Chapter 170: Potion of Physical Permanence

    Derek inwardly smiled and shook his head. The Void Beast seems to be the prime ingredient in anything that permanently increases stats. I also have the cheat that allows me to provide said ingredients. However, I need to get stronger before taking that chance again. In the few times Ive seen Void Beasts, one was intelligent. With such odds, it would when, not if, I summoned one even stronger.

    What parts of the Void Beast did you use? Derek asked.

    Roman frowned. Recipes and formulas were precious treasures to Alchemists. It made sense that Roman would be hesitant to give Derek the exact ingredients.

    Dont worry. Derek said. Im not going to swear an oath, but rest assured, anything I learn will most likely benefit you.

    Roman let out a sigh. I suppose you remember the Prince hunting a Void Beast a while ago?

    Derek nodded. He had heard about the Prince and his team hunting down a Void Beast that was wreaking havoc on some villages.

    Well, many formulas have interchangeable ingredients. Especially things like claws and teeth. If the formula calls for ground claws of a beast, you can usually experiment a little with the formula until you find an acceptable balance for a substitute ingredient. Roman explained.

    I guess that makes sense. Im not much of a crafter, so I will take your word.

    Well the Prince had a bunch of claws and teeth from his Void Beast, but nothing to use them on. He wasnt in any need of any weapon that could be crafted with those ingredients, so he decided to try Alchemy. Im known for my experiments. Roman said.

    Derek chuckled. I can see that.

    Most Alchemists didnt want to touch the ingredients for fear of letting the Prince down. Me not so much. Ive met the Prince, and he has a pretty decent character. He wouldnt harm a crafter for failing an experiment. The halfling explained. Now, Void Beast parts do not appear on the mark almost ever. So, obviously, I volunteered for the project. He flashed a smile. I may have taken advantage of a loophole in our contract, which was quite loose, by using the remaining ingredients on a personally project after successfully creating the potion I was tasked with.

    So, you changed a formula for the Prince, and succeeded easier than he would think, then took the remaining claws and teeth to experiment with your own projects. I guess the Prince thinks you used all the materials on his potion? Derek asked.

    Roman looked at his feet in embarrassment. I did give him three potions. They were great potions, too. The loss of ingredients was more than acceptable to him. He even offered extra compensation for the potions, but I humbly rejected him.

    Derek snorted. Yeah humbly.

    After Romans explanation, Derek thought about some things. The claws, teeth, and hide of three Void Beasts are owed to me once Alanahs people prep the beasts. The difference between the materials will be vast, though. The baby Void Beasts materials wont be nearly as good when it comes to providing those stats through Alchemy, but at the same time, the intelligent Void Beast materials may be too much to work with.

    Still, it may be worth it to allow Roman to have some of the materials for his potion. Stella once told me that the extra stats the Void Beasts gave were more personal than the stats given by the Great System. Im not sure what that means, but it couldnt be bad. He thought. Maybe Roman could help Brandi with a recipe that uses the lesser ingredients.

    How common were the other ingredients you used? Derek suddenly asked.

    Roman tilted his head in thought before speaking. Without the cost of the Void Beast Material I could get the remaining ingredients for around 14,000 gold.

    Ill give her some formulas Ive come up with for beginner Alchemists to make up for her loss if the material proves useless. Since Ive never made those potions, shell be recognized as the creator by the Great System and given the extra experience. Roman said.

    Derek nodded. Thats great. If you want to just do that, then go ahead. That should be worth more than just a couple attempts of creating something with the Void Beast materials.

    Very much so. Roman said.

    Speaking of experience, what did you get for creating that potion? Derek asked.

    Romans smile was wider than ever as he answered. I got a whole levels worth of XP for it, and an Award that lessens the instability of my potions while brewing by 5%.

    Dereks eyes widened at that. I didnt expect that.

    Neither did I. Roman replied. But thats what you get when you create something amazing that nobody else has done before.

    I guess so. Derek nodded.

    Hypothetically. Roman said. If you were able to get the materials for me, how would we split the potions?

    Derek smiled. Ive been thinking about that. He said. I want the two best potions, then we can split the profit of the rest 50/50, after taking the cost of the ingredients out, of course. Also, I may be able to get more materials later, and I we could continue with that deal. What do you think?

    The halfling alchemist nodded. Thats acceptable. The experience I should gain with each success and failure should still be good because of how rare the potion is. So, Ill still be gaining more than just the profit. We will still need to talk about the split if someone wants to offer a trade. The value of the item traded may be different to the both of us.

    Derek nodded. Agreed. Also, we will jack the prices up in the beginning just to see what we can get out of them.

    Romans teeth shined through his grin. Oh, that was a given. He agreed. But, like I said. This all hinges on whether you can provide the materials or not.

    Trust me, you dont have to worry about that. The only problem is how soon I can gather them, not if. He answered.

    Roman stepped forward with his hand out. When Derek took it, he spoke. Very well, Im looking forward to doing business with you.

    As am I.

    A light cough from the side of the room caught both of their attention. Are the two of you finished now? I would like to get back to my office so I can document what Ive seen today. Freia interrupted.

    Roman rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. They had completely ignored the third person in the room. Of course youre dismissed.