The story begins with Viken Ord awakening in his ruined laboratory after undergoing a self-designed reincarnation ritual, the "Cradle of Rebirth." He finds himself in a younger, pre-teen body, a side effect of the ritual's imperfect composition method. His laboratory is in disarray, and his artificial fairy assistant, Zosimos, informs him that 521 years have passed. The Mordis Dynasty has fallen, and his laboratory, along with the Sage Tower, was destroyed in a disaster. Viken, initially shocked by the passage of time and the destruction, quickly adopts a pragmatic outlook, viewing the event as a simultaneous reincarnation and time leap. He and Zosimos salvage useful alchemical equipment, including a Philosopher's Stone, and use a "Jump Teleportation" to reach the "Salvan New City Cluster," his former research base.
Upon arrival, they discover that Salvan has stagnated and is now known as "Old Salvan," a city within the Eurea Kingdom, which has also seen little development. More disturbingly, information about alchemists is scarce, suggesting a decline in their status and practice. Viken, now appearing as a young boy, descends from the Sage Tower and navigates the city, learning that the currency has changed and that "Adventurers" are now a common profession, akin to problem-solvers. He visits the Adventurer's Guild, where he is met with skepticism due to his apparent youth and ignorance of the adventurer profession. He is introduced to Beo, a gruff but kind adventurer, and Shirley, a guild receptionist, who explains the adventurer system. Viken, identifying himself as an alchemist, expresses his desire to become an adventurer, stating his profession allows him to handle various problems.
His first job involves delivering "Healing Potions." To his surprise, the potion he delivered, which he considered standard quality, is deemed exceptionally potent by the recipient, Buckle, a monster subjugation team captain, who claims it regrew a severed finger. This leads to Viken receiving a substantial bonus and a reputation for producing potent "secret medicines." He also learns that advanced healing magic, like regrowing limbs, is considered miraculous and rare in this era, unlike in his time. Viken, realizing the decline of alchemy, decides to establish a new laboratory. He takes up residence at the "Dancing Duck Inn," run by Edgar and his daughter Fio. Edgar falls ill after consuming a poorly made alchemical nutrient solution, and Viken, identifying himself as an alchemist, offers to help, free of charge. He diagnoses it as poisoning from a dangerous mixture of alchemical ingredients and, with Zosimos's help, creates a potent antidote, "Arneia's Elixir," saving Edgar's life. This further solidifies his reputation, though he struggles with the inflated perception of his abilities.
A week later, Edgar has recovered, and Viken is allowed to stay at the inn in exchange for alchemical services. He learns that alchemy has largely been replaced by "Magic" and "Miracles" performed by Mages and Priests, with alchemy relegated to minor conveniences. Viken, determined to revive alchemy, plans to establish a laboratory. He heads to the Adventurer's Guild to find work. Beo, impressed by Viken's alchemical prowess, invites him to join his party, but Viken declines, prioritizing his laboratory. However, Beo insists on paying Viken for his role in the Lesser Tarrasque subjugation, having him "temporarily joined" to the party, which results in Viken being promoted. Viken then learns that rumors of his abilities, including producing "secret medicines" and wielding powerful magic, have spread. He and Zosimos decide to investigate a deactivated Sage Tower in the western forest, hoping to use it for teleportation and material gathering.
At the forest, Viken and Zosimos find Beo and his party surrounded by unknown monsters and a Lesser Tarrasque. Viken, despite his weakened magical capacity after reincarnation, intervenes. Zosimos demonstrates the ability to wield magic, creating light swords, while Viken uses his alchemical staff and elemental magic stones to dispatch the smaller monsters. Viken then defeats the Lesser Tarrasque with a precise throw of his staff. Beo and his party are rescued, and Viken's actions further enhance his growing legend. Beo offers Viken a place in his party again, which Viken again declines, but agrees to help with tasks. He also receives payment for the Tarrasque hunt, having been retroactively added to the quest. The chapter ends with Viken contemplating the challenges of rebuilding alchemy in a world that has moved beyond it, while also enjoying the newfound connections he has made.
