"All the potions made during this period are here. I'll leave them to you, Big Brother, to distribute," Magus said calmly.
"You've worked hard."
Rune patted Magus on the shoulder with genuine excitement before turning to the table full of potions. "How effective are these for a High-level Knight?"
"Very limited," Magus replied without hesitation. "At most, they can increase a High-level Knight's physique by one or two percent."
"Is that so?" Rune frowned slightly, disappointment flashing in his eyes. It would be a waste for him to use such a potion himself. After a brief pause, he turned and called out, "Jorton!"
"Yes, my lord," the knight answered, stepping forward with barely contained anticipation.
Rune picked up a bottle of the crimson potion and tossed it to him. "Drink it."
Without hesitation, Jorton pulled out the cork and tilted his head back, gulping down the glowing liquid in one motion.
Almost instantly, his skin flushed a deep red, veins bulging under the strain as his body trembled. His face twisted in agony, but the reaction lasted less than two minutes.
When it ended, his breathing came in heavy gasps. Sweat dripped down his temples, but his eyes burned with energy and exhilaration.
"What a miraculous effect!" he exclaimed between breaths. "I can feel my strength surging—and even my reflexes are sharper!"
He flexed his arms and shifted into a fighting stance, testing his enhanced body.
Magus nodded quietly.
The Sub-Dragon Blood Potion was designed to enhance a Junior Knight's physique by roughly 0.7 to 0.9 points. Considering that a Junior Knight's physique typically ranged between 8 and 10, such an increase—nearly one-tenth of their base strength—was already significant.
For a High-level Knight, however, the increase would only amount to 0.2 or 0.3 points.
But this was merely a zero-order, low-grade Sub-Dragon Blood Potion. As Magus's potion-making skill improved and as rarer materials became available, far more powerful Dragon Blood Potions could be crafted.
Seeing Jorton's transformation, the eyes of the surrounding knights gleamed with envy and desire. Their gazes lingered hungrily on the remaining bottles lined across the table.
Rune's lips curved into a satisfied smile. After a moment's thought, he barked another order.
"Go call Nelson, Cardy, Noddan… and the others over."
He listed seven names in total—Apprentice Knights who had followed him and his brother from the Iron Throne Territory. They were loyal men, the foundation of the fighting force their late father had left them.
Naturally, these trusted warriors would be the first to receive the Sub-Dragon Blood Potions.
A knight hurried out to summon them. The others, though clearly disappointed, quickly composed themselves. They all understood that it made more sense to use the potion to elevate Apprentices to full Knights, rather than to slightly strengthen those already advanced.
If even a few more Knights could be created, it would be a tremendous boon to Blackstone City—especially now, with the Black Scale Lizardmen gathering for an imminent invasion.
A handful of new Knights could drastically ease their desperate manpower shortage.
Before long, the seven selected Apprentice Knights arrived at the council hall.
Each one drank a potion under Rune's watchful gaze.
The results were astonishing—three of them instantly condensed life seeds and broke through to become full-fledged Knights. The remaining four, while not yet advanced, radiated power; their breakthroughs were clearly imminent.
All seven flushed with excitement, their faces glowing as they marveled at the changes within their bodies.
Rune gave them a few words of encouragement, his tone firm and commanding. Then he turned to address everyone present.
"The existence of this potion is of the utmost importance," he declared. "Without my permission, no one is to reveal a single word about it. Those who disobey—don't blame me for military punishment."
At once, the air in the hall turned solemn. Every knight's expression grew serious, and they responded in unison, "Yes, my lord!"
None of them were fools. They all understood what this potion represented.
If word of the Sub-Dragon Blood Potion reached the rebel forces in Shining City, they would attack Blackstone City without hesitation, determined to annihilate them before they could grow stronger.
Magus had originally intended to remind his brother of this danger, but seeing Rune's foresight, he simply nodded and remained silent. Instead, he drew out a folded parchment from his robe and handed it over.
"Big Brother, help me collect the materials on this list—as many as you can find," Magus said. "And also… keep an eye out for any ancient wizardry texts."
"No problem," Rune replied immediately.
After witnessing the power of the Sub-Dragon Blood Potion firsthand, all of his doubts about Magus's so-called "wizardry" had vanished. What remained was pure admiration—and awe.
He was now eager to provide Magus with everything he needed, hoping that his younger brother would continue his research and craft even more potent potions in the future.
As the Month of Frost Descent began, the weather turned bitterly cold.
A bleak wind swept through Blackstone City, carrying with it the faint smell of iron and snow.
The thin white mist exhaled by militiamen on the city walls mingled with the fog, creating a ghostly shroud. Many huddled behind the parapets, rubbing their hands and stamping their feet to fight the chill. Occasionally, one would lean over the battlements to peer into the distant fields.
Suddenly, a lookout stiffened. His eyes widened as he pointed into the mist.
"Scout cavalry! They're coming from Cassel Village!"
The others scrambled to lower the rope baskets, ready to receive them.
Minutes later, the piercing clang of alarm bells echoed throughout the city.
Everyone in Blackstone City heard that sound.
In his study, Magus looked up from his desk, his expression darkening.
"That bell…" he murmured. "The Black Scale Lizardmen have finally arrived."
For over a month, the city had been preparing for this very moment.
Residents from outlying villages had been relocated inside the walls, while soldiers were stationed to guard the closer settlements.
Rune himself remained armored and ready in Blackstone City, poised to lead his troops into battle the instant the invasion began.
In past years, this was always a grim time for the city.
The annual Lizardmen invasion brought devastation—casualties, destroyed homes, trampled fields. Even when victorious, Blackstone City would spend all of spring struggling to recover.
The wars brought no benefit, only exhaustion and loss.
But this year was different.
The discovery of the Sub-Dragon Blood Potion had changed everything.
Now, the blood of the Black Scale Lizardmen was no longer a curse—it was an opportunity.
Each slain Lizardman could provide the raw material for more potions, transforming death into strength, and feeding the army's rise.
For the first time, Blackstone City could grow stronger through war.
Magus could already imagine the fierce light in the knights' eyes as they rode into battle, knowing that victory meant more than survival—it meant power.
Even the most disciplined soldiers would fight with twice their usual fervor when driven by such tangible rewards.
"Just a zero-order potion," Magus mused, "yet it can reverse the city's entire predicament."
He closed his eyes for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Knowledge is power, indeed."
His gaze dropped to the book spread open on his desk.
On the yellowed page, written in delicate black ink, the first line read:
'Wisdom is the true source of a wizard's power.'
He traced the words thoughtfully with his finger.
In that single sentence lay the truth of everything he sought—the principle that would guide him from an ordinary potion-maker into something greater, something capable of changing not just Blackstone City, but the entire continent.
Outside, the sound of distant horns drifted through the cold air.
The war had begun.
Blackstone City braced itself under the heavy sky.
Rune's armored figure stood tall at the city gates, his cloak whipping in the wind as he watched his troops assemble. The newly advanced Knights—those empowered by Magus's potion—stood at the forefront, their expressions alight with confidence and purpose.
"Today," Rune declared, voice echoing across the ranks, "we fight not just for survival, but for strength! For every Lizardman that falls, Blackstone City will rise higher!"
A thunderous cheer rolled through the ranks.
Even the faint-hearted militiamen were swept up in the wave of courage.
Rune raised his sword, gleaming with frost. "Forward!"
The gates creaked open, and the army surged into the frozen plains, banners snapping like flames against the grey horizon.
Back in his study, Magus watched from the window. The sight of the departing army filled him with pride—but also with quiet resolve.
He turned back to his desk, where rows of beakers shimmered faintly in the lamplight. The crimson hue of the remaining Sub-Dragon Blood Potion glowed within its flask, promising endless potential.
"Zero-order potions," he whispered. "One day, I'll reach first-order, then higher still. When that time comes… even the great wizards of legend will have to acknowledge me."
He lifted his quill and began taking notes, his handwriting neat and steady despite the distant thunder of war.
Outside, snowflakes began to drift down, silent and pure, as though the heavens themselves were bearing witness to the birth of a new era for Blackstone City—and for Magus, the man who understood that knowledge, above all else, was power.
End of Chapter 6