32.2. Meeting Your Idol Can Be Exhilarating, Isn’t It?

“You’re Craft, right?”
“Yes!”
Guided by the butler, we arrived at a magnificent mansion after traveling by carriage.
It was a magnificent mansion that exuded the peculiar shadiness characteristic of alchemists, with ivy covering both the fence and the mansion, and the garden’s vegetation overgrown. 
However, only the medicinal herb garden seemed to be meticulously maintained.
The suspicious stone statues placed sporadically in the garden were grotesque figures with wings.
Oh, these are gargoyles.
Guardian statues of dungeons.
One of the standard enemies.
Although gargoyles are a type of monster, they belong to the category of artificial monsters. 
How do I know this? Because they can actually be created through alchemy.
It requires quite advanced alchemy skills, so just knowing this demonstrates Jabil-sensei’s greatness.
By the way, I could make one now, but I’m a bit short on materials.
Come to think of it, golems are also artificial monsters, aren’t they? Since I’m in Gandarl, I should be able to purchase the missing materials. Maybe I’ll try making one next time?
Thinking about such things, we passed through the suspicious garden and entered the neglected entrance.
Then, a life-sized wooden doll emerged from inside.
The crest on the left hand slightly reacted.
This is probably an original artificial monster!
The wooden doll’s face only had simple eyes and a mouth drawn in an oval shape, while the body remained wooden, like a puppet.
No strings are coming from the ceiling, right?
“From here on, please follow me, Craft-sama.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
Perhaps accustomed to it, the butler who had been guiding them thus far bowed and left immediately.
It seemed like he was fleeing.
“Please come this way.”
“Um, okay, thank you.”
Surprisingly, the inside of the mansion was tidy. Is this artificial monster doll responsible for cleaning?
Nice…!
I got led to the basement, where a sturdy iron door welcomed them.
The artificial monster doll knocked on the door.
“Master, Craft-sama has arrived.”
“Hmm? You’re late! Let him in!”
“Yes. Craft-sama, please enter.”
“Yes.”
Entering cautiously, I found myself in the alchemist’s room.
Beakers and flasks were crowded together, and the medicinal herbs shelf along the wall was filled with rare materials.
Old books that seemed valuable editions were spread out haphazardly on the desk.
A surly-looking girl was boiling a mysterious liquid with an alcohol lamp and turned around.
Huh!?
A girl!?
I was momentarily surprised, but from the alchemist crest engraved on her left hand and her atmosphere, I’m sure of it. It was undoubtedly the renowned Jabil-sensei.
“Are you Craft?”
No greeting or anything.
“Yes!”
I replied energetically out of joy.
Honestly, I was very happy. Since becoming an alchemist, I have grown up with knowledge from the emblem and Jabil-sensei’s books.
He’s truly someone I admire.
“Hmm!? Huh, you’re quite young. How old are you?”
“I’m 20!”
I thought the sensei was even younger, but considering her background, that wasn’t possible.
She must be using Amrita regularly.
“Hmm… It’s quite different from what I imagined…”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”
“Oh! I forgot to greet you properly! I… I’m Craft Walken! I’ve long admired your reputation, Sensei! I’ve read every book of yours I could get my hands on until it felt like there were holes in them! I’m so happy to meet you!”
I inadvertently shook Jabil-sensei’s hand. It was strangely squishy.
Was it too familiar for a first meeting?
But that’s how excited I was. You understand, right?
“Hmm!? I see. That’s quite something.”
“Yes!”
For some reason, Jabil-sensei seemed taken aback.
Was it just my imagination?
“I see, I see. You understand a lot for someone so young.”
“In fact, I recently switched careers to become an alchemist, and I didn’t know left from right. I was struggling just with the voice of the emblem, but after getting your books, I finally feel like I’ve learned the basics of alchemy.”
“I see, I see.”
I couldn’t contain my interest in all the conspicuous materials and equipment.
Since earlier, my eyes got drawn to a ceramic pot placed over the fire. I had seen diagrams in books. So I was particularly curious about it.
“Is this…?”
“That’s a distiller.”
“This is! It’s an invention by Jabil-sensei that produces purer water than river water!”
“I see, I see. You’re very diligent in your studies. Although it can’t produce large quantities, it can extract enough pure water for experiments.”
“I’ve never seen the real thing before!”
“It’s the latest model. It produces three times more pure water than the previous one.”
“That’s amazing!”
Of course, you can create fresh water with magic. But if you do it regularly, your magical energy will quickly deplete, and you won’t have enough magical energy for crucial experiments.
Being able to obtain fresh water without using magic is important.
“I see, I see. There are quite a few interesting things here.”
“Thank you! With the knowledge from the emblem and your books, I could complete the elixir! Especially, thanks to your books, I could efficiently make alchemical potions! Ah, how happy I would be if I could become your apprentice…!”
By reading Jabil-sensei’s books, the whispers of the emblem changed, and with fewer materials than originally planned, I could create valuable alchemical potions. I’ll be grateful.
Jabil-sensei stopped at my words and began to ponder with her slender arms crossed.
Did I say something strange?
“I see… I see… in that case, it’s a matter of pride as well…”
Jabil-sensei is muttering to herself.
“Um, Sensei?”
“Alright, Craft Walken. I’ll make you my special apprentice.”
“Huh!?”
Overwhelmed with joy at the words of my revered sensei. I couldn’t help but shout.