Pastor John

Nelson Eddie seemed to be doing well. Just a few days later, he came by to let them know he had arranged a meeting with Pastor John.

The meeting was set for the morning after next, and they were to reach Moonbrook before then.

Since Moonbrook was quite a long way away and there was no good way to travel there,

Drew decided they would set out a day early and stay the night at Nelson Eddie's house.

While they were staying at Nelson Eddie's house, Nelson Eddie introduced his son to Drew, hoping the young man would impress him and that Drew might become a patron to his son.

Unfortunately, his son was a good person and had more ability than Deke, but he had no talent for magic.

Still, if Nelson Eddie really became Drew's apprentice, that connection would let his son work for him.

He would be better than relying on Deke all the time. Deke lacked ability, and he belonged to someone else, so he couldn't be truly loyal to Drew.

If Drew took Nelson Eddie as his apprentice, his son would be one of his own people, too.

That evening, Drew gave Nelson Eddie's son, Josh Eddie, his approval. The whole Nelson Eddie family was overjoyed.

Early the next morning, they arrived at the church in Moonbrook. Pastor John was already waiting for them at the entrance.

"Pastor John, sorry for the trouble today." Nelson Eddie bowed to show his respect.

"Please, don't say that. It's my honor to help others. May the Holy Light shine upon you." John smiled warmly as he helped Nelson Eddie back up.

Pastor John seemed like a very easygoing person. He was probably a devout believer, just like the archbishop.

"You must be Alchemist Drew," Pastor John said, turning to Drew.

"Yes, I'm Drew. Hello, Pastor John."

"Hello, Alchemist Drew. I have to admit, I was curious when I heard about this.

"Don't alchemists usually test new potions on beasts or magical beasts?" Pastor John's voice had taken on a note of suspicion.

That was understandable. Alchemy experiments were usually conducted on beasts or magical beasts.

When Karen had tested the Healing Potion, for example, she had caught a Stone-skinned Boar to use in the experiment.

The Stone-skinned Boar really was a great test subject.

It had no magic of its own, just being an ordinary beast.

Yet its body was remarkably tough and could withstand the potion's magic.

It was practically the perfect test subject.

Now Drew wanted to experiment on Nelson Eddie himself.

It sounded just like the wicked experiments those evil mages conducted on people. It sounded downright evil.

As a devout spellcaster, Pastor John firmly opposed anything so wicked.

So he wanted to get the facts straight and voice his doubts beforehand.

"Pastor John, you may have misunderstood.

"We're testing how a Healing Potion affects ordinary people.

"I'm developing a Healing Potion that can treat ordinary people.

"There have been many cases of ordinary people accidentally drinking Healing Potions. Those who received treatment were never in mortal danger and suffered no lasting effects.

"This is absolutely not some wicked potion experiment. We're only asking you to cast a divine spell as a precaution, to make sure there's no risk." Drew hurriedly explained. It wouldn't do to be mistaken for an evil mage because he hadn't explained himself clearly.

"Oh, I see.

"I've seen ordinary people who accidentally drank Healing Potions, and I've treated them, too.

"If you're really testing a Healing Potion as you say, then with me here, there'll be no risk.

"At first, I wondered why Mr. Nelson Eddie would agree to take part in some wicked experiment. I wanted to bring you here and see if he was being coerced.

"But you don't seem to be what I imagined, so I thought I'd ask. I'm glad it's nothing like that." Hearing that the experiment involved a Healing Potion, Pastor John relaxed.

"Thank you for your concern." Nelson Eddie was deeply moved to hear how much Pastor John cared about his safety and quickly expressed his gratitude.

"All right, then. Let's go inside.

"Let's conduct the experiment in my prayer room. My divine spells work better there." Pastor John ushered them in.

"Go ahead. I'm ready to cast a Divine Healing Spell whenever you need me." After leading them into the prayer room, Pastor John said, "You can take out the potion now."

Drew took out the Perfect Healing Potion and handed it to Nelson Eddie. "We won't test its effects just yet. Take a small sip first, and feel the potion's magic. See whether your body can handle it."

"Wait, this is a Healing Potion?" Pastor John looked at the golden potion. It looked nothing like an ordinary Healing Potion, and he voiced his doubts.

He glanced at Drew, suspecting that he was using the pretext of a Healing Potion to conduct some other wicked experiment.

Did Drew think he was some bumpkin who had never even seen a Healing Potion? The thought made Pastor John angry.

"Pastor John, please don't misunderstand. It really is a Healing Potion. Why don't you take a look first?" Drew said as Nelson Eddie handed the potion to Pastor John.

Even Nelson Eddie didn't know that Pastor John was a bona fide advanced alchemist registered with the Alchemist Association.

Pastor John took the potion, about to object, but then he sensed its magic.

Huh, it did seem to have the magic of a Healing Potion, though there was something different about it. What was it? He wasn't talking about the color; that was obvious. He meant the magic. Right, the potion's magic—its magic. This was a Healing Potion of perfect quality!

"This is perfect quality! There hasn't been a potion of perfect quality in so many years.

"Master Drew, did you make this?" Pastor John asked excitedly when he realized it was a Perfect Potion.

He even addressed Drew as "Master."

"Yes. Pastor John, do you have any concerns? Is there something wrong with the potion?" Drew asked, seeing how excited he was.

"It's been at least ten years since a potion of perfect quality was last made.

"Master Drew, do you know that if this Healing Potion is confirmed to be of perfect quality, your name will be recorded in the history of the Alchemist Association?

"Are you sure you want to use this potion for the experiment?" Pastor John explained. His tone suggested that Drew shouldn't waste the potion and should have it evaluated instead.

"I'm sure I want to use this potion for the experiment.

"Only an experiment with a Perfect Potion is meaningful. The results for Healing Potions of other qualities are already known." Drew answered firmly. He clearly didn't care about being remembered in history.

"This—this really is a Perfect Potion?

"Perfect Potions really exist?

"You're really going to use a Perfect Potion for my experiment?

"Isn't that too wasteful?" Hearing that this was the fabled Perfect Potion, Nelson Eddie grew excited and fired off several questions.

Pastor John also sighed, thinking it was too wasteful, such a pity.

A Perfect Potion like this should be kept safe as a family heirloom.

"It's fine. I can make more," Drew said casually.

"What! You can make more?" Pastor John was stunned. According to the accounts of alchemists who had made Perfect Potions,

making one had always been a moment of inspiration, and they had never been confident they could make another.

Drew confidently said he could do it again. Pastor John wanted to question him, but before he could even open his mouth, he shut it again.

Drew had taken out another Perfect Healing Potion. He had made another one over the past few days.

Though his success rate was frighteningly low, Drew had still managed to make another.

That was why he was confident he could do it again.