A faintly glowing Light Dust Wood Root, priced at fifteen Gold Coins.

A pigeon-egg-sized Petrifying Lizard’s Demon Core, priced at forty-two Gold Coins.

Zelir couldn’t help but shake his head.

’The prices are too ridiculous. If I mess up the refining process with these materials, I’ll be losing a lot of money...’

After returning to the Night Flower Inn, Zelir eagerly laid everything out on the table and began his first attempt at Magic Potion Refining.

He first unrolled the sheepskin scroll that recorded the Spell Structure.

Just as he did when learning new Magic, Zelir slowly permeated it with his Spiritual Power.

Although Technique Celestial Calculation couldn’t analyze the Spell Structure required for Alchemy of Magic Potions, it was still very useful for understanding the circuits.

With a sweep of Zelir’s Spiritual Power, Technique Celestial Calculation automatically inscribed the fusion circuit into his mind, the memory exceptionally clear.

He went over it briefly and perceived the differences between the structure of a Magic Potion and the structure of Magic.

The Spell Structure of Magic emphasized a clear beginning and end. From the initial Magic Power input to the final output, the circuit was complete.

The Spell Structure of a Magic Potion, however, focused almost entirely on the fusion part in the middle, making it relatively simpler.

The theory phase was complete. Next came the most important part: practice!

Zelir first poured some water into the copper basin, then raised his Night Peace Magic Wand.

First attempt.

He placed the Calming Flower and Earth Root Grass in front of him and began to cast the Extraction Skill.

A soft green light glowed, and the two materials lost their vitality at a visible rate.

The Calming Flower’s petals quickly turned grayish-white and curled, like a dried specimen.

The thick rhizome of the Earth Root Grass also rapidly withered, losing all its moisture.

At the same time, two balls of light-mist were successfully extracted. One was a tranquil blue, the other a deep yellow-brown. They hovered silently in mid-air.

’Good, the first step is a success!’

Zelir was delighted and immediately began guiding the two essences, attempting to merge them into the water in the copper basin.

However, the moment the blue and yellow mists of light made contact, a strong repulsive reaction suddenly occurred!

"POOF!"

With a muffled sound, the two essences annihilated each other in mid-air before they could even touch the surface of the water.

A foul-smelling green smoke drifted up, its stench making Zelir sneeze several times in a row.

He hastily opened the window to air out the room.

He had failed.

Returning to the table, Zelir frowned and began to carefully review every detail of what had just happened.

’Was the fusion order wrong?’

’No... the order was correct. It must be an issue with the rhythm of guiding the Magic Power...’

The essences of different types of plants naturally repel each other. Perfectly fusing them together was by no means a simple matter.

’So... if I’m a bit more careful next time, it should work, right?’

Soon, Zelir began his second attempt.

This time, Zelir had learned his lesson. His movements were much more cautious as he guided the two essences to fuse.

He once again used the Extraction Skill to draw out the essences from the Calming Flower and Earth Root Grass, then slowly waved Night Peace, continuing to guide them to merge slowly.

However, "BANG..."

Just like before, the moment the two plant essences met, they still exploded into green smoke and were completely ruined.

"Damn it, I was so close..." Zelir scratched his head in frustration.

After reviewing the details one more time, Zelir began his final attempt.

Extraction Skill, essence separation!

This time, when the essences of the Calming Flower and Earth Root Grass fused, they didn’t fail.

The two differently colored essences intertwined, creating a rather fantastical visual effect.

However, perhaps because his Spiritual Power wasn’t focused enough, Zelir was just a tiny bit too fast when he dropped the mixed essence into the clean water.

The clear water didn’t gently blend with the essence as expected. Instead, it was like boiling water with a drop of hot oil added, instantly beginning to churn violently.

Dense, murky bubbles rose to the surface with a "GLUG GLUG GLUG" sound. The plant essences, which should have neutralized each other in the water, clashed violently.

The soft green light was quickly corroded by an ominous gray-black color, and the entire basin of water became viscous and foul.

’It’s not going to explode, is it...’

Zelir’s heart tightened. He subconsciously took a few steps back and activated his Fog Flowing Gauze as a precaution.

A moment later, with a soft "TSSSSS" sound, the basin of water completely transformed into a pool of foul-smelling sludge, like something from a swamp.

Three chances, three sets of materials, all wasted.

Zelir dispersed the Fog Flowing Gauze and walked dejectedly to the table.

He looked at the empty material pouch and the basin of failure, unable to stop a long sigh from escaping. His heart was bleeding.

’A whole three Gold Coins, just flushed down the drain. It really hurts...’

Even if his speed at mastering the Fusion Technique was extraordinary, there were still many details to be careful about during the process of Alchemy of Magic Potions.

Zelir gently shook his head.

The precision and complexity of this skill far exceeded his imagination.

And there were no shortcuts; the only way forward was to pave the path with one attempt after another, using up more ingredients.

’My savings really can’t handle this...’

...

「Evening, at the Drunk Wild Boar Tavern.」

The familiar din and lively atmosphere filled the air, thick with the charred aroma of roasted meat and the rich scent of ale.

The members of the Marcus Squad were gathered around a wooden table.

"Monster Hunting...? Is that a thing?" Valles looked up curiously after hearing what Zelir had to say, wiping his Curved Saber.

"I think I vaguely heard someone mention it before..."

Gray muttered, frowning as he tried to recall while munching on a crispy roasted pork rib.

"Yeah, I think that’s right. Every autumn, those Mages who are usually cooped up at home have to come out and stretch their legs."

"It is."

Marcus knew a bit more about this sort of thing.

"The Mage’s Guild holds a Monster Hunt every year after the autumn harvest. To put it bluntly, it’s mainly to let the new Mages get their first taste of blood."

He took a big gulp of ale, foam clinging to his stubble, and continued.

"Besides the Mage’s Guild’s own members, to ensure safety, they also hire many experienced Adventurers from the Adventurer’s Association at high pay to act as their guards."

"Yes."

Zelir said, "My mentor has already informed me, so for the next little while, I won’t be able to go on quests with you guys anymore."

"What a shame."

Valles looked regretful. "Now the team’s going to be short a heavy hitter."

Marcus felt the same way.

Without Zelir, they would have to think twice before taking on two-star Junior-rank quests.

"Say..."

Gray’s eyes lit up as if he’d thought of something. "Since the Mage’s Guild is recruiting Adventurers to go with them... what’s the pay like?"

"You don’t even have to think about it. It’s gotta be generous."

Valles said, in a tone that suggested it was obvious.

"Everyone knows that Mages are the wealthiest group on the entire Candia Continent. The pay for being a personal bodyguard to those precious young masters and misses from their guild is bound to be good."

"Besides the generous pay, I hear they also cover all equipment wear and tear. And if you get injured, you can get immediate treatment from a Mage," Marcus added.

"Then why don’t we go join this Monster Hunt?" Gray’s eyebrows shot up, and he immediately grew excited.

"Forget it."

Marcus poured a bucket of cold water on his enthusiasm.

"A top-tier gig like that is fiercely competitive. The recruitment notices are basically never made public. It’s not something outsiders like us without connections can get."

As he spoke, Marcus’s voice suddenly trailed off.

Gray’s expression grew even more excited.

Even Valles realized what he was getting at.

All three of them turned their gazes to Zelir in unison.

"What? Ahem..."

Zelir was in the middle of eating some roasted meat, and being targeted by three scheming gazes at once nearly made him choke.

Zelir hurriedly grabbed his ale and took a large swig.