It wasn’t hard to imagine that, to obtain the ingredients I needed, I would have to visit soone specialized in chemical substances, even if they weren’t strictly magical.
I asked a few people passing through the market and was soon directed to a small, clean shop that exuded a strong sll of chemical mixtures into the air.
The interior was a feast for the eyes.
Tall shelves covered the walls, filled with colorful bottles labeled in detailed handwriting.
Each bottle held bubbling liquids in vivid colors, shimring powders that sparkled like stars, dried herbs hanging in bundles, so still releasing a fresh aroma.
In the center, a cauldron bubbled, releasing a greenish smoke that rose gently through an opening in the ceiling.
Alchemical instrunts were scattered across the counter—mortars, test tubes, delicate scales, and a collection of finely sharpened knives.
Behind the counter stood the shopkeeper, a boy perhaps a few years older than , with a serious expression.
He had dark, ssy hair and wore an apron stained with reagent marks.
When I entered with the machinery strapped to my back, he lifted his eyes from the book he was reading and, in a sharp voice, said,
—Hey, hey, hey! If you break anything, you’re paying for it.
—No problem, I replied calmly, walking up to the counter.
It was clear this place was a paradise for any aspiring alchemist. Sothing similar to what my garage had been to in my past world.
The boy let out a heavy sigh, closed the book, and crossed his arms.
—What do you want? A recovery potion? Fire resistance? Sothing to deal with poison?
I stopped in front of him, observing his face.
He looked competent, but impatient with curious custors. Perfect for soone like , who knew exactly what I wanted.
—No, I’m looking for specific products. And not magical ones, I replied, keeping my voice firm and direct.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, and uncrossed his arms.
—Specific products, huh? And what exactly do you have in mind?
—I need large quantities of coca leaves, kerosene, sulfuric acid, potassium permanganate, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid, I explained, watching his reaction.
The boy tilted his head, now more interested.
—You’re putting sothing together. It’s not common for soone to walk in here asking for such technical items. Usually, people pay for my products, not the reagents. But as with all rules, there are exceptions. What quantities do you need?
—I want small portions of each, at least enough to carry out so initial tests. And, of course, nothing extravagant. I’m on a tight budget.
He nodded, grabbed a small notebook, and began jotting things down quickly. Coca leaves, kerosene, sulfuric acid, potassium permanganate, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid.
—That’ll cost you three magical crystals for all of this. But if you want a larger batch, the price will increase.
—Three crystals is fine, I confird, placing the amount on the counter.
—But I want to make sure the quality is good. I can’t afford to fail in the process.
He let out a light, dry, short laugh.
—If you’re buying here, you can trust that my products are high quality. Now wait a mont while I organize your order.
The boy disappeared behind a curtain at the back of the shop.
I heard the sound of bottles clinking, liquids being poured, and sothing that sounded like the hiss of a small burner.
After a few minutes, he returned with a small wooden box containing bottles of liquid, packages of coca leaves, and neatly organized labels.
He also had a barrel of kerosene.
—Here you go. Everything you asked for. Each item is labeled. If you need instructions, they’re on the back of the labels. If you have any questions, co back and see .
—Thank you, I replied, carefully picking up the box and securing it. —I’m sure I’ll be back. It seems you have more to offer than I initially thought.
He smiled but said nothing. He simply reopened his book, ignoring my departure as if I were just another custor.
After leaving the alchemist’s shop with all my purchases in hand, I headed back to the dormitory.
The tower’s corridors were a bit emptier now, although the bustle of the trading post could still be heard in the distance.
I walked quickly, trying not to draw too much attention, even with the machinery and ingredients strapped to my back.
When I finally reached my room, I opened the door and stepped inside, letting out a sigh of relief.
I set the bags and equipnt on the floor, stretching my back as I looked at everything I had acquired.
A small, involuntary smile appeared on my face.
I was one step closer to turning my plan into reality.
Now, I just needed to assemble all the machinery and get to work.
I crouched down and began unpacking the items carefully.
I untied the ropes that kept the sacks sealed and removed the leather covers protecting the equipnt.
One by one, the devices began to appear before —the grinder, the tanks, the filter, the distiller... all perfectly arranged on the floor of my small room.
—Biochip, extract a 3D hologram of each item.
["Beep!"]
["Analyzing..."]
The biochip’s light, projecting from my eyes onto the devices, scanned them smoothly, and as each item reached 100% analysis, a hologram of it beca available in the air before .
["Analysis successfully completed!"]
—Now, assemble the machinery in the most efficient way possible.
["Processing..."]
The holograms of the components began to reshape in the air, and without difficulty, the biochip created an ideal configuration.
["1. Leaf grinder → 2. Mixing tank (kerosene or gasoline) → 3. Filter or sieve (separated leaves) → 4. Still or distiller (solvent recovery) → 5. Neutralization tank (acid neutralization) → 6. Press or pressure system (alkaloid extraction) → 7. Crystallization tank (crystal formation) → 8. Pressure filter (final purification) → 9. Oven or heat source (drying) → 10. Secure storage."]
["Assembly completed."]
Ti to begin.
I picked up the grinder first, examining its simple yet effective chanisms.
It was a chanical device with a crank that rotated sharp blades inside.
I placed it in a corner of the room and secured its base to the floor with the brackets that ca with the equipnt.
I tested the crank a few tis, listening to the satisfying sound of the blades slicing through the air.
—This will work perfectly to reduce the leaves to the right size.
Next, I positioned the mixing tank near the grinder.
It was a cylindrical container with an opening at the top and a small valve at the base.
I installed the internal paddle that would be used to mix the ground leaves with the kerosene.
I secured the valve connections and ensured the base was stable.
I tested the crank that activated the mixing chanism and smiled when everything worked as expected.
I picked up the tal filter, which looked like a sturdy sieve, and connected it to the outlet of the mixing tank.
It was designed to separate the ground leaves from the liquid after the initial mixture.
I adjusted its position to ensure there were no leaks, fastening it firmly with screws.
I placed the distiller next, right after the filter.
It was a more complex structure, with glass tubes winding through a tal reservoir.
This device would be essential for recovering the solvent used in the process.
I spent more ti connecting the tubes properly and adjusting the supports.
I tested the system by blowing air through the tubes to ensure there were no obstructions.
The neutralization tank ca next.
It was another cylindrical container, but it had an integrated pH ter to monitor the acid neutralization process.
I positioned it right after the distiller and connected the outlets.
I double-checked the valves to make sure everything was properly sealed.
I installed the press imdiately afterward.
It was one of the heaviest devices, designed to extract alkaloids from the leaves.
I placed it on a reinforced base and adjusted the levers that controlled the pressure.
This will require so effort, but it will be worth it.
I picked up the crystallization tank, made of thick glass with a tal fra.
It would be used to form crystals after the alkaloids were extracted.
I placed it in a more protected corner of the room, away from any potential vibrations that could interfere with the process.
The pressure filter ca after the crystallization tank.
This device was compact but efficient, designed to remove impurities from the ford crystals. I adjusted its connections and tested the outlet valve.
I installed the small oven to the side, near the pressure filter.
It was a simple yet effective model, capable of generating enough heat to dry the crystals quickly.
I placed it on a heat-resistant surface and tested its power source.
Finally, I organized the storage container in the corner of the room.
It was a reinforced tal box designed to keep the crystals safe.
I placed it in a discreet location, making sure it was out of sight to avoid curious glances.
After I finished setting everything up, I took a few steps back and admired the result of my work.
The room now looked like a small improvised factory.
—Everything is ready. Now, it’s just a matter of producing cocaine...
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1559 Words
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