Chapter 1538 Alchemical Formula <TOC> Chapter 1540 A Day in the Life of Van Nathan
Translator: SumTLMan
After assigning Darren a “task,” Angel didn’t turn his gaze back to him; instead, he addressed the crowd: “We have a bit of time before the five-minute question period ends. There’s still a chance for one more question. Does anyone have any further inquiries?”
The crowd exchanged glances. Seeing what had befallen Darren, nobody dared to act recklessly.
Perhaps it was also Angel’s earlier dazzling demonstration of the formula that discouraged any further questions. Angel’s eyes scanned the room, and no one spoke up.
“It seems you’re willing to forfeit this opportunity. Very well, let’s continue with our analysis…” Just as Angel was about to proceed, someone stood up.
“Do you have a question?”
The person who stood up was none other than Van Nathan. He nodded solemnly, “Yes, I have some questions about the interaction between energy and matter.”
Van Nathan’s demeanor was formal. Ever since he had followed Angel’s train of thought and witnessed how a barren alchemical landscape could blossom with vivid flowers, he harbored no doubts about Angel. He genuinely wanted to bring up his questions, eager for a resolution.
After a moment’s reflection, Angel nodded in agreement.
Van Nathan’s question concerned the methods of controlling a specific type of reaction called ‘Tranquil Response.’
Tranquil Response is a subtle interaction between a potion and energy, difficult to detect. Although it doesn’t significantly impact the potion’s fundamental nature — essentially a negligible reaction — it does exist within the potion. If leveraged, it could offer an enhancement for the alchemist striving for perfection.
Upon considering Van Nathan’s query, Angel pondered briefly and then provided an answer.
Angel offered a myriad of solutions, not just limited to the fundamentals of alchemy. His advice spanned the gamut from reaction tools and magical material support to purification techniques. He even touched upon external factors related to spells, delivering a relatively comprehensive summary.
In some ways, the methods Angel presented were ones Van Nathan had contemplated himself, albeit not as deeply as Angel had. Upon hearing of the other techniques from Angel — those he hadn’t thought of — Van Nathan was immediately struck with a feeling of sudden enlightenment.
Angel’s answers also provided significant insights to the other alchemists in the room who dabbled in potion studies.
After grasping these concepts, Van Nathan couldn’t help but reveal his excitement. He even wanted to rush back and apply these newfound techniques immediately, but given they were in a classroom setting, he dared not act impulsively.
Suppressing his eagerness, Van Nathan respectfully asked Angel, “May I pose one final question to Master Pat?”
By referring to Angel as “Master,” Van Nathan was already confirming his admiration and respect for the knowledge Angel had imparted.
This caught the attention of those around them, who began to whisper discussions about Van Nathan.
Angel heard these murmurs but paid them no mind, focusing instead on their reference to Van Nathan.
With some surprise, Angel looked at the pale-faced man before him, “So you are Van Nathan.”
Van Nathan, slightly startled, looked back at Angel, “Does Master Pat know of me?”
“Of course. Master Midora mentioned you as the most promising innovative instructor at Achillea Comprehensive College,” Angel said, nodding calmly. In Midora’s view, Van Nathan was a very promising alchemist in the innovative school of potion studies.
Initially, Angel had been impressed that Van Nathan could keep up with his own train of thought. Now, learning that he was someone Midora took notice of, Angel developed a slight fondness for him.
Perhaps due to this newfound affinity, Angel did not decline to answer Van Nathan’s next question.
He nodded, waiting for Van Nathan to inquire further.
Angel assumed Van Nathan would continue to seek advice on potion studies, but he didn’t. Instead, Van Nathan asked carefully, “The alchemy formula you just demonstrated, which applies to magical blood energy transformations — this, I believe, is its first appearance in the world. May I ask, Master Pat, what you intend to call it?”
Regardless of whether it’s an alchemy formula, a magic energy formula, or an energy structure, the creator will name it. Even though this alchemy formula isn’t particularly useful in practice, a reference name is still required whenever someone cites it.
Moreover, Angel has assigned Darren to complete the “assignment.” The formula will undoubtedly appear in the assignment as well.
Angel pondered for a moment.
Actually, he had previously encountered a similar formula in a book on alchemy that he had seen in the Nightmare Plane. However, the formula in the book was associated with another common magical material——Spirit Diamond.
Spirit Diamond and Magical Bloodstone share some similarities, including their ability to accommodate different energy properties. Hence, their alchemy formulas show some resemblance.
However, the processes for proving the alchemy formulas differ, and the contents of the proofs diverge significantly; thus, they couldn’t be applied interchangeably. Yet, it’s undeniable that the formula did inspire Angel to derive his proof so quickly.
With this thought, Angel made up his mind: “It’s not an important formula, so any name will do. How about calling it the Magical Blood Energy Transformation Formula?”
As Angel’s words settled, the room fell into a hushed silence.
Everyone: “…” You say any name will do, but isn’t this a bit too arbitrary?
Van Nathan: “…” He had previously heard rumors that Angel had issues with naming things. He had been skeptical, but it turns out the rumors were true.
However, since Angel is the creator and has named it, they have no say in the matter. Reluctantly, they accepted it, noses in hand.
Little did Angel know that Van Nathan would silently criticize his naming abilities.
However, when he chose the name this time, claiming it was done casually, there was actually an underlying logic. He named it according to a formula that had inspired him.
The formula that inspired Angel was called the “Spirit Diamond Energy Absorption Formula.”
The “Spirit Diamond Energy Absorption Formula” and “Magical Blood Energy Transformation Formula” seemed quite compatible. Both were straightforward names that instantly conveyed the content to be proven by the formula.
Having confirmed the name of the alchemy formula, Angel looked at Van Nathan and asked, “Are there no other questions?”
Van Nathan nodded, expressed his gratitude once more for Angel’s clarifications, and then sat down.
Once the question-and-answer period ended, Angel continued his lecture. Starting from a major topic, “The Interaction of Energy and Matter,” Angel gradually dissected and broke it down into today’s main focus: “Alchemy Illusions.”
Because of the prior impressive formula demonstration, no one harbored any doubts about Angel’s capabilities anymore.
Once they set aside their prejudices and truly listened to Angel’s class, they found themselves increasingly engrossed, even if the topic was the relatively unfamiliar field of Alchemy Illusions.
Angel didn’t have the quirky temperament often seen in other alchemists. He didn’t resort to sarcasm or withhold key points, leaving students to guess for themselves.
Except for matters that required interpretation, Angel generally used plain language to elaborately explain the main points, always supplementing it with his own perspective.
This manner of lecturing reminded everyone of Master Midora, which subconsciously elevated their perception of Angel. Because, in the realm of alchemy, Midora’s standing could be considered the pinnacle, even surpassing Director Muse of the Research Institute, who was known for motivational storytelling, in terms of respect earned.
Time trickled away.
Just as the audience was getting lost in Angel’s eloquence, reveling in the grand hall of previously unknown knowledge, Angel suddenly paused.
Everyone looked at Angel with puzzled expressions.
“That’s all for the topic of today’s class,” Angel announced.
As a look of disappointment and regret spread among the students, Angel was internally calculating. He’d been lecturing for almost half a day; had he accumulated enough points?
He remembered Antonio once saying that points were awarded based on the “effective length” of the lecture. Usually, one could earn between 2 to 3 points for a single class, and exceptional performances might garner 5 or more.
Angel didn’t think his skills warranted a high score.
Earning just two points would be sufficient for him.
However, he was uncertain about how the point system was calculated. Did “effective length” refer to the duration? He checked the time — his lecture had been two hours long. Was that enough?
Or should he perhaps stretch it out a bit more?
With that thought, Angel continued, “While I’ve concluded the main subject matter, simply discussing the theory isn’t the most effective way to grasp it. Let me offer you all a firsthand experience of the Alchemy Illusion Music Box.”
As he spoke, Angel produced a curious-looking box from his pocket.
“This box is known as the ‘Shadow of the Cage,’ and it’s a specialized theatrical playback device,” Angel elaborated.
A theatrical playback device? Everyone was hearing about this concept for the first time and looked skeptically at the box in Angel’s hand.
The box was square, adorned on top with an ornament resembling a trumpet flower.
Most people in the room were alchemists, and they could tell that the materials used for this ‘Shadow of the Cage’ were not particularly high-grade; they were mostly basic, entry-level stuff. However, the final product itself was advanced, a testament to the high skill level of its creator.
Aesthetically speaking, the box didn’t disappoint. The only question that remained was: would it be effective?
“Next, you all will undergo a simple alchemy illusion realm. Do not resist. This time, the illusion will not affect your emotions or energy. Use this opportunity to reflect on what I’ve talked about earlier,” Angel said.
Having spoken, Angel gently caressed the horn-shaped flower on top of the box.
Immediately after, a disconcerting sound from some mysterious instrument began to reverberate in the air.
This instrumental sound stretched out long notes, yet they possessed no sense of beauty. Instead, they elicited an unnerving sense of dread, much like the unsettling feeling of being stuck in a mucky puddle on a drearily rainy night, struggling for breath in despair.
It was also like the screeching sound of fingernails against a smooth chalkboard, filling one’s heart with a sense of stifling oppression.
As time elapsed, everyone felt the volume of the instrumental sound reach a peak and then gradually diminish. However, this diminishment was not a decrease in volume per se; rather, it felt as if the sound was receding further and further away from them…
When the sound had completely faded away, the circular classroom that had been before their eyes also slowly vanished, leaving in its place an indistinct play of light and shadow.
By the time everyone regained their composure, they found themselves in a quiet little town shrouded in the twilight.
Chapter 1538 Alchemical Formula <TOC> Chapter 1540 A Day in the Life of Van Nathan