(Riven POV – Blue Pharmacy, Mixing Room)
"…Alright." Naaza says, trying—and not quite succeeding—to keep her voice even. "Tell me, then. What have you discovered?"
'You're suspicious.' I think as I meet her stare. 'Trying not to show hope, just in case I'm an idiot wasting your time. That's quite reasonable.'
Honestly, I'd probably do the same. Except I wouldn't have asked at all. I'd have kicked me out already.
Still, it doesn't change the facts.
When I skimmed her notes earlier, Great Sage had already absorbed the information and reached her own conclusions about Alchemy. During her demonstration, Great Sage ran multiple simulations, and picking up flaws in the processes, materials, and Naaza's own errors was child's play.
[Answer: The primary cause of destabilization is ingredient incompatibility. Specifically, the compounds used for mind and physical recovery conflict at a structural and magical level.]
I fold my arms and offer Naaza a knowing smirk.
"The ingredients you're using aren't compatible enough to merge properly." I say, keeping my tone casual.
Naaza stares at me for a long second… then lets out the sigh of someone whose patience has long run out.
"I know some of the ingredients have low compatibility." She mutters, already turning her back. "But they're necessary. And you can't just substitute them without ruining the entire formula."
'There it is.' Her confidence that her formula is correct, and the stubbornness to search for ways to push through, rather than restart.
"You're very impatient, you know that?" I reply, more amused than annoyed.
She shoots me a sideways glare. "I am patient. I just don't like being talked down to by someone who flipped through my life's work and pretended to understand it."
'Fair enough.'
"Those five herbs." I point toward the conflicting ingredients. "That's where the issue starts."
Her gaze sharpens immediately, suspicion replaced with reluctant curiosity. "Why those three?" She says, gesturing toward the last three in the group. "The other two I know can cause instability, but these three don't have any known interactions."
[Answer: Herb 3 and Herb 4, when mixed, create a compound that suppresses the binding effect needed for the already incompatible Herb 1 and 2 to integrate. Herb 5 amplifies that reaction and prevents stabilization during the final fusion stage.]
I repeat Great Sage's explanation in simpler terms, watching her brows furrow as she mentally retraces her steps. She starts asking more precise questions. I keep answering, one after another. Thanks to Great Sage, the answers come quickly, in a neat and easy-to-understand format.
Eventually, she goes quiet. Her arms drop to her sides.
"…Even if you're right, I can't change the components." She sighs, her voice low. "I've optimized the ratios around them. Replacing even one would ruin everything I've built up until now…"
She trails off, staring down at the failed potion in defeat, frustration and reluctance on her face.
[Notice: 12 viable solutions using current ingredients with equal or improved efficacy found. 96 alternative solutions using different ingredients, with equal or improved efficacy, found.]
'What are the worst and best cases in each category?'
[Answer: Using current ingredients, adjusted ratios and process modifications can yield a potion 14% more potent than original design. Optimal method yields a 286% increase. Substituting ingredients allows for equal potency baseline, while optimized methods using current resources may yield up to 869% potency.]
'What about if I use Stomach to make the potion?'
[Answer: Estimated maximum potency of 2,231% can be achieved.]
'That's great. If Naaza tries to screw me over, I'll just sell the formula for the superior version to Dian Cecht and a bunch of other Familia instead.' I mentally shrug. 'Mutual benefit is ideal, but if it doesn't work, I'll still make money, and get revenge.'
It's cold, I know, but I'd have been backstabbed first.
"I get it." I say aloud, returning her skeptical gaze with a calm smile. "But I can fix the issue without changing any of the components. And if I'm right, the result should be around 120% stronger than what you originally predicted."
I consider it a gesture of good will, trust, and an investment. I don't have to give her the worst version, since we make more profit the better it is. But I'd definitely not provide the best one.
Naaza blinks. "...What?"
I step past her to the mixing station.
"I'm not joking. Just sit back enjoy the show."
Naaza folds her arms, and her lips press into a tight line. But she doesn't stop me. Whatever hope has kept her patient thus far, holds on for a little longer.
Without hesitation, I begin the process again—this time, following the optimized steps dictated to me by Great Sage. Exact measurements, subtle temperature tweaks, precise mixing speeds. Nothing too flashy. But every step is deliberate.
Naaza watches in stiff silence. She knows her craft too well not to recognize how refined my process is. Her eyes narrow at one point when I adjust the heat mid-fusion, but she says nothing.
The potion reaches the final stage, shimmering for a moment, then stabilizes.
And just like that, it's complete.
A smooth, light-purple glow pulses from the vial—perfectly balanced with no sign of deterioration.
I lift it slightly. "And that's how it's done." I say casually, turning to face her. "See? It's easy if you put your mind to it," I tease.
(Miach POV – Blue Pharmacy, Front Counter)
The door behind me creaks open, and I glance back just as Riven steps out, his expression relaxed.
He raises a hand in a casual wave. "Naaza and I are done for now." He says with a light smile. "So I'll be heading out."
I arch a brow, curious despite myself. "Thanks again for stopping by. Did everything go smoothly?"
Riven grins. "Yeah. We made a lot of progress. The potion's stable now, and should be ready for production soon."
I blink. For a moment, I don't quite register the words.
"That… that's wonderful news!" I finally say, exhaling slowly, relief flooding my chest. "Naaza's dedicated herself into getting that formula to work nonstop. I was starting to worry she'd burn out."
'She's been carrying her guilt for far too long.' Guilt about getting injured, and the debt the Familia got into to afford her prosthetic.
'But it was never her burden to carry… It's mine.'
"Maybe now she can finally get a bit of rest." I murmur.
Riven chuckles. "Sleep is one of the few luxuries you shouldn't compromise on. I hope she takes it easy from now on."
"I'll remind her." I say with a matching smile. "Though whether she listens is another matter."
He turns to leave, but I reach beneath the counter, catching him just before he steps away.
"Wait." I call, and he pauses, glancing back at me curiously.
I produce a small bundle from under the counter and place it on the wooden surface—3 medium healing potions, and 3 magic potions.
"Here." I offer warmly. "A small token of appreciation. You've done more for us than you know."
Riven eyes the potions, clearly debating whether to protest. "Your thanks is more than enough." He says after a moment, but his hand still reaches out to take them
I chuckle softly. "Then I'll consider it a gift from one friend to another."
"I'll make good use of them." He promises, tucking the vials into his pocket. "And I'll be sure to stop by again. Naaza and I still have a few things to work out."
I raise an eyebrow at that. "I'll look forward to it. And send my regards to Hestia, will you?"
"I will." He waves once more, and I watch as he slips out the door, the bell above it chiming faintly in his wake.
'They're that close already?' I muse. 'It will be good for Naaza to have company.'
Naaza has always been talented, but she's also isolated. She needs people who can match her pace, challenge her, and pull her out of her shell.
But then a small thought clicks into place.
'Wait… where is she?'
She hadn't come out with him. 'Did she just start experimenting?'
Frowning, I make my way to the back, and as soon as I step into the mixing room…
"Naaza…?" I call gently.
And freeze.
She isn't at the workbench, experimenting or writing in her notebook like I expected. She's slumped in her chair, her posture tense, her tail still and low, and her ears drooping slightly.
'She looks… defeated.' My heart tightens.
"Naaza, are you alright?" I ask softly as I step closer to her, concern evident in my voice.
She glances up slowly, her eyes dull and unfocused. "Miach…" She murmurs. "Am I… a good alchemist?"
The question punches the air from my lungs.
Of everything I expected, this was not it.
I kneel beside her gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Of course you are." I say, without hesitation. "You're one of the most talented alchemists I've ever met."
She doesn't respond right away and just stares at a vial of purple liquid still sitting on the workbench. "Then how did he fix it in minutes… when I've spent months failing?"
Her voice isn't angry or bitter.
It just sounds tired.
'So that's what this is…'
"You weren't failing." I say quietly. "You were getting closer with every attempt. Riven may have found the solution, but that's only because you had already paved the path."
She looks at me with uncertainty, and I squeeze her shoulder reassuringly.
"You didn't lose anything today, Naaza. You made a breakthrough. You created something no one else could… and now, you have a partner who can help you make it better."
Her ears twitch slightly.
"Don't measure your worth by the speed of your progress." I continue. "Measure it by the heart you put into your work. And you… you never stopped believing it could be done."
She blinks a few times, the spark returning to her eyes, then she quietly nods.
"...Thank you, Miach."
I smile. "Anytime."
(Naaza POV – Blue Pharmacy, Mixing Room)
'I was just a little shocked.'
That's what I tell myself, even though the pit in my chest hasn't gone away.
Miach's words helped. They always do. His voice is warm enough to melt frost, and for a moment, it really did calm me down. I believe I'm a good alchemist—no, I know I am.
But even so…
'He's the problem. He doesn't make any sense.'
From the moment Riven walked through that door, he's been destroying my expectations. Identifying my diluted potions at a glance. Solving a months-long conundrum with a single demonstration.
'It's not possible…'
Yet it happened.
I lean forward on my desk, staring at the half-empty vials and ink-stained notes. I can still picture the way he moved—calm, precise, like he already knew the outcome before he even started mixing.
If he had just identified the flaw in the recipe, I'd be impressed.
If he'd simply suggested a viable solution, I'd be grateful.
But this?
'How does someone change that many variables—ratios, extraction methods, even the reaction timings—and not only stabilize the potion, but improve it? On the first try?!'
If I'm a genius, then he's… something else entirely.
A monster in human skin.
I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples. The sound draws Miach's attention again, and I feel his gaze linger behind me.
"I'm fine." I say before he can ask. "Really."
I turn to face him, managing a calm, businesslike tone. "But I think it's important we maintain a close relationship with the Hestia Familia moving forward."
Miach blinks, surprised by the shift in topic, before smiling warmly. "Hestia and I are already good friends, but something more official would be a wonderful idea. I'm sure she'd be happy."
I nod slowly, forcing a neutral expression.
But I can't bring myself to tell him the real reason.
The truth is… I'm uneasy.
Riven's too calm… too calculating. He had other options—that much I'm sure of now. When I said changing ingredients would throw away all my previous work, he backed off way too easily.
At the time, I thought he was spouting nonsense… but now?
'I think he's testing me.'
I'd do the same in his position. If I didn't trust someone, I'd give them a basic version of something valuable… and watch what they do with it. Then I'd wait.
'If they betrayed me, I'd burn them to the ground.'
And if he really has a better version of the dual potion—a version that uses different herbs entirely, or worse, is even more effective…
'He could wipe out my entire contribution.'
Sell it himself. Leak it to Dian Cecht or some other Familia. Even mass-producing it and crashing our sales is possible.
'That formula… it could save the Familia from debt... And now, he can take it all away.'
I clench my fists in my lap.
'He smiled the whole time. He smiles as he said those words…'
It's simple if you put your mind to it.
'Tch.'
Was that supposed to be encouraging? Or was he mocking me?
'Is he saying I'm slow? That I wasn't trying hard enough?'
A low growl bubbles up in my throat, but I swallow it down. No use snapping at empty air.
He's gone for now. But he'll be back. He didn't bring up how much compensation he should get. 'It's probably another test.'
But next time… I'll be ready.
I'll figure out who he really is, behind that calm tone and friendly grin. I'll strip the mask off and see what's underneath.
Because right now, all my doubts and suspicions have no basis. He might just be helpful, and I'm overthinking everything. Or he might be a devious mastermind, and even now, I'm playing his game.
'I need a nap.' I think, before once again letting out a tired sigh.
I don't know if Riven is the best thing to happen to the Familia…
Or the most dangerous mistake I've ever made.
***********
A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you all?
So this is the chapter. Riven's POV and discussion with Great Sage. She's showing how powerful she actually is, especially in the research field. Damn, I wish I had my own Great Sage🫠.
Then, for reactions, we have Miach, who's relatively amicable with Riven, and is happy to have him.
The new have Naaza, who frankly, is quite stressed🤣. She's quite right about Riven, but she'll be fine if she doesn't do anything (she doesn't know that yet). And yeah, Riven is quite cold when he needs to be. It's weird to me too, since to me it doesn't feel like he's malicious. It's just logical (at least that's how I read it).
I've seen some comments on other platforms, and apparently... I glaze my MCs too much👀. Do I? I mean... Most of the reactions are when he does something badass😭, so it comes out that way. And they are quite awesome, or maybe that's the problem🤣🫠.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at: [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
It'd help me continue, as well as upload faster🫠.
You can also join the discord server with: https://discord.gg/dyJDk5knXT
Anyway, that's all from me. Let me know how you felt. I hope you all had a great day😁.