"First, let's quench our thirst. Shall we try that place?"
The first spot we visited was a simple cafe consisting of little more than a few set-up parasols.
A signboard standing out front identified it as the "Chemical Cafe," and we sat down to order a few drinks.
"Thank you for waiting. Here is one each of Alchemic Drink Ω, γ, and Θ."
"Thank you very much."
Sylpha thanked the shop clerk and promptly arranged the drinks in front of us.
These so-called Alchemic Drinks were dyed in vivid shades of blue, black, and green.
"If you drop these tablets inside, the flavor and color will change. Please, give them a try."
Along with the drinks, the clerk set down small tablets about the size of a pinky finger.
Ren picked one up and focused her senses.
"...It's fruit that's been dried and powdered, I think? It shouldn't be harmful to eat."
Ren was using her unique abilities to analyze everything I was about to consume.
It was essentially a poison test—though I’d never actually encountered real poison in my food before.
"Well then, let's give it a go."
I pinched a tablet and dropped it into my glass.
With a sharp fizzing sound, the drink’s color shifted from blue to a bright yellow.
"What an extraordinary color."
Gulp, gulp... "Pah! This one is banana flavored."
A rich, heavy sweetness filled my mouth.
"This one has the flavor of kiwi, I believe."
"And this one is grape. It's quite strange that a single tablet can do all this."
As we expressed our wonder, the clerk let out a delighted laugh.
"Hehe, isn't it fun? People tend to think of alchemy as a difficult, obscure academic field, but it can be used for things like this as well. It has a reputation for having a high barrier to entry, but the Alchemi-fest is held specifically because we want ordinary people to feel more comfortable with it. There are many other exhibits, so please, do look around."
"We will! Thank you!"
Ren gave a polite bow.
I see. By holding a festival like this and piquing the public's interest, more people might feel inspired to become alchemists.
As the foundation of the field expands, more people will aim for the top, and the whole discipline will flourish.
As we continued our walk after leaving the cafe, we were called out to by a bald man working as a hawker.
"Step right up, step right up! Witness a dish made just by pouring hot water—the strangest thing in the world! Oh, young master there, you look sharp. Feeling hungry? How about you too, beautiful lady?"
"Now that you mention it, I might be a little hungry."
"Then it's settled! Sit right down and wait a moment!"
"...He's certainly a pushy one," Ren muttered with an exasperated look.
Well, I was hungry, and the prospect of a dish made simply by adding hot water was intriguing.
Following his lead, we sat at a table, and the man brought out a bowl containing a dried, rectangular block.
"Here you go, thanks for the wait! This is what I call 'Instant Noodles.' It's a special process that dries the noodles out. Just pour in hot water, wait three minutes, and it's done. Just watch, okay?"
As the man poured the water, an appetizing aroma began to drift through the air.
The block inside began to loosen, returning to the shape of strands.
"Ooh, that's amazing, Lloyd! How fun!"
"Yeah. I wonder how it tastes."
I immediately took a long slurp... but it was awful.
Both Sylpha and Ren were visibly grimacing.
"...It's not very good, is it?"
"It's not exactly inedible, but..."
It was flavorless and had an unnecessary amount of volume.
I felt like I’d get tired of eating this within three days.
"Still, it seems like it has potential as a preserved food."
At my words, the man's eyes lit up.
"Oho, you've got a sharp eye, kid! I'm actually pitching this as a ration for long-term storage. I'm hoping to find a sponsor today. The Alchemi-fest is also an exhibition for new product development, after all."
Now that he mentioned it, I could see people dressed in formal or academic attire browsing the stalls with great intensity.
This was a side of alchemy that anyone could appreciate. Not to be underestimated.
Impressed despite the taste, we left the stall.
"Flavor-changing tablets and instant noodles, huh? They don't take up much space and can last a long time. If used correctly, they could revolutionize military logistics."
"Ah, for sure! If we had those, nobody would ever go hungry. And since you can change the flavor, people won't get bored of the taste as quickly."
"Besides, they'd be perfect for when I'm shut away doing research."
When I'm deep in my studies, I have no desire to waste time on meals. Being able to prepare something quickly to fill my stomach would be a huge help.
"I feel like I know exactly what you're thinking, Lloyd..."
"Master Lloyd, such meals are strictly for emergencies. From what I can see, they are hardly rich in nutrients. If you made them your regular diet, they would be little more than poison to your system."
"I-I know that."
How did she know what I was planning? Truly terrifying.
Regardless, it was fascinating to see so many things with potential applications. Now, what's next... Hm?
"Step right up! Step right up! I have elixirs here that are good for every disease, injury, and ailment! Come and have a look, I say!"
I turned toward the sound of a familiar voice and saw Tao.
She was an adventurer and a foreign martial artist who had fought by my side on several occasions... but what was she doing here?
"Oh, if it isn't Lloyd. What a coincidence."
"Yeah, same to you."
I walked over to her as I replied.
"What are you doing here, Tao?"
"My home country has its own version of alchemy, I say. It is called Rentanjutsu, a technique for making elixirs that enhance the body's natural functions. I came to sell the elixirs Grandpa made. This little one here is Grandpa."
"Mumble, mumble... Wife, is lunch ready yet?"
"Geez, Grandfather! You just ate, I say! Also, I am not Grandma!"
"Is that so...?"
Tao lightly tapped the back of the small old man's head.
"Ahaha, he's a bit senile, but the elixirs themselves are the real deal. Seriously."
"Hmm... Mind if I take a look?"
"I don't mind at all, ho ho... Now then, little lady, are you my granddaughter?"
"The granddaughter is over here, I say!"
While smiling wryly at the exchange between Tao and the old man, Ren picked up one of the elixirs.
"...This medicine is incredible, Lloyd. The way these ingredients are blended... I've never seen anything like it!"
"Heh, you've got a good eye. Rentanjutsu creates medicine by replicating the effects of 'Ki,' I say. It works wonders from the inside out."
Tao puffed out her chest with pride.
I see. It seems to have a variety of potent effects.
This might be an excellent study material for Ren.
"In that case, could I buy as many as you have?"
At my offer, Tao's eyes went wide.
"You mean you'll buy our whole stock?"
"If it's not an inconvenience."
"It's fine, it's fine! Nobody else is buying 'suspicious foreign medicine' anyway. Here, Grandpa, say thank you!"
"Oh, oh... thank you for taking out my dentures..."
No, the dentures have absolutely nothing to do with this.
The old man took my hand, his own trembling—and in that instant, his narrow, clouded eyes snapped wide open.
He stood up with an agility that made his previous frailty look like a complete lie.
"Grandpa?! What happened all of a sudden, I say?!"
Ignoring the bewildered Tao, the old man gripped my hand with surprising strength.
"Nuuuuu?! What an incredible torrent of 'Ki'... The roar of the 'Ki' circulating through your body is like a great river! I have never encountered one with such talent in all my years! Magnificent! You are a literal mass of potential!"
"E-Err...?"
What was going on?
He was like a completely different person now.
Perhaps he was mistaking me for someone else?
"I-I don't believe it, I say. Grandpa has been senile for six months, and suddenly he's this sharp... Was he awakened by Lloyd's 'Ki'? I knew he was an amazing kid, but maybe he is even more than I realized?"
Tao began muttering to herself, touching my hand as if searching for something.
"To notice Master Lloyd's bottomless potential just by touch... this old man must be a master of considerable skill," Sylpha noted.
"Lloyd really is something else," Ren added, impressed.
"Umu, the more I look, the more splendid you are...! Say, boy, won't you become the successor to my Hundred Flowers Fist?! If you agree, I'll even give you Tao as your bride right now!"
"You old geezer—!"
SMACK! Tao's palm strike connected perfectly with the back of the old man's head.
Her face was flushed a deep red.
"Stop saying such stupid things, I say! You senile old fool!"
"What?! I am not senile! I was just taking a nap a moment ago!"
"Then go back to sleep for the rest of your life, I say!"
With a roar, Tao unleashed a punch, which the old man nimbly dodged before launching a counter.
This time, Tao jumped lightly to avoid the old man's roundhouse kick and retaliated with a flying kick of her own.
We could only watch in stunned silence as the two masters exchanged high-speed blows.
"Besides, there aren't many men who would take a tomboy like you! What's wrong with scouting a good prospect while I can?!"
"Mind your own business! I'll find my own husband, I say!"
Even as they hurled insults at each other, the two of them seemed to be enjoying the exchange.
As the fight grew more intense, a crowd began to gather around the stall.
There hadn't been a single customer just a few minutes ago.
Perhaps next time they try to sell medicine, they should just spar like this to draw a crowd.