Bear School Astartes

Belengar frowned as he watched Lann tamper with the nearly completed potion formula.

"The first two heats of the [Maribo Forest] are complete, it's not yet time for the third heat!"

Lann, while confidently placing the crucible over the fire, explained to Belengar.

"I think there's room for improvement in the formula, let me give it a try."

The old Demon Hunter frowned and sighed, feeling that Lann, owing to his exceptional combat prowess, somewhat underestimated alchemy knowledge.

The alchemy technique of the Demon Hunter originated from the Demon Hunter Order.

The Order was founded by the famous Mage—Alzur, and his mentor—Cosimo Malaspina.

These two were renowned Great Mages among the entire human race.

Their level in alchemy needs no questioning.

In the long years that followed, many talented alchemists also emerged among the demon hunters.

They followed the changes of the times, absorbing the academic knowledge and advancements of the broader environment, making improvements and supplements to the demon hunters' alchemy.

With a solid foundation and relentless progress, the alchemy of the demon hunters became a "little secret" even the Warlock community was curious about.

The fact that these learned and conceited mages called it a "little secret" is itself a testament to the profundity of demon hunter alchemy.

In Belengar's view, Lann was being somewhat overconfident.

But he wasn't planning to stop him on the spot.

Young beginners in alchemy always think their intelligence can support them in making effective changes to mature formulas.

This impulse is unavoidable.

After all, Lann wasn't concocting something as hazardous as alchemy bombs right now, and although the materials aren't cheap, he knows the King! And also knows wealthy and generous female warlocks!

Why should I worry about his alchemical costs?

Am I out of my mind?!

Since it's not dangerous and he doesn't care about the cost, let Lann have a go.

Belengar crossed his arms, watching Lann's orderly procedure with a look of anticipation for a good show.

Watching the young face some setbacks is a small pleasure of the seniors.

But after a while, Belengar could no longer maintain his anticipation for a show.

His eyebrows arched unevenly, perfectly reflecting his astonishment.

"Is this guy really improvising the procedure?!"

It was so smooth.

Lann's movements were so smooth!

Anyone who's conducted a chemistry experiment would know that even the placement of equipment affects a person's work efficiency.

And that's following a set procedure.

Right now, Lann was performing an experimental procedure no one had summarized before, yet his movements were as fluid as if there were an instruction manual in front of him, and he had followed it many times! Kееp us gоing by rеаding оn МV_LЕМ_РYR.

Lann proceeded in an orderly fashion through the steps he deduced.

He added an extra heating step between the original second and third heats of the [Maribo Forest].

And during this process, he dripped in a small amount of Essence of Water.

This alchemy material often appears from swamp witches or water ghosts, being denser yet unchanged in property water.

The remaining steps were nothing special. With the cooperation of Mentos, Lann, who was in an ultra-smooth state, soon bottled and sealed this yet-to-be-known effect [Maribo Forest] and placed it on the table.

For a moment, both the old and young demon hunters crossed their arms, frowning at the bottled magic potion on the table.

The magic potion was clear and transparent, its faint bluish hue exuding a magical aura.

Belengar was quite puzzled... because it didn't look like a failure!

Could it be... did this guy actually conjure up something?

"Try it." After a moment of contemplation, Belengar reached for the magic potion from the table.

"Let's see the difference between your 'improved version' and the original."

The old demon hunter's tone was sarcastic when he said 'improved version,' clearly not believing that a novice in systematic alchemy learning could come up with anything worthwhile purely through inspiration.

Inspiration? Ha! Those chaps on narcotics also generally feel quite inspired.

Lann nodded in agreement to Belengar's testing.

Although he himself has a significantly higher toxin resistance than general demon hunters due to the unique trait of gene seed harmonizing his body's organ systems,

he had never drunk the original [Maribo Forest], so he couldn't find any reference.

The old Demon Hunter was the perfect candidate.

Belengar's expression seemed natural, making Lann suspect that this guy might have tested potions for alchemists in Vizima, considering his demon hunter constitution.

He heard alchemists are quite wealthy too.

With one gulp, he swallowed it down.

Belengar knelt on the ground, entering a meditation state to accelerate the absorption of the potion's effects.

Soon, dark toxins crept up from his collar along the veins to his neck, then continued upwards, dispersing the blood color and gathering around his eyes.

"Mentos, record the post-ingestion phenomena."

"Understood, recording is on."

Lann hadn't drunk [Maribo Forest], but he felt that the ascent speed of the toxin in Belengar seemed faster than when he first consecutively drank [Thunder] and [Blizzard].

The meditating Belengar's expression began to twist, as if his body was enduring some pain.

Lann already had a bottle of [White Honey] in hand, ready to administer it to him.

At this moment, the pair of serpent eyes that were initially shut suddenly snapped open.

"Ugh—gasp!"

Belengar couldn't maintain his kneeling posture, his entire upper body lunging forward, supporting himself with hands on the floor, gasping heavily.

Lann immediately crouched down, supporting his shoulder, holding up the detoxifying [White Honey] to administer it.

Failed?

In his heart, Lann had been prepared for this outcome.

Demon Hunter alchemy, after all, is a profound academic system; his burst of inspiration might just be akin to a flash of genius from some demon hunter centuries ago.

This world has never been short of geniuses.

Lann exhaled softly, a bit regretful.

Although he had experienced a lot by now, at his age, it was impossible to not harbor a bit of that 'main character' thought in his mind.

But reality is reality.

When encountering something that seems amendable, a young person shouldn't jump to action but instead consider why no one acted before.

Having learned from this experience of altering a formula that ended in failure, Lann decided to first thoroughly master existing alchemical formulas.

But just as Lann supported Belengar to stand and have him drink [White Honey],

the old Demon Hunter blinked as if freshly awoken, looking down at his palm, clenching and unclenching it.

"Plague above..."

Belengar muttered, lifting his head with absent eyes to look at Lann, who was ready to give him the potion.

"It actually works!"

"Alright, alright, I know I was impulsive..."

Lann, who was originally nodding perfunctorily, suddenly realized, blinking in confusion.

"...Huh?!"