It seemed like it was a term encompassing all magics related to recovery magic.
Recovery magic was a vital— no, necessary, power. The ability to heal oneself and others after combat was essential, something that pretty much goes without saying. Back in his original world, the chronic lack of sufficient numbers of magicians who practiced recovery magic had plagued society throughout history.
He wasn’t worried about revealing anything in this regard.
“…With regards to healing magics, I can use energy healing, alchemy, and reconstruction magics.”
“Huh? Energy… healing? Alchemy?”
“Yeah. That’s right…”
He’d revealed the magics he could use for the time being, but the receptionist seemed confused. Perhaps she hadn’t understood the terminology he’d used?
“Um… Sorry, but I’m not that versed in magic, so I didn’t really understand what you just said.”
…Right.
“Hahaha…”
Of course. Of course this had happened again. Suimei looked like he didn’t know what he ought to say.
—Energy healing was a technique for healing injuries with magic. Sometimes it was known as healing magic or spiritual surgery as its ability to heal injuries extended beyond the physical body to the mind. It was capable even of healing serious illnesses and reconnecting severed limbs. Healing magics were all of this type, while reconstruction magic – as its name suggested – was for restoring broken objects to their original state. It was meant to be used on inorganic things, but to a limited extent, could be used for healing as well.
…The receptionist decided to put aside the issue of these magics she had never heard of, and asked something else instead.
“Um, what does restoration magic have to do with refining metal?” (Alchemy is “錬金術,” literally “art of refining metals.” As we’ll see in a second, in their world, alchemy deals specifically with the manipulation of metal, hence her question.)
“Because magic potions are produced via alchemy.”
“There are metallic potions?”
What the hell kind of potion is that?! Suimei retorted in his mind before continuing out loud, “…I’m sorry, I’m not that familiar with what ‘alchemy’ means here, would you mind explaining?”
“Oh, um, okay. Alchemy is, as its name suggests, the control of metal via the medium of earth magic. It’s typically used in the creation of metallic objects, the processing of orichalcum, or the creation of the very highest-quality golems. The magic potions you just mentioned, Suimei-san, belong to a different discipline of magic, magical pharmacology…”
“…”
“…Suimei-san?”
“Sorry, it’s nothing.”
—The alchemy of his world had originated with ancient Egypt and Greece. It combined metallurgy, medicine, glass-making, and the chemistry techniques of the time into one enormous body of knowledge. With the development of a medicine granting immortality as its greatest goal, it was said to have amassed the sum total of all of human knowledge at the time under one umbrella.
Afterwards, coming under the influence of the teachings of Hermes and legendary alchemist Paracelsus, alchemy had gradually changed. In its new form, the medicine of immortality had become synonymous with the Philosopher’s Stone, and its primary goals had become the refinement of precious metals and the creation of homonculi and reproduction of matter. Understandably, it had become one of the major schools of magic. Because this world had never had a Hermes Trismegistus or a Paracelsus, it was obvious that the alchemy of this world would be different from that of his world.
Metallurgy and the creation of golems could, at best, only be described as a corollary of the alchemy of his world. He was, however, interested in this “medical pharmacology” that apparently was unrelated to the alchemy of this world. Either way, it was clear that the alchemy of this world was different from the one he was familiar with. If he wasn’t careful when speaking, it could cause some complications.
“…R, right. Well then, is it fine if I put you down as capable of restoration magic?”
“Yes.”
After a slight nod from him, the receptionist set to writing down the pertinent information on the registration form. Then, clearing the air with a cough, she continued in a business-like tone.
“—Ahem. Excuse me. Next, we’ll explain about the adventurer’s guild, Twilight Pavilion, and perform a ranking evaluation. The details of the latter will be explained later on by the corresponding personnel; I’ll talk about the Twilight Pavilion first.”
Suimei nodded, and the young woman began her explanation.