"Take it out and let me have a look."
Johnson sat back down, intending to first examine the quality of the healing potions in Darby's possession.
Before long, Mike returned carrying a large box, which made the tax officer raise an eyebrow.
When Mike opened the box, it revealed wooden test tubes packed tightly inside—enough to startle Johnson.
"This many healing potions?" Johnson stood up and stepped over to examine them more closely.
From what he knew, the ingredients required to make healing potions were fairly strict. For Mike to produce so many at once was beyond what he could have imagined.
Picking up one of the wooden test tubes from the box, Johnson pulled out the stopper. Instantly, a fresh, pleasant scent filled the air, jolting his senses. But he was puzzled.
'This doesn't seem like the usual kind of healing potion,' Johnson thought to himself, unsure what to make of it.
After hesitating, he said, "I can't confirm the effects of this healing potion myself. I'll need to take it back so the apothecaries can examine it."
Mike quickly nodded and took out ten bottles from the box, packaged them carefully, and handed them to the tax officer.
Leaving Fruitvale Village with the potions in tow, Johnson hesitated for a moment before deciding not to visit the next berry village. Instead, he rode his Rhyhorn straight toward Aspiration City.
…
Apothecary Link had been feeling worn out lately.
Inside his master's lab, Oran Berries had piled up in the corners.
Ever since they first saw the healing potion concocted by Aven, Link's master had been obsessed with studying it.
If this healing potion could truly be made using just Oran Berries, it would be a massive breakthrough in the field of potion-making!
From their preliminary research, it did appear that Oran Berries were the main ingredient—even the flavor hadn't changed much.
The key seemed to be in the method. With some special processing, the healing effects of the berries had been amplified several times over.
But no matter how hard the master apothecary studied it, he just couldn't replicate the process, and the frustration had visibly aged him.
'Maybe we should just ask Aven directly,' Link thought to himself, worried that his teacher might fall ill from overwork.
Of course, it was just a thought—he knew full well that a recipe this valuable wouldn't be easily shared.
"Maybe we should let it go. Every apothecary has their own secrets. You do too, Master," Link sighed.
Aven really was a mystery. First there was his special awakening potion and healing potion, then the strange toxin no one could analyze. There were even rumors that Aven's uncle was an adventurer...
Knock knock knock. Knock knock knock.
Just as Link was reorganizing the latest shipment of potions from the guild, there was a knock at the door.
He glanced toward the lab, then went downstairs to answer it.
Standing at the entrance was a knight in light armor. Link recognized him instantly as one of the castle's guardians.
The young knight politely asked, "Apothecary Link, is Master Olai in?"
"My teacher is currently brewing potions—it might take a while," Link hesitated. His master hated being disturbed during research.
"That's fine. I'll wait here," the knight nodded and waited at the door.
'Looks like the lord really does have business with Master,' Link thought, and quickly invited the knight into the house.
"Are these... healing potions?"
As soon as the knight entered, his gaze landed on the wooden test tubes on the table, and he asked with surprise.
"Sir Knight, you recognize these potions?" Link asked, puzzled.
"The lord specifically sent me to speak to Master Olai about these potions," the knight replied, then added, "Are they really healing potions?"
"Yes, they are," Link confirmed, "but they're different from normal healing potions." He let out a sigh and briefly explained.
Hearing that these potions were made using only Oran Berries, even the knight—who wasn't trained in potion-making—sensed something was off. How could a potion be made from just Oran Berries?
Back at Aspiration Castle, the white-haired Lady Mira was equally shocked.
"Master Olai, is this truly a healing potion made from Oran Berries?" Mira asked again.
Master Olai sighed. "My lady, it is made from Oran Berries, but the technique is quite unique."
'A special technique...' Mira recalled seeing Aven prepare a potion at Baron Ruize's house. His methods really were quite different from the norm.
After a pause, the lord continued, "How effective is this healing potion? Can it replace the current ones in use?"
In half a year, the Abyssal Cave could start producing monsters. She needed to stockpile as many healing potions as possible before then—this would be war between beasts and humans!
"The effects are not significantly worse," Master Olai said objectively, which immediately lit up Mira's eyes.
According to the tax officer, Fruitvale Village still had a large stock of these potions.
Realizing this, she ordered her knights to accompany the tax officer and purchase all the healing potions available in the village. Aspiration City couldn't have too many of them right now.
"Master Olai, let's go over these potions again. You're sure they can be made using just Oran Berries?"
After giving her instructions, Mira offered Olai an apologetic smile and asked once more.
Olai nodded, though his expression remained conflicted.
Seeing this, Mira fell silent. She realized she might need to personally negotiate with this Aven apothecary.
The method for creating this potion was simply too important for the future of Aspiration City.
…
In the farm's cellar, Aven was still processing Oran Berries.
Thanks to the use of growth fertilizer, the farmers had all enjoyed massive harvests—there were just too many Oran Berries.
Turning all of them into healing potions would take a lot of time—even with the help of Petilil, his little assistant.
"This isn't actually a healing potion—it's a nutritious juice," Aven explained as he carefully instructed Petilil on how to make it.
"By using the technique I taught you, you can extract the full nutrients from the Oran Berries. The key step is breaking down the berry walls."
"Oran Berries release their nutrients best in warm water between 40–60°C. The temperature is critical—too low and the nutrients won't dissolve; too high and they'll break down."
"Once the nutrients fully merge with the water, the mixture is left to ferment at room temperature. That's how we get the nutritious juice."
Aven smiled as he finished, then added, "This is a nutritional beverage. If you tried to make it using traditional potion-making methods, it wouldn't work."
(End of Chapter)