Chapter 73: Nourishment

"Well, not bad, kid. To defeat Wendy head-on in your first attempt—I underestimated you. Your physical constitution is even more formidable than I perceived." Barret looked at Wang Yu with satisfaction, nodding in approval.

Nearby, Edward carried the exhausted, panting Charles on his shoulder. The lad certainly had grit; he had insisted on keeping pace with the knights' training squad until he collapsed from sheer fatigue, forcing the knights to haul him back.

"What body-tempering potion did you use? The effects are remarkable. How have I never heard of someone like you? Logically, anyone capable of defeating Wendy at this stage shouldn't be unknown in a circle as small as the Royal City."

Cowering behind Avia, Wendy glared at her teacher with dissatisfaction, clearly unhappy about being used as a benchmark. Yet, catching a glimpse of Wang Yu, the memory of that terrifying punch resurfaced, and she retreated once more.

"I am an outsider," Wang Yu replied.

"And, I don't believe I've ever used a body-tempering potion...?" Wang Yu added, sounding hesitant.

He had skimmed through some knightly training texts regarding such potions; they were described as agents to repair hidden injuries sustained during training, facilitating continuous progress.

But for Wang Yu, they had always been too expensive and entirely unnecessary. His body’s unique regenerative ability meant he had no need for such concoctions to heal his training wounds.

"You've never used one!?" Barret slapped his own forehead, his usually stern and composed face now etched with disbelief.

"Indeed. It’s mostly because I don't need them. My body’s self-healing capacity is extremely potent; I can train incessantly without the aid of these special restorative potions." Wang Yu nodded firmly.

"Are you perhaps misunderstanding? You are describing protective potions meant to prevent injury. I am talking about body-strengthening agents for topical application or bathing."

"There is such a thing?" Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't know?" Barret was even more astonished.

"I did not," Wang Yu confirmed.

Wang Yu was entirely self-taught. When he followed the old knight, it was blind practice; when he trained with Garcia, he was merely given pointers on methods.

The cabin in the woods held many books, but few were related to knighthood—most were on spells and sorcery. Even the knightly texts were rudimentary or purely theoretical, never mentioning practical body-tempering potions.

A place like the Royal City would certainly have such literature, but Wang Yu had only arrived three days ago and had no opportunity to learn, leading to this current exchange.

Barret’s expression turned peculiar—first twisted, then thoughtful, and finally, a cunning smile emerged.

"Brother Wang Yu, you can't be serious! You’ve never used a strengthening potion, yet your physical stats are this terrifying? My grandfather lied to me when he said my talent was top-tier, didn't he?!" Before Barret could speak, Wendy, still huddled behind Avia, cried out in shock.

Wendy was truly stunned. She had assumed Wang Yu’s strength came from some rare potion.

To be this strong without ever using one... compared to him, she felt like a failure.

Wendy was a lively and spontaneous girl, but she possessed her own pride. She never believed herself inferior to men, but comparing herself to Wang Yu, she couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat.

"Hmm..." Wang Yu frowned. Body-strengthening potions? As an amateur alchemist, if such things were beneficial, he should have known. Why hadn't he thought of it when concocting his own?

"Uh, do you have a body-strengthening potion? Could I see it?" Wang Yu looked at Wendy.

"Here, Brother Wang Yu, ugh..." Wendy pulled a well-sealed, bright yellow, translucent paste from her pouch with a mournful face.

"How do you use it?" Wang Yu examined it, unsure of the application.

"Apply it directly to your body and let it absorb," Barret answered before Wendy could, snatching the yellow potion from Wang Yu and placing a small vial of crimson liquid into his hand instead.

"Use this. That other one is too weak for you; this one is much more potent."

"Ah! No..." Wendy gasped at the sight of the vial, but Barret covered her mouth, silencing her protests.

Opening the vial, a pungent scent of sulfur and blood wafted out. "Extracts from a beast? Only a faint trace of Star-Fire Grass... to be refined this cleanly, it must be a high-grade potion. I can't discern the rest yet. Will this actually work?"

Frowning, Wang Yu sniffed the potion and observed it closely.

"Liver of a Molten Land-Drake, spinal fluid of a Rahafant, essence of Hermis Scorpion venom... all excellent ingredients. The potency is high, but you should be able to handle it. Try it."

Assuming Wang Yu was doubting its efficacy, Barret listed the components. Wang Yu’s alchemical knowledge wasn't enough to identify the raw materials, but he recognized the prestige of the names.

"Rahafant spinal fluid? Isn't that the main ingredient for limb-regeneration potions? It's a secondary ingredient here? Still, a single Rahafant could produce hundreds of these. Not bad—nothing is inherently wrong with these ingredients."

Without further hesitation, he stripped off his shirt, revealing a muscular torso covered in scars. He scooped up some ointment and applied a thin layer across his skin.

A burning sensation spread across his skin, which began to flush crimson as his blood flow accelerated. Wang Yu watched his body’s reaction with solemn focus, feeling every change.

Barret watched intently. Wendy, still muffled, stared with wide eyes. Edward looked equally grave, seemingly aware of the potion's contents, while Avia and Charles simply looked on in awe, not fully understanding.

Time passed. Wang Yu remained still, steam rising from his nose and mouth due to the heat. And then... nothing.

"Uh, this didn't do anything?" Wang Yu scratched his head. The redness and steam were merely reactions to the potion's composition!

The Molten Land-Drake liver was a high-grade medium for fire magic; the Hermis Scorpion venom would set a normal person on fire. These were volatile ingredients—not burning up was a miracle in itself!

Wang Yu was sensitive to his body's changes. There was no change. His body had gained nothing; the potion had merely dilated his capillaries and accelerated his blood flow. It was no different from a hot spring!

"As I thought. The knowledge in alchemy books didn't align with body-tempering potions. Even with high-grade materials, how would smearing them on the skin strengthen the body? Absorbing it through pores? Impossible."

Wang Yu didn't find this strange. It didn't fit his past life's medicine nor his current alchemy. It would be a miracle if it worked.

"Nothing? This is a top-tier potion, the 'Heart of Magma'! My teacher rarely uses it! You felt nothing?!" Perhaps stunned by Wang Yu's reaction, Barret released Wendy, who exclaimed in disbelief.

"Indeed, no effect," Wang Yu confirmed. His body had gained nothing from the expensive concoction.

"That shouldn't be. Such a potion should be easily absorbed; the only issue is the body's tolerance and the rarity of materials... how could it have no effect?" Barret was perplexed, ignoring Wendy’s protests.

"Absorbed?" Wang Yu caught the keyword. He couldn't absorb it through his skin, so how else?

Reviewing the ingredients, he confirmed the toxicity was within his tolerance. Wang Yu scooped up a dollop and popped it into his mouth.

How to absorb it? By eating it, of course. Isn't that how nourishment works?

A searing heat spread down his throat. As the ointment melted and moved into his body, a sharp, burning pain erupted in his stomach, causing it to spasm.

Calmly sensing the heat in his viscera, Wang Yu circulated his 'Bloody Rage Wind,' accelerating his blood to carry away the excess heat. Soon, his entire body grew warm.

Gradually, as the potion mixed with his stomach acid, Wang Yu noticed tiny particles permeating his stomach wall, merging into his body. These were the very components that brought the heat.

Barret was right—it was easily absorbed, but not through the skin. It had to be ingested.

Feeling the burning particles, Wang Yu noted that most of the potion was still ignored by his body. Only a small fraction was absorbed, and while the strengthening effect was subtle, it was present.

His body’s digestion was superb. The nutrients were quickly broken down and assimilated. Though his stomach wasn't full, his body felt satiated and replenished.

"With so many precious materials, there is a strengthening effect, but it's hard for me to absorb. Constant use would work, but I can't afford such high-grade stuff. However... as an emergency ration, this is excellent."

The potion provided more nutrients than he would eat in days, plus a boost of battle energy.

In the stunned silence of Barret, Wendy, and Edward, Wang Yu calmly gave a thumbs-up. "No major effect, but it's truly nourishing!"