Chapter 40: Become an adventurer (×) Become an adventurer’s sponsor (√)

“Oh?”

Helos Olivia’s silver eyes brightened slightly as she propped one hand on the edge of the hammock, leaning forward a little. “Tell me in detail.”

Julius took a half step back instinctively as the girl suddenly closed in.

“It’s… the most primitive kind of usage.”

He made a motion as if pounding herbs. “You crush Bloodstanch Vine and Silverdew Grass together and apply the mash directly to the wound.”

“Isn’t that just some rustic remedy from the countryside?”

Helos Olivia curled her lips, her silver hair swaying lightly with her shake of the head.

“But the interesting thing is—”

Julius suddenly lowered his voice. “If you dilute that mixture with purified water, then boil it, drinking the resulting liquid works just as well.”

He paused, then continued, “Of course, the effect can’t compare to those proper Magical Potions.”

Helos Olivia’s eyes gradually narrowed as she unconsciously twisted a strand of silver hair between her fingers.

“So you mean… this primitive method can also be considered ‘potion making’?”

“In theory, any liquid with healing effects can be called a Potion, right?”

Julius shrugged and plucked a leaf, placing it in his mouth. “Although those old white-bearded guys at the Church always say it’s ‘barbarian folk medicine,’ I feel it’s pretty handy sometimes.”

Helos Olivia’s silver hair slipped over her shoulder as she tilted her head, casting a suspicious glance at the Potionmaking Basics Guide in her hand. The book indeed did not offer a strict definition of “Potion.”

“That’s… true enough.”

Her fingertips lightly traced the edge of the page. “But those folk remedies probably don’t have precise Recipes, do they?”

Julius was momentarily taken aback, the leaf in his mouth wobbling slightly.

“Maybe the old Apothecaries in the countryside know, but I couldn’t say.”

He scratched his cheek awkwardly. “I only know it needs Bloodstanch Vine and Silverdew Grass.”

The girl suddenly closed the book, a mischievous gleam flashing in her pale purple eyes.

“So basically—”

She lightly jumped down from the hammock and stood in front of Julius. “I can try mixing it myself?”

“If you don’t know the Recipe, trial and error is all you’ve got—”

Before the boy could finish, Helos Olivia dashed towards the Workshop like a gust of wind, her silver hair leaving a sparkling trail behind her.

“So eager?”

He watched her retreating figure and raised an eyebrow. “Does she… even have the materials ready?”

Sure enough, less than two minutes later, the Workshop door gently opened.

Helos Olivia dragged her head low as she slowly walked out, the tips of her silver hair seeming to have lost their luster.

“Forgot to prepare the materials…”

She mumbled quietly, absentmindedly kicking a small stone on the ground.

“Pft.”

A soft laugh came from beside her.

Helos Olivia jerked her head up to meet Julius’s smiling eyes.

“What are you laughing at!”

She glared at him, her cheeks faintly flushed.

“Well, it’s you, so I guess it’s normal.”

Julius shrugged, the curve of his mouth widening.

“You little—”

Helos Olivia plopped down beside him and poked his shoulder in frustration. “So where exactly do we get these two herbs?”

Julius reached out and stopped her restless fingers, tilting his head in thought.

“These two herbs are actually quite common.”

“Herb Gatherers at the general market usually have them in stock. But…”

He turned his head to look seriously at Helos Olivia. “How much do you actually need?”

The girl blinked, suddenly realizing she hadn’t even considered the most basic question.

She slightly turned her face, silver hair cascading like a waterfall, just enough to hide her flickering eyes.

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

“I don’t know exactly… but definitely a lot.”

Julius squinted his eyes.

“By the way, why the sudden interest in Potions?”

He leaned forward slightly, curious. “Are you planning to make something special?”

Helos Olivia sighed gently, her silver lashes lowering. She spread her hands with palms up, as if presenting something, or silently expressing her helplessness.

“I guess… you could say that.”

Her voice barely carried on the breeze. “You know I can’t use magic, so I have to learn some craft.”

“In case one day I really get kicked out of the house…”

She suddenly lifted her head, a faint smile at the corner of her lips. “At least I can still earn a living with this, right?”

But Julius rolled his eyes. “You can’t exactly survive by making bombs alone.”

“Hey! You’re hitting a sore spot!”

Helos Olivia pouted. “Off topic! If I’m going to gather herbs, I’m going to need a lot!”

Her tone became serious as she gestured wildly with her fingers.

“At least enough to fill three big wooden crates!”

Julius raised an eyebrow.

“You planning to open an Apothecary?”

“Cut the crap! Are you helping or not?”

“Sigh, do I even have the right to refuse?”

Julius let out an exaggerated sigh, his short black hair swaying with the shake of his head.

Feigning helplessness, he shrugged. “Alright, I’ll make another trip tomorrow.”

Yet a day later, the news Julius brought back froze Helos Olivia’s smile.

“Bad news,”

Julius slammed his backpack on the table, dust dancing in the sunlight. “Silverdew Grass is still available, but Bloodstanch Vine…”

He shook his head. “I only managed to get a tiny bundle.”

Helos Olivia stood up sharply.

“What happened?”

Her fingertips lightly touched the pitiful few vines on the table, a trace of unease flashing in her pale purple eyes. “Isn’t this herb supposed to be everywhere?”

Julius furrowed his brow tightly.

“It’s true that it’s common.”

He sighed, tapping his fingers softly on the tabletop. “But I heard someone’s been hoarding Bloodstanch Vine like crazy lately, almost sweeping the market clean.”

Helos Olivia’s silver hair swayed as she suddenly looked up, surprise barely hidden in her voice.

“Who?”

“How should I know?”

Julius sank into a chair and spread his hands. “Probably those Apothecaries stockpiling again.”

He tilted his head, thinking. “After all, it’s a fundamental ingredient. The demand is huge.”

“Sigh, this is troublesome.”

Helos Olivia sighed. “We can’t exactly go gather them ourselves, can we?”

“Though that’s an option… I doubt it would be easy for just the two of us.”

They fell into silence.

“By the way, if we can’t go ourselves, can we ask someone else?”

Suddenly, Helos Olivia looked up. “Like directly commissioning Herb Gatherers?”

“Forget it. They trade directly with the herb merchants. Who’d have time to take your request?”

Julius shook his head without hesitation, dismissing the idea.

But soon, he seemed to think of something.

“However… maybe we could try commissioning adventurers?”