Chapter Summaries

Five years before the Era of the Fallen, Galan, a former Shadow Warrior living as an apothecary in Rogley, bought an injured elf girl from his old associate Rock. The elf had been captured after demons destroyed her tribe, and Galan took her away from the mercenaries who had tried to sell her.

• Galan reflected on his forgotten Shadow Warrior mission and his quiet life as an apothecary while walking through Rogley.
• Galan bought Purple Moon Dragon Grass from Rock for four Shtrel Silver Coins.
• Rock showed Galan an injured elf girl whom mercenaries had handed over after capturing her in the Northern Forest.
• Rock joked about selling the elf as alchemy material, then admitted he hoped Galan would buy her and care for her.
• Galan negotiated the price down and bought the elf girl from Rock for six silver coins.

Galan brought Lia home, bought her clothes, and earned her trust by sharing a meal with her. When Lizard Demon Wolves were drawn to the Purple Moon Dragon Grass, he killed the two that attacked, but sensed another monster sneaking toward the house where Lia remained.

• Galan took Lia to a clothing store, bought her clothes and boots, and carried her home despite the difficult journey.
• Galan prepared dinner, and Lia praised the soup, told him her name, and began to explain that she wanted something before he noticed danger outside.
• Galan discovered that the Purple Moon Dragon Grass had attracted two Lizard Demon Wolves to his house.
• Galan fought the wolves with his poisoned arrow and short sword, killing both of them.
• Galan sensed another monster sneaking into the house and realized Lia was still inside.

Galan returned to the kitchen and killed the Lizard Demon Wolf after Lia defended herself with a wind spell. He invited Lia to stay and help him, and she eagerly agreed, explaining that her eyes let her sense people’s emotions.

• Galan rushed back to the kitchen after realizing he had left Lia in danger.
• Lia cast Holy Wind Wall to block the Lizard Demon Wolf’s tail spike, and Galan killed the monster.
• Galan asked Lia whether she had considered taking the First-Class Mage Exam and suggested she would eventually leave.
• Lia asked Galan if he wanted her to stay, then explained that her eyes let her sense his kindness and other people’s emotions.
• Galan told Lia she could stay if she helped him, and Lia happily agreed.

Galan brewed and sold healing potions in Rogley while looking after Lia, then reunited with the injured warrior Glen. Glen described the heavy losses the northern kingdoms suffered defeating a Greater Demon, and Galan examined the demonic scar on his side.

• Lia distracted Galan while he brewed a second batch of healing potions, and he warned her not to handle his rare ingredients.
• Galan bottled fifteen healing potions and brought them to his usual stall at Rogley's fountain square.
• Glen, a renowned warrior, greeted Galan and praised the medicines he had bought from him.
• Glen told Galan that the northern kingdoms had lost many mages and warriors defeating a general-level Greater Demon.
• Galan examined Glen's deep black scar, which still radiated demonic Qi.

Galan sold Glenn ten potions, then agreed to make a universal antidote to save Glenn’s poisoned right hand in exchange for its formula. He still needed a Red Mirror Flower from near a Red Mirror Dragon’s lair, leaving Galan with a dangerous quest ahead.

• Glenn bought ten of Galan’s potions for twelve Shtrel Silver Coins and twenty copper coins.
• Glenn told Galan that a demon’s poison had left him unable to use his right hand, and showed him the formula for the Panacea of Ten Thousand Poisons.
• Glenn offered the formula as payment if Galan could make the antidote, but Galan learned he would need a Red Mirror Flower near a Red Mirror Dragon’s lair.
• Glenn prepared to seek help from the Adventurers’ Guild, but Galan stopped him and accepted the commission.
• Galan teased Glenn about buying him a drink after the dangerous job, and Glenn said the goddess seemed to favor him.

Galan learned that the Red Mirror Flower might be found near a Red Mirror Dragon’s nest south of Rogli, and he decided to scout the area the next morning despite the danger. At home, Lia asked him to teach her magic, and Galan offered to help her train and try to find her a proper teacher.

• After selling his remaining potions, Galan visited Rock to ask about the Red Mirror Flower, but Rock had none in stock.
• Rock told Galan that adventurers had reportedly found a Red Mirror Dragon’s nest in a valley south of Rogli, though he could not say whether the flower was there.
• Galan returned home after dark, where Lia had waited with mushroom stew, and he told her that a difficult commission was troubling him.
• Galan considered the danger of a nest reportedly holding at least three dragons and decided to scout it the next morning.
• Lia asked Galan to teach her magic, and he agreed to help her train her mana while offering to look for a teacher.

Galan traveled through the forest toward the Red Mirror Dragon’s nest, where he watched a mage battle three Human-Faced Trees. A monocled young man unexpectedly appeared and helped defeat the monsters, leaving Galan shocked by the stranger’s presence in the northern nations.

• Galan checked the map he had obtained in Rogley and continued through the forest without bringing any food.
• A mage fleeing a Human-Faced Tree led it toward Galan, and two more Human-Faced Trees joined the pursuit.
• The beleaguered mage called out to Galan, but a monocled young man appeared and attacked the monsters with Judgment Light Magic.
• The mage used Earth-Controlling Magic to impale the injured Human-Faced Trees, which then dissolved into magic particles.
• Galan recognized the monocled young man and wondered why he was in the northern nations at that point in time.

Duncan and Reed encountered the great demon Charas, who admitted to killing a Northern Countries mage squad to study its members. Duncan attacked Charas, but the demon’s mana barrier stopped his first spell, and Duncan followed with Judgment Light Magic.

• Reed introduced himself to Duncan, while Galan recognized Duncan and wondered why he was in the Northern Countries.
• Duncan warned Reed that a powerful presence was approaching, and he raised a rock barrier to shield them from two incoming beams.
• Charas appeared, called himself a friendly great demon, and faced Duncan and Reed.
• Duncan accused Charas of killing the missing mage squad near Falling Moon City, and Charas said killing was the quickest way to understand people.
• Duncan’s first attack failed against Charas’s mana barrier, so he cast Judgment Light Magic at the demon’s blind spot.

Duncan and Reed fought Charas, whose overwhelming power left them with little hope of winning. Galan emerged from hiding to join them, and Duncan launched a powerful tornado spell at Charas.

• Charas effortlessly blocked Duncan’s barrage of spells and offered to spare Duncan and Reed if they surrendered for his study.
• Reed joined Duncan, and Duncan realized Charas’s arrogance and desire to toy with them might give them a chance.
• Charas sensed a third person nearby, and Galan stepped out of the bushes to stand with Duncan and Reed.
• Duncan unleashed an ancient elemental spell that formed a towering tornado around Charas.

Duncan, Reed, and Galan fought Charas, a greater demon who had overwhelmed them with his magic. Galan distracted Charas long enough for Duncan to kill him with a barrage of [General Attack Magic], though Reed was left unconscious and gravely wounded.

• Duncan and Reed attacked Charas with combined magic, but Charas broke through their assault and blocked Reed's stone attacks with a magic barrier.
• Galan poisoned Charas with a corrosive potion, but Charas healed his wounds and struck Reed unconscious with a powerful magic impact.
• Charas spread a black Demon Swamp across the ground, forcing Duncan and Galan to escape onto trees while Galan carried Reed.
• Galan drew Charas's attention with dodges and thrown potions, giving Duncan the opening to pierce Charas with [General Attack Magic].
• Duncan bombarded Charas with successive spells until the greater demon collapsed into magic particles, and Galan kicked his remaining head.

After Galan saved Reed with his healing potion, he camped with Reed and Duncan and learned why Duncan had come north: he hoped to visit his deceased wife in Weise but lacked the certificate needed to pass the checkpoint. The conversation ended with Galan realizing that Reed had named his newborn son Richter, who seemed connected to the future he remembered.

• Galan used his healing potion to save Reed after Duncan and Galan defeated Charas, and the three rested at a campfire.
• Duncan asked Galan why he seemed familiar, and Galan claimed he had once seen Duncan practicing magic in Weise.
• Duncan said he had planned to visit his deceased wife in Weise but could not enter the northern plateau without a first-class mage's certificate.
• Duncan declined to take the upcoming first-class mage exam and said he might return in a few years.
• Reed said he had named his newborn son Richter, and Galan recognized the name from a future event involving Duncan.

Galan joined Duncan and the wounded Reed after surviving a battle with Chalas, then explained that he needed Red Mirror Flowers to treat his poisoned friend Glenn. The next morning, Duncan accompanied him to a Red Mirror Dragon nest, where they found three sleeping dragons and abundant mature flowers.

• Galan said he had come to search for Red Mirror Flowers and explained that Glenn urgently needed the herb to counteract poison.
• Duncan offered to help Galan, and Reed volunteered too, though his injuries forced him to lie down again.
• Leah waited in the cabin with the meal she had made for Galan, worried that he had not returned.
• The next morning, Galan and Duncan spotted mature Red Mirror Flowers growing beside a nest containing three sleeping Red Mirror Dragons.

Galan sneaked into the Red Mirror Dragons’ nest to gather Red Mirror Flowers for medicine for Glenn, but one dragon discovered him. He dodged its attack and slashed at its belly, leaving him in a fight with the dragon.

• Galan climbed down the cliff while Duncan watched and worried that the sleeping Red Mirror Dragons might wake.
• Galan startled one dragon with falling stones, then reached the nest and gathered the Red Mirror Flowers into a wooden box.
• Galan preserved the flowers with a spell he had learned from Rock and counted six or seven plants.
• A Red Mirror Dragon came up behind Galan and roared, revealing that it had found him.
• Galan dodged the dragon’s lunge, slid beneath it, and slashed its belly with his alchemical longsword.

Galan, Duncan, and Reed escaped the three Red Mirror Dragons after Galan harvested the medicine, then walked to Rogley and discussed their plans. Duncan agreed to stay with Galan for a while, while the injured Reed headed south to reunite with his family.

• Galan wounded a Red Mirror Dragon while harvesting medicine, then escaped the pit and fled with Duncan as the three dragons pursued them.
• Reed used Earth-Controlling Magic to strike a diving dragon with a stone pillar, giving Galan and Duncan time to escape through the woods.
• The dragons unleashed hellfire on an empty clearing, while Reed escaped after helping mislead them and then rejoined Galan and Duncan.
• Reed joked about his contribution despite coughing up blood, and the three companions walked together toward Rogley while sharing stories.
• Galan invited Duncan to stay at his home, and Duncan accepted because he had time off and liked the local scenery.
• Reed declined the invitation so he could return south to his wife and son, then waved goodbye to Galan and Duncan.

Galan returned home with Duncan, prepared the [Myriad Poison Elixir] for Glenn, and cured the poison in Glenn’s arm. At dinner, Galan asked Duncan to teach Lia magic, and Duncan realized Galan had maneuvered him into coming back to teach her.

• Galan returned home to Lia, who greeted him sleepily, and Duncan joined them inside.
• Galan prepared the [Myriad Poison Elixir] from Glenn’s recipe and hurried to Glenn’s home.
• Galan used the elixir to draw the poison from Glenn’s right arm, and Glenn thanked him.
• Galan returned home to find Duncan and Lia waiting with a hamburger patty Lia had made after using all the ingredients he had left.
• Galan asked Duncan to give Lia magic lessons, and Duncan recognized that Galan had schemed to arrange it.

Galan trained to improve his strength and planned to take Lia to the Central Lands next year. Meanwhile, Duncan taught Lia offensive and defensive magic, and she worked until her concentration began to fail.

• Galan gathered wild mushrooms and fruit during his morning run to save money on food.
• Galan completed his workout and reflected on the dangers posed by demons and the Demon King's Army in the Northern Countries.
• Galan planned to take Lia to the Central Lands next year and considered celebrating the next Half-Century Meteor Shower there.
• Duncan told Lia to rest after her magic practice faltered and she lost control of her spell.
• Galan watched Lia train with Duncan and considered getting her a proper wand.

Galan trained Lia and learned that her weak mana control limited her long-range magic, while Glenn offered to help Galan improve his combat skills. Frieren arrived at the tavern looking for the pharmacist Galan, and Galan recognized her with astonishment.

• Duncan explained that Lia had abundant mana and casting strength but struggled to control long-range attacks, and he said she might become the fourth Great Mage if she overcame the limitation.
• Galan decided Lia needed a proper staff after hearing Duncan's assessment.
• Frieren searched an herb shop for Dark Dragon horns and wolf-tail grass, then left without finding the herbs she wanted.
• Galan bought wolf-tail grass and drank with Glenn, who advised him to train by taking monster-subjugation jobs at the Adventurer's Guild.
• Frieren entered the tavern and asked whether anyone knew the pharmacist Galan, and Galan recognized her.

Frieren found Galan in a tavern and asked to buy wolfsbane for her spell research. After Galan agreed to sell her half the herbs, he took the drunken Glenn home and returned to complete the bargain.

• Frieren arrived at the tavern and asked where she could find Galan, who was drinking with Glenn.
• Frieren explained that she wanted wolfsbane for a grimoire and pointed out that Galan had bought the city’s only available supply.
• Galan agreed to sell her some of his wolfsbane, and he and Frieren recognized each other’s reputations as an apothecary and a mage of the Hero Party.
• Glenn drank himself unconscious, so Galan carried him home and put him to bed.
• Frieren haggled over the price of half the wolfsbane, and Galan accepted her offer of forty-one copper coins.

Galan asked Frieren to tutor Lia, but Frieren refused because she had little time before returning to the Empire and did not want an apprentice. After Frieren left, Galan returned home and cooked dinner for Lia and Duncan, reflecting on how his life had changed.

• Galan asked Frieren whether she would teach Lia magic, but Frieren immediately declined, saying it sounded troublesome and she did not want an apprentice.
• Frieren explained that she had less than five years before returning to the Empire and suggested Galan find a mage through the Magic Association.
• Galan said farewell to Frieren and hoped she would be different the next time they met, thinking about how her future experiences would change her.
• Lia noticed the foul smell on Galan when he came home, and he blamed Glenn’s old boots for the stench.
• Duncan asked Galan to make dinner because he and Lia were too tired to cook, so Galan went to the kitchen and reflected on how accustomed he had become to living with them.

Galan finished his morning run and found Lia learning [Flight Magic] from Duncan. When Lia’s magic went out of control, Galan caught her before she hit the ground, and afterward he joked that he wished he could fly too.

• Galan ended his morning run and prepared to join Glenn on a monster subjugation training expedition.
• Duncan taught Lia [Flight Magic], and Lia delighted in flying above the ground.
• Lia remembered her village’s destruction by demons and lost control of her magic, sending her toward a cliff.
• Galan caught Lia as she fell, and Duncan apologized for teaching her in a dangerous place.
• Galan said he wanted to fly too, making Lia laugh, while Duncan suggested he might have talent as a mage.