"You dare to casually call out someone's name, you little brat."
I couldn't have imagined that I would encounter him, so I unintentionally blurted out his name.
He is the current Tower Master of Rodren Magic tower and the owner of the Alven Duchy. He is one of the strongest individuals in the current world, holding two extraordinary titles.
Of course, in the end of the game, it is the daughter, Dianne Alven, who becomes stronger, but that's only when the player controls the story.
"I apologize, Tower Master."
"Hmph. Like father, like son. Both pathetic."
Though his eyes were hidden, his smirk was clearly felt. But what can I do? I am not susceptible to such provocation right now.
Hmm.
Huh? Did that sound just come out of my mouth?
Ignoring my reaction, Bahart turned his head towards Lucia.
"Is she the daughter of Earl Hollington?"
"I am Lucia Everlast."
"Hmph. If you want me to remember your name, then build a reputation worth remembering."
He's like a grumpy old man, asking a question and leaving it at that. Anyway, things worked out well.
I was already lost, wondering what to do, but then the owner of the Tower appeared.
"Tower Master, are you conducting an evaluation, by any chance?"
"Hmm? Evaluation? What evaluation?"
"Today, we decided to conduct an evaluation of the potion we created at Rodren Magic tower."
"Potion?"
What's that? You don't know?
Even I was slightly taken aback.
Then why did he appear here?
"So, you created a new potion?"
"Yes."
"Uh-haha, uh-haha-hahaha!"
A wild burst of laughter erupted, befitting his madness.
Not only did he suddenly burst into laughter, but as he did, Stormbringer, who was excited by his laughter, began releasing lightning bolts into the air.
"Crazy!"
I immediately deployed an Earth Shield, and Lucia, who was beside me, used an unknown magic.
Crack! Boom!
My Earth Shield was shattered by a single lightning bolt, but I quickly deployed another Earth Shield to protect us from the pouring lightning onslaught.
"Senior, are you alright? I activated a Protect Shield to cover your share as well."
"Thank you."
I could breathe a sigh of relief at Lucia's words.
By the way, using an intermediate-level magic like Protect Shield already. It doesn't seem to take much casting time. A genius is indeed a genius.
Compared to that, I can only use a basic-level magic like Earth Shield...
Dying in this way would be considered a somewhat noteworthy death achievement.
'Achievement, my foot.'
I thought to myself, but it sounded idiotic.
Fortunately, Bahart, who was done laughing, immediately whistled, and Stormbringer regained its composure. He still had a lingering smile on his face as he spoke.
"Hehe. From what I can see, your magical accomplishments are still remarkable."
"I believe it will improve soon."
"Haha! Even passing dogs will laugh at you now."
Now you're the one laughing at me.
Of course, I didn't say it out loud, just kept it to myself.
"Alright. So, you made a potion? You piqued my curiosity by saying you made it. Let's go see it right away."
As Bahart waved his hand from atop the saddle, a magic circle was drawn beneath our feet, and in an instant, we were transported to a different space.
"Teleportation!"
Indeed, Bahart was a monster.
Magic related to space was second in difficulty only to magic related to time. Not only was it difficult but capturing the basics of spatial magic alone would be enough to treat you as a respectable intermediate-level magician.
Handling the formulas and arrangements of magic instantly and manifesting them was a different story compared to spatial magic contained in artifacts or installed magic circles.
If one could use such magic at the level of disregarding others' intentions and mana interference, then the word "monster" would be appropriate.
"Tower Master, you are amazing. Senior."
Even Lucia couldn't hide her expression of annoyance. Enough said.
The place she teleported to was a room with a normal appearance, unlike the corridors inside the tower.
There was a lingering scent of black tea, as if someone had just finished drinking it.
"Master Bahart, where are we?"
"I happened to come across it on the way. Are we going to evaluate these students' potions today?"
"Yes, that's correct."
In the evaluation room, three magic practitioners from the Magic tower organization were waiting as examiners. They didn't know how to react to Bahart's unexpected appearance.
"I see. Is this the potion?"
"Yes, the ingredient and efficacy tests are already done. In fact, the safety of the potion has already been approved. We only have some questions left regarding the students' production process and methods."
While the examiner was explaining, Bahart dropped a drop of the potion into his mouth.
As if savouring the taste for a moment, he then consumed an entire bottle in an instant.
"Mohaim fruit, leaves, sap of the Totara tree, Jaha's fruit, Phyruna mushroom."
After saying that, he looked at Lucia.
"What are the remaining two?"
"The sap of the Hwonsi and the bark of the Matara root."
"Hwonsi and Matara. You really put some thought into it."
He chuckled and made the potion bottle disappear, then he vanished in an instant, approaching Lucia.
"I've heard your story a couple of times. But I didn't expect you to pull off such a bold move so soon."
"Thank you."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Isn't it?"
While Lucia casually asked, Bahart stood there with only the corners of his mouth lifted, then he turned to the examiners and said:
"The examination is over. Stamp the confirmation."
"Yes. It's confirmed, Tower Master."
Phew, I was worried about what kind of trouble that lunatic would cause. Looks like everything went smoothly.
I remember cursing that character countless times in the game as well.
He was a character who couldn't be controlled, constantly engaging in unpredictable actions. I couldn't even consider him as a teammate.
Back then, he was just a powerful psychopath, but when he became a reality and stood in front of me, his overwhelming presence exceeded my imagination.
"Now, let's talk about something else."
"...?"
"Why did Adrias come along?"
Lucia still had a puzzled expression on her face, unable to understand.
"You made it alone, didn't you? Why do you insist on pretending that he is a co-creator?"
"I don't understand what you mean. Why would I claim to have made it alone?"
"Well, isn't that obvious? Are you really trying to say that you truly made the potion together with Adrias?"
"Hmm, I understand what you're saying."
"Just a moment! No, what kind of conversation are you two having...?"
I quickly interrupted and joined the conversation. It seems that this lunatic's madness is transferring as it is.
Lucia's reaction seemed uneasy. If I were to say that I made it alone in front of her, it would be all over for me.
If something goes wrong, my patent and the resulting profits will go down the drain.
"If it's about the collaboration, it's true."
"Huh?"
Contrary to my expectations, Lucia said something completely unexpected.
"Yesterday, Diene-senpai came and asked me, and her father had the same reaction, so it's interesting."
"What? Diene said that too?"
He became immediately interested when his daughter's name was mentioned. Even if he is insane, it seems that in front of his daughter, he is just a father.
"Yes. She said that if you don't believe it, you should ask Senpai directly."
Lucia gave Bahart a piercing look, and he turned his head to me with an expression that seemed disinterested.
But can he see with his eyes covered like that?
"If it's true?"
"If it's about the collaboration, then yes, it's true."
"Alright then, you can ask your questions."
"Yes, since you came here for that purpose."
"Good. Then go ahead and ask."
Bahart nodded and waved his hand once again. Then, with the same magic circle as before, Lucia and Bahart teleported.
"Say something, please. I'm about to have a heart attack from being startled."
"Understood."
"What?"
"This is a magic that can only be used inside the Magic tower."
I just nodded at Lucia's sudden remark. She was also peculiar in her own way, analysing things in the midst of it all. Upon hearing her words, Bahart smiled.
"What's so impressive about figuring something out? Rather, hurry up and follow me."
The place they arrived at this time was a massive laboratory.
There were also wizards here, most of them sleeping in a corner of the research station or wandering around like zombies with dark circles under their eyes.
It gave me chills as if I was projecting myself into the future.
"For now, you can use the materials here to make that potion."
"Understood."
That's a piece of cake.
After handling the materials hundreds of times over the past few days, I had become familiar enough to make them even with my eyes closed.
Lucia, who had been watching from the side, was more likely to fail in the production process. I brought the ingredients for one dose from a separate warehouse in the laboratory and immediately began the production process.
Although the laboratory in the Magic tower was more sophisticated and difficult to handle than the equipment I had dealt with at the academy, I was able to use them skilfully.
Ding!
"You have successfully crafted the Potion of Stamina Enhancement (Intermediate)."
As soon as the extraction, fusion, and reaction were properly mixed, a notification popped up. I made the potion in just five minutes, and Bahart looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, "Look at this guy."
But seriously, can he see it even when his eyes are covered?
Bahart dipped his finger into the potion I made and drank it in one gulp, just like before.
"Good. Now, I will ask you a question."
"Please go ahead."
"Why did you specifically choose the essence of the Hwonsi? I understand the general intention, but there were many other options, like the Holman seeds or Popong surgical powder."
"It's because it's a liquid. Although it may not be a big deal, liquid and solid media show different reactions in chemical reactions and extraction processes. I needed a liquid neutralizer as one of the essential ingredients, which is the essence of the Totara Tree, and it needed to be blended without side effects. Of course, even if the examples you mentioned were in liquid form, it would be impossible."
"Why is that?"
"Because the essence of the Hwonsi is of animal origin. Those ingredients are of plant origin, so it's impossible. Even if they perform a similar neutralizing function, they would result in completely different reactions during the fusion process. For example, if the ingredients you mentioned were used as substitutes, the traits of the weak Phyruna mushroom in plant-based neutralizers would break down. It's not just a simple breakdown; it triggers a chain reaction that amplifies the hallucinogenic components of the Mohaim fruit."
Everything I just mentioned wasn't something I discovered myself; it was hinted in the game. But in the end, it was all thanks to my efforts.
Perhaps no one else who played this game put in as much effort as I did to find the combination.
"Have you tried it yourself?"
"Yes. I have used both types of ingredients that you mentioned."
Of course, in the game. It wasn't a lie, so I confidently answered.
Bahart suddenly touched the cloth covering his eyes and then removed it. And with excited eyes, he looked at me.
"Is it really the Adrias Cromwell I know? Who are you?"
"I am the Adrias Cromwell you just mentioned."
"As I said, it's important to assume that I know you. Are you really the guy I know?"
"Yes, I am. Alven-sama."
"Haha, this is really..."
My heart skipped a beat at his sudden question. Did he figure out that I'm Kim Jin-hwan?
But thanks to my habit of hiding my emotions, I was able to answer calmly.
"It's been a few years since I last saw you, right?"
Remember! Think!
In an instant, Adrias' memories came back to me.
"I think I saw you at the entrance ceremony, so it feels like the first time. It's been about two and a half years."
"Is that so? I don't know what happened in the meantime, but..."
I don't know what happened?
"It seems like it has been quite interesting."
"Thank you."
Although I thanked him verbally, my mind was complicated.
I messed up. Bahart Alven used the expression "quite interesting."
Something bad must have happened.
"Do you have a keen interest in potion-making?"
"Yes? Yes. It's not that I have exceptional magical talent, like you saw earlier..."
Of course, I intended to upgrade my talents through evolution, but...
"Then, how about making a bet with me?"
"A bet...?"
I couldn't refuse and hesitated in my response.
Am I really going to make a bet with a lunatic like you?
"If you can create another potion before the end of this year, it will be your victory. But if you can't, I will do whatever it takes to get you expelled. How about it?"
Well, of course.
The answer is already decided.