Chapter 051
Since agreeing to my proposal, Joy had become very proactive.
“But no matter how much I try, I can’t make that many potions alone.”
It seemed he had come to discuss our plans, having specifically calculated the amount of potions he could make.
“To give it to everyone in that area, we need at least 100 servings. So, you have to help me make it.”
“Me? But you need magic to make those potions.”
“What are you talking about? You can use magic, can’t you?”
His words came out so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing, that I flinched and tensed my shoulders.
Had I ever told Joy that I could use magic?
It was already a well-known fact among the nobles and knights living in the capital.
However, it was a bit strange that Joy, who had never seen me use magic, knew about it.
“Oh, if you look at me with those suspicious eyes, I’ll be offended.”
Joy, who seemed to sense my eyes narrowing suspiciously, spoke up first.
“How did you know?”
“Who do you think I am! I could tell just by looking at you.”
I had to restore my dazed expression at her boastful words.
Well, if he had that much power, there must be a way to sense someone else’s magical energy.
As I nodded at Joy’s words, I suddenly recalled that I had a problem.
“Um, but… I can use magic, but I won’t be able to provide the help Joy wants.”
“Why?”
“It was fine when I was young, but as I grew older, the time I could use magic decreased. Now, I can only maintain simple magic for a minute at most.”
I wondered if I could make that complicated potion with this level of power.
But since there was no one else to help Joy, I had to manage it somehow…
“Don’t worry about that. There’s always a way.”
“What kind of way?”
Joy only flashed a confident smile and didn’t properly answer my question.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
The next day.
To make the potions, I went to the tower where Joy was staying.
As I opened the familiar door and stepped inside, the disorganized interior came into view.
The inside of the tower was almost unwalkable due to the various ingredients for the potions scattered everywhere.
“First, drink this before we start.”
“What is this?”
“Um, a kind of nutritional supplement? It will temporarily amplify your internal magical energy. The effect lasts at most half a day.”
Joy proudly shrugged his shoulders, saying that he had made this potion as well.
“Is there such a potion?”
I muttered, staring at the potion Joy handed me with a surprised expression.
Even if it was temporary, a potion that amplifies magical power?
If such a potion existed, I would have found and consumed it long ago.
“Of course! It’s a very special potion that only I can make! There can’t be two geniuses under the heavens.”
Seeing my astonished expression, Joy boasted in a cheeky tone.
Then, lifting the same bottle he had given me, he quickly downed the potion and urged me to drink mine as well.
I was still a bit skeptical, but seeing him drink it eased my mind a little, and I brought the potion to my lips.
“The taste is just ordinary.”
That was the first thing I said after finishing the potion.
“Of course. No matter what delicious ingredients you put in a potion, if it’s made with someone’s magical energy, it all ends up tasting the same.”
Joy responded to my words as if he had heard a silly joke.
“Okay, we don’t have time, so let’s start making the potions.”
After confirming that I had finished the potion, Joy moved to the pile of ingredients and said this.
I followed him and helped move the ingredients, putting them into the cauldron as Joy instructed.
And finally.
As the time to apply the magical formula approached, I swallowed hard, feeling a wave of tension.
‘What if I fail? It’s my first time making a potion.’
This was my first time learning a new formula, apart from the simple spells I had practiced as a child.
This was understandable since it had become meaningless to learn magic after the amount of my magical power began to gradually decrease.
Perhaps because of this, I felt both nervous and slightly excited, as if I were returning to the time when I learned magic.
“Slowly channel your power as I taught you.”
“Got it.”
The control of the maker’s power was the most crucial element in creating a magical potion.
It took about an hour of consistently channeling power to complete a proper magical potion.
For someone who struggled for even a minute, an entire hour seemed daunting.
Fear crept in even before I started, but the presence of Joy behind me somehow provided comfort and reassurance.
I recalled the loud voice encouraging me to believe in myself, and I began to channel my power into the cauldron according to the formula he taught me.
A soft light burst forth from my fingertips, surrounding the liquid filling the cauldron.
About five minutes later.
I turned to Joy with wide eyes, astonished.
“Joy! I’ve been using magic for over five minutes!”
“Yeah. Good job. But don’t lose focus; you need to concentrate again.”
About ten minutes later.
“You’re doing well for someone who’s only been told once, huh? I guess it’s because the teacher is so talented…”
Joy, who had been watching the amount I was doing, mentioned that he could go off to make his own potion now and left his spot.
I still had to stay in my place for another 45 minutes to complete the hour, but I didn’t feel tired at all.
‘Actually, this is fun.’
Doing this made me feel happy, as if I had fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a magician.
After repeating the process a few times, I noticed that the bright sky had gradually darkened.
“Has it really gotten this late already?”
I finished what I was doing and went upstairs to say goodbye to Joy.
“Jo…”
As I opened the door to call Joy, I immediately had to close my mouth at the sight before me.
Joy was standing in front of a much larger cauldron, channeling his power into it with immense concentration.
He looked almost reverent in a way that made me carefully close the door again and step back.
It felt like it wouldn’t be right to interrupt him, so I decided to quietly leave.
Just as I completed my preparations and left the tower, I noticed someone approaching from not far away.
“Ah? Evan!”
As soon as I recognized the face, a delighted voice escaped my lips.
I dashed over to where he was and spoke to him.
“What brings you here? If you came to see Joy, it’s not a good time. He’s busy making potions.”
I guessed that Evan had come this far because of the border area magic circle, and I added that it would be better to meet Joy tomorrow.
At the same time, I noticed Evan’s brows furrowing as he looked down at me while I spoke hurriedly.
“I heard you set out in the morning and still haven’t returned.”
Only after hearing his words did I realize that the reason he had come here was because of me.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Were you worried?”
“Isn’t it natural to be concerned if you haven’t returned by this time?”
His blunt tone made me quickly agree with him.
“Actually, it’s about the potion I mentioned last time. Joy said he would help me. So I’ve been making potions all day.”
Even with my continued explanation, there was no sign of Evan’s furrowed brows relaxing.
midori
thanks! evan: you’ve been spending time at his place this whole time?!