The sample of the "euphoriant" was sent for analysis immediately.
Specifically, the two milliliters were split into two portions, and one of those was divided again.
This left them with three batches: one milliliter, 0.5 milliliters, and 0.5 milliliters.
The one-milliliter portion would be shown to the "Elder," No. 700672 on Planet Hehl, to seek his insight.
One of the 0.5-milliliter portions was preserved as a stock solution, while the remaining 0.5 milliliters was slated for analysis on Hourai Island.
And so, Jin traveled to Planet Hehl with the sample of the euphoriant in hand, accompanied by Reiko and Hope.
First, they emerged from the large Warp Gate on the eastern side of the continent and boarded the Sparrow—Jin's personal craft parked for use on Planet Hehl. With Hope at the controls, they set off toward the Elder's home.
The Sparrow was a personal craft Jin had designed specifically for Planet Hehl.
Resembling the British Short SC-1 VTOL, the delta-wing aircraft measured five meters long, five meters wide, and two meters high.
Powered by a barrier projector, it boasted an acceleration of 10G. Since the propulsive force acted uniformly across the entire hull, the passengers felt no acceleration strain. It could carry up to seven people.
The Elder's house sat along the eastern flank of the circular mountain range at the center of Hehl's single continent. Though situated near the equator, its high altitude blessed it with an eternal spring climate all year round.
There, the Elder—No. 700672—lived alongside his adopted daughters, Rouge and Neige, who were homunculi just like him.
"Ah, Jin-dono, welcome. It has been a while."
"It's been too long."
The Elder greeted Jin in high spirits.
"Sorry it's always the same old thing, but..."
Jin handed over the Persica juice Reiko had been carrying.
"Ah, thank you, as always."
The Persica juice crafted on Hourai Island was both the Elder's favorite drink and a fine health tonic.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jin and his companions were invited inside.
"So, what brings you here today?" the Elder asked, taking a sip of the tea Rouge and Neige had served.
"Well, to tell the truth..."
Jin gave a brief overview of the situation.
"Hmm. A 'euphoriant,' you say?"
"Yes. I managed to bring a small sample. If you know anything about it, I'd appreciate your insight."
"I have an idea of what it might be. Show me the sample."
"Right here."
Jin handed over the vial containing the euphoriant.
"Hmm."
Through the clear glass, the contents were plain to see.
The Elder examined the liquid, which appeared slightly more viscous than normal water.
"Indeed. This looks very much like a luxury item the Masters once favored," he concluded.
"I cannot say for certain without analyzing it, but nine times out of ten, that is what it is."
The Elder noted that the equipment required for such an analysis was at his residence on Planet Ars, not here on Planet Hehl.
"In that case, could you tell me more about this 'luxury item'?"
"Certainly. You see..."
The Elder began to explain in measured tones.
"The ingredients are 'clean water,' 'medicinal herbs,' and 'free ether.'"
"Setting aside the water... medicinal herbs?"
"Indeed. But before we get to that, allow me to explain how free ether works."
"Please go ahead."
"As for the true nature of this euphoria, it is brought about by the action of free ether."
According to the Elder, it produced symptoms that could be described as a form of "free ether intoxication."
"Intoxication from alcohol occurs because brain cells are stunned. The Masters knew this as well, but once they realized that repeated drunkenness harmed the body, they abandoned the consumption of alcohol long ago."
"Is that so..."
The Elder continued.
"What they researched in its place was a phenomenon known as 'mana intoxication.'"
"'Mana intoxication'?"
"Indeed....To put it simply, a temporary form of 'Mana Overload Syndrome.'"
"What...?"
Mana Overload Syndrome. It was the very ailment Elsa had suffered from four hundred years ago, back when Jin first met her.
Afflicting roughly one in ten thousand people, it was a condition where mana was restored faster than the body could contain it, allowing the surplus mana to slowly erode the body from within.
If one had to make a comparison, it was akin to diabetes.
Its onset could be suppressed if an individual capable of serving as a safety valve remained nearby, which was why her biological mother, Mine, had always stayed by her side.
Jin had suppressed the symptoms back then by crafting a bracelet to absorb the excess mana.
Ultimately, the condition was cured completely through the intake of a mental catalyst.
Because that treatment had originated from the Elder's advice, he naturally used the term "Mana Overload Syndrome," as it was known on Planet Ars.
"I believe I told you before that patients with Mana Overload Syndrome absorb free ether even when they have no need for it, yes? And that this could also be described as poor control over free ether."
"Yes, that's right."
Jin looked back on those days with fond nostalgia.
"When surplus mana erodes the body, it becomes a poison. But when finely tuned to produce a pleasant sensation of euphoria instead, you get this."
"Can it really be controlled that neatly?"
Remembering how deeply Elsa had suffered from Mana Overload Syndrome, Jin found it hard to believe right away.
"Hmm... Well, now... You are aware that in Mana Overload Syndrome, the surplus mana damages the body, correct?"
"Yes."
"If that excess is kept to a minute fraction, the harm to the body is 'virtually' nonexistent."
"Virtually?"
"Precisely....In that case, the surplus mana acts primarily on the 'magi-reactors' within the somatic cells."
Magi-reactors reside within the cells of magi, responsible for converting free ether into mana.
When mana was produced beyond what the body needed, the surplus ran amok, wreaking havoc internally.
"However, when kept to a minuscule amount..."
"...It induces a feeling of euphoria?"
"I would like to say yes, but that is only half the truth. That is where the medicinal herbs come into play."
The Elder explained that these herbs—or rather, their active medicinal components—slightly stimulated all the somatic cells throughout the body, working in tandem with the mana to produce the sense of euphoria.
"...I see."
"As for the specific medicinal components, to be quite frank, I know very little about them myself."
"Oh, really?"
That realm belonged to the advanced, proprietary arts of the Origin Clan, and it seemed the Elder was not privy to every single technique developed by his Masters, the Progenitors.
"If such a facility still stands, it must be an installation the Masters constructed themselves... or rather, had their servant golems build for them."
"So that's how it is."
"That is about the extent of my knowledge. Do you have any other questions?"
"Ah, what kind of 'medicinal herbs' are used?"
"Ah, I neglected to explain that....Though in truth, I do not know much about them either. They are likely something that can be cultivated with relative ease, but..."
"...Understood. Thank you very much."
With this, most of what they had hoped to learn was brought to light.
Ideally, Jin would have liked to understand the entire manufacturing process, but he accepted that nothing could be done if even the Elder was in the dark.
(Come to think of it, I wonder if this interacts with brain endorphins too...?)
Jin made a mental note to look into the matter once things had settled down.