"Two... you're saying you made two?"
In response to Bahat's words, I nodded my head.
Although it seemed more like an exclamation rather than a genuine question.
He got up from his seat, slowly approached me, and then took the potions I had made.
"Truly amazing. It hasn't been that long. But in that time, you managed to create two different types of potions."
He glanced at the newly presented potion and seemed to have a rough idea of what it was.
"This must be a version of the Dylan Potion without the side effects."
"That's correct."
Upon hearing my answer, Bahat, as before, immediately threw the potion into his mouth.
After a moment of furrowing his brow as if savoring the taste, he nodded.
"I admit it. Heh heh. It's truly incredible."
Shaking his head in excitement, Bahat looked at the bottle of potion in his hand once again and burst into laughter.
Then, he gave me a mischievous look.
"If you've made two, it means you've already completed one of them. You came to see me on the last day of the year. Well then, did I draw the right card?"
"Thanks to that, I was able to focus on my research without worrying about money. Thank you."
"Hah! You shameless brat."
Despite his words, he accepted the card I offered with a cheerful expression.
"Yeah, since you won the bet, I suppose I should give you the reward first."
Then, he began arranging mana, seemingly preparing to use teleportation magic.
Suddenly, something astonishing happened.
"I can see it."
The flow of mana became faintly visible to the naked eye.
It was all thanks to the evolution and the newly acquired talent of "mana."
It seemed to be related to the unique core, which had been an epic attribute, disappearing and being replaced by the attribute called "Vessel."
The unique attribute "Vessel" was the ability to turn the entire body into a container capable of storing mana.
Thanks to this, there were no longer any boundaries between my heart and mana, and I could use my entire body as a mana reservoir.
"Now I can use both magic and a sword with the same mana."
At first glance, it might not seem like a big deal, but it was quite a significant difference.
Originally, there was a limit to the amount of mana that could be drawn from Salem's magic, but now there was no longer a need for that.
Lost in my thoughts as I watched Bahat's magic, the arrangement of mana was complete, and he used teleportation magic.
"Bahat's magic related to space is an original magic passed down only in the Alvin family."
If my mana talent continues to grow, I might be able to imitate the magic that unfolds before my eyes.
In fact, it was a talent that the first playable character had as well, but experiencing it directly, in reality, felt completely different from feeling it only in the game.
It could be said that the deceitfulness of it was even more pronounced.
"Nearly dying from a special technique ended up becoming the catalyst for deceptive growth."
Perhaps it was possible because of the temporary overwhelming power wielded by the special technique.
Of course, if I hadn't had the evolution attribute, I would have been a mere novice.
While lost in thought, the location suddenly changed to what appeared to be a warehouse.
Similar to Bahat's office, this place was filled with all sorts of odds and ends, but it seemed slightly more organized.
"Our bet was that if you create a new potion, I will give you one of my cherished items. You made two, but I'm not obliged to give you two. However, your efforts should be rewarded, so I'll let you choose the item."
"Thank you."
Honestly, I had a little expectation, and Bahat, being spontaneous as usual, made a grand offer.
Perhaps he thought I wouldn't have an eye for the items, which led to this proposition.
But what should I do? I was able to see the items.
[Cursed Music Box of Kreknacht]
"Plays music imbued with mana when activated."
"Becomes increasingly lethargic the longer you listen."
As expected, it's visible.
Aside from that, there were many unnecessary things under the category of cherished items.
Just as I was feeling slightly disappointed, I finally found a proper item.
[Mitra's Timepiece]
[Mana Storage Capacity: 0/500]
It seemed like an insignificant item, but it appeared to be quite useful.
Still, it didn't excite me too much.
It was none other than Bahat's warehouse.
Choosing something from the warehouse of one of the most powerful sorcerers on the continent would only invite ridicule.
"Too many things are giving me a headache."
The warehouse was filled with various items haphazardly gathered together, both good and bad, so I had to check each one individually.
Since I had never been to Bahat's warehouse even in the game, I had no choice but to make this decision.
"This is..."
While rummaging through the piled-up items, I discovered something.
I held the discovered item in my hand.
[Sealed Sword - Galakshur]
[Mana Conductivity Rate: 73%]
[Sealed]
It was a worn-out sword alongside its sheath.
And contrary to its shabby appearance, I already knew that it was one of the named items.
"An item I've only heard the name of, even in the game."
I never expected to find it here.
I didn't know the circumstances under which Bahat came to possess it, but my heart was leaning toward this sword.
Bahat, who had been observing me choose, approached with a wry smile.
"Is a magician like you choosing a sword like that?"
"I've become more interested in swords lately. It seems accidents occur frequently..."
Seemingly displeased with my choice of Galakshur, he headed towards a corner of the warehouse.
Then he came back with something in his hands—a wizard robe and a long staff.
"I'd rather you choose from these. If you choose something like that, it doesn't feel like I've given it to you willingly."
The items he presented were also excellent items.
Despite his ticklish behavior, he had a hidden weak spot in his heart.
'Considering his personality, he might have a sense of guilt towards his father.'
That must be why he made the bet.
If I had actually lost, he might have expelled me, but the conditions themselves were more disadvantageous to Bahat.
But still, this is this, and that is that.
"I'll just go with this sword."
"What do you know about that? It might be better to entrust the sword to a renowned blacksmith."
"That's alright. I genuinely like this sword, so I chose it. Regret is my own burden."
With a pitying gesture, he casually threw the items he was holding and pointed at the Galakshur I held.
"That's something I acquired when I was young. It may look shabby, but I obtained it in an unnamed dungeon in the Shaiya Desert. Considering it was acquired from such a place, it won't be ordinary."
The Shaiya Desert was one of the several dangerous regions on the continent.
With harsh climate and weather conditions that made it difficult for humans to survive, as well as occasional mana anomalies, it was a harsh land that ordinary people couldn't even set foot in.
If it was a dungeon discovered in such a region, it wouldn't be an ordinary dungeon.
'Well, it had to be at least that level to find Galakshur.'
Galakshur was a sword that I coincidentally obtained information about in a quest in the game.
At that time, I had tried to find it by conducting various investigations, but apart from information about the sword's performance, I couldn't find any clues.
But I never expected to acquire it like this.
Since it could be used by Nickel even if it wasn't me, it was good.
With the sword I was holding, I fastened Galakshur to my waist.
It was worn, but rather than being unimpressive, it had a noble and dignified appearance that I liked.
"Tsk. If you've decided on that, there's nothing more to say. Just don't come asking to exchange it later."
"Yes."
Seeing him say that, it seemed that Bahat didn't know the true identity of Galakshur.
He would probably regret it if he found out the true nature of this sword later.
'I have a rough idea of how to break the seal. At that time, I simply couldn't find the sword.'
Of course, breaking the seal was also quite challenging.
But I was willing to endure it, and Galakshur's expected value in terms of power enhancement was high.
After choosing the item, Bahat used magic again and returned to his office.
"Now that the business is done, keep an eye out in the future."
"Yes, Lord Tower."
"Before you go, take this."
Bahat handed me a sealed letter.
"What's this?"
"You received a letter regarding the Non-Gong Execution, but you were unconscious, so I handled it in your place."
"I was called for the Non-Gong Execution."
"That's right."
What on earth was it about?
For now, it was written in the letter, so I decided to read it later.
As I put the letter away, Bahat, who had been silently watching, opened his mouth.
"What do you plan to do during the break?"
Why is he so curious?
Today, his attitude felt somewhat unfamiliar.
It was like he was in a state of unease, as if he owed me something.
"I thought of taking a trip to relax and clear my mind."
"I see. A trip, a trip..."
Why is he pondering so much all of a sudden?
Now that the business is done, I want to leave soon.
Suddenly, Bahat conjured a pen and paper with magic and started scribbling something.
Then he bestowed an unknown magic on the scribbled paper and handed it to me.
"Since you received the sword, you should at least learn swordsmanship to protect yourself. I don't know if you'll be able to make it, but I've recorded the location with magic. Go to that place and hand the paper to the inspiration living there. If they know it's from me, they might find it annoying, but they'll teach you at least a few things."
I quietly lowered my head and read the contents on the paper.
And I couldn't help but freeze.
'Desherun Polon!'
The most skilled swordsman among the living Aura Masters.
Since Desherun had become an Aura Master over 50 years ago, he could be considered the oldest among the living Aura Masters.
'And he's related to Louis.'
The first playable character is Louis.
Desherun was the one who briefly taught Louis swordsmanship.
Of course, it was just a setting that he taught him as a pastime, not as his disciple.
Bahat had written an introduction for Desherun, a person like that.
Moreover, when I saw the location where Desherun stayed, I remembered one thing that was near there.
"Or should I say, an item?"
To call it an item is a bit ambiguous, but one thing was certain—it was something that would greatly aid my power increase.
It would be good to obtain it while I'm at it.
I had made plans to search for named items during the break, but it seemed like I needed to change those plans.
"Go now."
"Thank you."
He's really going overboard with his kindness, making me feel more anxious instead.
I have no idea what Bahat is thinking.
'What's good is good.'
Thanks to him, I will become even stronger.
Although I had Nickel as my swordsmanship teacher, there was a difference between Nickel and Desherun.
After all, the period they had spent as Aura Masters was different.
'It's a waste of time.'
I needed to hurry and find the item on the way and go meet Desherun.