Atelier IV - Trial And Error
The cream-colored pickling bucket is filled to the brim with the filtered bodily fluids of a giant aphid.
I hold both hands over it and begin channeling magic, just like when processing materials for my suit. Then, the pixies returning from their walk start mimicking my movements and begin pouring their magic into it alongside me.
(Whoa, you guys... Alright, good pace...)
The magic-infused fluid begins to glow faintly, and combined with its yellowish-green hue, it starts to look like luminescent slime containing glow-in-the-dark material. This is supposed to be for making a universal recovery potion, but its appearance looks like something that would be really bad for you if you drank it, which feels a bit... well.
Anyway, once I've infused it with sufficient magic and brought it to a state ideal for processing, I raise my head and give Nina-san and Serai-san a confirming glance.
"Okay, here goes! Skill [Sugar]!"
"[Nectar]! Hope it turns out well!"
In response, the two activate their skills, adding even more sugar to the magic-infused liquid. As they do, I feel a response through the magic I'm channeling.
Along with that change in response, a pleasant sense of fulfillment wells up in my chest.The rhapsody, the Capriccio that began when I first gained power. But that death game, which could have easily turned into a self-indulgent Requiem at any moment. But behold! Now, we are performing such a splendid concerto, a Concerto, together.
Everyone is working together toward a single goal. Mhmm. Having come this far, there's no way something wonderful won't be born.
...
"Alright, it's done! This has a pretty high completion rate."
I use [Item Appraisal] on the bucket we all poured magic into to check its quality, and it seems we've made something exceptionally good.
"We did it~!"
"We did it!"
"I can't say for sure, but I think we should probably reduce it until it's about the consistency of honey or maple syrup."
That's right. Preserving food isn't just limited to pickling in salt or vinegar.
There's also the method of turning it into jam, full of sugar. However, this method has one weakness: if the moisture content is too high, it becomes prone to spoilage.
"Hmmm... But wouldn't that make it hard to drink?"
"Yeah, true. Could be a problem if it's solidified when ya try to drink it during battle and it won't come outta the bottle..."
"Right. So removing too much water might also be an issue..."
Hmmm, what to do about this? Alright, then let's get creative again! O Wisdom of Manjushri!
"...Ah, but what if we add some sourness with [Acid]? Then maybe we wouldn't need to reduce the water that much?"
"That's a thought... Or, how about we go all the way and dry it out completely to make candy?"
"That's a good idea too! Candy can be put in your mouth right away, and it feels like it'd provide sustained recovery!"
"Then for a name, how 'bout Regeneration Candy: Regene-Candy?"
"Whoa, those are both nice ideas!"
Amazing. Perhaps my wish was heard, as they both came up with excellent ideas.