Kobold Wizard's Journal

Chapter 140 Potions and Chains

Ruger only felt at ease after retreating to the stairwell.

I won't look at what I shouldn't see, and I won't ask what I shouldn't ask. My dear Uncle Lunser, I'm a sensible nephew.

He muttered to himself as he tiptoed upstairs. As he passed the small tree at the corner of the stairs, the guy even gave him a nudge.

Ruger had seen it in the encyclopedia. Every time this little guy wriggles, it secretes a liquid with a pungent smell from its rhizome. So the flowerpot must be hollow, with a container buried in the soil to collect the liquid. In the wild, its rhizome is the nest of a sleeping insect. It mainly waits for prey to come to it. Its wriggling motion is a trap for subterranean beasts, and it is also a sharer of the spoils. The pungent liquid is the insect's alarm clock, and it can also make the insect excited and aggressive.

Silent all night.

When Ruger woke up and sat up from the makeshift bed, there was a knock on the small wooden door in the attic.

“My nephew, those who sleep in late are not qualified to be apothecaries,” Old Dog Lunser said from outside the door.

Then came the thumping sound of footsteps on the floor, clearly indicating that old Lunser had turned and left.

Ruger stood up and looked back. These arrangements, including the pillows and sheets, were prepared by him when he was in Star City. In those last few days, Daisy led two dragonborn kobolds around the city all day long, returning home exhausted and pale every day. She purchased a large amount of supplies for him, some of which he had never thought of. But when he really needed them, he was able to find them in his space, which was a really good feeling.

As he set off for the coronation ceremony of Lorigo Star, he passed by Daisy's room, where he could still hear soft snoring. It was the first time Daisy, exhausted from working for several days, had missed the chance to prepare breakfast for him, but he did not wake her.

Perhaps, with greater strength in the future, he can go back and bring Daisy and Old Gold Tooth back. Right now, he's too busy taking care of himself, but a strong person doesn't have so many concerns. Even an ordinary person can help her become a superhuman. I believe Old Gold Tooth would also like to see a wider world. With his considerable wisdom, he would find it hard to be satisfied with a small kobold's den.

He went up to the third floor and finally saw food on the table.

Old Renser was at the table, on which were two plates.

Good morning, Uncle.

Rugra pulled out a chair and sat down at another plate.

What caught his eye was a type of red berry on the plate, which old Lenser was eating at the moment.

"Eat up. With so much blood lost yesterday, this is the perfect time to eat these berries." Old Lenser stuffed large mouthfuls of them.

Ruger nodded, pinched the small vines still attached to the berries, and brought a bunch of berries to his mouth.

With just one bite, the moment it breaks open, a sweet aroma fills the mouth and reaches the heart.

Luger's eyes lit up slightly, and he began to stuff large mouthfuls into his mouth as well.

"You came to my room last night?" old Lunser said casually.

Ruger's hand froze.

“Oh, I came out last night looking for something to eat,” Ruger said.

"Did you hear a sound?" old Lunsser asked.

Ruger stuffed the remaining berries into his mouth and nodded hesitantly.

“I haven’t been feeling well lately, kid. You’d better stay away from my room after the Blood Sun darkens,” Old Lunser said, then muttered under his breath, “Looks like I really did break the soundproofing array.”

“However, you seem quite stable; you must be one of those who left the city,” Old Lunser said.

Ruger stared at him blankly.

“It seems you really are new here, and a reckless one at that, daring to come to a strange place without knowing anything about it. Basically,” Old Lunser stuffed the last strip of meat into his mouth and chewed it vigorously, “I mean someone who can stay away from this city for a long time.”

“I think I should be.” Ruger was a little unsure, or rather, couldn’t fully understand.

“That’s good. Once I’m in stable condition, you can come with me on delivery trips. That way, you’ll finally be of some use,” said Old Dog Lunser as he stood up. “Come with me.”

Upon hearing this, Luger hurriedly swept the meat strips from the plate into his mouth.

The two went to a small room at the very back of the fourth floor.

“This is where you will be making potions from now on. There are also low-level soundproofing arrays on the walls. Look over there, you need to place the magic stones yourself to activate the array,” Old Lunser said. “A quiet environment is essential for a novice like you when making extraordinary potions.”

An old workbench took up half the room, and there were shelves against the wall next to it. The whole room was filled with all sorts of tools that Luger didn't recognize.

Old Dog Head Lunser started fiddling with it, and Luger immediately went to the designated spot and inserted a magic stone. This was his uncle, or rather his teacher, who was going to demonstrate the process of potion making.

The room immediately became even quieter.

“I don’t like that kind of gradual approach; I don’t think it’s a good method,” Old Doghead began taking out various materials that would be needed, clearly having prepared in advance. “I want you to use the most rudimentary method, even if it’s just rote memorization, to first master a low-level recipe, experience the process of making potions firsthand, and then learn those theoretical things.”

"This is my way. This formula sells very well in Blood Burning City. It's a mutated version of the purification potion."

As Old Renser spoke, his eyes never left his hands, which were constantly moving.

Luger had no choice but to keep up with his pace, diligently memorizing and identifying the function of each tool without blinking. During this time, he spent two magic stones to activate the magic circle on the control panel to refine the potion. He also discovered that he needed to master two simple runes, but he wasn't worried about those. There were also materials that Old Lunser had brought to process; Luger still had the material processing steps to learn.

The correct order of learning is obviously not like this, but clearly this dog-headed uncle has his own ideas and understanding.

In a short while, a bottle of potion, its color changing several times before finally becoming as clear as water, appeared in old Lunser's hand.

Old Lunser set the potion aside and walked away leisurely.

For the next three days, Ruger spent most of his time in his alchemy room.

When I do leave, it's usually to handle materials.

By the evening of the third day, he excitedly held up the clear potion in his hand. By then, he understood the old man's reasons for teaching him the recipe first: firstly, he had enough materials in reserve; secondly, this potion sold well, and once he learned it, he could immediately bring magic stones to the shop; and thirdly, this low-level, mutated purification potion allowed him to clearly see the quality of the finished product—as long as it was clear and colorless in the end, it was considered a qualified product.

Pharmacist! Pharmacist?
"I guess I can be considered a pharmacist now, right? I can even concoct extraordinary potions," Ruger thought happily.

He went downstairs and held up the medicine in his hand.

“My dear Uncle Renser, I think your silly nephew has not disappointed you,” Ruger said.

Old Dog Head Lunser lay on the counter with drooping eyelids, only glancing at it once.

“There’s nothing to be happy about. Your speed isn’t that fast. Your mental strength is so stable that you should be able to clearly feel every step of the refining process. It’s as if you haven’t received any wizarding education…” Old Lunser muttered.

Suddenly, the sound of chains rattling came from the sky.

Old Lunser's expression changed.

"Kid, it's time for you to show your skills. Go back to your refining room and don't hesitate. Follow that feeling and turn all those materials into bottle after bottle of purification potion." Lunser's big dog had a hint of unease on its face, but more excitement, as it rubbed its hands together.

Ruger had seen him rubbing his hands like this two days ago; it was when a one-eyed old man came to buy a large quantity of medicine.

(End of this chapter)