Winter Festival (Part 1)

[Äußerst]

"Time really flies in the city... and it's getting colder and colder..."

Galan rubbed his hands together and kept blowing air into his palms, trying to make his fingers move more freely.

However, under the torment of sub-zero outdoor temperatures, the little warmth he generated was like a drop in the ocean, only providing him with some psychological comfort.

I walked out of the Inn and into the shop.

It's rare for the boss to be out of the shop at this hour; I wonder what he's up to.

Fitz, who was a handyman, could only take his place and sit on the front shop sign.

"Oh, you're here?"

Why isn't the fireplace burning in the shop? Can you stand this weather?

Galan looked at him with some confusion, wondering how this guy could maintain this temperature without starting a fire. Although it was inside the shop, the temperature was still milder than outside, but it wasn't a comfortable temperature that a normal person could tolerate.

"Hehe, you'd never guess, would you? I just concocted this [potion that warms the body] a couple of days ago, and today I'm testing its effects."

"If you want to do the testing, go outside. Why make the shop so cold? What are the customers going to think?"

Before Galan could even complain, the boss's voice came from behind.

He was carrying a bulging bag on his back, and it was unclear what was inside, but judging from his appearance, he must have just gone out to buy something.

Galan thought for a moment, guessing it was probably for tonight's [Winter Festival].

But the boss lives alone, is it really necessary to buy so much?

He glanced at Fitz, who had been scolded by his the boss and then went to light the fireplace, and seemed to think that preparing a gift just for Fitz was still a bit too much.

This is clearly a serving size for three people or even more.

However, there was no need to ask such a thing in person, and Galan wouldn't make a fool of himself by doing so. He wisely went to the back shop and began preparing today's dose of Potion.

"How effective is your medicine?"

"You mean [a potion that can warm the body]?"

"Nonsense, what else could it be but that?"

Galan pursed his lips. Ever since he became familiar with Fitz, he had relaxed and no longer pretended to be reserved like before.

Besides, this guy can be really annoying sometimes, so he doesn't really have any inhibitions.

On the contrary, their current way of getting along has brought them closer, it seems that you have to be bold to have a relationship with a lunatic.

"Strictly speaking, I haven't experienced any side effects so far. If I'm still normal after another hour, then the medication is successful."

"Not bad! But weren't you always researching your [Rejuvenation Potion]? How did you end up with something like this?"

"Uh... I'd say it's a byproduct of the research process, but I think it's quite practical and fits the current season perfectly. Once I master the mass production technology, it should be ready to be sold."

Galan thought about it for a moment and suddenly realized that this potion might be a good gift for Lia.

Since it was developed by Fitz and there are plans to commercialize it, it means that the safety of this thing is guaranteed.

That's great! In this cold weather, giving such a gift shows you really put your heart into it.

"You should have plenty of this medicine left, right? Could you get me a few bottles too?"

He rubbed his hands together and said with a grin.

Given Fitz's temperament, he shouldn't refuse her request.

After all, this guy didn't seem to care much about anything else besides the [Rejuvenation Potion].

Moreover, he couldn't possibly waste the entire batch he refined in such a short time; it was still just an experimental stage.

"I have plenty more... but I don't think you asked me for it just because you're cold, especially since today is the [Winter Festival]."

Are you preparing a gift for someone else?

I won't tell you.

Galan wasn't really keen on expressing his thoughts, as he was somewhat shy about it.

"If you don't tell me, I'm not giving it to you!"

Seeing Galan's reaction, Fitz suddenly became interested, as if he really wouldn't take it out unless Garland explained his reason.

"Hey, you're still going to argue with me, huh? Well then, you'll have to brew the potion for the shop yourself today. I said I wanted to help you out, but I didn't say I wanted to be a long-term free laborer at the shop."

The thought of this made Galan unhappy.

This kid was just taking advantage of my misfortune. Now it seems that the value I've created far exceeds the value of the potions he gave me back then.

Although there were other reasons, the fact that he had been stuck here the whole time without even a single day off made him feel like he was being mistreated.

After all, whenever he wanted to ask for a day off and let Fitz fill in, this guy would come to his feet with tears streaming down his face and shamelessly beg him to make some sacrifices for the greater good.

"You... fine, I'll make an exception and give it a shot today!"

Fitz seemed determined to stand his ground for a while, and gritted his teeth and agreed, a situation the boss would never have dared to imagine under normal circumstances.

This guy actually volunteered to take over? I absolutely refuse to believe it!

"In that case, I'm going on strike tomorrow and the day after!"

Seeing that this guy actually dared to accept the challenge, Galan was amused.

Since you're so bold, I might as well just let myself go. Anyway, I don't feel guilty anymore.

I'll let you go back to your post and do a good job.

"No, I'll give it to you! Don't go!"

As the situation teetered on the brink of collapse, Fitz could no longer hold on.

He couldn't bear the consequences of losing Galan. If he were to take on all the work in the shop, he would feel like he was living a life worse than death, having to fiddle with those worn-out things over and over again.

This will take up a lot of his creative time.

Seeing that the guy had knelt down at his feet after only a couple of tugs, and seemingly already envisioning the time after he left when he would be dominated by the boss again, Galan revealed a triumphant smile.

Given his personality, once he has tasted the sweetness of "freedom," he certainly wouldn't want to go back to that time. Therefore, the hypothesis I proposed would be a possibility that he absolutely cannot accept.

Watching Fitz slink away to the storeroom to prepare medicine for himself, Galan stirred the potion in the pot and chuckled softly.