The day after being encouraged by Pochi, I found myself completely absorbed in Misty’s notes.
She had laid out the theory, but it seemed she had never put it into practice.
That meant I would have to test and refine everything myself. It would be difficult, but I wanted to create the very best. Perhaps asking adventurers for their impressions would help as well.
Thanks to the spirits, I had access to the finest materials. When Pochi’s little followers were in a good mood, they danced happily in the field. Even after harvesting, new plants sprouted almost immediately. The generosity of it all left me stunned.
Misty’s collection held many other fascinating books.
From teleportation magic and barrier spells, to healing arts, and even borderline forbidden techniques like rewriting magic.
If I ever had the time, I wanted to read them properly. But for now, I steeled myself and devoted all my focus to developing specialized recovery potions.
I began by testing ones that enhanced attack power, followed by those that increased agility.
These were quickly picked up by mages and healers. The agility-focused potions, in particular, were praised for allowing faster support casting.
Next, I created potions that boosted magical power. These were well received not only by mages, but also by spellblades.
Since they also included gradual stamina recovery, people said they could fight without holding back.
The magic-restoration variants proved popular with beast tamers. Maintaining summoned creatures constantly drained magic, so having something that reduced fatigue was a welcome relief.
Thanks to the spirits’ dancing ground that Pochi had created, all of these potions had exceptional effects. They sold faster than I could keep up, and I finally felt at ease.
As if sharing my relief, the child in my belly kicked gently, and I couldn’t help smiling.
My body had grown heavier, and walking required frequent breaks, but the slow walk through the forest between my home and the town soothed my heart. The whisper of the trees calmed me, and I found myself eagerly awaiting the day of birth.
With the potions selling well, my worries about daily life faded. Still, Leon had yet to pay the compensation money.
Perhaps expenses were tight with Chiara and her child. Even so, I wished he would at least show some sincerity.
I had no intention of asking for child support, since I wouldn’t tell him about the baby. The compensation, if paid, was meant entirely for my child.
I wanted everything to be over as soon as possible.
Could I send a reminder? I decided to ask Asti the next time he came by.
Aside from that unresolved matter, my days passed calmly. Then, while delivering potions to the guild as usual, I began to feel someone’s gaze.
When I turned around, no one was there.
When I faced forward again, I felt it once more.
After several days of this, I finally made my way to a certain place.
“Excuse me.”
Seeing the sign that said the shop was open, I pushed the door open. The familiar scent of medicinal ingredients greeted me.
There was no reply, but I ventured deeper inside.
I picked up one of the bottles on the shelf. It was different from my own. The color, the smell, even the appearance were nothing special. Yet adventurers in this area relied on it heavily.
If I bought some and studied it, I might be able to make something even better.
“What do you want?”
The sudden voice made me jump. I set the bottle down and turned to see an elderly woman, pestle in hand, watching me closely.
“Ah, are you the owner of this shop?”
“That’s right. So, what kind of medicine are you looking for?”
Her piercing gaze made me hesitate, but I gathered my courage.
“Something to treat illness.”
One of her eyebrows twitched.
This shop’s owner, Delilah, specialized in medicine for diseases. Misty’s notes mentioned her as well. The two had been close friends, and Misty had confided things in her she told no one else.
Things that probably had to do with Asti.
I was interested in Delilah’s medicines for that reason alone.
“You’re not a face I recognize. But you feel familiar somehow…”
She stepped closer, peering at me suspiciously, and I took an involuntary step back.
“I moved here a few months ago. I’m currently staying at Asti’s family home.”
“Asti… so you’re living in Misty’s magic-draining house?”
“Magic-draining… house?”
Delilah’s eyes widened, shining with interest.
It was true the house used a lot of magic tools, but I’d never felt depleted.
“Huh. That place drains magic from anyone it doesn’t like. Just a little prank of Misty’s.
If you’re fine, it means the house approves of you.”
This time, my eyes widened. I had never once felt my magic being drained.
Only then did I truly understand what Asti had meant.
“I’ve heard about you from Bella and the others. You really do have an interesting kind of magic.
You’re making recovery potions, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then how about becoming my apprentice?”
It was more than I could have hoped for.
I had thought about buying a few samples to study, but being taken on as an apprentice was far better.
“I would be honored. Please take care of me!”
“Good. I’m Delilah. As you can see, I specialize in magical medicine. Mostly disease-related.
Well, there are things even I can’t cure.”
I took her outstretched hand and smiled.
As we talked, I learned that my mother had been Delilah’s rival. Apparently without ever meeting her, Delilah had simply declared it so herself.
Still, she treated me properly as an apprentice, which was a relief.
My recovery potions focused on healing wounds. Delilah’s medicines treated illness.
Together, perhaps we could create something said to cure all ailments.
That idea came from one of the theories in Misty’s notes.
Of course, the materials were rare, and I would likely need to ask adventurers to gather them. For that, I would need to save money.
There was so much to do.
But it was far more fulfilling than waiting for someone who would never return.
I truly felt glad to have been brought here.
Then one day, Asti invited me out.
“Sheila, there’s something I’d like to talk about.
Would you go on a date with me?”
Smiling, he held out his hand.
I took it, and nodded.
