Wisdom Potion

Ace took the diary back and read it with great interest. Gradually, his expression turned serious. It read:

"October 20th, Year 20 of the City Founding Calendar, rain.

We defeated the barbarians once again, but this time we suffered grievous losses. Five noble soldiers died, all steadfast warriors who had awakened their bloodline power. Dozens more from the citizen heavy infantry died. This was an agonizing experience for our company.

It was all because of those vile barbarian Shamans. They could make several barbarian warriors suddenly strong as oxen and swift as leopards. They could even trigger traps from afar themselves. Those who understood the Barbarian Language said it was called shamanic sorcery. They must have sold their souls in exchange for demonic power.

I searched the body of that wicked Shaman and found a scroll of parchment. It seemed to record something."

Ace flipped farther ahead. About three months later, the diary mentioned that parchment again.

"January 28th, Year 21 of the City Founding Calendar, snow.

The weather is freezing me to death. Blessed by the Frost God, several barbarians were forced out by the heavy snow to search for food, and we caught them. I need a slave to learn the barbarians' language and writing and understand what the parchment means."

"March 8th, Year 22 of the City Founding Calendar, clear.

After spending a year on it, I finally understood the meaning of the parchment. There are simply too few literate people in the Barbarian Tribe, and they wasted quite a bit of my time.

It actually contained the recipe for a Wisdom Potion. If one consumed it and endured nature's trial, one might become a Shaman.

The main ingredients are the tuber from the crown of a Man-Hitting Willow and the crystal inside a Panic Crow's skull, in a three-to-one ratio. The rest are herbs that calm the mind and clear the head. Put them in an earthen pot and simmer over low heat, adding water continuously until only a translucent green paste remains in the entire pot. It tastes slightly sweet.

What is all this? Why can't I stop myself from wanting to try it? The devil must be tempting me!"

"October 1st, Year 22 of the City Founding Calendar, overcast.

Damn it, I actually gathered all the ingredients, cooked up a whole pot of green sludge, and drank it.

Why does my head feel dizzy and my whole body burning hot? Maybe I fell for the barbarians' trick. This is poison!

If anyone sees my diary, give it to my mother and tell her I love her."

"October 8th, Year 22 of the City Founding Calendar, clear.

After seven days and seven nights, the fever finally broke. The captain said they had been ready to roll me up in a mat and drag me back to the city-state.

Those heartless bastards. They never stop to think about who treated them with all his heart whenever they got sick. Looks like I'll have to let the captain bleed a little more next time.

Fortunately, I survived. I haven't found anything abnormal for now. It feels wonderful to be healthy. Perhaps this potion only works on barbarians? No matter what, it feels wonderful to be alive!"

"October 20th, Year 22 of the City Founding Calendar, rain.

My eyesight seems much clearer, my memory has improved, and my reactions have become much faster. Could this be the effect of the Wisdom Potion? Is this the power of a barbarian Shaman?"

"February 2nd, Year 23 of the City Founding Calendar, torrential rain.

I seem... I seem to have gained the same ability as that Shaman. I can lift stones and snap firewood through imagination alone. Perhaps I should seek more secret knowledge about barbarian Shamans, such as methods that can make people strong as oxen.

I'm not the same as a Shaman. I need to come up with a new name. The barbarians call what Shamans use sorcery. What should I call myself?

Perhaps new Shaman would be good?"

That was where the diary ended. After that, it was covered in black blood that had soaked through the booklet, making it impossible to read.

Holding the diary, Ace slowly rose to his feet, stepped aside, and secretly hid it on his person. Though he appeared calm, his trembling hands and lips had already betrayed him.

He was extraordinarily excited. If the events recorded in the diary were true, then there was a path for ordinary people to obtain extraordinary power. In particular, the telekinesis-like ability described in the diary held an extreme attraction for Ace. He could hardly wait to make himself a small pot of Wisdom Potion and try it.

He took several deep breaths and tried to continue sorting his pile of books, but it all felt dull and tasteless. Although there were still many questions and the diary's authenticity remained open to doubt, his excitement was difficult to calm at once.

Even if the diary was genuine, many questions still troubled him. For instance, what supplementary herbs should be used, and in what quantities? The diary did not record that. Then there was the apparent danger of the potion itself—how could it be avoided? He had yet to figure out these matters.

Over the following week, Ace calmly continued his routine of sorting books during the day and compiling a Dictionary at night. He secretly checked the registration records and asked Romon about the person who had sold the diary. As it happened, Romon knew him. Their life experiences were similar: both had lost their Citizenship. But that man had become even more despondent. He was a widower who did nothing but drink every day.

After confirming that there was no problem with the source, Ace copied down the important contents of the diary, tossed the diary itself into the pile of worthless discarded books, and watched it burn to ashes. Another week later, he consulted the Compendium of Low-Level Demonic Beasts and found descriptions of the Man-Hitting Willow and Panic Crow.

Man-Hitting Willow, illustration, a low-level plant-type Demonic Beast. Its branches actively attack creatures that approach it. Once someone unfortunately enters its attack range, the only way to calm the frenzied Man-Hitting Willow is to strike the tuber in its crown hard. Some believe this may be the Man-Hitting Willow's brain, and that striking the tuber hard makes it dizzy.

Panic Crow, illustration, a low-level avian Demonic Beast. This was a very intelligent and cunning Demonic Beast. It possessed none of the special abilities of other Demonic Beasts, but perhaps intelligence itself was its special trait. Once they appeared in flocks, they were extremely dangerous.

Both materials seemed to be related to Demonic Beasts' brains. Perhaps they could stimulate a person's mind in this way, allowing it to break through the limits of ordinary people? Ace thought uncertainly. It seemed he needed to conduct some experiments.

It happened to be a rest day, so Ace went to the Third District in the west of the city. This was where demon hunters gathered. He wandered around casually, seeing many demon hunters selling materials harvested from low-level Demonic Beasts. When he spotted several Panic Crows being sold while tied up, his eyes lit up slightly, and he walked over at an unhurried pace.

"These crows look pretty fun. Big brother, how much are you selling them for?"

The young demon hunter lowered his head and saw that it was a half-grown boy. "These are low-level Demonic Beasts, Dark Crows. They have a special ability that can make people go blind for a short time! They've already been trained. Buy them as pets, and you'll look great in front of your friends."

"Big brother, don't make jokes with me just because I'm young. These are clearly Panic Crows. They don't have any special abilities. But I like them, so can you give me a reasonable price? I don't have much money."

Seeing that he could not fool Ace, the young man went along with it. "I was just teasing you. These crows are smart, just like you. One price: fifty Silver Talers."

Naturally, Ace refused. After some haggling, he finally bought one large and one small crow for twenty Silver Talers. Both men felt they had gotten the better deal, and everyone was happy.

Ace tied up the Panic Crows and continued browsing for a while. He saw whips made from Man-Hitting Willow branches, but he did not see any Man-Hitting Willow tubers. After thinking it over, he decided to go back. The crows alone had already been an unexpected gain today.

As for the Man-Hitting Willow tubers, Ace planned to ask his father to inquire about them. Romon had chopped off plenty of barbarian heads when he was young and had also killed Demonic Beasts. He had many comrades and broad connections in that area, making him perfect for the job.

Convincing him would be even easier. Ever since Ace had received recognition from the Ministry of Culture and Education, Romon had been completely won over. He told everyone he met that he had a good son.

As long as Ace told him it was needed for studying medicine, and had the Gold Taler in his hand to back him up, Romon would definitely agree.

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