After Luciel left, John, the clerk, was immediately consumed by regret.
*How could I have believed so easily that Luciel is the disciple of Lord Giles?* he thought, his mind racing. He hadn't even verified the authenticity of the potion Luciel had brought, yet he had agreed to sell it.
"Oh, if it weren't for Mary…" John muttered, forcing a wry smile.
Mary was his younger sister, and ever since she had been discovered to possess a rare gift for magic, she had become the family's greatest hope. She was currently a student at the prestigious Orlando School of Magic, known for its rigorous curriculum and high tuition fees. Mary was diligent and hardworking, but the cost of her education had placed an immense burden on their family.
"If this potion is genuine," John thought, his eyes lighting up momentarily, "Mary can finally enroll in the Cone of Ice magic class she's always wanted to take as an elective."
But just as quickly as hope had sparked, it dimmed.
"If the potion is fake," John muttered under his breath, "not only will I lose my job, but I'll also be buried in debt."
The weight of his decision left John in a state of agonizing hesitation. Should he take the risk and sell the potion for Luciel? The question gnawed at him all morning, leaving him restless and distracted.
It wasn't until a customer walked into the shop that John was pulled out of his spiraling thoughts.
"Five bottles of intermediate strength potions, and hurry up!"
The voice belonged to a well-dressed young man with an air of arrogance. John recognized him immediately—William Charles, the youngest son of Count Charles. William was a regular customer at the Shelley Chamber of Commerce, often purchasing magic potions to impress the female students at the Magic Academy.
"Master William," John greeted with a forced smile, "how may I assist you today?"
"Are you deaf?" William snapped impatiently. "I said I need five bottles of intermediate strength potions, now!"
"Of course, Master William. Just a moment," John replied, quickly moving to the counter.
As he reached for the potions, his eyes fell on the five bottles of lavender potions Luciel had left behind. They sat quietly next to the intermediate strength potions, their vibrant color almost mocking his indecision.
In a moment of boldness—or perhaps desperation—John set aside two bottles of the intermediate potions and replaced them with two of Luciel's lavender ones.
"My apologies, Master William," John said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his chest. "We only have three bottles of intermediate strength potions in stock at the moment."
"What?!" William exclaimed, his face contorting in frustration. "How can you not have enough inventory? This is unacceptable!"
John nodded apologetically. "I understand your frustration, Master William. We can restock in three days, if you're willing to wait—"
"Wait? Are you joking?" William interrupted, his voice rising. "I have a duel with that insufferable basta*d from the Dal family in two days! Without five bottles of intermediate strength potions, I won't stand a chance against him!"
John's mind raced. He glanced at the lavender potions again, then took a deep breath.
"Master William," he began cautiously, "if I may suggest… there's a new type of low-level strength potion we've recently acquired. Its efficacy is said to be three times that of ordinary low-level potions."
William frowned, clearly skeptical. "Low-level strength potions? I've tried those before. They're useless to me now."
John nodded, understanding the issue of resistance that came with frequent potion use. "This is a newly developed formula, Master William. It's designed to overcome resistance and deliver exceptional results. And the price is only sixty gold coins per bottle—less than half the cost of an intermediate potion."
William's eyes narrowed as he considered the offer. The distinctive lavender hue of the potion seemed to catch his attention, and the price was undeniably tempting.
"Fine," William said after a moment. "I'll take one bottle to try. But if it doesn't work, you'll regret wasting my time."
John handed over the potion, his heart pounding as William left the shop.
---
Two Hours Later
John was still on edge when William returned. The sight of the young nobleman sent a jolt of panic through him. Had the potion failed? Would William demand retribution?
But to John's surprise, William's expression was not one of anger but of urgency.
"The potion," William said, his voice sharp but not hostile. "The new low-level strength potion you sold me—I need two more bottles. Now."
Relief washed over John like a tidal wave. He quickly retrieved the potions, his hands trembling slightly as he handed them over.
"Master William," John ventured cautiously, "may I ask how you found the potion's effects?"
"It's incredible!" William exclaimed, his earlier frustration replaced by excitement. "I've tried intermediate potions before, and while they're effective, this new formula is something else. It's three times as potent as a regular low-level potion, and at less than half the price! Whoever set the price for this must be a fool."
John forced a smile, masking his relief. "Our Shelley Chamber of Commerce prides itself on offering value to our customers, Master William."
William smirked, clearly pleased with his purchase. "Well, don't think about raising the price now. I expect the same rate for future purchases."
As William left, John let out a long breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The weight of his earlier anxiety lifted, replaced by a sense of triumph.
"Mary," he whispered to himself, a smile spreading across his face, "you'll finally be able to take that Cone of Ice class. I promise."
Later That Evening
John sat alone in the shop, the day's events replaying in his mind. He had taken a risk—a huge one—but it had paid off. The gold coins from William's purchase were safely tucked away, and for the first time in months, John felt a glimmer of hope for his family's future.
But beneath the relief, a nagging worry lingered. What if the potion's effects were temporary? What if William discovered some flaw and returned demanding compensation?
John shook his head, trying to dispel the doubts. He had done what he had to do for Mary's sake. Now, all he could do was wait and hope that luck would remain on his side.
----