The Frontier Alchemist ~ I Can’t Go Back to That Job After You Made My Budget Zero

Rust worked in the alchemist association. He specialized in basic research, but the current president, a former government official, failed to understand the importance of the basic research department and slashed its budget. To make matters worse, he was made to transmute basic materials for alchemists of other departments. But one day, his budget for the next term was reduced to zero, and the president announced the basic research department was disbanded. The same day, a friend from his academy days invited him to help develop her new dominion in the borderland, and Rust, seeing no future for himself in the association, decided to quit. Rust was actually one of the greatest alchemists on the planet. The basic materials he transmuted were of the highest quality, and could not be acquired anywhere else. These high quality materials covered a lot of gaps in the association, and Rust’s departure made a big mess. Feeling liberated after leaving the association, Rust worked in the borderland with a newfound enthusiasm and vigor.

Original Publisher

kadokawa

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *The Frontier Alchemist ~ I Can’t Go Back to That Job After You Made My Budget Zero* Alright, let's dive into *The Frontier Alchemist*. I've spent some time reading about others' experiences with this one, and I'm ready to give my take. Overall, my impression is that it's a fairly standard fantasy fare, but with some significant execution issues that hold it back from reaching its full potential. ### First Impressions Initially, the premise is intriguing. An alchemist, fed up with budget cuts, strikes out on his own. It's a relatable starting point, and I was hoping for a story of resourcefulness and triumph over adversity. However, the initial setup seems to take a while to pay off, with the protagonist's departure and the former employer's regret unfolding at a snail's pace. ### What Works Well The translation quality gets a lot of praise, and I can see why. A smooth translation is crucial for enjoyment, and it seems the translator has done a solid job here. Also, the core concept of alchemy seems well-thought-out, adding a layer of depth to the world-building. Some readers also appreciate the presence of familiar tropes, finding them comforting and enjoyable, especially if they enjoy overpowered main characters. ### Areas of Concern The biggest sticking point for me, and for many others, seems to be the main character. He comes across as passive and lacking agency, more of a reactor than an actor. Decisions seem to be made *for* him rather than *by* him, which makes it difficult to connect with him as a protagonist. I also found the pacing to be incredibly slow, with short chapters that don't deliver enough substance. The combination of slow progress and a passive MC creates a sense of stagnation that can be frustrating. Some also pointed out that the characters felt like poorly written cliches, and that the world development was lacking. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning *Proceed with caution: The following contains potential spoilers.* Some readers have mentioned the MC's frustrating decision-making, particularly when ignoring warnings from future-seeing characters. This kind of contrived plot device, where the protagonist acts against common sense purely to advance the story, can be incredibly jarring and can make it difficult to suspend disbelief. ### Final Verdict *The Frontier Alchemist* has potential, but it's currently bogged down by its slow pace, passive protagonist, and reliance on tired tropes. While the translation is commendable, and the core alchemy concept is interesting, the execution leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for a quick and easy read with familiar elements, this might scratch that itch. However, if you prefer dynamic characters and a compelling plot, you might want to wait until the story has progressed further or explore other options. For now, I'm sitting on the fence with this one.