profoundly moved.”

The white marker in Rudios’s hand was instantly crushed into fragments by a surge of magic.

A deathly silence suddenly descended upon the room.

With a deep sigh, Rudios suppressed the twitching of his eyelids. He turned to Roxy, who wore a similar expression of exasperation, and said helplessly, “It seems I mistakenly treated Lord Roland as one of our academy students…”

“First-year, first-semester course: ‘Introduction to Human Neurophysiology’,” Roxy supplied.

Roxy sighed, then turned her head towards Roland beside her.

“To put it simply, your companion’s memory cells are currently temporarily sealed,” she explained. “At the same time, her body can’t produce the substances it normally would, and without that potion, she’ll experience great pain.”

“Understood.” Roland, showing no trace of embarrassment, rubbed his hands together and asked, “So, is there a solution?”

After speaking, he looked at the grand Alchemy Master with anticipation. Rudios stroked his chin in thought for a moment before raising a finger. “Currently, no one has found a particularly effective method,” he stated. “However, I believe Mandrake itself possesses potent Wood elemental properties, characterized by healing and assimilation. If we wish to remove its effects…”

“Should we use the Fire element?” Roxy interjected, like an eager student. “It represents the power of scorching heat and expansion, one of the elements incompatible with Wood.”

“No, that won’t work,” Rudios replied, shaking his head. “While the Fire element can yield very effective results, such power would be lethal.” He then began to muse aloud.

“‘The gentleness and inclusivity of the Water element? No, that would only stimulate and strengthen the Wood element’s properties… The blinding purity of the Light element to replace that power? No, that force is only truly effective against the Dark element… Dark element… Dark element…’”

Rudios’s eyes narrowed, and his right hand dropped into the palm of his left. With a hint of uncertainty, he murmured, “‘The concealed and corrosive properties of the Dark element, perhaps they could…’”

“Yes, the corrosive attribute,” Roxy agreed. “While it has an impact on the human body, it also acts upon the energy of the Wood element.”

Roxy nodded.

“We can have the person ingest a Dark elemental energy potion,” she explained. “This energy would then be guided to counteract the Mandrake substance within her body, slowly expelling its influence.”

Rudios looked at Roxy with satisfaction. “Though it’s merely theoretical, it holds significant potential for experimentation.”

He then turned to Roland. “Lord Roland, I believe I’ve found a plausible approach for one of your problems.”

‘I don’t know what you two are talking about, but it sounds incredibly impressive,’ Roland thought.

Roland gave a thumbs-up, then inquired, “What about the Rofenia Herb?”

“For that substance, we need to consider if her body will still be able to produce the hormone once it’s removed.”

“What if it can’t?” Roland pressed.

“Uh…” Cold sweat trickled down Roland’s back. “It would be very painful, extremely uncomfortable.”

“Precisely. If the hormone cannot be produced, the body will continuously experience that sensation,” Rudios stated, stepping down from the podium. “I’ve seen many people in such a state; they all felt life was worse than death and ultimately had no choice but to take their own lives.”

‘So that’s how it is…’ Roland mused. If the Demon Lord was to recover, he certainly couldn’t let her die like that; otherwise, all his efforts would be in vain. “What should I do now, then?” he asked.

“First, hand over all the [Rofenia Potions] you have,” Rudios instructed, extending a hand to Roland. The latter promptly gave him the only three remaining bottles.

Following this, Rudios led the two into his laboratory.

“Whoa—”

“Amazing—”

“This—this—”

As Roland gazed upon the dazzling array of magical experimental instruments and neatly arranged spellbooks, exclamations tumbled from his lips like an unstoppable torrent. “Oh my heavens…”

“Our teacher is one of the academy’s Alchemy Masters; a laboratory like this is quite normal,” Roxy stated nonchalantly. “There’s another Alchemy Master whose lab is even more…”

At that moment, Roxy seemed to recall something, abruptly falling silent. Her face, however, contorted into an expression of profound disgust.

Roland covertly glanced at Roxy, a nagging feeling that something was amiss.

“‘Add wolfsbane and lesser aconite…’”

Rudios poured three test tubes of reagents into a glass beaker, meticulously manipulating it on the workbench. He alternately added various herbs into the beaker and used magic to accelerate the dissolution rate of the solutes.

“‘Reduce the content of the substance. And stimulate the body’s own reactions…’”

After a prolonged period of tinkering, the originally yellow potion slowly turned white, and the liquid grew slightly viscous. Despite the change, its overall volume had increased considerably. Rudios then cast a preservation spell on it, nodded with satisfaction, and transferred the liquid from the beaker into a sturdier glass container before handing it to Roland.

“I’ve reduced the amount of those stimulating substances within the reagent,” Rudios explained. “This will significantly diminish its original effects, and simultaneously lessen its addictive potential on the human body.”

Rudios continued,

“However, some addiction will persist. To alleviate the patient’s suffering, you should administer approximately three drops of this white potion daily. Be absolutely sure not to let her absorb too much at once, or the addiction will become far more severe.”

He then let out a long sigh.

“What I’ve done now is merely to buy us time, until we can find a true solution.”

“Thank you,” Roland said, reaching out to take the potion.

“I still need to meticulously devise the Dark elemental treatment method,” Rudios said, glancing at Roxy. “As for you…” He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her body to tremble slightly. “Are you not planning to return to the dorms?”

“I…” Roxy’s expression was filled with reluctance. “I don’t want to see those roommates again; they’re such a bother…”

“Mmm…” Rudios’s expression darkened, and he sighed. “The academy is, after all, a boarding institution. If you continue to be unable to return, even if I repeatedly apply to the faculty for an extension of your leave, the longest it can be extended is until next year’s entrance exams. Should you still be unable to return by then, the faculty will have no choice but to revoke your student status in accordance with school regulations…”

Rudios’s expression was one of profound regret.

“I, too, would be loath to lose such a gifted disciple,” he added.