The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 54: The Heart of the Stone Giant

The heart of a Stone Giant was a vital alchemical ingredient for second-tier apprentices attempting to ascend to the third tier.

It was extremely rare and almost never available for sale.

Why?

Because for it to be used in alchemy, the heart had to be kept alive, submerged in a specialized potion to preserve its properties for two months.

A second-tier apprentice attempting to advance had only that two-month window to consume the elixir and break through to the next level.

Thus, Stone Giant hunts were a carefully planned affair—

Apprentices only sought one out when they were ready to ascend, ensuring they could immediately extract the heart, process it, and consume the potion before its magic faded.

The proper handling of a Stone Giant’s heart was one of the case studies in Introduction to Potion-Making.

During the practical classes,Hutson had performed multiple simulated extractions using models.

Among his peers, he had been the only apprentice to successfully complete the entire process.

The others had all failed.

"A first-tier apprentice... responsible for handling the Stone Giant’s heart? Will I have to fight?"

Herag sent a direct message to the mission’s issuer.

The name attached to the request—Bessie—suggested it was a woman.

A moment later, she responded.

"A first-tier apprentice? Are you certain you can handle the extraction?"

"I trained under Master Lari’s potion-making course. I’m highly familiar with the extraction process."

There was a pause.

Then—

"...Meet me at the Lion’s Café in town. We’ll discuss this in person."

Located in the heart of Moonlight Grove, the Lion’s Café was a favored gathering place for sorcerers and apprentices alike.

Many discussions, business deals, and clandestine exchanges took place here over steaming cups of coffee.

As soon asHutson stepped inside, the rich aroma of roasted beans filled his senses.

His gaze swept the room—

And he immediately recognized someone.

The tall woman from the flea market.

The same one who had purchased three bottles of Whitefresh Healing Potion.

She looked up and raised an eyebrow.

"Herag?"

Herag chuckled. "Didn’t expect to run into you again so soon."

Bessie smirked. "Well, if you really brewed those potions yourself, then I have no doubts about your alchemy skills." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Herag responded lightly.

"I wouldn’t dare lie about something like that. Once I step outside of Moonlight Grove, I’m just a weak first-tier apprentice. Lying would be a quick way to get myself killed."

His meaning was clear.

Outside the town’s protection, deception carried deadly consequences.

Bessie nodded. "That’s good to hear. I don’t work with people who break agreements. Otherwise, no one would ever trust me again."

She gestured to the empty chair.

"Sit. The others will be here soon."

Herag complied.

Though he had taken on many risks before, this mission was especially dangerous.

"But what mission doesn’t carry risks? Even gathering mushrooms led to near-death encounters."

With a sigh, he resigned himself to the task.

While waiting, the two conversed about alchemy.

Bessie tested his knowledge with casual yet pointed questions.

Herag, backed by AI chip’s vast database, answered each one with ease—even expanding on her topics with additional insights.

By the time the other team members arrived, Bessie was thoroughly impressed.

"You’re quite the scholar, Mr.Hutson."

Two more figures entered the café.

Loke Dean, a third-tier apprentice, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and a calculating gaze. The moment he spottedHutson, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny.Emma Marcy, a freckled woman who appeared to be on friendly terms with Bessie—the two exchanged a warm embrace before sitting down.

After introductions were exchanged, Bessie took control of the discussion.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, let’s go over the plan. We depart in two days. I’ll handle all necessary preparations beforehand."

She then turned toHutson.

"Your job is to extract and preserve the Stone Giant’s heart. You won’t be involved in the combat."

Herag nodded. That was the best arrangement for him.

However, Loke frowned.

"I have a question," he said, sipping his coffee.

"Why are we trusting a first-tier apprentice to handle such an important task?"

Bessie met his gaze without hesitation.

"Because despite being a first-tier apprentice,Hutson’s expertise in alchemy is exceptional. I have complete confidence in his abilities."

Loke took another slow sip of coffee.

"Well, if you say so," he said indifferently.

For him, it didn’t matter whether the heart extraction succeeded or failed.

His job was to kill the Stone Giant—nothing more.

With two third-tier apprentices, their chances were extremely high.

Herag, being too weak to contribute in battle, would remain out of harm’s way.

Bessie’s concern was simple—

IfHutson got injured or died, then they would have to extract the heart themselves—a task they were not specialized in.

Alchemy required vast resources and dedicated study—most apprentices lacked the means to gain extensive experience.

With the details finalized, the group concluded their meeting.

Back home,Hutson immediately began brewing the preservation solution for the Stone Giant’s heart.

"Frober Caterpillar Mucus, Hawklap Fruit Juice, Lionfish Spines..."

Carefully, he sorted his ingredients before proceeding.

This potion was called "Broad-Spectrum Solution."

First, he poured the caterpillar mucus into a beaker.

Next, he ignited a Lionfish spine, allowing its burning essence to drip into the mixture.

Then, he channeled mana into the beaker, whispering a sequence of arcane syllables.

A thick, white mist began to billow upward, filling the room like a creeping fog.

Herag, wearing protective goggles, remained unfazed.

His focus stayed locked on the beaker.

"Reaction countdown: 9 seconds."

AI chip’s precise timer kept him on track.

As the moment arrived, he immediately added a pinch of finely ground pink powder—the crushed remains of the rare Jorath Herb.

Two hours later—

The Broad-Spectrum Solution was complete.

With one major step out of the way, he turned his thoughts to what lay ahead.

The hunt for the Stone Giant was approaching.

And failure was not an option.

"It’s done."

Herag held up the round-bellied crystal flask, its contents swirling with a deep violet hue.

Occasionally, small bubbles would rise to the surface, bursting with a soft pop, pop, releasing a faint alchemical scent.

He reached for a wooden cork, crafted from aged oak, and sealed the Broad-Spectrum Solution inside.

Another crucial step completed.

That night, as he meditated, the sixth star in his mental constellation had begun to take shape.

If his calculations were correct, he would complete its formation within two months, reaching the threshold for second-tier advancement.

"Fortunately, the materials for the Dawn Elixir can be purchased within Moonlight Grove."

Had it required hunting for rare resources, the risks would have been far greater.

Now, only one key ingredient remained missing—

The root of the Demonflower.

Expensive.

Unattainable—for now.

But with this upcoming mission, his earnings would finally allow him to complete his first batch of the Dawn Elixir.

As planned,Hutson and the others regrouped at the Northern Outpost Station.

Unlike the usual routes toward Moonlight Forest, today’s journey would take them eastward—toward the territory of the Stone Giants.

The momentHutson arrived, he noticed something was off.

The atmosphere of the outpost was tense.

A full-fledged sorcerer was stationed there, accompanied by several third-tier apprentices.

Security had been heightened.

"Because of that night...?"

His mind drifted to Luen’s fate—devoured by Shivaro, an entity not of this world.

Even now, no one knew exactly what had transpired.

But clearly—Moonlight Grove was taking no chances.

Herag exhaled, gripping the strap of his pack.

He wasn’t here to unravel mysteries.

He was here to harvest a heart.

And the hunt was about to begin.