Alaric had witnessed plenty of transactions in Baker Town.
Every single one was a complex dance of suspicion and distrust.
He never imagined that in a town governed by the Sunfire Knights, the process would be so clean. So simple.
A clerk could even handle the potion transaction himself.
"As expected of a bastion of the Order faction. The culture here is so much better than in the chaotic lands."
Alaric remarked to himself, then shook his head. "No need to bother your shopkeeper. I trust your judgment."
"By the way," he added, "do you purchase various magical herbs here?"
The clerk smiled. "We do, but we only take the rarer varieties."
Alaric nodded and emptied the rest of the herbs from his dimensional pouch. "Then take a look at these. Tell me what you'll take and give me a price."
The clerk carefully sorted through the pile, picking out several valuable herbs and offering a price of twenty Lesser Crystals.
The price was a bit low. If Alaric set up his own stall, he could get at least thirty, but it would take more time.
The old Alaric would have haggled.
But now, as a Level 7 Apprentice with a system at his back, he wasn't going to sweat over a ten-crystal difference.
His time was more valuable.
Alaric pocketed the seventy crystals and walked out of "The Verdant Phial."
After he left, the clerk took the potion to the back room and placed it before a middle-aged man.
"Master, I just acquired this Potent Mana Potion for fifty crystals."
The middle-aged man nodded, picking up the vial to inspect it. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice. "The quality is good. Fifty crystals is a fair price."
The clerk grinned. "Master, my appraisals are getting more accurate. Am I ready to graduate soon?"
"Not even close," the man scoffed. "Let me ask you, what did you sense from this potion?"
The clerk paused. "Mana... very rich, but it seems a bit... wild."
The man shook his head. "It's more than just wild."
"Sense it closely. There's an unholy taint left behind. A corrosive aura that only appears when rot and filth are used as catalysts. The technique is crude, but effective."
"A corrosive aura..." The clerk's pupils shrank. "You mean... this potion came from the Cult of Bones' territory?"
The middle-aged man's face was impassive. "What was the seller's strength?"
The clerk thought for a moment. "I couldn't see through him, but he felt powerful. At least a Level 5 Apprentice."
The middle-aged man nodded. "A mage, Level 5 or higher, brings a potion all the way from the Cult's lands. But instead of using it himself, he sells it to us. Interesting."
The clerk's face changed. "Was it deliberate? But why would he do that?"
The man waved his hand. "Who knows. Just report this to Feren. The rest isn't our concern."
...
Alaric had no idea he had already been exposed because of the potion.
He was currently staring at the crystals in his hand with a flicker of excitement. It was enough for one more simulation.
He recharged the system with sixty-four crystals and began.
[Day 1: You hide in your room, cultivating and getting used to the exhilarating feeling of your Level 7 Wood Element Affinity.]
[Day 7: You continue to cultivate. You've timed it perfectly and plan to go out in a couple of days for a 'chance encounter' with Feren.]
[Day 9: While you are meditating, there's a knock on your courtyard gate.
You open it to find Feren himself. You are surprised by his unannounced visit.
Feren keenly notices this but says nothing.
After a brief chat, he casually asks about your origins. Not wanting to reveal your background, you simply say you are a wandering mage from the countryside, here only to seek entry into the Sunfire Knights.
Feren gives a noncommittal nod and leaves.]
[Day 20: You visit Feren proactively, only to find he isn't in town. You feel a subtle sense that something is wrong.]
[Day 29: Feren returns and seeks you out for another chat. You bring up your desire to join the Knights again. He remains noncommittal.]
[Month 2: You visit Feren again and find him to be quite wary of you.]
[Month 3: You finally realize you're probably not getting a letter of recommendation from Feren.
But you figure with your current talent, being a freelance mage isn't a bad life. You decide to settle down here.]
[Month 8: After half a year of peaceful cultivation, you grow to enjoy this leisurely life. Your aura becomes increasingly serene.]
[Year 2: Feren gradually lets down his guard around you and occasionally stops by to chat, but he never mentions the recommendation letter.]
[Year 3: You break through to Level 8 and have saved up a small number of crystals.
Since making money as a freelance mage is difficult, you don't use them for cultivation, instead saving them to buy an Advancement Mana Potion after you reach Level 9.]
[Year 4: While gathering herbs nearby, you rescue a young woman in leather armor.
Her name is Brenna, a well-known ranger in the area.
To repay you, she insists on staying by your side as your guard.]
[Year 5: Over time, you and Brenna fall in love and get married.
You teach her basic mana sense; she teaches you skilled archery and swordplay. Your life is happy.]
[Year 6: During a conversation, Feren suddenly offers to recommend you to the Sunfire Knights.
After some thought, you decline his offer. The following month, your son is born.]
[Year 7: You break through again, becoming a Level 9 Magic Apprentice. You are now quite well-known in this remote little town.]
[Year 8: You begin preparations to become a Novice Mage.
Brenna insists on temporarily putting aside her own training, offering you all her savings to buy the Advancement Mana Potion.
You refuse several times, but eventually accept her kindness.]
[Year 9: Your second son is born.]