Ordinary Days (Part 2)

I treated it like clocking in for work, getting up early every day to rush to the shop and help the boss concoct medicine.

Looking back, I realize I agreed too hastily. I had just received the items and still felt a bit guilty towards Fitz, which is why I agreed without thinking it through.

Looking back now, I deeply regret it. If I had another chance, I would have negotiated more carefully.

If all else fails, you could at least take a vacation or something.

In contrast, after someone took care of the potion supply issue for him, Fitz spent all his time in the storeroom, focusing solely on tinkering with and researching his [Rejuvenation Potion].

He yawned and followed Fitz, who also looked half-asleep, out of the Inn and into the shop.

The two didn't exchange many words on the way, after all, it wasn't their first day together, and for them, this trip seemed to be a familiar part of their lives.

Because we arrived early and the store hadn't officially opened yet, Galan had plenty of time today.

He strolled leisurely to the studio, and when he opened the door, he found that the boss had already prepared the materials and was sitting in a large chair in the corner eating breakfast, waiting for their arrival.

Galan never understood why Fitz would leave the decent-looking studio in the shop unused and insist on working in that cramped storage room. Did he have some kind of peculiar fetish that he was afraid of being discovered?

"Oh, you're here. Want some breakfast? I bought a bit too much today." The boss greeted Galan naturally when he saw her.

When he learned that Galan would be in charge of preparing the medicines for his shop from now on, he was initially a little worried.

However, after witnessing his skills firsthand, they had no further objections.

Rather, having such a stable workforce to help you would greatly reduce your daily stress.

If things continue like before, with someone whipping a mule and urging it on every day, I'd probably die of anger before I even have enough money to retire.

"I haven't eaten yet, give me some." The group had gotten to know each other quite well, so Galan naturally didn't stand on ceremony. In his eyes, the boss was similar to the gossipy uncle next door, and there was an extraordinary sense of warmth in being around him.

"Me too."

"Roll!"

Although Fitz had already eaten breakfast, he still drooled when he saw the fragrant meat sandwich in the boss's hand. However, as soon as he put his mouth to it, the boss refused, leaving him with only a pile of dust on his backside.

The three men, who had met by chance, now sat together like old friends who had known each other for many years, which inevitably evoked a sense of nostalgia.

"Alright, let's get to work. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can call it a day."

Galan clapped his hands, brushing away the food scraps, took a deep breath, then got up and walked to the alchemical crucible to begin his work.

Although the boss has prepared the medicinal herbs, the processing before cooking still needs to be done by the owner; otherwise, the efficacy of the herbs will be greatly reduced.

Although I was just working for someone else and didn't get any commission.

However, given her professional ethics, Galan would never produce substandard products to harm people.

Seeing this, Fitz waved his hand. He had originally wanted to slack off a little longer, but seeing Galan being so "diligent" today...

Seemingly infected as well, they also huddled in their own storage room and started rummaging around.

"Has this guy always been like this? Did something happen to him?"

After spending time together, Galan learned that Fitz would only appear around mealtimes each day, and he looked at his the boss with some concern.

This kind of work and rest schedule is unhealthy, even pathological. If it continues like this, who knows when this guy will get into trouble.

He also knew how obsessed Fitz was with developing the Rejuvenation Potion, but that was precisely why he couldn't let his life consist of only these things.

"That's just how he is, what can I do? To be honest, it would be better if you hadn't helped him with this. Now that he has nothing else to worry about, he's only focused on messing with that thing of his..."

The boss shook his head. He knew what Galan meant, of course, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Forget it, this guy's lucky. Dealing with him is just a hassle. Let's talk about something else."

He grunted twice, seemingly exasperated by the attempt to change Fitz's mind.

Galan didn't reply, but just focused on preparing the medicinal herbs in his hands.

"Hey, what are your plans for this winter?" The boss asked curiously.

"How am I supposed to get by? Just leave it at that, there's nothing else to do anyway."

Galan didn't understand what his the boss meant. How to get through winter? Just like autumn and summer, except you'd have to wear more clothes, and the fireplace in the room wouldn't be idle anymore.

"That's not what I meant... Oh, I forgot you're just a temporary resident here. You probably don't know that [Äußerst] holds a Winter Festival every winter, right?"

The boss slapped his forehead, realizing that Galan wasn't a local and naturally wouldn't understand his meaning.

"Winter Festival? Are there such events?"

Galan for a moment and realized he didn't know there was such an event here, but he figured it was probably similar to a holiday.

Even in this world, the end of the year is a day worth commemorating, and it seems quite normal to have a holiday there.

During the Winter Festival, people from all over the city would flock to the central square to dance around the bonfire. In previous years, many young people would also take this opportunity to confess their love to their sweethearts... Ah, youth! Speaking of my own youth...

The boss brought over a stool and sat down next to Galan, talking non-stop without caring whether Galan was listening or not, and began to tell Galan about his past love affairs.

As he spoke with increasing excitement, the fat on his face jiggled with urgency, as if the boss had truly returned to his youthful days, with his first love standing before him.

However, after hearing "Winter Festival," Galan didn't hear what the boss said next.

He was making plans in his mind as he did what he was doing.

The Winter Festival sounds like it'll be really lively; maybe I should take Lia to join in the fun...

He placed the prepared medicinal herbs into the alchemical crucible and began pouring in various auxiliary agents.

This is their first winter in [Äußerst], and also his first winter back in this timeline, so it seems quite memorable.