Chapter 73: Derrick’s doubt

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Derrick’s doubt

Beth took out a thermometer like object from her pocket and placed it inside the cauldron.

This was a basic instrument every alchemist had.

It was called, The Purity Gauge.

It was used to determine the purity of liquid alchemy items. For the solid ones like pills and herbs, she had another one.

Derrick and Beth watched the purity gauge with their breaths held.

The device was transparent itself with several markings over the exterior.

It sucked a trace of the cream within the cauldron inside the hollow glass tube and the lines from the bottom of the tire started to glow, making its way upwards.

10%

15%

20%

30%

40%

The numbers climbed so fast that Beth could not even believe her eyes.

But Derrick was more relieved than her.

He knew this meant that his knowledge proved to be valuable.

The numbers kept climbing.

50%

60%

65%

Beth’s fingers tightened around the gauge, knuckles going white. Her breath caught somewhere in her throat, refusing to move.

This can’t be right. This can’t be real.

68%

The line slowed, crawling now instead of racing.

69%

It hovered there, trembling like it might drop back down.

Then it ticked forward one final time.

70%

And stopped.

Beth stared at the number, mouth slightly open, no sound coming out.

Seventy percent. Seventy.

Her best work, her personal best after years of practice, had never crossed fifty. Not even close on a good day.

I didn’t even use Enhanced Energy. Is something like this even possible?

Her hands were shaking now, the gauge nearly slipping from her grip before she caught it against her chest.

"...How," she finally managed, voice barely above a whisper. "How is this possible?"

"It is just proper technique my teacher taught me," Derrick said simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You had the skill. You just never had an experienced person to train you."

Beth didn’t respond right away, still staring at the glowing number like it might vanish if she looked away.

Seventy percent. Could it be the cauldron or was it all me.

Derrick saw right through her thoughts and said, "Don’t doubt yourself. It was all you. I will take the cauldron and the cream, gift it to Keira and mom."

"Make ten more of these. Same process, exact same measurements."

"Ten?" Beth blinked, snapping out of her daze.

"Ten." He was already walking toward the table, pulling up the screen mounted against the wall.

"Let me write everything down for you. If you want record the process and repeat it to see where you made the mistakes and correct them. That’s how you improve."

His fingers moved fast, typing out a rough outline, steps and temperatures and timing windows, basic pill creation broken down into something she could follow without needing years of formal training first.

"The process we used was to create a liquid solution or serums but this one is for creating pills." he said, gesturing at the screen. "Same principle as the cream."

Beth nodded, eyes scanning the instructions, already committing them to memory.

Derrick lifted the cauldron off the burner, tucking it carefully into his inventory.

"Work on this today. Ten of every pill, cream, or potion you already know how to make. If you need materials, send me the list. I’ll get them delivered."

"...Okay." Beth was still staring at the screen, mind clearly racing through everything that had just happened.

Derrick gave her one last nod and headed for the door, leaving her to it.

...

Instead of heading home, Derrick found himself walking toward the gym instead, hands tucked in his pockets, mind still turning over the numbers from the cauldron test.

I wonder just how far can I push her with the unranked knowledge I have...

I need the knowledge of Tier 1 as well. I cannot stagnate if I want the business to grow.

Maki looked up from the front desk the moment he walked in, already reaching under the counter before he’d even said a word.

"Here." She held out a chilled bottle, condensation beading along the glass.

She winked at him and playfully said, "I made it, specially for you. Electrolytes, protein, a bit of something to help with recovery."

Derrick wanted to refuse but he could feel her sincerity so he took the bottle with a smile.

He popped the cap and took a long sip. "Thanks."

"Don’t mention it." She waved him off before he could say anything more, already turning back to her monitor.

He made his way toward the back office, knocking twice before pushing the door open.

Keira was sitting on her chair with her legs crossed on the table.

"Congratulations." Kiera turned her head away from the computer and looked at him. Derrick could see his website on the screen. "Looks like you sold out."

"Thanks." Derrick smiled, ignoring her teasing and walked up to the empty chair and sat down. "It was a good thing I created the video. That thing made is still making me money and it crossed the money I got from the pills."

"That is only because you stopped selling. What happened? Out of stock?"

Derrick shook his head, he could buy the stock any time he wanted but. "I am limiting the sales to 50 pills per week. I want to spread the craze first and besides I need a manager to handle my money."

"Ah. The problems of the rich, indeed." Keira nodded sagely, clearly understanding what he was saying.

Pffft!

After a beat, both of them laughed.

Kiera shook her head and asked, "So, what did you come to see me for? Shouldn’t you be out there, working out."

"I wanted to ask you something important." Derrick glanced at the computer screen once more and asked, "Do you know why I can’t rent a warehouse online?"

"I knew we could do that before but for some reason, all the available properties are out of business."

Derrick cured his frustration when he noticed something strange in Keira’s expression.

On the surface it remained the surface but he could read the tension deep within that appeared after his question.

"Do you know something?" He asked again."

Keira lowered her legs and leaned forward. She finally replied....