Another One in the Same Line of Work?

To so easily hand over a mastered spell—arguably the most precious treasure in Mage's life—just to help oneself or, as she said, obtain a clue about the deadline for the [Return Magic]—isn't that a price far too high?

In fact, she could have simply given herself a very basic spell and let herself go and practice it. After all, if Serie was making such a demand of her, she had no other choice but to do as she was told.

"What you're saying is really presumptuous. It's just a matter of learning another spell; a mere few hundred years is nothing to me."

Besides, I have many other spells similar to this one; I don't need your concern.

Serie lowered her eyes and rested her arm on the armrest of the chair, speaking softly.

Her indifferent expression seemed to confirm her words; she had merely ceded a mundane magic to Galan, which was utterly insignificant to her.

After all, even she herself didn't know how much magic she had cultivated over the countless years of the past.

Faced with near-infinity, "1" inevitably seems insignificant.

"Okay... but anyway, thank you so much for your help."

Regardless, Galan did indeed receive help from Serie. Based on this alone, as a good young man of the new era, he still respectfully bowed to his master to express his gratitude.

I understand the principle of gratitude, but I probably can't really help Serie in any way. If even she can't do it, then I'm even less likely to be able to.

But at least I can cooperate with her to study this [Return Magic].

Seeing Galan's sincerity, Serie's expression softened considerably, no longer as indifferent as before. "I told you, this isn't to help you, it's just for my own research..."

".-. Uh-huh"

"What's with that expression?"

After listening to Serie's daily tsundere antics and being kicked out of the hall, Galan said goodbye to the guards and left.

On his way back, he also bought some snacks to tide him over, since he hadn't eaten anything since waking up in the morning and assumed Lia was the same. So, he bought enough for one more person before leaving.

After turning a few corners and passing through the alley where he and Lia had walked hand in hand the night before, he arrived at the main street on the other side.

The adventurer's equipment shop next to him was still bustling with people, doing exceptionally well. Galan was quite curious, wondering what the secret was. Why was it still so crowded even after all this time since he left? Was there some kind of promotion going on?

But there were just too many people, and he didn't want to break the pastries he had just bought while squeezing in, ruining their appearance.

He reached out and stopped a man clad in cloth armor who was passing by, wanting to find out what was so interesting inside.

The man turned around, looking at Galan with obvious anger on his face. He had just found a gap to squeeze through the crowded throng, but this brat had blocked his way, and the gap was instantly filled by people pushing their way in. His anger was just beginning to rise, and he was about to curse and teach this troublemaker a lesson when Garland suddenly stuffed several crisp copper coins into his hand. "Brother, what's so interesting in here? Why are so many people here? I'm a new traveler, and I'm just curious."

The man was taken aback for a moment, then weighed the gleaming copper coin in his hand. Seeing Galan's sincerity, he withdrew the anger from his face.

I was originally planning to teach him a lesson, but since he was quite cooperative, I decided to let it go. After all, nobody turns down money.

"Recently, the Adventurers Guild has issued many lucrative quests, and everyone is vying to take them on. However, most of these quests involve dangerous monsters or even Demons, so the risk level is very high, and many people are worried about the risks involved." But just two days ago, a self-proclaimed "most talented Apothecary of this century" was invited by the shop owner to set up shop and sell adventurers a "Healing Potion" with amazing restorative effects.

"Some people even say that drinking that potion can reattach severed limbs. Is this another case of someone starting out as [the most talented person of this century]?"

Are the titles of genius really this cheap in this world?

Galan couldn't help but feel embarrassed for that person. She herself would only write such a cringeworthy nickname in her notebook when she was in junior high school, but he went and used it to promote himself as a public figure.

And... they even claimed that drinking the medicine could reattach severed limbs...

This guy's even doing false advertising? It seems to have gone way beyond what a [Healing Potion] could possibly do!

If it's just about restoring flesh and non-fatal organs, he wouldn't think it's that outrageous. But if your bones and flesh are separated, it's not something that can be cured by just taking some medicine. "Brother... is that guy really as miraculous as the rumors say? The more I hear about it, the more mysterious it seems?"

Seeing Galan's "I don't believe you" look, the man glanced around before leaning close to his ear, as if to reveal a huge secret:

"To be honest, it's only because you're a tourist that you didn't witness the scene of the Apothecary saving people a few days ago."

"At first, I had the same reaction as you, and probably most people here did too. After all, no one would be foolish enough to easily believe a complete stranger claiming to be a 'genius Apothecary's and then rush to buy his medicine."

"But on that That Day, a man, critically wounded by a monster and on the verge of death, was dragged back to the city by his teammates. Just as he was about to die before even reaching the sanctuary, the Apothecary suddenly appeared and gave him a potion."

"Then, the adventurer came back to life as if nothing had happened... Goddess, this is simply a miracle!"

"Because that incident happened not far from the shop, not only me, but many other people witnessed the potion's miraculous effects. Then, as the news spread, everyone rushed here to buy the potion to have an extra layer of protection when making requests."

"I was originally waiting here quite early today, but judging from this situation... even if you hadn't delayed me, I probably wouldn't have been able to get anything."

A look of regret appeared on the man's face; he seemed genuinely disappointed at not being able to buy the potion.

[Genius Apothecary]? That's interesting...