Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

How To Use The Alchemy Pot

“Is this the alchemy pot?”

“Yes, it is.”

In front of Yuuri is a pot made of metal. It’s about the size that Yuuri can barely manage to hold. The pot, with almost no intricate designs, is a simple creation reflecting Ali’s taste. This object called an alchemy pot is undoubtedly a type of magic item.

The alchemy pot can produce various things by placing materials inside. However, it’s not something just anyone can use. To activate it, one needs the [Alchemy] skill. Moreover, to master it, one needs special job classes like Alchemist, Alchemy Blacksmith, Verifier, or Seeker.

…That’s why Ali, possessing the [Alchemy] skill, can master the alchemy pot. Similarly, Yuuri can also use the alchemy pot. It’s not just his high job suitability. Recently, Yuuri managed to acquire the [Alchemy] skill, possibly due to trying out the blacksmithing and mixing skills.

Of course, Ali had anticipated this and sent Yuuri to Bright’s workshop and Leopold’s store.

“For now, I’ll use it, so watch closely.”

“Okay.”

Yuuri, raising one hand in a mock salute, received a gentle head pat from Ali, who then picked up materials from the nearby table. A cup of water. Several types of herbs. There were also nuts and flowers. Ali threw all of these into the alchemy pot.

It was done carelessly. He just threw everything in all at once, leaving Yuuri stunned. No consideration for necessary parts or order, just throwing in the materials.

“Once the materials are in, just close the lid and press the button.”

“…That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“…And yet, you can’t use it without the Alchemy skill?”

“No, you can’t.”

What the heck, thought Yuuri. He didn’t say it out loud but it was obvious on his face, and Ali could see it clearly.

When Ali pressed the button on the central part of the alchemy pot, it made a small noise. It sounded lightly rattling. What exactly was happening inside couldn’t be seen. Yuuri thought it would be nice if someone made a transparent alchemy pot so he could see inside, like a washing machine with a clear window.

“The creation time varies depending on what you’re making, but something like a healing potion will be ready soon.”

“Soon?”

“Yeah, soon. Look, the light next to the button is flashing.”

“It is.”

“When that stops, it’s done.”

While they were talking, the rattling stopped. The flashing red light also stopped. With a popping sound, the lid of the alchemy pot slightly lifted. It was like the lid of a boiling kettle. Though it was properly closed when activated, the lid lifted upon completion to indicate it was done.

Yuuri thought it would be nice if it made a notification sound, but he kept quiet. He didn’t know how the alchemy pot was made or the structure of magic items. He knew better than to voice every thought.

Ali opened the lid of the alchemy pot and reached inside, pulling out what appeared to be the completed item.

Somehow, there was a neatly bottled liquid.

“…Ali-san.”

“What?”

“Why is it bottled? We didn’t put any bottle materials in.”

“I don’t know either.”

“You don’t know!?”

“It’s useless to try to reason with magic items. This is just how the alchemy pot is. Accept it.”

“…I see.”

He had heard that throwing in healing potion materials would produce a healing potion, so he hadn’t been concerned about the process up to activation. But he hadn’t expected it to be bottled, so he was stunned. He had imagined the liquid would fill the pot like in a witch’s cauldron.

The alchemy pot is quite an unconventional magic item. But then again, there’s no such thing as a conventional magic item. They’re mysterious tools that defy physical laws. Even Yuuri’s school bag had turned into an unbeatable magic bag. Various other small items also had infinite supply capabilities.

Considering this, it makes sense that the alchemy pot, after receiving materials, could produce bottled healing potions. It’s a possibility accepted simply because no one can explain it. Some scholars, however, continue to analyze it, unable to give up. Jake, however, doesn’t seem interested in that area.

“Well, probably…”

“Yes?”

“The outcome is likely influenced by the user’s image.”

“Image?”

“Yes. This bottled potion, for example, differs in shape. Other alchemy items are similar. The only common factor is the recipe… though there are multiple recipes, so they’re not all the same…”

Listening to Ali’s explanation, Yuuri compared the finished healing potion with the alchemy pot. It was truly an odd magic item, the more he heard about it.

But dreams expand. With a face full of excitement, Yuuri was eagerly looking at the alchemy pot. Ali, smiling wryly, showed him the healing potion materials. After demonstrating, Ali had promised Yuuri that he would get to practice. Yuuri, like a child given a new toy, eagerly placed the materials into the alchemy pot. Carefully adding each item, he was clearly enjoying himself.

He pressed the button, watching the alchemy pot start up. For some reason, the pot stopped in about half the time it took when Ali activated it. The lid popped open, but both of them remained silent. They were silent. Why did the activation time reduce by half even though the same materials were used?

“…Ali-san, did it break or something?”

“Nope. …I forgot to mention, but the time required for the alchemy pot to refine depends on the pot’s performance and the user’s skill.”

“…Huh?”

“Given your skill, it’s naturally going to be shorter than mine…”

Seeing Ali’s distant look, Yuuri let out a dry laugh. It seemed that in this case, the job class Seeker was probably more effective than the [Divine Eye]. Yuuri’s skill specs were significantly higher than Ali’s as a Verifier.

For now, regaining his composure, Yuuri opened the lid and peered inside the alchemy pot. Inside, he found a bottled healing potion and took it out. The liquid inside looked almost the same as what Ali had made. The bottling appeared to reflect Yuuri’s own image, not sealed with glass like Ali’s but more like a jam jar. Scary imagination.

“…Well, it’s done.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Let’s at least appraise its performance…”

“It’s a healing potion, right?”

“Just to be sure.”

Ali had said something about not knowing what would happen if Yuuri used his skills, and Yuuri pouted, but it had no persuasive effect. He needed to understand what he had done. It was a full set, including being lightly tapped on the head. Being a parent is hard.

Then, both of them appraised the healing potion Yuuri had made. The result was…

――Healing Potion (Top Quality)

A top-quality healing potion made from the usual healing potion materials.

The materials are standard, but the maker’s skill greatly enhances its performance.

Specifically, it significantly exceeds the standard quality of an intermediate healing potion.

“Wh-what the heck?!”

“I didn’t do anything! I didn’t do anything this time, Ali-san!”

Despite having his temples pressed by Ali’s fist, Yuuri desperately protested. He was not lying. This time, he hadn’t intended to do anything special. He had simply activated the alchemy pot by putting in the materials and pressing the button. He hadn’t performed any special operations. It was purely accidental.

Indeed, Yuuri had been excited to use the alchemy pot. Although magic didn’t exist in this world, the alchemy pot felt magical to Yuuri, fulfilling his heart. Not just the name “magic item,” but also how it produced finished products from materials and how it came out in a proper container. Hearing it was influenced by imagination, it was thrilling.

But that was it. He hadn’t done anything else. His claim of innocence was correct this time. Ali understood that, but it also led to the unique problem of “Why does this always happen to you!”—a parent’s special concern. …Being a guardian is tough.

“…Well, since the difference between the materials and the finished product isn’t extreme, it’s still within the acceptable range…”

“Ali-san?”

“Yeah. It’s better that you didn’t produce something like an advanced healing potion from basic materials. Quality improvement is still within the acceptable range.”

“…Uh, aren’t you trying to convince yourself here?”

“Just be quiet.”

“…Okay.”

The parent was desperate to convince himself. He muttered that he couldn’t just leave Yuuri alone, but Yuuri had no intention of leaving the Scarlet Lynx base. Initially, it was meant to be until he gained general knowledge, but now, the place felt like his second home. He couldn’t understand why leaving was even an option.

Moreover, if Yuuri said he wanted to leave, the members would desperately try to stop him, especially those who were captivated by his cooking. Thus, Yuuri had no intention of leaving, and Ali, fearing the consequences of leaving him unchecked, intended to manage him himself. Therefore, Yuuri’s place was firmly set at Scarlet Lynx.

From this day, Yuuri frequently used the alchemy pot to satisfy his curiosity. Sometimes, he made various mistakes, but it was all part of the charm.