The next morning, I followed the same routine I had built over the past few days.
A light jog through the quiet streets of Roste, a quick wash, and a simple breakfast that filled me just enough without slowing me down.
Everything felt… steady.
But unlike before, I already knew what I wanted to do.
"Alchemy requests today," I muttered as I stepped out of the inn.
"That aligns with your current objectives," Travy replied.
"And it'll help the Guild too," I added. "If what I saw yesterday gets worse, people are going to need potions."
"That assumption is highly probable."
I made my way to the Mage's Guild, and as expected, Rian greeted me the moment I stepped inside.
"Good morning, Sir Artorius. You're here early today."
"Yeah," I said with a small smile. "I'm taking a break from adventuring, so I thought I'd try some alchemy commissions."
Her expression brightened slightly.
"That's a good decision. The alchemy request board is available just over there."
"Thanks."
I headed to the board and scanned through the requests.
Nothing complicated. Mostly low-grade potions.
Perfect.
"I'll take this one," I murmured, picking a low-grade healing potion request before returning to the desk.
Rian stamped it smoothly and handed me a card.
"This is for Workshop No. 2," she explained. "You may use it freely as long as you complete your assigned request. If you run out of materials, you can request more from the warehouse. Once you're done, submit the finished batches there for confirmation before returning to me for payment."
"Got it," I said. "Thanks for the clear instructions."
"I'm glad I could help."
With that, I headed deeper into the Mage's Guild.
And for the first time, I really paid attention to its scale.
It wasn't just a guild.
It was an entire system.
Workshops, storage halls, classrooms, even training grounds. All connected and functioning smoothly.
"…This place is bigger than I thought," I muttered.
"The Mage's Guild prioritizes infrastructure for research and production," Travy said.
"Yeah. Makes sense."
When I reached Workshop No. 2, I stepped inside and took a slow breath.
It was spacious, clean, and quiet.
Perfect.
I pulled out my cauldron and got to work.
Water first.
I raised my hand, letting mana flow naturally as clear water flows down on my palm and filled the cauldron
Then the base, slime cores. Followed by honeydews.
I began stirring, letting my mana seep into the mixture in a steady, controlled flow.
Not too fast, not too slow.
Just enough to stabilize everything.
The mixture responded almost immediately.
I could feel it.
The reaction the balance and the flow of mana weaving through each ingredient.
"…This feels easier than yesterday."
"Your familiarity with the process has improved," Travy replied.
"Yeah… and my control too."
Minutes later, the first batch was done.
I poured the liquid carefully into vials, watching the color settle.
A clean, vibrant red. An indication of high quality.
I exhaled softly.
"About fifty mana per batch," I calculated. "Wit consumption is minimal thanks to Concentration."
"You are also improving multiple skills simultaneously."
"Alchemy, Mana Control, Magic, Concentration…"
"And Mana Efficiency," Travy added.
I smirked.
"Now that's efficient."
I didn't stop there.
Batch after batch. Same process, same control, same rhythm.
Time blurred.
Before I knew it, an hour had passed.
I leaned back slightly and looked at the result.
"…One hundred twenty potions."
"Production speed is above average."
"Feels good," I admitted. "But I should turn these in first."
I stored the vials and headed to the warehouse.
The moment the staff saw the amount, he froze.
"…That's… a lot."
I scratched the back of my head.
"Too much?"
"No, no," he said quickly. "It's just… impressive."
He began checking the potions one by one.
Then his expression shifted.
"…All high quality?"
I tilted my head slightly.
"Is that a problem?"
"No," he said, letting out a small laugh. "It's a huge help, actually."
I paused.
"A huge help?"
He nodded.
"We received a request from the Adventurer's Guild. They're asking us to stockpile potions."
"…Because of the forest?"
His expression turned serious.
"Yeah."
I nodded slowly.
"Then I'm glad I can help."
He smiled.
"You already are, kid. Honestly… this might save lives."
That made something in my chest tighten slightly.
"…Then I'll make more."
"That's the spirit," he said, grinning. "Wait here—I'll get you more materials."
When he came back, I noticed the variety.
Honeydews, ironthorn weeds and forest bloom flowers.
Not just healing anymore.
"…Diversifying?" I asked.
"Better to be prepared," he replied.
I nodded.
"Good idea."
Back to the workshop.
This time, I adjusted my approach. Different ingredients, different effects, but same principle.
Control the mana, stabilize the reaction. Enhance the properties.
I worked slowly at first. Then faster, more confident more precise.
By the end of the session, I stepped back and looked at the results.
Healing potions, defense potions mana potions.
All lined up neatly.
I used Appraisal.
High quality. Every single one.
"…I'm getting used to this."
"You are adapting rapidly."
I chuckled.
"Feels like I'm just repeating the same thing over and over."
"And yet you find it enjoyable."
"…Yeah," I admitted. "Maybe it's because I can see the results immediately."
"Positive reinforcement enhances engagement."
"You really know how to phrase things."
I went back to the warehouse again.
The staff—Roge, if I remembered correctly—looked even more impressed this time.
"You're back already?"
"Yeah," I said, handing over the batch.
He checked them, nodding repeatedly.
"Still consistent… You're something else, kid."
"I still have some mana left," I said. "One more session."
He laughed.
"Alright, alright. Just don't collapse on me."
"I won't."
One last session.
This time, I pushed slightly harder.
Not reckless, just enough to test my limits.
Control, precision, efficiency.
When I finally stopped, I felt it.
The fatigue.
Not overwhelming, but real.
"…That's enough for today."
"A wise decision."
Back to the warehouse.
Roge looked over everything, nodding with satisfaction.
"Now this… this is a proper haul."
He handed me a stamped parchment.
"Take this to the front desk. You've earned it."
"Thanks."
When I returned to Rian and handed over the document, her eyes widened.
"…Three hundred sixty potions?"
I gave a small shrug.
"I got into the rhythm."
"And all high quality…" she murmured.
After processing everything, she handed me a pouch.
"The total is two silver and seventy copper."
I blinked.
"…That's higher than I expected."
"High quality potions receive higher compensation," she explained. "Seventy-five bronze per vial."
"…That makes sense."
"You've done more than enough today," she added. "You should rest."
"Yeah," I said with a small smile. "I probably should."
Instead of leaving immediately, I went to the Adventurer's Guild.
Not for work.
For knowledge.
But before I could head to the library—
"Sir Artorius," Sistina called out.
I turned.
"Yeah?"
"Would you be willing to take an investigation request two days from now?"
I paused.
"…About the forest?"
She nodded.
"You'll be working with other adventurers. Including an established party."
I thought about it for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Alright. I'll take it."
"Good," she said. "Prepare yourself."
"I will."
Later that day—
In the warehouse—
Nadia placed her batch of potions down with her usual calm expression.
Roge glanced up, still smiling faintly.
"You're in a good mood," she noted.
"How could I not be?" he replied. "We just received over three hundred high-quality potions today."
Nadia paused.
"…How many?"
"Three hundred sixty."
"…From how many alchemists?"
"Just one."
For the first time, her composure cracked.
"…One?"
Roge scratched his chin.
"Kid named Art… Artor…"
"Artorius?" she said immediately.
"That's the one."
Nadia exhaled slowly.
"…Of course it is."
"You know him?"
"I trained him," she said. "For one session."
Roge blinked.
"…You're serious?"
She nodded.
"He's… unusual."
"How so?"
Nadia crossed her arms, her gaze thoughtful.
"He observes, understands, and adapts faster than anyone I've seen. It's like watching someone absorb knowledge instead of learning it."
Roge let out a low whistle.
"That's rare."
"…It is," she admitted. "Even my master would find him interesting."
Roge raised an eyebrow.
"The Magus?"
Nadia gave a small nod.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he hears about this."
She turned slightly, looking toward the direction of the workshops.
"…And when he does…"
Her voice softened.
"…things might change."
That same evening—
As I walked back to the inn, pouch in hand and mind steady—
I felt it again. That faint unease.
The same one from the forest. Stronger and closer.
"…Two days," I muttered.
"Yes," Travy replied.
I looked ahead, my expression tightening slightly.
"…I have a feeling that investigation won't be simple."
"Probability supports that conclusion."
I exhaled slowly.
"…Then I'll be ready."
Because somewhere in that forest—
Something was building.
And when it finally surfaced—
It wouldn't be quiet anymore.