nagpurpolice Chapter 105a: Evolving Awareness
Chapter 105a: Evolving Awareness
Chapter 105a: Evolving Awareness
Edwin felt like an idiot at times. After so much time trying to figure out how he could replicate alchemical reactions inside of rocks and pebbles to no avail, it was really embarrassing to have to be reminded that he had the perfect setup for mimicking alchemical reactions already.
Namely, him actually performing alchemical reactions.
It would be fairly straightforward, too. He was working with metaphorical training wheels, after all. The goal would be the ability to mix up spell potions on the fly, whenever, wherever, and with whatever he wanted, but one step at a time.
So here he was, back at square one, going through the motions of making something actually useful as he trained his magic to cooperate.
He would have preferred to make health potions, of course. He could make those practically in his sleep these days- given Watchful Rest, possibly literally- but he couldnt introduce his personal mana into the equation without messing everything up.
Failing that, he wanted to at least do something productive, but he really didnt have any nonmagical reactions that utilized liquids at the moment. If he had nitric acid, then things would be very different, but he didnt have nitric acid and the steps to get it were so obscenely complicated it was a wonder that he could even call it up with Memory, to say nothing of the people who figured it out in the first place. It was the cornerstone of modern chemistry for a reason. Chemistry, because of how much stuff fixed nitrogen was involved in, and modern because of all the stuff needed to make it work on a commercial scale.
He broke himself out of a slight daydream where he had been imagining himself with magic that could break down atomic bonds and bypass all the complications required in fixing nitrogen, that was, pulling the most common gas out of the atmosphere and just shoving it into a beaker of water. Instead, he pulled his attention back to water.
It was in theory the most trivial experiment possible. Mixing water with water, what could the outcome possibly be? Still, for all its simplicity, it did have its advantages. Mainly, that there was no way it could go wrong in some dangerous way. Almost as valuable was the fact that water and water were perfectly miscible. He should have no problems with the normal oil-and-water issues his types of mana had with itself. Or if he did, then that would be interesting as well.
Win-win, really.
Edwin forced himself to imagine his Mana Infusion as pouring out a bottle of mana potion, but unlike most of the time he used the Skill, he didnt let go at the end, instead maintaining a small measure of contact with his mana as it settled into the water. It was a bit of an odd sensation, but not one that was particularly unpleasant. New novel chapters are published on
With his other hand, he repeated the process. For his first experiment, he wasnt changing anything about either of the Infusions, it was purely a test to see how they behaved when combined.
Experiment one. Unaltered mana Infused into waters A and B. B added into A slowly while stirring. As predicted, A and B mixed with no incident or notable interrupts.
Experiment two
Edwin kicked his feet through the air near the tower, mildly miming the motion of swimming on his back as he lazily chatted with Rillah. He just felt so at ease around her, even when she wasnt using Calming Touch. It was very nice.
Okay so is it an appearance Skill, then? he guessed, Like I can see some of the resemblance to what I think is Idyllic Form. What, do you just really hate the way your ears look or something? Is it some kind of Skill that lets you reshape your body a bit?
The adventurer looked at him like he was an idiot.
Actually? he sat up in surprise, I was not expecting that. Um, dont tell me. He cupped his hands in front of his mouth in thought, Seasonal Appearance?
Close guess! Mercurial Form.
Wait, he thought, So then that skill line goes, he counted them off on his fingers, Unweathered Form, Greater Unweathered Form, Idyllic Appearance, and then back to Mercurial Form?
She scratched her head, I dont see what youre going on about.
Well, most of them are something-Form, but number three is Idyllic Appearance.
The girl raised an eyebrow, Is there something different? Oh! They Polyglot differently for you?
Oh, yeah. I guess so. Weird. Anyway, shapeshifting? he excitedly asked.
She looked to the sky, muttering something unintelligible.
What? he asked, Its a cool Skill. And Im kind of curious as to whether your DNA would change, or if you could do something with your blood type to make you an actual universal donor. Also, can you make yourself grow an extra finger or something?
What? Why?
He shrugged, Just to see if you can. Is your skeletal structure mutable? Can you look like different people? How much can you actually change?
Oh. Thats better. She waved off Edwins implied question as to what she meant by that, I dont think I can do much other than some cosmetic changes. Well, maybe. But its rather limited, and not one Ive played with that much. Mainly, I just use it on my hair and ears to avoid getting too much attention.
Wait, hair? Why? Also, if youre trying to avoid attention, why use it on your eyes?
She glared at him, and he raised his hands in defense and apology, Sorry. Touchy subject, I see.
Well, those are the color of my eyes for one, and for another, they wont change color with the Skill. Lastly, I like them that way. As for my hair, it changes color with the seasons too.
Im surrounded by anime protagonists, he mentally sighed, Too? Wait, so then that means your eyes change color?
How how do you make every question Im so sick of sound so reasonable?
Uhhhhh. Edwin had no clue how to respond to that one. Should he apologize? Make a joke? Sympathize?
My eyes change with my magic, yes. Surely youve noticed them lightening?
You think I notice stuff like that? You have one green eye and one brown eye, thats about all I can ever remember.
Yes, well thats just in the fall and spring. Blue and amber in the summer and winter.
He nodded, Very cool, I see why you like them. What about your hair then?
Brown in the spring and fall, red in the summer, blond or almost white in the winter.
And you went with brown year-round?
I like it. Its less eye-catching.
Ah yes. Less eye-catching. Thats exactly how I would describe you.
Youre clever, you know that?
Thats what people tell me, Edwin awkwardly deflected, Feels like Im wrong more than Im right, though.
Nonsense. But yeah, mum was the one to have the scandal, and here I am. She spent too much time in the Verdant, I suppose.
So where are you from, then? Not Kinea?
Rhothos.
Edwin frowned, Is everyone from Rhothos? I know Yathals from there, and Im pretty sure Lefi is as well. At least, thats where his Registrar is. Then youre from there too?
Nah, Lefis not from Rhothos. Dont know where he is from, but he just likes Vinstead. The province is quite well-populated and is friendly to adventurers, though.
I never got that sense while I was there.
Most other places are worse.
Okay, I cant refute you there. You are the well-traveled one, even if-
Even if you have the World Traveler path, yes I know. Rub it in a bit more, why dont you?
Oh, only if you insist, he teased, In fact-
Edwin didnt finish his sentence, distracted as he was by something else. A grin crept across his face, I hit it!
What?
Flight! I just got the notification, it hit level 60! he fist-pumped the air, I was hoping I might finally get it today. I need to figure out what Im doing with it now.
Well, what do you have for Paths?
Just a second. Hm. Theres no way to show someone else your System stuff, is there?
Rillah shook her head.
Ah, pity. Well, this will take a minute, then
Combat
Assassin 0/60, Bomber 0/60, Giant Slayer 0/60, Heedless Hunter 0/60, Hunter 0/30, Killer 0/30, Titan Slayer 0/90, Warrior 0/60, Way of the Empty Hand 0/60, Trapper 0/60, Artillerist 0/60, Sapper 0/60
Alchemy
Alchemical Medic 0/60, Demolitionist 0/60, Makeshift Alchemist 0/60, Potioneer 0/60, Practical Alchemist 0/60, Mystic Alchemist 0/90
Science
Chemist 0/60, Experimenter 0/60, Researcher 0/60, Purifier 0/30, Scientific Revolutionary 0/90, Scientist 0/60, Engineer 0/60, Physicist 0/60, Mathematician 0/60, Material Scientist 0/60
Magic
Aerialist 0/60, Fey Friend 0/60, Feybound 0/60, Feycaller 0/60, Mage 0/60, Magical Gardener 0/60, Micro-Biomancer 0/90, Primal Constructor 0/90, Primal Ritualist 0/90, Realm Traveler 0/120, Skilled Arcanist 0/60, Fey Supplicant 0/60, Feykind 0/90, Attuner 0/30,
Mental
Dedicated Student 0/60, Lecturer 0/30, Scholar 0/60, Unbowed 0/90, Canny 0/60, Steady Mind 0/60, Mentalist 0/60,
System
Almanac Administrator 0/60, Forerunner 0/60, Outsiders Almanac Specialist 0/90, Pioneer 0/60, Skill Researcher 0/60, System Scholar 0/60,
Trophy
Blackstone Conqueror 0/60, Deepwoods Panther-Hunter 0/60, Stonehide Vanquisher 0/60, Titan Spider-Slayer 0/60
Career
Brickmaker 0/30, Butcher 0/30, Diver 0/30, Gardener 0/30, Lumberjack 0/60, Merchant 0/30, Potter 0/30, Scribe 0/30, Woodsman 0/30,
Physical
Ascetic 0/60, Daredevil 0/60, Physical Alchemist 0/90, Survivor 0/60, Physical Laborer 0/30, Athlete 0/60
Traveling
Escapee 0/30, Exile 0/30, Traveler 0/30, World Traveler 0/60
Medical
Field Medic 0/60, Medic 0/30, Steadfast Medic 0/60, Medical Lecturer 0/60
Misc
Arsonist 0/60, Autopyromaniac 0/60, Burglar 0/60, Child 0/12, Expert 0/60, Imperial Ally 0/60, Novice 0/12, Pyromaniac 0/30, Razer of the Ruined Tower 0/60, Rebel 0/30, Slave 0/12, Trainee 0/60, Traitor 0/60, Brushed by Power 0/60, Lirasian Citizen 0/30, Royal Advisor 0/60, Favored by Power 0/90, Insomniac 0/30, Sleepless Disciple 0/60, Student of Power 0/60