Slug & Jiggers Apothecary.
Leonard looked up at the sign, then at the shop itself, hesitation flickering across his face.
From the darkened interior drifted a nauseating stench. Near the street, wooden crates squirmed with leeches, while pitch-black dried bats and withered mandrake roots that gave off faint, eerie sounds sat stacked for display. Just looking at them was enough to send chills down the spine.
"Leonard, let's go. There's nothing worth seeing here." Even Londo, usually brimming with misplaced pride in his wizarding ties, couldn't bear the sight and wanted to get away from the shop as fast as possible.
"I want to buy something," Leonard explained, patting the pocket money Londo had given him. After another glance at the grotesque items by the entrance, he stepped into the apothecary without hesitation.
"Welcome to Slug & Jiggers Apothecary. I'm Jigger, the owner." A greasy-haired, unkempt man shuffled out, his appearance as messy as his voice was oily. "A kid who looks fresh off to school? What are you here to buy?"
"Uh… I'd like a magical plant. Or maybe some magical plant seeds," Leonard said.
"What do you need a magical plant for? Did someone send you?" Jigger crouched, suspicion clouding his face. A strange, bitter smell drifted into Leonard's nose.
Leonard instinctively took a step back, holding his breath. "No, I came on my own. I'm just really curious about magical plants, so I want to buy one."
"They're dangerous, kid. Especially for someone like you who hasn't learned a thing yet." Jigger scratched his scalp, sending dandruff snowing down.
"Damn it. That Occamy Egg Yolk shampoo doesn't work at all," he muttered.
"Then recommend me something that isn't too dangerous—but not boring either. I don't want some dull potted plant," Leonard insisted in the tone of a stubborn child.
"Tch. Impatient little brat."
Jigger shook his head, stood, and said, "Let me think. Based on what you want, there's only one magical plant here that might suit you."
He walked into the back and returned carrying a flowerpot draped with a black cloth.
"How about this? Not too dangerous, but definitely interesting." With a tug, Jigger pulled off the cloth, revealing a strangely colored… cabbage.
Leonard eyed the odd vegetable, then glanced at Jigger, his gaze full of disdain. Was this shabby shopkeeper really trying to trick a kid?
"Hm? Don't believe me?" Jigger caught the doubt in Leonard's eyes. He casually grabbed a discarded receipt from the counter and set it on top of the cabbage.
Leonard blinked in confusion at the odd display—until the cabbage suddenly sprang up. A split ran down its middle, opening wide to reveal rows of sharp, gleaming white teeth.
With a snap, the cabbage shredded the receipt to ribbons, the sound of tearing paper proof enough of how sharp those teeth were.
Those weren't for decoration.
Leonard stood frozen, stunned.
Satisfied with his reaction, Jigger picked up a bone from the counter—who knew what creature it came from—and held it near the cabbage's mouth. With a loud crack, the bone snapped clean in two.
The bite force was no joke.
"Well? Impressive, isn't it?" Jigger said smugly. "This is a Chomping Cabbage, a common potion ingredient. It's dangerous—the teeth can bite straight through dragonhide gloves. If it weren't rooted in place, unable to move, it'd probably be banned from trade."
He looked quite pleased with Leonard's growing daze.
"I'll take it. How much?" Leonard asked eagerly.
"You really want it? Don't you think it's dangerous?" Jigger asked, startled.
"Well, that's perfect… I mean, no, what I mean is—it looks cool that way," Leonard said quickly.
"Fine, if you insist. But I'm warning you—its teeth are razor-sharp. If it bites your hand off, get to St. Mungo's immediately."
Jigger hesitated, then draped the black cloth back over the cabbage, quieting it down.
"It stays much calmer in the dark. If you want to handle it, do so indoors, without light," Jigger instructed. "Five Sickles."
Sickles were the wizarding world's silver coins—seventeen Sickles to one Galleon.
"Alright, understood." Leonard nodded quickly, counted out five silver coins, and handed them over.
The moment the Chomping Cabbage pot was placed in his hands, a System notification chimed in his ears.
[You have obtained Chomping Cabbage. Experience +20]
So magical plants could grant experience too? Leonard felt a rush of excitement. He had thought experience only came from quests.
The notifications continued.
[Beginner's Quest 1 Completed]
[Quest Reward Granted: 10 EXP, 1 Talent Skill Enhancement]
Quest complete!
Leonard's eyes lit up as he eagerly awaited to see how his talent would be enhanced.