The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 50: Alchemy Class

"Follow exactly what I do," Liora stated, immediately picking up the nearby chemically modified water and pouring it all into the flask.

At a single glance, it seemed like there was barely anything—considering the flask’s size was unexpectedly large.

However, she soon put the flask over the iron alchemy furnace, which was just a simple concentrated fire held together by iron handles, much like a stove.

The moment she placed the flask over it, the water inside immediately came to a boil. Without even wasting a single moment, she added the first ingredient, which was just honey.

But it was no ordinary honey—as, just like the water, it had been modified by those capable of using mana, though in most cases, it came from a specially made farm.

Nonetheless, the moment the honey came into contact with the water, it dissolved in an instant, turning into a gas-like state.

Liora did not miss this opportunity to stir the flask, making sure the water fully absorbed the gas-like honey.

She did this for a total of 10 seconds before reaching out and picking up yet another ingredient—the final one, as this was an easy-to-make potion.

It was a simple piece of moss. This one did not actually contain any mana from what he remembered, but nonetheless, its natural properties worked wonders.

She dropped it into the flask, and instead of dissolving, it began floating around, slowly melting together with the water.

However, as that was happening, a bit of moisture escaped the moss, and that was the exact moment the chemical reaction began.

The water, which was only a single drop, soon began expanding and filling up the entire flask. Its color turned green for a mere moment but then quickly shifted to an extremely dark shade of red.

When that happened, Liora immediately put a cork on the flask and took it off the alchemy furnace.

Soon, the dark shade of red began turning lighter, signifying the potion’s success.

However, a small problem arose as the color began growing too bright. Therefore, Liora picked up the lighter she had given to everyone and placed it at the very bottom of the flask.

The temperature of the flask began increasing once again, causing the liquid inside to darken until, finally, the water stopped boiling.

And before Neraxis and the others was a clear and perfectly made red healing potion—one of slightly higher quality than should have been possible with the materials provided.

She heaved a relieved breath before taking the cork out of the flask, the potion’s overwhelming aroma instantly flooding straight to their noses.

Most scrunched their noses in disgust, finding the smell difficult to bear.

However, Neraxis, as well as Kael and Liora, were completely unfazed.

Soon, she opened up the vials that were in pairs of 10 and began pouring the flask’s contents into them.

After just a few moments, the potions were finally complete and quickly placed into a wooden box.

Just like that, a batch of perfect potions was created by none other than their instructor, who had a proud look on her face.

"Did everyone catch that?" she questioned, and Neraxis immediately answered.

"Yes."

However, it seemed like he was the only one who replied, as the others merely stared at the instructor with awe on their faces.

Oh right... I forgot this isn’t exactly easy for others. He inwardly facepalmed.

"You did?" Liora said, raising her brow. "I will expect nothing but the highest quality from you then."

He could sense a hint of mockery in her voice but chose to ignore it.

After all, to others, Neraxis likely came off as overly arrogant.

Liora took the box of potions before closing it and putting it back into her bag. Then, with a clap, she stated, "Everyone to your stations."

"Good luck, everyone. I’ll be back for the next lecture," Magnus announced before making his way out of the classroom, flashing Neraxis one more glance before leaving.

Each student moved to their respective stations and put on the protective masks. They quickly prepared all the materials in the order Liora had shown them, and soon enough, they were ready.

Do you need any help with this, or can I slack off? Kael’s whisper resounded beside him.

Neraxis merely shrugged in response. Suit yourself.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

He picked up the flask and began playing around with it, making sure everything was the same weight-wise.

And after just a few moments, he turned up the alchemy furnace and slowly began replicating the entire process that Liora had done.

His, however, was a tad bit more fluent, even catching the attention of those around him—as well as Kael, who was looking at Neraxis with surprise.

Yet he simply ignored all those gazes and continued with his potion-making, until eventually, all that was left was to regulate the colors and make sure the potion did not lose its efficiency.

Since he had done this so many times before, he had no use for a lighter, only tweaking Liora’s recipe slightly while producing the same results with much less effort.

And finally, he was done, pure red flask in hand.

The entire class was speechless, and even more so as he began pouring the contents into the vials and placing them inside the wooden box before closing it.

That was pretty easy. Neraxis heaved a relieved sigh. It seemed like he still knew how to do alchemy at the very least.

But as he turned to look at his classmates, he was met with their puzzled faces, staring at him as though he were some kind of ghost.

"Nice going, mister alchemist," Kael’s teasing voice rang out by the side, almost like he was trying his best not to laugh.

And then, he met the gaze of Liora, who was even more shocked than his classmates as she began walking toward him.

"What is your name, student?" she questioned in a firm tone.

And he absentmindedly answered, "Neraxis."

Liora nodded in response. "Good, Neraxis. What would you say about becoming my personal student?"

His eyes widened momentarily at her words, but he quickly composed himself. "I would have to decline, sorry. I am pursuing swordsmanship, not alchemy."

Despite the formalities he was trying to uphold, she did not feel the same. "Huh? Even so? It’s a great opportunity to have your name known across the entire continent."

Neraxis raised his brows in confusion at her comment, but before he could ask what she meant, she spoke.

"After all, I am one of the 10 great alchemists on this continent. You being my student would naturally bring you all the glory and riches you could ever desire."

She makes a solid argument, but do I really need that? My name spread across the continent? I already have enough trouble as is.

[You got that right—everyone you talk to eventually brings you down an even deeper rabbit hole,] Evangeline added with a chuckle.

...Right. Neraxis turned to look at Liora, and before he could decline her offer, she countered.

"If you become my student, I will provide you with a backing that would last even after you leave the academy or stop being my student. I greatly value talent, and if you bloom into a perfect bud that could hold its own weight, that would be enough for me."

As she finished speaking, she leaned in closer.

"So? What do you say?"