The backyard of the Magic Pharmacy.
"Ian, come have a seat! Try this new drink I mixed."
In the yard, Clayton beckoned to Ian. A few drinks were set out on the table beside him.
"What's it made of? Is it even drinkable?"
Seeing a pinkish layer floating on top, Ian frowned but picked up a cup and took a sip anyway.
"Hmm, it has Clear Heart Grass in it, but you added a bit too much. It's a little bitter."
"As expected of a genius Magic Potion Alchemist. You identified it right away."
Clayton gently ran his finger along the rim of his cup, feeling a wave of emotion.
In just over twenty days, the young Magic Potion Alchemist before him had achieved an astonishing fifty percent success rate with his finished products.
And that was despite Ian's low Realm and the short amount of time he could spend Refining each day. Otherwise, his progress would have been even faster.
Ian was the only Middle Level Wizard Apprentice among the Magic Potion Alchemists at the shop.
As for himself, he had only managed to become a Magic Potion Alchemist through his family's support, luckily finding his way onto this path.
Only after ten years did he come to the startling realization that no matter how diligent or hardworking he was, it all meant nothing in the face of true genius.
The other Magic Potion Alchemists in the shop all looked at this suddenly rising young man with new respect, treating him as an equal.
"Oh, you're here too. Huh, what's this?"
Malena had entered the yard at some point.
"Steward Malena, this is just a drink I threw together. It has a slight refreshing effect. Would you like to try some?"
Clayton stood up and offered Malena a fresh cup.
"Not bad, but the refreshing effect is too weak."
Malena put the drink down and looked at Ian, her eyes filled with disapproval.
"Instead of focusing on your Meditation Cultivation and studying more about Magic Potion Science, you're always running off somewhere. What for?"
"My body is suffering from rather severe Magic Power Erosion. I've been going out to find a solution."
Ian felt helpless. He hadn't managed to refine the Rock Bear Potion yet, so he could only search for other Physique Potions to alleviate the problem.
However, potions that permanently enhanced one's Physique were extremely rare and hard to come by.
"Is that so? I happen to have a Potion that enhances Physique, but it's expensive. Are you interested?"
Malena's words made Ian's heart leap with joy. He had managed to accumulate some Magic Stones recently.
"What kind of Potion is it? And what's the price?"
"It's worth 800 Magic Stones. It's a Life Potion, unique to the Elf Race."
Life Potions are refined from the Water of Life. They not only enhance one's Physique but can also slightly restore one's youthful appearance.
"Uh… Steward Malena, would it be possible to buy it on credit?"
Ian didn't feel embarrassed. With his abilities, he could pay back the Magic Stones within two months.
"Hmph! You've got some nerve, having only worked here for a few days… But since you've signed a contract with the shop, I'll cut you a deal. Follow me to get the Potion."
After speaking, Malena stood up and walked ahead, her movements graceful and alluring.
Ian didn't dare to stare at her captivating figure, so he lowered his head and followed silently behind her.
After the two of them left, Clayton shook his head, an expression of disbelief on his face.
'What just happened? Since when is Steward Malena so accommodating?'
Malena's residence was in the largest courtyard, directly behind the shop.
"Come in. I'll go get the Potion. Have a seat while you wait."
Once inside, Malena went into the innermost room and came back out a moment later.
"It's best to consume the Potion within an hour of it being taken out."
Ian hurried forward, carefully taking the Potion and storing it away.
"Thank you, Steward Malena. I'll definitely pay you back the Magic Stones as soon as possible."
"Have you been taking on private orders recently? Are the shop's ingredients not enough for your Refining?"
Ian froze for a second, then understood her meaning. She had just done him a favor, and now she was giving him a little warning.
"I'll turn down most private orders from now on. It's just hard to refuse some from old friends."
Malena waved her hand. "Good. You can go. Just focus on Refining more Potions in the future. Consider it repayment for my favor."
After Ian left, Malena sat in a chair, propping her head up with one hand.
'I hope this wasn't a losing deal.'
「In his bedroom.」
Ian took out the Potion and, without any preparation, poured it directly into his mouth.
The green Life Potion slid down his esophagus into his stomach, where it dissolved silently and was rapidly absorbed.
A vast amount of thread-like Life Energy began to spread from his abdomen throughout his entire body.
Ian's eyes were half-closed as he carefully experienced the astonishing changes in his body.
He felt as if he were soaking in warm water, a soothing warmth spreading through him.
The flesh and blood throughout his body were madly absorbing the Life Energy from the Potion. The green energy gathered in the places that had been aching, repairing and healing them.
On his chest, the grayish-white fungal patch that he had been most worried about gradually vanished without a trace.
...
An unknown amount of time passed before Ian opened his eyes.
In his vision, everything seemed clearer and more vibrant than before.
He remained in his room, stretching his limbs and performing simple movements to adapt to the changes in his body.
After just a few moments of sensing the effects, he was extremely satisfied. The Water of Life was truly potent.
'A Potion worth 800 Magic Stones is expensive, but the effects are incredible!'
Not only did his body feel much younger, but even his Power and agility had increased significantly.
He went to the mirror in the washroom and looked at his reflection.
He wore a Wizard's Robe, stood about five-foot-nine, and had deep, bright eyes. His brow was set low, close to his eyes, giving him a focused and sharp look.
Ever since his breakthrough, Ian hadn't dared to use his full strength in his Cultivation, which had greatly slowed his progress.
'Now I can finally go all out with potions and cultivate without holding back.'
As for his other endeavors, his progress with the two potions over the past half-month had also been quite pleasing.
Although the Rock Bear Potion was extremely difficult to refine, by continuously investing Magic Stones, he should be able to reach the Beginner level within a few days.
Meanwhile, his Awakening Potion would soon break through the Realm of Control.
[Awakening Potion: Control (308/400)]
[Rock Bear Potion: Uninitiated (177/200)]
'What kind of special effect will appear after Limit-Breaking?'
During this time, in order to refine the Rock Bear Potion, Ian had drastically reduced his dealings with Leica, maintaining only his close cooperation with Kenna and the others.
After being warned by Malena again today, his desire to take on side jobs had faded.
But he didn't dare to refine freely in the shop, and his income was gradually failing to keep up with his expenses.
Not long ago, Kenna and the others had delivered another batch of Rock Bear Essence Blood, which cost him quite a few Magic Stones. Worried that it wouldn't be enough to cover the consumption during Refining, he had gathered more in town as well.
The consumption rate of Rock Bear Blood Essence was far beyond Ian's expectations.
It wasn't a low or Middle Level Potion at all; it was a High Level Potion. It required at least the Realm of a High Level Apprentice, whose Spiritual Power would be sufficient to support the Potion's Refining.
Not only did the difficulty surpass his limits, but his knowledge of Magic Potion Science was also fragmented and woefully incomplete.
His attempt to refine the Rock Bear Potion was, in truth, an extremely reckless act.
Ian also understood that his foundational knowledge of Magic Potion Science was flimsy. He had only become a Magic Potion Alchemist thanks to the support of his panel.
Fortunately, after his Skill Level with the Awakening Potion reached the Realm of Control, it had a synergistic effect on other potions, occasionally granting him flashes of inspiration.
But the more difficult the Refining process was, the more he looked forward to the Potion's effects.