Part 61: Chapter 9-5: Test, Texts and Stakes

Part 9-5: Test, Texts and Stakes



I agree. …I wonder how Dad is doing? He might already be B Rank by now.

No idea. We can’t worry about that, anyway. We just have to do whatever we can, for ourselves.

You’re right, of course. Let’s go and report to Mireille!


Showdown with Roger

What do you think? Do you want to try the next Promotion Test?

Yes!

Very well. The next exam is…



Wait a moment. I’m going to take that exam too.

Roger. I’ve heard about the situation from Lucia. You have the reputation, so you may take part too. …In which case, all three of you. This is your next exam!



To synthesize an item from these reference materials? That sounds super easy, though!

It’s not going to be easy. These materials are more than 500 years old—from the golden age of alchemy. A regular alchemist won’t even be able to read it.

I see. Perfect for the competition, then.

Yes. Our true battle starts now. Lydie, Sue. Show me what you can really do!

…You don’t have to tell us twice! We’ll show you twice, though!

We’re not losing to you, Dad!



Seriously, how hard can it be to synthesize one of these items for Mireille? Still, though…

Right. We still can’t afford to take too long. Because if Dad turns something in before we do…

Not gonna happen! Anyway, first, with the reference materials…



You can do the needful, yeah?

Oh, Sue…

Learned Wandering Globe recipe.
Learned Rainbow Neutralizer recipe.
Learned Reaction Fats and Oils recipe.



Three recipes… so three items to make.

Yeah. We only need to turn one of these in, but we might as well make all of them anyway.

Right. “More difficult tools will be evaluated more highly…” and we’ll figure out which is the most difficult once we get to it.

Right! And even aside from this exam, these items will come in handy for us to boot. I’m sure of it!

Now… let’s start with the fats and oils!

This looks to be an Enhancer… so it’s gonna be super simple to make! Just chuck some Golden Rocks, a bug…

Gyaaaaaah!

…some fuel, and a few heaps of oil into the cauldron, and…



…Is it over?

Yes. Next up…



We’ll need some Distilled Water, some other neutralizer, some hidden power, and some elixir.



Even aside from needing some Rainbow Neutralizer for our exam, I can tell it’s going to be far more powerful than any other neutralizer we’ve had access to thus far.



Right! We can customize its components to our liking, for whatever synthesis we’ll need it for. It’s just a shame we can’t also turn it into gunpowder, or oil, or whatever… But we can’t win ‘em all, I guess!



Two down, one to go…



Ah, I think I’ve got a lead… on how to make the ultimate cloth!

Might as well! It’ll pay off big for us later on!



All we need is some Golden Threads, some of our shiny new Rainbow Neutralizer, some elixir, and some cloth.




Since we need this for armor, we’ll need high-end purple and red components… and traits as well.

Good thing the Rainbow Neutralizer we made has both, too! And the effect boost from the Ruby will let us optimize the effects…



Now to do the job…



Quite a good job, if I say so myself!

Right! Now, for the last item from the reference…



For this, we need a Globe Ball… made with that recipe from the book we got from Hagel a while back… some ore, some metal, and some hidden power.




This looks to be a bomb we can use in battle. And we can attach both Twin Powers and Twin Powers: Pair to it. You know what that means?



Hehehe… this, right here, is the ultimate Firis Bomb!



Still though, I dunno if I want to fork one of THESE Wandering Globes over to Mireille. And we have another Globe Ball lying around, anyway. So…



Okay! That’s one we can give to Mireille. Now, we’ve made all the reference’s items…

So this is the moment of truth…

Right. Come what may, time to report to Mireille!



Ah, twins! What do you want to show me?


A Step Behind

Hmm… You know, Lydie, I don’t think Rainbow Neutralizer is the hardest thing to make out of everything from the reference materials.

Right. We’re not gonna ace this exam with one of these.



And this synthesis was even easier! Just toss some materials into the cauldron and mix, without even worrying about components or traits…



So that leaves the Wandering Globe. We had to read ANOTHER text to make one of the ingredients needed for this, after all. This has gotta be it!

I’ll take it, then. …It’s time to announce my evaluation!


Flower Stamp Condition : Give Mireille a Wandering Globe. Quality doesn’t matter for this exam. Remember the visit to Hagel’s in the first update of this chapter, where the twins bought a book from him? That’s how you get the recipe for the Globe Ball, which you in turn need to synthesize this item.

Well done. Most impressive, in fact! I can’t fault this at all! Congratulations! Both of you, you’ve reached B Rank!

Thank you! What about Dad?



Just one step behind, from the looks of it. You’ve improved at alchemy considerably.

Yes, we have. We won. So please, Dad, as you promised. Come back home.

Before that, though, you need to tell us why you suddenly vanished, and everything else.



You’re going to be talking to us until your voice is hoarse, you hear?!

Lydie… Sue… Yes, I’m very sorry. Sorry for everything I have done to you… Please come to Honnete’s grave. I will tell you everything there.



Let’s go, then. Go to Mom’s grave.

Right!