Water of Life

Behind the Magic Potion Shop.

"Ian, come sit down. Try this new drink I mixed up."

In the yard, Clayton waved Ian over. Several cups of drinks sat on the table beside him.

"What's it made of? Is it safe to drink?"

Seeing a layer of pink floating atop the cup, Ian frowned but still picked it up and took a sip.

"Mm, there's Clearheart Grass in it, but you used a little too much. It's slightly bitter."

"As expected of a genius Potion Master. You identified it right away."

Clayton gently ran his fingers over the rim of his cup, feeling somewhat emotional.

The young Potion Master before him had achieved an astonishing fifty-percent success rate in just over twenty days.

That was only because Ian's realm was still low, limiting how long he could brew each day. Otherwise, he would have improved even faster.

Ian was the only Intermediate Wizard Apprentice among the Potion Masters in the shop.

As for Clayton himself, he had only become a Potion Master through his family's support, stumbling onto this path by sheer luck.

It had taken him ten years to realize that no matter how diligent or hardworking he was, he was nothing before a true genius.

The other Potion Masters in the shop had all begun to look at this suddenly rising young man in a new light and treated him as an equal.

"You're both here too? Hm, what is this?"

At some point, Malena had entered the yard.

"Manager Malena, this is a drink I mixed casually. It has a slight refreshing effect. Would you like to try it?"

Clayton stood and brought Malena a fresh cup.

"Not bad, but the refreshing effect is too weak."

Malena put down the drink and looked at Ian with displeasure in her eyes.

"Why haven't you been meditating and training properly lately, or studying more about potions? Why do you keep running outside?"

"The Magic Power erosion in my body is somewhat severe. I've been going out to find a solution."

Ian was helpless as well. The Rock Bear Potion had yet to be brewed, so he could only look for other constitution-enhancing potions to ease the problem.

However, potions that permanently improved one's constitution were scarce and rarely seen.

"I do happen to have a potion that strengthens the constitution, but it's expensive. Do you want it?"

Malena's words delighted Ian. He had accumulated some magic stones during this period.

"What potion is it? How much does it cost?"

"It's worth 800 magic stones. It's a Life Potion unique to the Elf Race."

The Life Potion was brewed from Water of Life. Not only could it strengthen the body, it could also slightly restore one's appearance to a more youthful state.

"Uh... Manager Malena, could I buy it on credit?"

Ian did not feel embarrassed. With his abilities, he could repay those magic stones within two months.

"Hmph! You really dare to ask. But since you signed a contract with this shop, I'll give you a break. Come with me to get the potion."

After saying that, Malena rose and walked ahead with swaying steps.

Ian did not dare stare at her alluring figure. He lowered his head and followed behind in silence.

After the two left one after another, Clayton shook his head, his expression full of disbelief.

"What's going on? Since when has Manager Malena been so easy to talk to?"

Malena's residence was directly behind the shop, in the largest courtyard.

"Come in. I'll get the potion first. Sit for a while."

After entering the house, Malena went into the innermost room and soon returned.

"Once the potion is taken out, it's best to drink it within an hour."

Ian hurried over, carefully accepted the potion, and stored it away.

"Thank you, Manager Malena. I'll repay the magic stones as soon as possible."

"Have you been taking private orders lately? Aren't the shop's ingredients enough for you to brew with?"

Ian froze, understanding what she meant. She had just given him a favor, then lightly warned him in the next breath.

"I'll turn down most private orders from now on. It's just that I can't refuse some old friends."

Malena waved her hand. "Mm, go on. Put more effort into brewing potions from now on. Consider it repayment for my favor."

After Ian left, Malena sat in her chair, supporting her head with one hand.

"I hope this time, it isn't a losing deal."

In the bedroom.

Ian took out the potion. There was no need for any preparation, so he directly poured it into his mouth.

The green Life Potion slid down his throat into his stomach, silently dissolving and rapidly being absorbed.

Large amounts of threadlike Life Energy gradually spread from his abdomen throughout his entire body.

Ian half-closed his eyes, carefully feeling the astonishing changes in his body.

At that moment, he felt as though he were soaking in warm water. His entire body felt pleasantly warm and comfortable.

The flesh throughout his body was frantically absorbing the potion's Life Energy. Green Life Energy gathered around the areas that had been aching, repairing and healing them.

Even the grayish-white fungal patches on his chest, which concerned him most, gradually vanished without a trace.

Who knew how much time had passed before Ian opened his eyes.

Everything in his field of vision seemed clearer and more vivid than before.

He remained in the room, stretching his limbs and performing a few simple movements to adapt to the changes in his body.

After sensing it for only a short while, he was extremely satisfied. The effects of Water of Life truly were powerful.

"An 800-magic-stone potion is expensive, but its effects are excellent!"

Not only had his body become much younger, even his strength and agility had increased considerably.

He walked to the mirror in the washroom and looked at his reflection.

He wore a wizard's robe and stood around one meter seventy-five tall. His eyes were deep and bright, while his brows sat very close to his eyes, giving him an intense and sharp appearance.

Ever since his breakthrough, Ian had not dared cultivate at full capacity, causing his progress to slow greatly.

"Now, I can finally take potions freely and cultivate without holding back."

As for everything else, his progress with the two potions over the past half month had also been quite encouraging.

Although the Rock Bear Potion was extremely difficult to brew, with the constant investment of magic stones, he should be able to get started within the next few days.

As for the Awakening Potion, it would not be long before it broke through to the Mastery realm as well.

[Awakening Potion: Mastery (308/400)]

[Rock Bear Potion: Not Initiated (177/200)]

What kind of special effect would emerge after Limit Break?

During this period, Ian had rarely traded with Leica in order to brew the Rock Bear Potion, maintaining only his close cooperation with Kenna and the others.

After being warned by Malena again today, he lost interest in it altogether.

Yet he did not dare brew without restraint in the shop, and his income was gradually failing to keep up with his expenses.

Not long ago, Kenna and the others had delivered another batch of Rock Bear Essence Blood. It had cost him quite a few magic stones, and fearing he would not keep up with the brewing consumption, he had collected another batch in town.

The consumption of Rock Bear Blood Essence had exceeded Ian's expectations.

It was not a low- or intermediate-grade potion at all, but an advanced-grade potion. At the very least, one needed the realm of an Advanced Apprentice, with sufficient Mental Power to support the brewing process.

Not only had the difficulty surpassed his limits, much of his Potion Studies knowledge was incomplete and fragmented.

His attempt to brew the Rock Bear Potion this time had actually been an extremely reckless act.

Ian also understood that his foundational knowledge of Potion Studies was shaky. He had only become a Potion Master with the support of the Status Panel.

Fortunately, after the proficiency of the Awakening Potion reached Mastery, it had a mutually reinforcing effect on other potions, occasionally giving him flashes of insight.

But the more difficult the brewing became, the more he looked forward to the potion's effects.