Chapter 3 - First Customer

Inside the building in an alley of the Vialcross town, rows of sparkling glass bottles and jars lined the shelves, each waiting to be filled with potions. The air was scented with a hint of lavender and a whiff of something excitingly indefinable.Now, it was time for Cedric to stock up on the essential ingredients that would fill those bottles. Donning his most inconspicuous hat—a wide-brimmed number that shadowed his face just so—he set out into the wilds surrounding Vialcross.As he wandered through the meadows and forests, Cedric hummed a tune from his adventuring days.He gathered herbs with names as whimsical as his shop. Whispering Mint, Red Thyme, and Sky Rosemary.Back in town, Cedric, or Ambrose as he was known here, made his rounds, introducing himself to the townsfolk with a friendly nod and a mysterious smile."Good day, Master Ambrose," greeted the baker, her hands dusted with flour. "Will you be needing any bread for your... concoctions?"Cedric chuckled. "Perhaps," he replied, "if I decide to brew a potion of satiation. Your bread would surely be the key ingredient."At the market square, he exchanged pleasantries with the vendors, complimenting the robustness of their radishes and the fragrance of their flowers.They eyed his basket of herbs with curiosity, whispering among themselves about the new potioneer whose identity is as mysterious as his potion making skill.As the sun began to dip below the rooftops, casting long shadows on the streets of Vialcross Cedric returned to his shop. His basket brimming with the bounty of nature. He set to work, his hands moving to prepare his potions.But first, he take out an old book that he use as his manual in potion making.Cedric reached for a small, ornate chest hidden beneath the counter. He unlocked it with a key he kept on a chain around his neck, revealing an old, leather-bound book. The cover was embossed with faded gold lettering, and the pages were yellowed with age.This book was not just any book; it was a tome of potion-making, filled with secrets and recipes from ancient times.Cedric had found it during one of his many adventures, tucked away in the ruins of a long-forgotten alchemist's laboratory deep within the Drakon Mountains.The origin story of this book was as peculiar as its contents. According to legend, it had once belonged to a legendary potioneer.This alchemist was said to have been a master of his craft, but also a notorious prankster. His potions were renowned not only for their efficacy but also for their unexpected and often humorous side effects.One story told of how the alchemist had created a potion to help a king regain his lost voice. The potion worked, but with a twist: the king could only speak in rhymes for a month, much to the amusement and occasional frustration of his court.For Cedric that side effect is actually pretty awesome. Imagine talking only in rhymes when killing a chimera. That could become a nice tale for bard to tell.Another tale described how the alchemist had once brewed a love potion for a village maiden, but it had inadvertently caused every animal in the village to fall in love with her as well.The resulting chaos was legendary and had cemented the legendary alchemist's reputation for unpredictable brilliance, or disaster.Cedric had stumbled upon the book while on a quest to find a rare crystal said to amplify magical abilities. Hidden behind a false wall in the alchemist's lab, the book had been protected by a series of intricate traps and puzzles.It had taken all of Cedric's skill and wit to retrieve it, and he had considered it one of his greatest discoveries. This book also become his motivation for his new career path.Now, as Cedric opened the book, the familiar scent of old parchment and the faintest hint of herbs wafted up to greet him. He ran his fingers over the pages, feeling the weight of history and knowledge.He flipped to a page he had bookmarked earlier—a recipe for a potion known as simple Strength Enhancement potion.He set out the components on his workbench: Mountain Ginseng, Ironroot, and Dragon's Claw Fern, and a red flower called Heartseeker Petals, which the legendary Alchemist had noted as "a touch of the extraordinary."'Must be something amazing,' Cedric thought with a smile.Cedric carefully measured and prepared each ingredient, following the instructions meticulously. He couldn't help but feel excited.He ground the Mountain Ginseng into a fine powder, added a pinch of Ironroot shavings, and stirred in the Dragon's Claw Fern extract then added the Heartseeker to the mixture. The potion began to shimmer, a clear sign of magical activityWith a final incantation, Cedric poured the concoction into a flask. The liquid inside glowed with a vibrant light. Cedric corked the flask and held it up, marveling at the beauty of the potion.He continue the process, concocting more than 10 flask because he is so excited. When all of the ingredients consumed, Cedric decided to sleep for the night.---The next morning, the sun rose over Vialcross, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets.Just when he opened the curtain on his shop, a figure burst through the door, causing the bell to jingle loudly. The man was an adventurer, dressed in weathered leather armor, a sword at his side, and a look of urgency in his eyes."Good morning, sir!" the adventurer greeted, his voice hurried. "You have strength potion?"Cedric smiled warmly. "Indeed, I do. It's a special brew that will grant you the strength you need for your quests. How many would you like?""Ten! I need ten of them," the adventurer replied without hesitation. He placed a pouch of coins on the counter, the clinking sound echoing in the shop."Ten?" Cedric's eyebrows raised slightly. "That's quite a lot.""I have a dangerous mission ahead, and I need every advantage I can get," the adventurer explained, his voice edged with urgency. "There's no time to waste."Cedric nodded, understanding the urgency that often accompanied an adventurer's life. He quickly gathered ten vials of the shimmering strength potion he just made last night and placing them carefully into a padded satchel."Here you go," Cedric said, handing over the satchel.The adventurer grabbed the satchel. "Thank you, sir!"As the adventurer left the shop, Cedric felt a swell of pride. His potion-making skills will be recognized soon.He ignored the voice in his head that give him some kind of warning.Cedric waved his hand. "Ah, its going to be alright. I made a potion from a legendary alchemist book, after all."---