Ten: Don’t panic in an emergency, right?

“Water Creation”

Chanting the spell to conjure water into an empty barrel.

Back when I was still me, that’d be about a finger’s height of water at best.

I’d rather forget that nickname—“One-Finger Magician.”

“Hmm. One spell to fill the barrel… I’d like that in my army.”

“Not planning to join the military, thanks.”

Huh. Now that I think about it, I’ve been chatting casually with Kyle like it’s nothing, even going so far as to talk straight to the two guards accompanying him…

Yeah, real smooth. Going with that. Yeah.

If I said I could fill a pond with serious magic, they’d probably drag me into the army by force.

Digging the well was the right call.

……

Maina’s peering into the barrel with genuine interest. Shy, sure, but she’s curious, too.

Is this what it’d be like if I actually had a sister?

“Step back a bit.”

I shove the pre-prepared herbs into the barrel.

Stir them lightly with a long stick.

“You look like an old witch with that robe and long pole.”

“Once we make a alchemical cauldron, you might actually look like one.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Never mind. Just don’t worry about it.”

I don’t even know myself.

They say alchemical cauldrons let you massively increase quality and quantity.

But right now, I’m not in any rush. I’ll save it for later.

Plus, I don’t even have the materials to build one.

“Alright… Alchemy: Healing Potion!”

A thick puff of smoke bursts from the barrel. The water’s color shifts sharply.

A potion, crystal clear like the ocean, is finished.

“Wait… already done?”

“Yeah.”

My magic got drained hard. But that’s no problem for me right now.

I was just thinking—could it be that the magic seal on mages actually strengthens and amplifies power, like muscle?

If this is true, could be a new training method… no, no way. Didn’t they say mismatched seals can cost you your life? Better keep it to ourselves. Someone’ll try something reckless otherwise.

Craft, does this work with just a spoonful?

"Wait a sec—'鉴定'... nah, gotta be more than a regular Healing Potion. Needs about a small cupful. But since it's high quality, they say it heals serious wounds faster than the stuff sold in shops."

That’s impressive!

Well, the quality’s legendary, ain’t it.

"Can’t degrade easily, so store it in the village’s warehouse—use it when someone gets hurt."

I’d love to test just how much damage this can heal, but it’s not like I can just try it out like a stamina potion.

"Yeah. Nothing’s better than no injuries at all."

"Ah."

We could make higher-tier potions too, but right now we’ve got no materials for it.

Not to mention, potions that’re legendary in the truest sense—like the ones you hear about in stories—aren’t going to be useful out here in the frontier settlement.

"Store it in the warehouse. Let everyone know they can use it when needed."

"Yeah."

Persia tried to help carry the barrel, but I waved her off—space storage’s a thing, after all. Then I noticed her chest and felt a flicker of regret.

…just a flicker, okay?

On the way to the warehouse, I told Leifan, who was building Kyle’s house, about the healing potion.

"Another potion that’s gonna have adventurers fighting over it again."

"I’d sell it normally if someone asked, but..."

"Let’s hold off on that. Prices and all that’ll be a headache."

"Got it. But I can use it in the village, right?"

"Too late for that now."

Honestly, if it helps this village, I’m not holding back.

"Explain it at dinner time."

"Yessir."

And so, for the time being, I’d keep honing my alchemy skills.

◆

A few days after Kyle’s house was built.

The incident happened.

"Damn it! Hunter Jitarou’s been hurt!"

"What?!"

People working in the settlement gathered in the square in front of the house.

Kyle’s two guards, Alphard and Persia, rushed out too.

"What the hell happened?"

Alphard ran to Jitarou.

"Was a small group of goblins. Got careless. Thought they were just goblins."

"Conscious, at least. Where’s the rest of the goblins?"

I'm fine. I made sure to wipe them all out completely.

Right… For safety, anyone working outside, get inside! Fighters, head out with me to patrol the village perimeter! Persia. I’m entrusting Kyle and Maina to you.

Understood!

I bolted out too, and Alphard was briskly giving orders.

No surprise. Professional soldier.

Craft! I need you—someone’s hurt! You were making healing potions, right!?

"Yeah! Leave it to me!"

Good! Anyone free, carry Jitarou to an empty room in the manor! Follow Persia’s orders!

Over here! And fetch water from the well!

I’ll magic it out myself! Just carry it for now!

Got it!

Jitarou, injured and carried swiftly by Alphard’s precise orders, was moved to an empty room.

A skilled hunter, that one.

Persia quickly checks Jitarou’s wound.

...This is a deep wound.

Guh! Me of all people letting myself get caught by a goblin.

Why didn’t you run?

Six of them, and the village was too close. I figured I’d wipe them out myself.

Monsters are monsters. Don’t push it. I get the intent, but still.

Sorry, sis.

Ah… no, that’s not important. Craft, wash the wound first.

Got it.

He summons water into a bucket and splashes it straight onto the cut.

Yeah, this is deep. Reaches the muscle. Bad. The artery’s severed.

Heavy bleeding.

Likely the deadliest kind of trauma.

Few healers can suture arteries buried deep in muscle. Even rarer are recovery mages skilled enough to treat it.

Even a priest with a mark on their chest wouldn’t be able to stop bleeding for long if they’re just starting out.

“Craft! I’ve got a potion!”

“Saved!”

Leifan brought a potion barrel from the warehouse.

She’s stronger than she looks.

“…Even military-issue healing potions, healing this kind of wound is a borderline case.”

Persia’s face tightened.

“Just use it already!”

I scooped the potion from the barrel with a ladle and splashed it straight onto Jitarou’s wound.

Immediately after, steam rose from the cut.

“Huh?”

I’m no stranger to potions—been a veteran adventurer, after all. I’ve used plenty.

But this reaction? Never seen it before.

“Ah…? I don’t feel it anymore?”

“Huh?”

“Wait… what?”

When the smoke rising from the wound finally settled, the gash that had been wide open just moments before vanished completely—like it had never been there at all.

We all stood there, slack-jawed.

“Huh? Wait… is this real? It’s… healed?”

“This… is…”

Leifan and Persia both let out stunned voices.

I knew it would heal, but this is beyond anything I imagined.

“Unbelievable! You’re a real pro, Craft! Completely fixed!”

“Ah, yeah. That’s good.”

“I’ve never used a potion before, but this is something else!”

“Jitarou. Don’t think this is normal. And you’ve been drinking stamina potions regularly, right?”

“Ah, right! Forgot about that. Hahaha!”

Way too fast at adapting, man.

Well, whatever. Good thing.

“Jitarou. You can’t expect blood to come back instantly. Don’t push it.”

“Is that so? But I feel great, really.”

“Hmm. Just to be safe, drink a spoonful of the warehouse’s stamina potion and keep an eye on yourself until tomorrow.”

“Got it! Well then, how about helping with the field cleanup?”

“…I told you not to push yourself…”

Jitarou, completely recovered, marched out of the room with high spirits.

I’ll check later if he’s really not overdoing it.

“Looks good, huh.”

“Yeah. Good.”

We both let out sighs of relief, Me and Leifan.

Just as we were about to leave the scene, I noticed Persia muttering under her breath.

“This needs to go to the army right away… no, but…”

I figured she’d be pushing hard to get her hands on it, but she’s hesitating for some reason.

“Something wrong? If Leifan gives the okay, making it isn’t a problem, is it?”

No issue making it in bulk. If it brings money to the settlement, I’d be begging for more.

Hmm. Can you keep this next bit under your hat?

Persia gave a grim face, and Me and Leifan glanced at each other before nodding back.

Still holding second place overall for the day, and first for the week.

Thank you all for your support <(_ _)>

Keep the support coming, please!

2018/08/02

Changed Cure Potion to Healing Potion.