"Now, let's discuss the specifics," Mond said calmly. "Even though I'm giving you a friend's discount, there's still a price to pay. Labor and technical fees can't be waived, and this alchemy workshop is, after all, a place of business. I am also a businessman."
"Money is necessary, and you understand that as well. But I can guarantee one thing: I will give my all to crafting this potion. That's my promise." Mond's presence grew heavier, taking control of the negotiation. He was no longer the gentle figure he often appeared to be but exuded the cold sharpness of a businessman.
Perhaps this was one reason Mond was able to become an S-Class alchemist: his skill was unquestionable, his character decent, and he knew how to handle business, reinvesting his earnings into alchemy and creating a healthy cycle.
"Of course," Makarov replied. "We've done business many times, and I understand how your process works. No matter how close the friendship, payment is never something to be sloppy about."
Makarov took out a money pouch, bulging with so many gold coins that the outlines of the coins pressed through the leather.
"This is the deposit. As for the materials, I'll leave that to your discretion. You alchemists are quite knowledgeable about the body, after all."
Though Makarov didn't say it aloud, he knew mentioning the specifics would only irritate Mond.
He was well aware that every alchemist thoroughly understood the human body and had deep pharmacological knowledge. After all, every alchemist shared a common research goal: the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life.
"I'll consider what you've said," Mond replied, "but right now, I'm more interested in hearing Noel's opinion. You've read the Alchemist's Encyclopedia, haven't you?" Mond turned to Noel.
Noel froze. He thought he was here just to observe how negotiations worked, not to suddenly be asked for his input.
"Um, what kind of potion are we discussing here?" Noel forced himself to ask, trying to remain calm despite the panic churning inside him. He didn't want to embarrass himself, nor did he want to embarrass Mond.
"Oh, right, I didn't explain yet. I didn't expect Mond to have you participate in this matter." Makarov took a sip of tea. "Actually, it's about my grandson. His magical power is too strong, causing his body to be very frail."
Noel immediately fell into thought. Too much magical power, leading to physical weakness—this meant his body couldn't withstand the magic within, unable to release it properly.
They would likely need a potion to strengthen the body or something that could help release the excess energy. Most people would think of strengthening the body first.
That gave him a direction: strengthening the body? Wait, no—that was too simplistic. While it was part of the problem, the real issue was likely deeper, at the level of the magic source itself.
It had to be a combination of both to explain such a severe condition. But the magic source was too complex for him to offer advice on, so it was better to stick with the body-strengthening approach to avoid embarrassing himself. He realized this was probably a test—Mond's way of honing him.
Noel glanced at Mond, and their eyes accidentally met. Mond's gaze was sharp, causing Noel to freeze momentarily.
No, I need to step up, Noel told himself. Why am I hesitating? There's nothing to fear—it's just giving my suggestion!
"For magical power causing physical frailty, I have two potential solutions."
Noel paused, then continued, "The first is to use potions to strengthen the body while simultaneously repairing the magic source. This is theoretically the best and most feasible approach, and I have a few materials in mind."
"Salamander scales can enhance the body's resilience, but since they are fire-elemental, the user might feel a burning sensation, so it would need to be paired with Water Crocodile Tears to balance the effect. Additionally, there is a rare wood-element material, the Leaves of the Tree of Life. The root would be even more effective, but harvesting it would kill the tree, so it's not advisable."
"These three would be the primary ingredients, and we could then add secondary materials beneficial for bodily restoration, such as Thunder Dragon Fangs, which can strengthen the body in a unique way."
"There's also the Molted Shell of the Wind Cicada, rumored to have a balancing effect on magic while being gentle in nature. But as for where to find it, I'm not sure."
"Well analyzed." Mond clapped lightly. "Even if I were to evaluate it, I'd say Plan One is quite perfect. However, Noel, you missed one consideration: the difficulty of acquiring these materials."
"For many clients, obtaining these materials would be nearly impossible, not to mention that some of them are mythical-grade materials. I'd give your Plan One a score of 90."
Mond then looked at him expectantly. "And your second plan? Let's hear it."
"For Plan Two, I considered that the body is likely overwhelmed by the excess magical power, meaning there's simply too much magic within."
"So, the idea would be to release some of that excess magic to restore balance within the body. This would be another viable approach."
"But for this method, I would recommend using Conduction Crystals to safely collect and store the excess magic, allowing the body to stabilize for a period."
Makarov was deeply shocked. This child had studied for only a few days and could already reach this level of analysis. Conduction Crystals were precisely the method currently being used for Laxus.
This young alchemist was already at a professional level, able to dissect a seemingly simple problem with remarkable insight. Even as a child, he was a genuine alchemist deserving of respect.
"Yes, we've already been using Conduction Crystals," Makarov admitted. "They can alleviate the pain, even if only slightly, and it's an effective short-term solution."
Noel, however, felt a bit disappointed inside. He had hoped this would be his contribution, only to find that someone else had already thought of it and put it into practice.
But he quickly brushed away that feeling, thinking to himself:
Well, I guess my alchemy is actually pretty good.
PS: Access advance chapters at
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