The Magic Runes on the Hidden Mist Fang were now fully restored, regaining their luster and exuding a profound magical aura.
Its Magic Power didn't seem to have weakened from the previous damage. Instead, it felt as though it had become even more stable and powerful after undergoing the baptism of the [Repair Skill+].
Gaode expectantly focused his Spiritual Power onto the repaired Hidden Mist Fang.
Immediately, a stream of relevant information fed back into his mind:
*Can cast the First-Ring Spell [Hidden Mist Skill] once per day without consuming Mana.*
*When casting the Hidden Mist Skill, the Hidden Mist Fang will undergo Demonization, dealing higher damage during attacks.*
[Hidden Mist Skill] (Curse Magic, 1st Ring):
*A cloud of fog, twenty feet high and with a twenty-foot radius, will rise around you, centered on your location, and last for one minute.*
*The fog is stationary. It obscures all lines of sight, including Dark Vision. No creature can see anything beyond five feet (roughly 1.6 meters), and visibility within five feet is severely reduced.*
*A gentle breeze can disperse the fog within twenty seconds.*
*A strong wind can disperse it in five seconds.*
*The fog will be burned away by fire.*
*This Magic is ineffective underwater.*
***
It was a type of Magic without any lethal power.
Was he disappointed?
Maybe a little bit, but not much.
After all, just by hearing its name, Gaode could roughly guess that it wouldn't have much offensive capability.
At least it wasn't the worst-case scenario. It was still a type of Magic useful for combat, rather than pure Support Magic like the Repair Skill.
Furthermore, there was an unexpected surprise.
Aside from coming with a First-Ring Spell, the Hidden Mist Fang actually possessed an additional effect: Demonization.
This was equivalent to a single Extraordinary Item possessing two types of Magic.
It certainly lived up to its reputation.
For the Okenley Merchants Association to be hailed as the most powerful Magic Alchemy Creation Merchants Association on the entire continent, it was indeed extraordinary.
Gaode really wanted to test the power of the Hidden Mist Fang after Demonization.
However, considering that Mage Seda was right here in the Medicinal Garden, making a commotion could draw his attention and risk exposing Gaode's secrets prematurely. After a second thought, he decided to drop the idea.
***
How should he utilize this First-Ring Spell?
Gaode fell into deep thought.
The intentions of the Alchemist who crafted the Hidden Mist Fang were obvious:
Create an environment favorable for Close Combat using the Hidden Mist Skill, and then strike with the greatly enhanced power of the Demonized Hidden Mist Fang.
A very nice synergy.
The problem was that if he wanted to attack with the Hidden Mist Fang, he would have to take the initiative to get up close to Mage Seda.
And Mage Seda had at least two types of Magic that strictly required physical contact to take effect.
This ran contrary to Gaode's intended combat strategy.
"Huh?" While pondering bitterly, Gaode suddenly noticed a specific footnote about the Hidden Mist Skill, and a brilliant idea flashed through his mind.
"Perhaps, I can use it this way..." he murmured.
By the time Gaode returned to his bedroom, it was late into the night.
Amy, as usual, was already fast asleep.
But this time, instead of tiptoeing quietly like he usually did, Gaode walked straight up to Amy's bed and gently patted his shoulder.
"Mmh?" Amy woke up groggily.
"It's me."
"Gaode... what is it?" Amy's voice was still muffled, as he wasn't entirely awake yet.
As they spoke, Gaode had already lit the oil lamp in the room using the Mage's Hand.
Meanwhile, in his actual hand lay five Trifoliate Flower Silver Coins, shimmering with a faint silvery gleam.
"Do me a favor and go into the city to buy something for me tomorrow... You can keep the remaining money for your trouble," Gaode instructed.
"Huh? Why do you need to buy that?" Stimulated by the sight of the Silver Coins, Amy finally woke up completely. He bolted upright and asked in confusion.
"Don't worry about it. Just say the word—are you helping or not?"
Amy looked down and thought it over carefully for a moment. Then, raising his head, he looked at Gaode and said earnestly, "Alright... but I don't need any extra money. I'll help you for free."
Gaode nodded, replying just as earnestly, "Thank you."
***
Time passed quietly, day by day.
Until the final day of the Awakening Moon arrived.
This was the day Phil's Magic Pharmacy restocked its supplies.
Right around noon, Mage Seda left the Medicinal Garden in person.
Gaode, who had been keeping a close eye on Mage Seda's movements, knew exactly what was happening. Mage Seda was heading to Phil's Magic Pharmacy to retrieve the final ingredient needed to concoct his Magic Potion.
The moment he saw him leave the Medicinal Garden, Gaode immediately ducked into his own workspace.
Naturally, it wasn't to prepare a Basic Spider Venom Potion.
At a crucial juncture like this, he had neither the mood nor the need to perform such meaningless work.
Gaode was making his final preparations for his inevitable showdown with Mage Seda.
He took out the glass vials he usually used to package Magic Potions, cast [Acid Splash+] to conjure acid that could last up to a single day, and filled the vials with it.
Afterward, he slipped these homemade acid vials into various pockets of his clothes.
He patted them down, making sure they wouldn't make any noise when he moved and that they weren't visibly bulging from the outside, before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.
Do one's best and leave the rest to fate.
Gaode had made as many preparations as he possibly could within the limits of his abilities. Whether he succeeded or not would ultimately depend somewhat on luck.
***
It was a full two hours later before Mage Seda returned to the Medicinal Garden.
Gaode, who had deliberately chosen this exact moment to leave his workspace, ran right into him in the corridor.
"Lord Mage," Gaode said, stepping aside respectfully to make way for Mage Seda.
Mage Seda merely glanced at Gaode expressionlessly without saying a word, brushing past him with cold indifference.
Gaode watched Mage Seda's back until it disappeared from sight, only then resuming his steps.
Even though Mage Seda had tried his utmost to appear emotionless, Gaode could clearly detect a fervent gleam hidden in his eyes today, indicating that he was currently in a state of high excitement.
He thought, "Get excited. The more excited you are, the better."
While Mage Seda returned to his own room and went into seclusion to brew his Magic Potion, Gaode didn't remain idle either.
He meticulously planned the details of their final showdown in his mind, rehearsing it over and over.
He carefully pondered every possible scenario that could unfold after confronting Mage Seda, mentally running through all the potential dangers yet to occur and formulating corresponding countermeasures.
After that, all he could do was wait for word from Mage Seda. It could be today; it could be tomorrow.
That night, Gaode didn't receive any summons from Mage Seda, but he hardly slept a wink either.
***
On the morning of the first day of the Spring Bud Moon, Mage Seda stood before a long wooden table. His face carried clear traces of exhaustion, and his mind seemed to be somewhat in a trance. He stood frozen in place, lost in unknown thoughts.
After a long while, he finally raised his hand. His gaze was fixed intently on the Magic Potion he had finished concocting not long ago. As he gently swirled the vial, his eyes traced the swaying liquid inside, and his heart churned with equal turbulence, burning with anxious fretfulness.
"It should be a success this time, right?"
Even though Mage Seda genuinely felt highly confident this time, now that the critical moment was upon him, he still couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of apprehension.
"I'll know once I try it." Gritting his teeth, Mage Seda suppressed his restless turmoil and finally stopped hesitating.
"Summon Gaode to test the potion," he instructed.