Chapters 3 through 12 of the light novel introduce us to Wraith, an exceptionally talented but seemingly naive alchemist, and Raffy, a capable S-rank adventurer. Raffy initially encounters Wraith in a forest where he casually uses an Elixir, the most potent healing potion, to mend a minor cut on her. Raffy is astonished by Wraith's casual use of such a rare and expensive item, as Elixirs are incredibly difficult to create, often taking years for even master alchemists to produce.
Raffy's own motivation for seeking an Elixir is dire: her younger sister, Sylvia, is afflicted by a mysterious illness that has baffled all physicians, leaving Elixir as her last hope. Her search for the potion in the capital city proves fruitless, as the only available Elixir has already been purchased by royalty. Despairing, Raffy encounters Wraith collapsed in an alley, weak from hunger. After sharing her bread, Raffy learns Wraith is an alchemist and, on a whim, asks if he could provide an Elixir, half-jokingly expecting refusal. To her shock, Wraith readily agrees, stating he made it himself. He offers it to her as thanks for the bread, refusing payment and instead asking Raffy to show him around the capital. Raffy, though still skeptical of his claims and his casual demeanor, accepts, seeing a potential solution for her sister.
As Raffy guides Wraith, he reveals he recently arrived in the capital after his village was overrun by monsters and that he was robbed of most of his money on his first day. He explains he needs to sell potions to survive. Raffy, impressed by his alchemical prowess, leads him to the Adventurer's Guild to sell his wares. There, they meet Amelia, a guild receptionist who knows Raffy. Wraith attempts to sell potions, but Raffy is stunned when he produces not one, but four Elixirs, which Amelia confirms are genuine. Raffy, overwhelmed by Wraith's seemingly limitless supply of Elixirs, pulls him away from the guild. She confronts him about his "abnormal" ability to produce so many Elixirs, a feat considered impossible by any alchemist. Wraith, however, remains oblivious to his own extraordinary talent, explaining he needs money and that he only has Elixirs to sell. Raffy, realizing his lack of self-awareness, invites him to stay at her home, which she shares with her sister Sylvia.
At Raffy's home, Wraith meets Sylvia, who is recovering from her illness thanks to the Elixir. Sylvia expresses her gratitude. The next morning, Wraith declares he will make more potions, but with lesser potency to avoid complications. He also asks to stay at Raffy's home while he works, which she agrees to. Wraith then demonstrates his alchemical abilities, creating potions in mere seconds, astonishing Raffy and Sylvia. He later goes to the Adventurer's Guild to sell fifteen "high-grade potions," earning him enough money to rent a room. He also decides to register as an adventurer, taking on a seemingly simple alchemy assistant quest, despite Amelia's warning that the client, Daisy, is notoriously difficult.
Wraith arrives at Daisy's shop, a young girl who claims to be the owner. He is tasked with extracting and purifying herbs. Wraith performs the task with incredible speed and efficiency, producing a massive quantity of potions in an impossibly short time. Daisy, a skilled alchemist herself, is shocked and faints from the sheer abnormality of his abilities. After she recovers, she proposes a deal: Wraith will help her occasionally and teach her alchemy in exchange for payment. Wraith agrees, and their first lesson involves him demonstrating the importance of knowledge and imagination in alchemy, using a simple herb to create a superior potion compared to Daisy's.
Later, Wraith visits Raffy and Sylvia again. Sylvia is much improved. During dinner, Raffy expresses concern that Wraith is being exploited by Daisy, given his extraordinary talent. Wraith, however, believes the arrangement is beneficial as it secures him a steady income. He also reflects on his past with his harsh alchemy master.
The narrative then shifts to two C-rank adventurers, a boy and a girl, on a monster subjugation quest. They stumble upon a seemingly abandoned cabin. While investigating, they are attacked by a pack of wolves. The boy is injured protecting the girl, and they are overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Wraith, having finished his work at Daisy's, heads back to the Adventurer's Guild. He learns that two adventurers were attacked by monsters and one is critically injured. Wraith rushes to the scene and, using Elixirs and a custom-made potion, saves the girl's life. The boy and girl, grateful, offer to help him in return. Wraith is then inundated with "request for Elixir" quests at the guild, overwhelming him due to his limited materials. He decides to prioritize urgent cases.
Later, exhausted from fulfilling requests, Wraith's bag is stolen. He chases the thief, but is intercepted by Raffy, who swiftly incapacitates the thief and retrieves the bag. Raffy warns Wraith to be more careful. The chapters conclude with Wraith contemplating his next steps, including a potentially dangerous trip back to his former home for rare alchemy materials.
