Chapter 55: The Craft of Restoration Potions and Three Possibilities

By the time evening arrived, Lyle had already consumed seven stalks of "Hotleaf." Only then did the alchemical solution stabilize into a pale yellow liquid.

Testing the solution's effectiveness on a wound, Lyle discovered its restorative properties far exceeded those of merely covering the wound with powdered herbs.

However, even with such results, Lyle did not appear pleased. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he once again depleted his already low mana reserves. Casting Item Appraisal on the alchemical solution he had just created, the results appeared before him:

...

[Item: Inferior Alchemical Solution]

Effects: A solution crafted using the herb "Hotleaf." Has properties of stopping bleeding and disinfecting. When consumed, it restores a negligible amount of health (1 point).

(Cannot be preserved long-term. Effectiveness will completely deteriorate within one hour.)

...

Lyle's frown deepened.

Even with higher-level alchemical and pharmaceutical skills compared to Nfirea, the potion he created could only be described as inferior.

When Lyle initially gained the pharmacist class from Nfirea, his goal was to create potions himself to enhance his combat endurance.

But now, it seemed his ideas had been overly simplistic.

His knowledge of herbs was far too shallow. Factors such as the properties of different herbs, their compatibility, and appropriate dosages were all issues he needed to address.

Acquiring this knowledge required time—something he was sorely lacking.

What he had created thus far was merely an improvised solution to fully extract the medicinal properties of herbs, not even qualifying as a low-grade potion.

Potions in this otherworld were fundamentally different from the potions in the "YGGDRASIL" game.

Based on the crafting techniques, potions could be divided into three categories depending on the materials used:

1. Potions made purely from herbs:

The most common type in this world, these were affordable and served as practical healing aids for civilians and low-level adventurers.

2.Potions made from a combination of herbs and magic:

Potions crafted through this method offered superior effects, making them suitable for adventurers to use during battles. Naturally, they were far more expensive.

3. Potions made purely through magic:

This type didn't exist in this world.

In reality, the second and third methods were the primary ways potions were crafted in "YGGDRASIL." However, this world had developed a path for potion-making completely divergent from the game.

Since this world possessed healing potions resembling the "Blood of the Gods" from "YGGDRASIL," the inability of apothecaries like Nfirea to craft them led to speculations by the Overlord.

The reasoning could be boiled down to three possibilities:

The crafting techniques left behind by the players who descended into this world had been lost over time.

Apothecaries like Nfirea simply lacked the knowledge, and such techniques might still exist in other distant regions or countries.

The healing potions in "YGGDRASIL" required specific materials exclusive to the game. Since these materials didn't exist in this world, the method to craft the "Blood of the Gods" was naturally lost as well.

Among these, Lyle leaned towards the third possibility.

He even suspected that if Nfirea managed to create red healing potions in the future, it might only be possible due to materials supplied by the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Perhaps Nfirea would eventually develop a method requiring fewer materials, but otherwise, the timeline seemed implausible.

After all, the Slane Theocracy had spent centuries and immense resources to produce red healing potions. It seemed unreasonable for Nfirea to surpass that feat in less than a year.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Lyle acknowledged the harsh reality:

He neither had the time nor anyone to teach him the necessary knowledge about potions and herbs. He also couldn't rely on the game-like convenience of gaining profession-related skills by leveling up.

Even if magic existed in this world that allowed potions to be conjured out of thin air, he had no way to learn it.

"It seems," Lyle sighed with resignation, "my idea of crafting potions to enhance my strength was a bit too naive."

As for the Alchemist profession, Nfirea had shared that, in the eyes of most apothecaries, alchemy was merely an auxiliary skill for crafting healing potions.

But in "YGGDRASIL," the Alchemist profession held a much broader scope.

When paired with professions like craftsmen, puppeteers, blacksmiths, or golem crafters, alchemy could achieve extraordinary results.

Advanced professions such as Master Alchemist or Gunsmith even allowed alchemy to surpass the combat potential of other production-oriented professions.

Unfortunately, Lyle couldn't afford to squander his limited margin for error on learning advanced alchemy-related professions.

Without specialization bonuses from advanced professions, basic crafting professions offered little practical value—even in the game.

If so, did the Alchemist profession hold the same limited utility for him as the Pharmacist profession?

"Hmm..." Lyle pondered deeply.

He couldn't blindly apply game mechanics to this reality—and vice versa.

"Alchemy," Lyle mused, "is about crafting alchemical solutions with straightforward and potent effects. It might not necessarily need to serve as an auxiliary skill for potion-making."

With that thought, a contemplative look crossed Lyle's face.

For instance, he could temporarily create alchemical solutions with various effects.

The only drawback was that these solutions deteriorated rapidly over time, losing their effectiveness.

But this wasn't an insurmountable issue.

Grandmother Lizzie, knew a spell called "Preservation", which could maintain a potion's effectiveness for up to a year.

After all, even potions in this world suffered from gradual degradation over time.

Mastering "Preservation" was crucial for pharmacists in this world.

With this idea in mind, Lyle's mood improved significantly. He glanced at the darkening sky and decided to set up camp by the riverbank.

Nearby, the hobgoblin named Mukua lay flat on the ground, sneaking cautious glances at Lyle. Its eyes were filled with fear and awe, silently observing his every move.

Over the past few days, Mukua had witnessed far too many inexplicable events. For instance, Lyle could simply wave his hand, and the bodies of fallen goblins on the ground would vanish into thin air.