Leave a comment

The day after collecting dark matter, I began the process of synthesizing Darklight in my makeshift workshop. My mother had suggested using her workshop, but I politely declined, considering the possibility of failure. I opted to use the disposable Kaitaba pottery makeshift alchemy pot I had prepared, even though it was reinforced, it was my first time handling it, so it was better to be safe than sorry.

I had already confirmed that it worked fine by boiling water in it. Since the boiling time seemed comparable to other alchemy pots, I felt somewhat reassured.

“Sorry for bothering you with this, Alfe.”
“No worries. I’m happy to be of help to you, Leafa.”

I had planned to start alone early in the morning to avoid inconveniencing Alfe, but Alfe had beaten me to it. Alfe truly understood my actions well. It’s funny how I only vaguely understand Alfe’s actions.

“Alright, let’s get started. We’ll add dark matter to this alchemical solution and mix it in.”
“We just need to get the amount right, yes? How much should we add?”

Come to think of it, when I was Glass, I usually obtained crystals, so synthesizing Darklight from dark matter was mostly new to me.

“Well, since this makeshift alchemy pot is small, about half should do.”
“Got it.”

I added dark matter to the catalyst, the alchemical solution, and began stirring.

“Oh, it’s turned black.”

The reaction between the catalyst and dark matter began immediately, causing a change in color.

“Yeah.”
“Can you see this, Leafa?”
“Of course. Once the dark matter is dissolved in the alchemical solution, I can see it too. But until then, I’ll rely on your eyes.”

Tilting the bottle, I added the contents little by little while stirring with a wooden spatula, and the transparent alchemical solution gradually turned into a black, viscous liquid. I could feel the unique sensation of the dark matter-infused alchemical solution, thick and sticky, in my hand holding the spatula. However, despite the change in color and texture, it was still tricky that there weren’t any further changes even after adjusting the amount of dark matter.

If only we could transplant the Pure Eye… it would’ve been really handy…

“It’s about halfway done, Leafa.”
“Huh? Oh…”

Lost in thought, I responded a bit late to Alfe’s call.

“Did you put in too much? It’s a little more than halfway…”
“Oh, that should be fine. It’s probably because I was spacing out. Don’t worry about it, Alfe.”

After this, we would simmer it in the alchemy pot, so evaporating the moisture from the alchemical solution shouldn’t be a problem.

Utilizing the property of dark matter to absorb magical energy, you would supply fire mana during simmering in the alchemy pot, causing an expansion phenomenon. As the alchemical solution vaporized during this expansion, crystallized dark matter—Darklight—would remain.

Inside the alchemy pot, the dark matter, having absorbed fire mana, began to expand, spreading black foam rapidly. It soon reached the edge of the makeshift alchemy pot.

“I hope this is okay…”
“The smoke is coming out, and vaporization has started, but it’s a bit iffy. Alfe, stay behind Arkecius.”

Though I wore a gas mask and gloves, it would’ve been better to have protective suits just in case. Thinking so, I took off my favorite hat and handed it to Alfe.

The expansion of the dark matter was spreading like a devouring force within the alchemy pot. The vaporization was becoming a bit more intense, so it was about time for the contraction to begin. As I attempted to stir with the wooden spatula, I noticed smoke leaking from the bottom of the alchemy pot¹.

“Alfe, get down!”

I instructed Alfe and also moved back towards Arkecius. In that moment…

With a small explosion, the dark matter smoke overflowed from the alchemy pot, surpassing its capacity. The bottom of the pot gave way, and smoke billowed out. After the rush of hot air subsided, I noticed that the warehouse was now completely blackened.

“Phew…”

So the dark matter smoke leaked from the bottom, huh? Perhaps I should have plated it more securely…

“Are you okay, Alfe?”
“Yeah… but it’s all black…”

Alfe, holding my hat protectively, looked around the warehouse with a perplexed expression. Fortunately or unfortunately, the shock had extinguished the fire, so there seemed to be no further damage.

“…Do we have to start from scratch?”
“No, not necessarily.”

Crystals resembling reddish-purple ores clung to the remnants of the broken makeshift alchemy pot. It seemed that partial crystallization had been successful, and I had obtained the desired Darklight.

“Leafa, Leafa! Are you okay!?”

Perhaps she heard the explosion; I could hear my mother’s footsteps running towards us.

“Mother, it’s dangerous! The dark matter smoke—”

Before I could finish, the warehouse door swung open, and black smoke billowed outward.

“…Cough! Cough cough!”
“Mother!”

Rushing to my mother who was coughing heavily, I urged her to crouch down. She nodded and, despite her coughing fit, made her way to the edge of the warehouse. I swung the warehouse door wide open, allowing the dark matter vapor to escape outside. With this amount, it should dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere soon. Fortunately, the strong wind helped to quickly refresh the air inside the warehouse.

“Leafa, Alfe. Are you both okay?”
“…Yes.”

My mother returned wearing the gas mask. She was still coughing slightly, but it didn’t seem like she was going to scold us.

“I’m just glad you’re both safe. And look at this splendid crystal… cough, cough.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t gauge it properly… But Mother, that cough, is it because of inhaling the dark matter smoke…?”

I couldn’t help worrying, knowing the potential health risks, even though I didn’t know how much she had inhaled.

“Don’t worry. This much is nothing… I’ve made mistakes like this when I was young, it’s nothing serious. More importantly, you both… properly… took precautions. I’m sorry you had to go through that, Alfe.”

My mother spoke with pauses to endure her coughing, but she smiled reassuringly, perhaps to ease our concerns.

“No, I’m at fault too for not paying closer attention…”

Alfe muttered, looking dejected. She seemed to be on the verge of tears.

“No, it’s not your fault, Alfe. I can swear to that. So don’t worry.”

Feeling truly sorry for subjecting Alfe to fear with my naive actions, I carefully chose my words to try to uplift her spirits.

“Anyway, that adorable face is being put to waste. Go take a bath and change.”
“Leafa… Okay, I will.”

Though I had said something out of character, Alfe seemed to accept it.

As Alfe left, it was just my mother and me in the warehouse.

“Hey, Leafa…”

I braced myself for a scolding, but my mother never intended to scold me.

“Since there’s a risk to health, would you let me be present next time?”

Ahh, why does she care about me so much, I wonder?

I could see how genuinely worried my mother was about me. Yet, she continued to respect what I wanted to do. It was truly amazing.

“…Thank you, Mother…”

I hesitated on how to respond, then decided to express my own reflection in words.

“But, now that I understand the risks, I don’t intend to proceed with the next transmutation until safety is ensured a bit more.”
“You don’t have to go that far…”
“No, the health risks of dark matter are not something to be taken lightly. Mother, please, see a doctor… If anything were to happen to you, I… I…”

I knew firsthand how hopeless the Black Stone Disease was. I didn’t want my mother to experience such suffering. That would be repaying kindness with cruelty.

“Mother, please… I mean it…”

An unpleasant sensation throbbed in my chest. My heart felt cold, overwhelmed by anxiety. I couldn’t control the physical reactions happening as tears welled up in my eyes.

Finally, I understood. I didn’t want to lose this family, this life, I had.

1. Robinxen: Oh no something is going wrong!