It Was Time to Show Off His Real Skills

Under everyone's watchful gaze, Aiven began preparing the potion.

Orange Fruit and Lingyu Fruit were the main ingredients used to make an Awakening Potion.

He really can make potions... As they watched Aiven's hands, the potion-makers present all had the same thought. His formula was completely correct.

Although some of his preparation methods differed from theirs in certain details, the more they studied his technique, the more they realized the young man might actually be better at it.

Lingyu Fruit can be prepared like that, too...? The longer the potion-makers watched, the more astonished they became. Even the two Master Apothecaries couldn't help sitting up straight to watch him closely.

"Very skilled technique. He's definitely made plenty of potions," Master Olay said, admiration showing on his face.

Aiven's movements were smooth and practiced. By this point, they were almost certain that he was indeed making an Awakening Potion.

"Still, making an Awakening Potion won't be enough," Master John said, shaking his head. The Awakening Potions he made were certainly no worse than Aiven's, yet the Baron still hadn't woken up.

But just as the potion-makers were thinking this, Aiven suddenly picked up a Persimmon Seed Fruit from beside him and quickly prepared it. Then he added it to the potion.

At the sight of this, the potion-makers' eyes widened slightly. Aiven's formula wasn't an Awakening Potion after all!

"A new potion formula!"

The two Master Apothecaries were clearly excited now, too, watching Aiven's movements intently.

For a potion-maker, formulas were the most important thing. Even Master Apothecaries were fascinated by unknown formulas!

The others exchanged glances. Sir Bellin's feelings were truly complicated. This commoner really was a potion-maker. Had he just offended a potion-maker?

Persimmon Seed Fruit can cure confusion, and it also has a calming effect. It can heal damage caused by mental attacks. Aiven pondered this as he added other supplementary ingredients according to the potion's properties.

Soon, Aiven held a bottle of blue-orange potion in his hand. He gently swirled it, releasing a distinctive scent.

The moment they smelled it, everyone present shuddered. They suddenly felt much calmer, their entire bodies relaxing.

"What a powerful calming effect! What kind of potion is this?" Master Olay exclaimed.

Just smelling it had a calming effect. The potion Aiven had made left all the potion-makers present utterly overwhelmed!

Master John stepped forward and rubbed his hands together. "Would you let me test this potion?"

As a Master Apothecary, there was a look of admiration and anticipation in his eyes. For a potion-maker, nothing was more exciting than seeing a potion no one had ever seen before.

Aiven nodded and handed the potion to Master John. All the potion-makers immediately crowded around, and their sounds of admiration could be heard every so often.

"Sir Bellin, we think we can try it."

After a thorough examination, Master John held the potion and spoke to Sir Bellin.

Their examination had shown that, besides having the effects of an Awakening Potion, it could also calm the mind. Together, the two effects would work even better!

The potion he made is that effective?

Sir Bellin opened his mouth, struggling to accept it. His face twitched.

He wanted to refuse, but the Master Apothecaries' attitude reminded him of just how foolish his prejudice had been!

In the end, he nodded. "All right. Let's try it."

With permission granted, several Master Apothecaries immediately got to work, feeding the Potent Awakening Potion to Baron Reiser.

Everyone's attention turned to the Baron on the bed. Even the Lord stood and came over to check on him.

"He moved! The Baron's hand moved!"

"It's working! This Awakening Potion is working!"

Master John's excited voice rang through the room. The Baron's reaction showed just how clear the potion's effects were!

"Once we wait a little longer and the potion has taken full effect, the Baron should wake up," Master Olay added.

Hearing both Master Apothecaries say so, Sir Bellin felt relieved. Then a complicated feeling rose in him once more!

He looked toward Aiven and saw that the potion-makers had gathered around him. Watching their admiration, he felt even more regretful!

He had never imagined that this commoner was a powerful potion-maker held in such high regard by his peers. If he had known sooner, why would he have tried to seize Petilil? Now he had needlessly offended a potion-maker!

"He's awake! Baron Reiser is awake!"

Just then, a servant cried out, drawing everyone's attention. They hurried over to check on him.

"What happened? Did I fall asleep?"

"And Lord, why are you here?"

Baron Reiser gradually came to, covering his dizzy head with one hand as he stared around in confusion.

"Father, you're finally awake." Sir Bellin looked at his father with delight, then anxiously asked, "Father, what happened?"

At his son's words, Baron Reiser furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. Then a look of terror suddenly appeared in his eyes.

"The fog... There's fog in Guixu Cave!"

The Lord and the knights all changed color at the Baron's words, as if the mere mention of fog were terrifying.

Guixu Cave... Aiven frowned. From the name alone, it sounded like a dangerous place. Guixu—where everything returns to nothingness?

"All right. Since the Baron is fine now, all of you potion-makers may leave."

Just as Aiven pricked up his ears, hoping to hear more secrets, the Lady suddenly spoke.

Clearly, the Lady didn't want anyone else present to know about Guixu Cave.

The Baron had mentioned Guixu Cave only because the words had slipped out in his terror. He hadn't thought before speaking.

The potion-makers rose and returned her greeting. They knew this was something they weren't supposed to hear.

The Continent of Shenao was vast, and many secrets lay hidden within it. But it was the various lords' responsibility to explore them.

Before leaving, they gave Aiven a regretful look and handed him a small slip of paper with an address on it. Then they had no choice but to hurry away, hoping for another chance to meet.

A potion-makers' contact point. Aiven glanced at the slip of paper and carefully put it away. There was no doubt that getting on good terms with these potion-makers would be beneficial.

After that, Aiven actually wanted to leave right away, too. But he had come here to take Petilil back, so it wasn't time to go yet.

"Mr. Aiven, thank you for what you did today." After seeing the potion-makers off, Bellin turned to Aiven with a smile.

At this moment, the knight seemed to have completely forgotten that he had tried to take Petilil. He looked so grateful that one might have thought he meant it.

The nobility are hypocrites, but they care most of all about saving face. I'll remember this. Aiven's expression remained calm as he said, "I trust you haven't forgotten what you said earlier, Sir?"

Without hesitation, he walked over to the iron cage, opened the door, and lifted Petilil out.

The little one was still a bit dazed. It hadn't expected Aiven to actually save it. The joy had come too suddenly.

Once it came to its senses, it looked back at Aiven, who held it in his arms. It leaned a little closer, inexplicably feeling a sense of security.