In the classroom, most people wore focused and serious expressions, continuously taking notes.
Roy also perked up and quickly recorded his thoughts.
Due to his Alchemy Talent, he had already determined his direction of effort: to become an alchemist in the Wizarding World!
Only in this field could he gain enhancements and possess a significant advantage.
The Wizarding World absorbed the ancient and mysterious art of alchemy, and to this day, it has summarized four major branches corresponding to the "Four Ultimate Goals."
The first is "Magical Potion Studies," with the ultimate goal being the perfect potion—Azoth.
Its effects include but are not limited to rejuvenation, eternal youth, immortality, and even making someone fall in love with oneself...
It embodies humanity's ambition and desires, being "able to cure all ailments," "able to resolve all worries," and even "fulfill all wishes," including the legendary "potion of regret."
The second is "Creation Studies," which encompasses various Wizardry Artifacts, magical items, and enchanted equipment, with the ultimate goal being divine artifacts.
Legendary magic rings and the swords of heroes fall under this branch, and they are essential magical tools in many adventure stories.
The third is "Genesis Studies," with the ultimate goal being artificial life, especially humanoid beings.
Among them, the results of organic materials and bionic sorcery have long been mastered by wizards, allowing them to create flesh-and-blood puppets that resemble living beings.
The Eastern craftsmen's creations, the "Yanshi" (singing and dancing puppets), and the Western alchemists' "Homunculus" are representative of this technology.
However, one aspect involving souls and intelligence is still considered the exclusive domain of divine-level creators.
The fourth is "Magic Crystal Studies," with the ultimate goal being the Philosopher's Stone.
This is an idealized divine object, said to be able to transform ordinary metals into precious metals, such as gold, or serve as materials for creating the perfect potion.
It is endowed with many beautiful names, such as the stone from the heavens, the raw materials for gold and silver, the fifth element, the philosopher's stone, and the red elixir.
In different legends and mythologies, it takes various forms, possibly solid, liquid, or powder, and usually appears in a blood-like red color, with special forms like alcohol or the water of life.
"Achieving the Four Ultimate Goals all at once is unrealistic; alchemists in the Wizarding World have produced many unexpected byproducts during their explorations.
It's like trying to create an elixir of immortality but ending up inventing gunpowder...
Witches brew witch's potions and create universal medicines, giving birth to products like 'transformation potions,' 'deadly poisons,' and 'love potions.'
Wizards use sorcery to create Homunculi, but they may also end up producing various magical beasts and puppets.
These failed products are continuously increasing, forming a vast and complex alchemical system."
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Roy.
"So, the Philosopher's Stone is the original intention of alchemy and the key to unlocking the portals of other branches?
Theoretically, the Magic Stones used in daily transactions can also be considered a broad form of the Philosopher's Stone.
They can transform and exchange for other alchemical products, as long as the cost is sufficient..."
His pen suddenly paused; he had an epiphany.
"How foolish, Roy!
Making money is not as fast as creating money!"
...
After class, in the library.
Roy, using his apprentice status, entered the borrowing area, found several related books, and took them back to his residence to read.
"Realgar crystals, essence of crystal, mercury, mica..."
One type of mineral and crystalline material after another began to come into his understanding.
"The most urgent and pressing issue I need to resolve right now is actually a lack of money.
My qualifications are simply too poor; I can only compensate with resources..."
Similar to the last-minute effort before a goal, the Wizarding World does have means to solve these problems; in fact, there are many.
But each one requires money, consuming resources and opportunities.
A large amount of Magic Stones is essential.
This commonly used material in the Wizarding World is essentially a spiritual medium born from the exploration of the Philosopher's Stone, and it is also a catalyst needed for many rituals and alchemical recipes.
It is not issued by specific institutions but follows a universal pricing standard.
Many people can refine it, but it is often consumed in large quantities by various spellcasting and refining activities.
Perhaps I could also try refining it.
After returning to his residence, Roy took out a Magic Stone and continued to ponder.
The materials needed to refine a Magic Stone include quartz, crystal, realgar, diatomaceous earth, etc., but more importantly, it is about infusing it with Wizardry Energy.
In essence, it is a form of magical power.
Wizards discovered during their battles in other realms that there are substitutes like Magic Crystal mines, spiritual energy stones, and elemental stones outside.
As long as it contains a broad form of magical power, it can be used as raw material.
This is also the origin of its name.
"The steps to refine a Magic Stone are actually not complicated; the main task is to take quartz crystals or stone-like components to carry the Wizardry Energy.
Then there's realgar, using the mercury released during the burning process as a catalyst to infuse the Wizardry Energy into the carrier; this step must strictly follow the guidance of sorcery and cannot directly use metallic mercury products..."
Many related pieces of knowledge floated in Roy's mind, and his understanding deepened.
He continued to study and prepare materials.
After a period of time.
Roy felt that he had mastered the formula for refining Magic Stones.
"Finally reached this step...
No matter what, let's give it a try!"
Roy sequentially added the prepared quartz, crystal, diatomaceous earth, and other materials into the reaction vessel.
Next, he added the realgar.
Then he poured in the crushed Magic Stone powder.
In just a short while, it transformed into a soft, paste-like substance resembling molten glass.
Taking advantage of its warmth, Roy poured it into molds and pressed it firmly, placing it under the magical array he had set up on the Alchemy Table for energy infusion and more precise balancing operations.
After a moment, a batch of finger-sized Magic Stones, smooth as jade and white in color, was successfully refined.
In fact, this process was not difficult; even a clumsy alchemist could confidently follow the example and give it a try.
But the problem lies in merely following the example.
Many things in this world are learned through the eyes and mind, but once you try to do it, you realize it's completely nonsensical.
Even with a recipe clearly outlining all the steps, it doesn't guarantee a delicious dish.
Let alone something as complex as alchemy? However, at this moment, Roy once again felt the benefits of the "Skilled Worker" black iron-level talent.
It was like a cheat code, allowing him to skip the beginner and entry-level stages and directly enter a proficient realm.
Moreover, the success rate doubled! He used his mental energy to probe and selected several Magic Stones with either too low or too high Wizardry Energy to discard as waste, preparing to reprocess them in the future.
In the end, the number of qualified products he obtained was 115 pieces.
(End of Chapter)