Author: Eltria	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Robinxen

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The elective course for the engineering department allowed for free projects, and since I had submitted my proposal yesterday, I decided to head straight to the Mecha Soldier workshop.

The Blood Grail for the magic staff was expected to be about 1.5 meters in size, so I needed the university division’s Mecha Soldier workshop to secure a proper workspace.

As I made my way to my assigned workstation, I spotted the Professor in the area where the university division’s Mecha Soldiers were lined up. He might be conducting evaluations for the Mecha Soldiers of the university department participating in the Zersteller.

“Oh, you’re early.”
“Um, would it be okay if I borrowed the steelmaking furnace to refine the Blood Grail?”

The professor noticed me and greeted me in a friendly manner. Taking the direct approach, I asked if I could use the facility.

“I don’t see why not, but wouldn’t a fully automated refining system suffice?”

Ah, right. These days, refining Blood Grails with fully automated refining systems was the mainstream approach.

After my previous life had ended, the Industrial Revolution had led to the invention of industrial-grade magic tools, making everyday life more convenient. However, seeing alchemy being overtaken by this trend still felt strange to me.

“…I was able to get the highest-quality magic stone from Melua, so I’d like to prioritize quality as well.”
“…Ah, I see.”

The Professor nodded, seemingly convinced by my reasoning.

“If that’s the case, then manual refining would be the better choice. It will take quite a bit of effort and time, though.”
“I understand.”

I didn’t mind the effort at all, so it wasn’t an issue for me. As I gave a firm nod, the Professor gestured toward the corner of the workshop where the steelmaking furnace and other equipment were located.

“Then, feel free to use that furnace over there. Actually, you’re free to use anything in this workshop. Just like now, if you plan to use something for a purpose other than its intended one, I’d appreciate a heads-up¹.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I was relieved that I had managed to talk my way through it.

Still, even though refining artificial magic stone (Blood Grail) was a labor-intensive process, fully automating it felt like the very symbol of an alchemist’s decline. While I had accepted and even benefited from the conveniences that magic tools brought to everyday life—just like my family had—I couldn’t bring myself to embrace the idea of relying on them for alchemy as well.

Alchemy was meant to be a pursuit of knowledge and skill, a constant striving for improvement to reach the ultimate truth. The moment one resorted to automation with magic tools, they were effectively shutting the door on any further advancements.

“Ah, that reminds me—Isaac and Romeo are here as well. Quite dedicated, aren’t they?”

As the Professor spoke, he gestured toward Isaac and Romeo, who were working in the workshop. Romeo had already begun outputting the mold for the magic staff from the design plans. As expected of the son of a magic device manufacturer—his efficiency was impressive.

Isaac, on the other hand, was simultaneously refining Aetherite, the core material for the magic staff. His quick grasp of the process meant that he could proceed without needing constant instructions, which was a relief.

“…You two, let me know if anything comes up, alright?”
“Of course, Lady Leafa!”
“Everything’s going smoothly so far!”

Since Isaac and Romeo seemed to be doing fine, I could now focus entirely on refining the Blood Grail that would be embedded into the staff.

First, I had to fill the blast furnace with alchemical water, a mana-liquefying catalyst.

This was the same substance I had used when creating Alfe’s contact lens. It had the property of dissolving mana-infused materials. By using it to dissolve the five-element magic stones that Melua had provided—fire, water, lightning, wind, and earth—I could blend their essences and bring the resulting compound closer to the aether of light, an advanced attribute. The artificial magic stone produced through this process was what we called the Blood Grail.

Fortunately, a dedicated valve for alchemical water was nearby, making the task of filling the blast furnace relatively easy. As for the magic stones, Melua had inscribed a floating magic formula on them, allowing me to place them into the furnace effortlessly. Everything was proceeding smoothly so far.

Now, I needed to secure a place to transfer the refined liquid from the blast furnace for the next stage of the process.

I had already taken note of a massive rectangular mold designed for Mecha Soldier armor. I activated Arkecius to move it closer to the furnace.

Soon, I confirmed that all the magic stones had fully dissolved into the alchemical water. Opening the blast furnace valve, I transferred the refined liquid into the mold. The shallow mold, now filled with the shimmering liquid, rippled slightly from the faint vibrations in the workshop.

“Now then…”

The real challenge began here.

As its name suggested, the Blood Grail required blood as one of its key components.

The practice originated with Albion Paracelsus, the inventor of the Blood Grail, who used his own blood to inscribe the first alchemical formula. Later studies concluded that magical ink could not be used as a substitute for blood in the refinement process.

While Albion’s reasoning remained unknown, the prevailing theory was that the aether present in blood was essential for the creation of the Blood Grail.

Normally, alchemists used the blood of animals or magical beasts to inscribe the refining array, but this time, I decided to use my own blood.

Aether existed in trace amounts in ordinary blood, but since I had Aether Overproduction Syndrome, my blood likely contained a significant concentration of aether. I was simply curious to see what kind of effect that would have on the Blood Grail.

That said, I needed around 50 mL of blood. I quietly retrieved a vial of my own blood, which I had prepared in advance. If Alfe or Melua saw it, they would immediately recognize it from the aether emanating from it. However, Isaac, Romeo, and the Professor probably wouldn’t notice right away. Even without that, my unchanging body was already conspicuous enough—having a second trait, the ability to heal instantly from injuries, was something I preferred to keep hidden.

“…Still, this is quite an intricate simplified formula you’ve prepared…”

For this, I decided to use Albion’s original simplified formula. Fortunately, my past self had transcribed it into Ars Magna, so I could copy it with complete accuracy by referencing my notes.

I once again operated Arkecius, placing a large wooden board over the mold so I could stand above the fully dissolved refining liquid. As I looked down at the mysterious, violet-hued liquid, I dipped the tip of a refining brush into the vial of my blood.

This brush was an alchemical tool designed to write in places where conventional writing was impossible. Anything inscribed with it remained fixed in place, making it ideal for drawing the simplified formula directly on the surface of the refining liquid.

It had been ages since I last used one—back in my previous life—but I had no trouble getting started. Even though my body was different, the muscle memory, ingrained in my very soul, remained intact. That realization was somewhat amusing.

As I continued combining simplified formulas to form the refining circle for the Blood Grail, the blood I was using to write began to change color—gradually shifting into a brilliant gold.

“I see… Just as I expected.”

The Blood Grail had a unique property—it enhanced aether output by aligning aether closer to the light attribute. If that were the case, then not only the aether concentration but also the nature of my blood itself likely played a role. Since my blood contained the light aether of Aurora herself, my hypothesis—that it would result in a superior Blood Grail—seemed to be correct².

Albion’s recorded formula was incredibly intricate and lengthy, making the transcription process time-consuming. However, being able to observe the reactions firsthand as I worked made the process far smoother than anticipated. If I wanted to analyze the deeper, yet-unexplained meanings embedded in Albion’s formula, this method might be the most efficient approach.

I gradually shifted the wooden board across the mold as I continued inscribing, and by the time I completed the refining circle on the liquid’s surface, the sun had already set. That said, the process had gone remarkably well.

“Activating the formula.”

I removed the workboard and held my hand over the refining circle, channeling aether into it.

The refining liquid responded immediately to my aether, rising into the air and beginning to take on a spherical shape.

Before my eyes, the liquid rapidly solidified into a deep violet gemstone. Within it, my blood, now stabilized by the refining formula, had formed a distinctive mottled pattern.

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