退休法师成为一名简单的药剂师

The Dragon is killed. The corpse of the once legendary creature lay in front of them with hundreds of slashes, smashes, and magical residue.The battle had left the adventurers in a state of glorious exhaustion. Their limbs trembled, their breaths came in ragged gasps, and their armor clung to them like stubborn barnacles.Sir Alaric, usually stoic and stood fim, now resembled a wilted daffodil. Lyra the rogue had lost a boot somewhere in the chaos and hopped around on one foot, cursing creatively. A deep gash at her shoulder looks worrying.Kael, the ranger leaned against a scorched boulder, his quiver empty. "Well," he wheezed, "that was a fiery encounter."Gareth, the dwarven warrior, chuckled, his laughter echoing through the cavern. "Fiery? More like a roasting! My beard is singed, and my ale flask exploded!"Cedric, the mage, sat cross-legged on a pile of Dragon scales. His staff lay beside him, its runes flickering like tired fireflies.Cedric had always been the thinker of the group—the one who pondered the metaphysical implications of loot distribution and the optimal angle for a fireball spell.But now, he felt his ages catching to him. Though he just having his twenty-sixth birthaday yesterday.Sophia, the enigmatic fifth member, approached Cedric. Her eyes held a mix of awe and exhaustion."Cedric," she said, "you were magnificent. That trap spell that ensnared the Dragon was like... Uhm... watching a unicorn tap dance."Cedric blushed. He don't always understand what she's saying but she always says something that sounds like compliment so Cedric thought he should be happy."Oh, it was nothing," he mumbled.Lyra hobbled over, her missing boot replaced by a charred Dragon scale."Cedric," she said, "I know you're good when using that magic to killing things. But seriously, can you conjure up a new boot for me? This one smells like dragon drool."Cedric considered it. "I could," he said, "but it might come with a side effect. Like turning your other boot into a talking parrot."Sir Alaric joined the conversation, his armor creaking like an old barn door. "Cedric," he said, "we owe you our lives. And our sanity. But mostly our lives."Gareth raised his tankard—a miraculously unscathed tankard—toward Cedric. "To the mage!" he bellowed. "May your spells be as potent as your bedtime stories."As the adventurers shared a weary laugh, Cedric gazed at the Dragon's massive head. Its eyes were closed now, its ancient soul released.Cedric had glimpsed the truth—the plot twist that would change everything. The Dragon had been more than a monster it was a guardian of the realm beyond. And now, it was dead.The implications is unknown.Sophia touched Cedric's shoulder. "What will you do now?" she asked.Cedric sighed. "I think it's time," he said. "Time to hang up my robes, retire from the adventuring life. Maybe open a potion shop in a cozy town. You know, brew healing elixirs, love potions, and the occasional hair growth serum."The others exchanged glances. "A potion shop?" Lyra said. "But Cedric, you're a mage! A powerful mage"Cedric grinned. "A powerful mage need naps too," he replied. "And I've always wanted to experiment with bubblegum-flavored invisibility potions."His friends exchanged glances as Cedric announced his retirement plan, a potion shop instead of further epic quests. Sir Alaric's brow furrowed, and he adjusted his dented helmet.Lyra crossed her arms and muttered something about "wasted potential."Kael clenched his fists as if grappling with an invisible foe. And Gareth, well, Gareth simply grunted—a sound that conveyed both disappointment and resignation.Sophia standing beside Cedric sensed the tension. She had seen the mage's weariness, the lines etched into his face like ancient runes. But she also understood the unspoken truth: Cedric's magic was fading for now, his spells flickering like dying stars after the nonstop fierce battle.All this time, he has been using his magic power to hunt the Dragon—seeking information in remote and perilous places, battling cult members who worship the Dragon, and healing villagers afflicted by the Dragon's curse.But now, he needs to rest. His magic must be recharged through rest. However, he hesitates to share this with his friends, fearing it might distract them from their quest.As they exited the cavern, Sophia glanced back at the fallen beast. Its scales now lay scattered like forgotten dreams. She wondered if the others felt the same—a mix of awe, relief, and something akin to grief. They could kill the Dragon because Cedric's magic power has weakened it. And now he is retired.They wanted to say something to stop him, but for now, they chose silence—a pact to honor Cedric's decision without questioning it.Lyra kicked a pebble, her bootless foot leaving a trail in the ash. "So, potion shop, huh? Not exactly the grand finale I envisioned."Kael nodded. "I thought we'd be chasing starlight serpents or unearthing lost civilizations. But bubblegum-flavored invisibility potions? That's... unexpected."Gareth grunted again, this time louder. His tankard, still miraculously intact, sloshed with imaginary ale. "Mage's gotta do what a mage's gotta do. But I'll miss the battles. The thrill of it all."Sir Alaric cleared his throat. "Cedric, you've saved kingdoms, deciphered ancient prophecies, and survived a goblin wedding. Your legacy is secure."Cedric smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, maybe," he replied. "But legends fade, my friends. And sometimes, the greatest magic lies not in what we seek, but in what we leave behind."And so, they walked—five weary souls, each carrying their own burdens. The sun bathed them in warmth, and Cedric's staff hummed softly. Sophia glanced at him, wondering if he regretted his choice.However, as soon as Sophia caught sight of Cedric's smiling face, she knew that he had been anticipating this moment. The moment when he would no longer be busy saving the world.Their greatest threat was now defeated, and it was time for him to receive the rest he deserved. Sophia smiled too.However, she wasn't entirely sure if opening a potion shop was a brilliant idea. Cedric might be a powerful mage, but his skills in concocting potions were... questionable.---