A Helping Hand

Actually, recovery potions are more like food.

They work great at first, but their effectiveness drops over time.

And if too much time passes, they can lose their potency entirely.

In places like battlefields, shelf life is especially critical.

Where there's war, potions are always needed.

But battlefields don't mean constant fighting.

You just stock up in preparation for combat.

The problem is that those potions often expire before you can use them.

In other words, it's common to buy expensive potions, never use them, and throw them away.

This could be a pretty good business opportunity.

Maybe that's why Stein's excitement hadn't died down.

I could understand it fully.

A potion whose effects lasted permanently? Its value was immense, even roughly estimated.

But.

This might be... a bit dangerous?

The thought crossed my mind suddenly.

Something like this could shift the balance of an entire war.

So I calmed Stein down a little.

"We succeeded in making it, but... mass production seems impossible. My mana has limits, and my skill level is still too low."

"But success is what matters, right? We should report to the lord right away..."

"How about we hold off on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that for a bit?"

"Pardon? Why?"

Stein asked with an innocent expression.

His eyes were already half-mad, like a kid starved for praise.

Is he really this naive...?

I let out a soft sigh and explained my concerns honestly to him.

If danger came, it wouldn't just threaten me—Stein would be in the crosshairs too.

"Uh, then..."

"Yeah. We could end up locked in some back room, turned into potion-making machines."

"I just wanted to make really effective potions..."

"Exactly why we need to be cautious. Unless you want to get kidnapped and forced to churn them out like a slave."

This world had slave enchantment magic, after all.

So it was entirely plausible.

Stein shuddered, clearly getting the picture.

I quickly changed the subject to something I was curious about.

"Stein?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know anything about the recent bandit raids?"

Stein's face hardened.

So there was something.

"You should ask Gaiyon about that."

"Gaiyon?"

"Yes. He's in charge of bandit suppression."

Interesting information.

A 3rd-class battle mage handling bandit extermination meant the situation was serious.

Combat mages usually focused on castle defense.

This is getting a headache.

I'd half-expected it, but not great news.

Life in this territory might get tough.

As I left the potion workshop, I ran calculations in my head.

Market value of a potion with Preservation Engraving... at least three times that of regular ones.

The experiment with Stein had yielded better ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠results than expected.

But I wasn't planning to sell yet.

More important things came first.

"Theo-nim..."

Lena spoke cautiously.

"Yes?"

"Are you going to meet Gaiyon?"

"No, not yet."

It wasn't the right time.

I didn't want to tangle with a 3rd-class battle mage prematurely.

First things first...

Time to set up the workshop, using the rights Baron Sellevan granted.

"Let's find Seize."

The territory's administrator could recommend a good spot.

"Oh, I had a hunch, and sure enough, it's you!"

Just then, Seize found me first.

"Have you decided on a workshop location?"

Typical administrator—reading my mind.

"Not yet. I was just about to consult you..."

"Haha, then let me recommend one. Follow me."

I followed Seize to the city center.

The place he brought me to was pretty decent.

"This is..."

"The heart of Artisan Street. Blacksmiths and leather workshops nearby, so plenty of customers."

Great location, perfect size.

Seize knew I wasn't just a mage but also a crafter.

That's why he'd scouted this spot.

I liked it.

But one concern lingered.

"Taxes?"

"Same as any workshop, as promised. One gold per month."

Not bad.

About a million won in rent.

Selling a couple Sunogi would cover it easily.

"We'll take this one."

"Excellent! Then the paperwork—"

Before Seize finished, a man came running up, breathless, reporting immediately.

Something had happened.

"Administrator! Big trouble!"

The man was in ragged clothes, face full of anxiety.

"Another raid! This time on the magic stone mine village..."

Seize's expression darkened.

"The magic stone mine?"

The bandits' target clicked.

They're after magic stones...

In this world, magic stones came from monster corpses or mines.

Now it's coming together.

If Baron Sellevan controlled a magic stone mine, his power was no joke.

Whoever the enemy was, they'd be targeting or checking it.

"Seize."

"Yes?"

"I think I can help."

I gave the puzzled Seize a knowing smile.

"You can help?"

Seize's expression was odd.

He clearly didn't fully trust me yet.

But he perked up at my next words.

"Yes. What if we use the Sunogi I made?"

"I get that, but you've only been in the territory a short time..."

"How about ten Sunogi?"

I knew their performance best, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠since I made them.

They'd definitely help.

Ten of them? Most bandits wouldn't stand a chance.

Hell, Lena and I alone took down an Aura User with one.

I didn't know his exact skill, but an Aura User was an Aura User.

Sunogi had felled one.

It had to help.

Seize's eyes widened, of course.

"T-Ten?"

"Yes. We can supply them to the mine guards."

"That would be great, but..."

My calculations were done.

One Sunogi took 15 minutes; enchanting added time, but doable.

Three hours? Four to be safe.

It'd cost a bundle in materials.

But worth it.

No real achievements in the territory yet— a big early win would solidify my position.

"But can you make them that fast? I heard you deliver two per month..."

"Don't worry. I have some prepped; just need tweaks."

"Then perfect! That'll be a huge help!"

Seize pondered briefly.

Not long.

"Fine. But on one condition."

"Name it."

"Go with Gaiyon. He's handling this; can't bypass him."

Expected.

A newcomer like me couldn't get full trust yet. Actually worked in my favor.

Perfect chance to gauge the mage.

Understanding a mage's tendencies was key for the future.

If hostile, spotting weaknesses wouldn't hurt.

"Agreed. Let's handle the workshop contract first..."

"I'll take care of that. You prepare."

"Got it. Sunogi will be ready."

Seize hurried off.

Probably to report the raid.

"Theo-nim, is this okay?"

Lena asked with worried eyes.

She seemed uneasy about heading into potential combat.

"Yeah. Actually, it's perfect."

The mine surely had mid-grade magic stones or better.

Ideal for crafting info-gathering magic puppets.

Plus, I can naturally assess Gaiyon's capabilities.

Working with a 3rd-class battle mage would reveal the territory's situation easily.

Bonus: check his skills.

Wonder what a real battle mage is like?

My only mage fight was that bandit—not a proper one.

Good to gauge a true combat mage.

"Alright, lots to prepare."

Sunogi first.

Ten would take time.

Huh? What's this?

New message.

But seemed good.

Unlike my hunter days, the system here kept evolving.

Like magic itself.

This... is great?

Normally 150 minutes.

Over two hours, now halved.

"Lena."

"Yes?"

"Mind helping me?"

With Lena's assistance, I started on the Sunogi.

Materials were plentiful.

Weapons and stuff from the bandits remained.

Time passed.

By sunset, the last Sunogi was done.

"Finally done."

Lena sighed in relief.

"Thanks, Lena."

"No, I'm just glad I could help."

"You're always helpful. Didn't you know?"

Her face flushed a bit at my words.

Maybe she had blushing cheeks type.

As we bantered and rested, a knock came.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Gaiyon entered.

His gaze went straight to the finished Sunogi.

"These the crossbows? Ready?"

Unlike our first meeting, his speech was curt.

Gruff voice from Gaiyon.

With battle ahead, no time for politeness.

He glanced at me and Lena, then said,

"Then... let's go."

Gaiyon's tone stayed cold.

But now I could read his eyes a little.

Pretending otherwise... but he's interested.

His gaze lingered on the lined-up Sunogi.

A mage with notable interest in them.

This job might reveal more about Gaiyon.

Just hoped no big fight at the mine.