Chapter 371: Clues to the Magic Potion

Ronin arrived at Lulan's study.

The two old men were deep in conversation, their voices rising with intensity.

"Ronin has questions for you. Speak plainly, no holding back. Give my grandson proper guidance."

Miloraf nodded with a smile. "Rest assured, I'd never withhold anything from your precious grandson."

He scrutinized Ronin from head to toe.

The last time they met privately, the other had asked him to seek out light magic to cure the Soul Devouring Surge. Yet now, the magic remained elusive, but Lulan had recovered.

He couldn't help but wonder if Ronin was somehow responsible for Lulan's recovery.

"Lately, the Wushan Academy of the Extraordinary has been abuzz with talk of you."

Miloraf chuckled. "Champion of the tournament, Flame Knight, slayer of pirates—many see you as their benchmark, even their idol."

Ronin rubbed his nose. As the capital's affairs simmered, his fame had only grown brighter.

He suspected more would flock to the Northern Wushan domain to pledge allegiance.

"These are hollow titles, exaggerated by rumor," Ronin demurred.

After further pleasantries, Ronin finally broached his query: the alchemical components for magic potions.

He produced a tome illustrated by Elron, each herb meticulously described and depicted—anyone could identify them.

Miloraf took it curiously, flipping through the pages with care.

Common potions, rare ones, and several he'd never heard of.

He eyed Ronin suspiciously. Where had this boy gotten such a tome?

Recalling Ronin's visit to Golden Feather City and the king's reward, perhaps it was from the royal archives?

It made sense. The royal library held countless tomes.

But why would the king give Ronin such a tome? Could he brew potions?

Such specialized knowledge wasn't for just any mage to wield.

Shaking off his thoughts, Miloraf asked, "Which potion are you inquiring about?"

Ronin turned a few pages. "Do you know of Blazing Flame Grass and Dream Dew Flower? My retainer in Maima City's Silva Magic Guild found none."

"Blazing Flame Grass is used for Rage Elixir," Miloraf explained. "It surges knightly vigor, heightens aggression, dulls pain and impact sensitivity—boosting combat prowess."

"Dream Dew Flower soothes the mind and calms the spirit," he added. "I've included it in potions for your grandfather these years."

Ronin's eyes lit up. He knew so much.

"Do you have these materials?"

The Enhancing Elixir required four components: Blazing Flame Grass, Dream Dew Flower, Magic Crystal Dust, and Pure Water Essence.

Magic Crystal Dust could be ground from crystals, Pure Water Essence entrusted to Jenny. The first two were critical.

Miloraf nodded. "I have some. Only chief mages use them, so Maima's guild doesn't stock them. You can buy them in Wushan Town."

"But they're costly. Dream Dew Flower is 200 gold per plant, Blazing Flame Grass up to 400!"

Hiss!

"Two plants for that much?" Ronin gasped.

Miloraf laughed. "Such is magic. Blazing Flame Grass grows in Gistan's deserts, Dream Dew Flower on distant isles. Harvesting and transporting them is arduous—hence the price."

Ronin sighed. How many plants per elixir? If too many, the cost would be prohibitive.

"Once matters settle here, I'll send someone to buy them."

He flipped further, pointing. "Master, what of Starlight Grass and Spirit Spring water? Any leads?"

Miloraf frowned, racking his brain, then shook his head.

"I don't know, but your notes say Spirit Spring is found near magic crystal veins. The kingdom's largest veins lie in the Amethyst Earldom."

He returned the tome to Ronin.

"In the kingdom, Berola is unmatched in magic and potioncraft. If you truly need it, visit the Silva Magic Guild's headquarters in the Amethyst Earldom."

Ronin nodded.

At Golden Feather's tournament, he'd met Franz Silva, Berola's great-grandson, who'd invited him to the Amethyst domain.

It was time to go.

Beyond the materials, he might find higher-tier spellbooks.

He was already an Archmage, soon to be a Magus, but his wind and fire spellbooks were incomplete.

"What potion are you brewing?" Miloraf asked curiously.

"If you need guidance, seek me out."

As a mage steeped in potioncraft, Miloraf was deeply intrigued.

Though close friends with Lulan, he'd memorized every potion in the tome, eager to study them in his lab.

But knowing ingredients wasn't enough.

Processing, ratios, combinations, techniques, mana infusion—any error would ruin the potion.

Like an apple: eaten raw, mashed, dried, or juiced.

If Ronin had the recipe, he'd be even more eager.

Ronin chuckled.

The Awakening Elixir didn't matter—it required pure light magic, at least a Magus to brew, hard to replicate.

But the Enhancing Elixir only needed a high-level mage—this one needed secrecy.

He didn't answer, only smiled. "If I need help, I'll seek you out."

Miloraf glanced at Lulan, laughing. "Your grandson's tight-lipped."

Lulan chuckled. "At your age, still trying to steal his potion recipes?"

"Pah! Stealing? It's guidance, collaborative research!"

Lulan's white beard twitched. "Hardly different."

Miloraf scoffed. "Healed and feeling strong? Let's spar sometime."

"That's what I've been waiting for!"

Lulan's eyes blazed. "Let's see if you've improved after all your boasting."

"Name the time. I'm ready."

"Three months. Let me recover first."

Ronin smiled. Two octogenarians, still eager to fight like youths—rare indeed.

"Grandfather, Master, let me know before you fight."

A Meteor Knight against an Archmage—such battles weren't to be missed.

He longed to witness the might of an earth-elemental archmage.

"Of course. Have your grandfather notify you when the time comes."

Miloslav, confident in his prowess, said, "Rulans, you must recover well. Don't lose in front of your grandson and blame me for not saving your face."

Rulans stroked his beard with confidence, three months—perhaps he'd become a Silver Moon Knight by then.

"Rest easy. I won't lose!" (End of Chapter)