The bump on Gerald's chest was about the size of a walnut. It didn't hurt or anything, but it was visually unappealing.
This was no what concerned Gerald, however. A body full of scars and misshapen bones was nothing to be worried about. However, the unknown growth was bugging him a lot and was constantly on his mind.
He finally decided to investigate it more closely.
Standing in front of a large mirror, Gerald took this shirt off and exposed his muscular upper body. From the time he arrived at this new place, his muscles developed quite significantly, and at the same time, he also became leaner.
It was just too bad he was now full of scars, otherwise, he could be considered to be extremely attractive.
Anyway, with a sharp knife in hand, he made a swift slashing motion and created a small cut on top of the bump. A sharp pain came with the action, but it was nothing major that couldn't be handled.
A few drops of blood flowed out of the wound, but Gerald ignored them and moved the skin a few millimeters apart.
All he could see was blackness covered with dark-red blood. Using the tip of the knife to touch it, he felt nothing.
No pain, no discomfort, no nothing…
He tried pushing a little harder but it didn't seem like it was something that belonged there, something biological. It was almost like a sort of stone or metal.
He tried to scratch it, but again, there was no reaction. The thing was quite hard.
"Well, it's probably not bone cancer… But what else could it be?" Gerald scratched his head in confusion.
Using his Magic Eyes he observed Mana flowing through him and noticed that it was more concentrated inside his chest, but that was about it.
He didn't think much about it though. Mana was always more concentrated in the biggest part of the body. Other people also had the same distribution, just the amount of it was lesser.
"Sigh~ Hopefully, it's not harmful, because I really don't know what to think of it."
He cast a healing spell on himself and put his shirt back on.
"I wonder if God's Blood already arrived?"
He decided to pay a visit to Arthur to check on him. He was already considered a regular guest, so the receptionist didn't make a fuss about it. He was simply guided by a servant to Arthur's office.
"Hey there, I just wanted to see if the herbs already arrived?" Gerald said after they exchanged greetings.
"Funny you should ask… They just arrived this morning with the other goods. I was just about to send someone to call you." Arthur brought and placed a wooden box on the table. "Here they are. I already counted, twenty-five healthy and mature flowers. I think this should be enough for now."
'Twenty-five!' Gerald felt extremely excited by the amount, but only showed a slightly happy face.
"Thank you, master Arthur! My master will greatly appreciate your help. I'll tell him all about your selflessness contribution."
He took out two Potions of Focus and respectfully handed them over. "This is the extent of what I have prepared for now. But rest assured, I'll do my best to make at least one each day until I deliver the amount owed."
"Hehe, no pressure, good things are worth the wait," Arthur laughed nonchalantly. But then his expression became serious, "Actually, I would like to order more of that potion if possible. I heard you visited master Ashbrew yesterday…"
"I'll be honest, his evaluation of this potion was extremely high to put it simply. He wants to be paid in Potion of Focus now and doesn't even want to hear about money..."
"I understand your predicament master Arthur, but producing these potions is not exactly easy. I barely just learned how to make them, so I'll require a few months of time to master it, at least!"
Arthur made a pained expression like he was in a great dilemma. "Well… Would you be willing to sell the recipe to us perhaps? We won't let you take any losses, of course!"
Gerald made a shocked expression, "Master Arthur! I don't think this is appropriate. My master was quite clear when he said that his secrets should not be revealed to just anyone!"
His face showed an offended expression as if what he just heard was the most ludicrous thing in the world.
"Forgive me, it wasn't my intent to make you break your master's orders..." Arthur quickly realized his mistake and tried to apologize.
But Gerald was having none of it. "I think I should leave. I'll send someone to bring you the agreed-upon amount of potions in the following weeks. Farewell!"
With those words, he left the room and closed the door behind him hard. Arthur was left sitting in his chair with a bizarre expression.
"Now that's just fucking great! Now he is offended… Like master, like apprentice, I guess. I should have known he would also have some sort of eccentric personality, damn it!"
Arthur felt a headache coming on.
He thought their relationship was friendly enough already to maybe trade some secrets, but clearly, he was wrong.
Now he even started to debate whether he should bring an apology gift, but considering his status, he ultimately decided to just wait and see.
"Good, he is interested!" Gerald rubbed his hands together on the way home. "Now I just have to let his thoughts brew for a few weeks until he can't hold it any longer… Then I'll be able to get more benefits, hehe..."
It was his plan all along, to establish some sort of deal with the Auction House and gather great amounts of wealth with minimal work.
But for this plan to be consistent with his words, he would need a trusted ally to be a mediator between him and Arthur Rosecloud.
Master Ashbrew came to mind. The man valued his own mind above all else, and if he could get him on his side, that would be perfect.
When it would come to the point of distributing benefits from Potions of Focus, if master Ashbrew was the one who would be making them, he would probably fight for Gerald's side.
This was Gerald's plan, now he just had to make sure it would go his way.
But for now, he had plenty of stuff to do. Like making more Mana Elixirs!