Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Paying Respects to the Tree of Truth
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You're really mean!
The fun theory lesson with Potion Addict had come to an end.
Now I had acquired knowledge equivalent to 4th Circle alchemy from the Laplace School.
It was time for some hands-on practice.
By brewing potions, I could hone my skills and move on to the next level.
From now on, it was the realm of manufacturing, not just theory.
Potion Addict sent over diagrams for various tools.
They were more complex than expected—glassware in intricate shapes and metal rods, among other things.
I traced them exactly onto the Onyx Plate, added the right materials, and the magic printer would handle creating the alchemy tools on its own.
No more need to risk a dangerous foraging expedition into the city ruins for decent tools.
For starters, I needed a lot of glass and metal.
Luckily, there was plenty left over since glass and metal couldn't be used as firewood.
"Hey! Bingbing. Basket! Bring the basket!"
"Quack!"
I rummaged through the dull cave and found a red plastic basket, then swept up glass shards from the broken windows into it.
Dirt and snow had mixed in, so I used magic to separate and toss them out.
Now, a quick rinse in the reservoir water...
"And I'd have clean glass shards."
"Qua?"
"What am I gonna do with it? Just watch."
I dumped the collected glass shards into the magic printer's material inlet.
Since I'd dried off the moisture with a fireball, no impurities got mixed in.
"Ether dawn tube and essence flask. Distillation retort too. And..."
A variety of alchemy tools popped out one after another.
They were all glass-based, which would've been impossible to source perfectly otherwise, but the magic printer made it quick and easy.
Passed with flying colors, thank goodness.
Glassware done. Next up: metals.
I cleared away the snow piles with freeze magic first, then lifted the debris to check what used to be the kitchen.
"Chopsticks and spoons too. Grab some rice bowls..."
Tableware and broken dishes.
Rusty kitchen knives and various cooking utensils as well.
There were plenty small enough for the inlet.
Grab everything in sight for now.
"All set."
I fed in the chopsticks and spoons, producing every tool Potion Addict had requested.
The foundation for a workshop was laid.
Now to dig out some ground.
Come to think of it, I should summon the ice waddler too.
But I didn't need a polar bear right away, so later would do.
Better to rough out the workshop first, then call it.
"Let's see. Where should it go?"
I started digging in front of the warehouse I'd been using as a temporary shelter.
Keep going... and soon, along with the dirt, tree roots buried underground came pulling free.
They'd stripped even the stumps for firewood in the clearing.
Who knew roots would still be down there.
"Huh. Wait a sec. This..."
Not a single proper tree left above ground.
But underground, roots they hadn't fully dug up remained.
Plants are tough and full of life force.
What if I borrowed some druid magic?
"Hm."
"Qua?"
"Can I revive this?"
"Quaaack..."
"You think it's possible? Who knows. But from what I've seen, magic has no impossibilities."
Dimension travel? Possible.
Planet destruction? Possible.
Even crafting beautiful combat maidens? Totally doable. So why not grow a single tree?
I believed in magic's potential and immediately uploaded a photo of the root to the gallery.
Surely some sage knew how to revive a tree from just its roots.
The Sage Time Gallery was full of true obsessives fixated on their fields.
No way!
If Nature Lover says impossible, that's it—no hope.
No one obsessed with modifying and breeding lifeforms like that elf.
What now? Just use the roots as-is?
Possible?
Tree of Truth was a famous species supremacist elf.
The gallery troublemaker who fought Elf Hunter alongside Pureblood Supremacist whenever they had a chance.
And this guy knew how to grow a tree from just dead roots.
Magic truly is omnipotent!
What? If I kneel, he'll teach me how to grow trees in this ice age?
Stable lumber in exchange for just kneeling! Are all elves tsunderes?
With trees, I could make furniture, process them into supports for dugouts, even build wooden structures fast.
Trees are humanity's most familiar material, indispensable to our lives.
I cast Grand Kowtow right away.
Had to show proper respect.
Surely Tree of Truth became a species supremacist after harsh treatment from humans.
Couldn't just mouth off for his secret ultimate technique and secret magic. I knew manners.
Besides, paying respects to a master was basic wuxia common sense.
But magic world didn't seem to have that, so time to introduce a new culture.
Title: Tree of Truth Master. Your Disciple Pays Respects
Posted by: Apprentice Mage
(Photo of Apprentice Mage kowtowing_)
Master... I want a tree so bad...
I'm just a human, but please take pity and let me grow one...
[Comments]
I'd taken off my coat briefly to kowtow, so my shirt naturally slipped halfway down.
The photo unintentionally showed my bare back completely.
Luckily my scarred face wasn't in it, but my back wasn't much better.
Over the past five years dodging raiders, hiding, escaping—the wounds covered my body.
Guess this wasn't enough.
If they don't wanna tell, oh well. Their call.
Can't force magic out of someone unwilling.
Half-given up, I was expanding the underground space for the workshop when...
The awaited comment finally dropped.
Oh my god!
Tree of Truth's gonna teach how to revive a tree from roots!
Swept up by the gallery's sympathy, he broke his oath with Pureblood Supremacist!
Back! Showing my back was the right call!
My pathetic back did the trick!
That's why daily conduct matters.
I've been kind and polite to everyone, so they're all on my side.
Normally you can't learn others' knowledge or magic by begging like this, but I pulled it off.
He doesn't totally hate the flattery.
From what I've seen, elves are weak to praise.
Potion Addict was like that.
Nature Lover too.
Tree of Truth seems similar.
"Bingbing. Time to eat."
"Quack!"
Eat up, learn tree-growing, then get to it.
Sorry, ground—gotta uproot some trees for the workshop.