The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 53: A New Opportunity

hutson made his way toward the flea market, ready to sell his Whitefresh Healing Potions.

Among all the magical wares available, healing potions were a staple.

They were always in high demand, frequently bought and used by sorcerers on missions.

This would be his first time selling, and he intended to observe how the market responded before committing to a long-term strategy.

Officially brewed potions were superior in quality, but many apprentices relied on independent sellers for more affordable options.

As long as the potion worked, that was enough for most buyers.

The flea market was essentially an open square, a chaotic space filled with vendors and buyers.

As hutson scanned for an empty spot, he spotted a familiar figure.

Sitting on a small stool, surrounded by stacks of thick books, was Leo—the bespectacled scholar.

"Leo!" hutson called out.

The young man adjusted his glasses and looked up.

A smile spread across his face. " hutson, long time no see."

hutson glanced at the empty space beside him.

"Is anyone using this spot?"

Leo shook his head.

"All flea market stalls are first come, first served. No ownership here."

Hearing that, hutson nodded and immediately set up his station.

He placed four bottles of Whitefresh Healing Potion in front of him.

Then, just like Leo, he pulled out a book—"Fundamentals of Meditation Theory."

He had far too much to learn.

Even with AI chip accelerating his progress, there were limits.

It was up to him to fully comprehend and integrate that knowledge.

"You can only rely on yourself. Even AI chip is just a tool."

Leo’s eyes widened slightly when he noticed the potions.

"You’ve learned alchemy?"

hutson sighed dramatically, feigning regret.

"Barely. Just enough to burn through all my mana stones."

Leo nodded in understanding.

"For apprentices like us, without wealthy backgrounds, it’s better to avoid alchemy at the start. Too expensive."

"Agreed. I’m just selling these to recover losses. After this batch, I’m done with potion-making."

That part was a lie.

hutson couldn’t afford to mass-produce potions.

If he suddenly started selling twenty bottles, people would notice.

With traditional methods, a twenty-bottle success rate would require at least sixty ingredient sets—a major investment.

And a first-tier apprentice having that kind of money?

Suspicious.

He preferred to avoid unnecessary attention.

For now, he’d make his money elsewhere.

"Is this Whitefresh Healing Potion?"

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

A red-haired male apprentice, appearing to be in his early twenties, had approached.

"Yes," hutson answered.

"Mind if I inspect one?"

"Of course."

In independent potion trading, buyers always checked the quality.

Unlike the official Moonlight Grove potion shop, there were no guarantees when purchasing from an individual.

Many novice apprentices brewed defective potions, yet sold them anyway to unsuspecting buyers.

It was a common scam.

The red-haired sorcerer examined the potion carefully, checking its color, consistency, and clarity.

After a brief moment, he nodded.

"Not bad. I’ll take two."

"Deal."

hutson handed him two bottles.

Ten mana stones in profit.

A smooth sale.

And before long—all four potions were sold.

He pulled out three more, deciding to keep two for himself.

Leo, who had been watching in mild disbelief, spoke up.

"You spent that much on ingredients?"

hutson sighed again, shaking his head.

"Don’t remind me. I still owe Master Lari a fortune."

Leo’s eyes flickered with realization.

"So that’s it. I envy you."

hutson merely smiled, offering no explanation.

Dropping Lari’s name was an intentional move.

If people assumed he had Lari’s support, they’d be less inclined to interfere with him.

After that brief conversation, the two returned to their reading.

Leo’s stall, filled with old books, wasn’t doing as well—no customers yet.

But hutson’s luck continued.

Soon, another customer arrived.

A tall woman dressed in a black apprentice’s robe.

She moved with a silent grace, her sharp eyes scanning the potions as she passed.

Then—she paused.

A soft sound of curiosity escaped her lips as she knelt down, picking up one of the bottles.

hutson’s gaze flicked to her posture.

She was easily over 1.8 meters tall, and kneeling only emphasized her long legs—almost creating the illusion that everything below the neck was legs.

"You brewed this?" she asked.

hutson nodded. "Yes."

"Just three bottles? Do you have more?"

hutson let out a wry chuckle.

"Do I look rich enough to afford more materials? This is all I’ve got."

"Alright, you’re pretty decent at this. I’ll take all three."

The tall woman handed over fifteen mana stones without hesitation and strode off, vanishing into the bustling crowd.

hutson’s gaze lingered for a moment, involuntarily drawn to the long legs glimpsing from beneath her robe.

With that sale, he had successfully sold seven out of nine of his Whitefresh Healing Potions—earning a total of thirty-five mana stones.

Not bad for a day’s work.

"Leo, I’m heading out."

Leo, still engrossed in his book, gave a stiff nod, barely acknowledging the farewell.

hutson chuckled.

"Leo studies so diligently, yet he’s still a first-tier apprentice... Is it due to a lack of resources, or just poor aptitude?"

On his walk home, hutson surveyed the other potion stalls.

There were plenty of vendors selling magical brews, including Whitefresh Healing Potions.

But the quality varied greatly.

His own potions were a smooth, milky white—just slightly inferior to the pure-white, high-grade versions sold in the Moonlight Grove’s official shop.

That tiny difference in purity wasn’t something he could overcome yet.

It was a matter of spiritual power.

Most of the officially sold potions were crafted by third-tier apprentices or full-fledged sorcerers.

Their mana was purer, stronger, allowing them to refine potions to their highest potential.

Meanwhile, many of the other independent sellers’ potions had a yellowish tint—a sign of impurity.

Some were so poorly brewed they were nearly undrinkable.

This only reinforced what hutson had already realized—

Selling potions wasn’t a viable long-term strategy.

At least not until his abilities improved.

Back home, Hutson activated his communication stone, browsing through available missions.

He counted his earnings—thirty-seven mana stones.

Even after today’s success, it still wasn’t enough to purchase a single set of Dawn Elixir ingredients.

His brows furrowed.

Then—he spotted something interesting.

Mission: Hunt the Stone Giant.

Requirement: Apprentice familiar with alchemy and capable of extracting the Stone Giant’s Heart.

Reward: 20 mana stones.

His fingers hovered over the listing.

"This... might be worth considering."