Carter, Aria, and Lily made it to the city, the bustling streets filled with the usual energy of vendors and townsfolk. As they walked, Carter and Aria fell into a natural rhythm of conversation, their voices light with laughter and flirtation. "You've been smiling all morning," Carter teased, glancing at her. "Must be because you get to spend another day with me."
Aria smirked, nudging him playfully. "Oh, is that it? Maybe I'm just happy about the shop—you ever think of that?"
"Sure, sure," Carter replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But we both know I'm at least part of the reason."
Meanwhile, Lily walked ahead with Ivy, occasionally turning back to join in the conversation. She giggled at their banter. "You two sound like an old married couple already," she said, laughing as Aria blushed slightly and Carter grinned.
As they reached Aria's potion shop, Lily and Aria began discussing what they'd work on that day. "I think we should organize the new inventory first," Aria suggested, her tone thoughtful.
"And maybe we can test out some of those new potions Carter's been working on?" Lily added excitedly.
"Good idea," Aria agreed, her smile widening. "You're turning into quite the little helper."
Inside the shop, the trio spent some time talking and planning their day. After a while, Carter announced he'd be heading out to visit his connections and the adventuring guild.
"You two hold down the fort," he said with a wink, earning a playful eye-roll from Aria and a cheerful "Good luck!" from Lily.
Carter made his way through the city streets, eventually arriving at Flora's shop, Verdant Remedies. The bell above the door chimed as he entered, and Flora's calm, welcoming voice greeted him. "Carter! Good to see you. How's your morning been?"
"Pretty great, actually," Carter replied, setting down his satchel. "And yours?"
"Busy as always, but it's a good kind of busy," Flora said with a warm smile. "What brings you by today?"
Carter began unpacking a few bottles of his latest creations. "I wanted to show you some of my new potions. Thought you might be interested in buying them."
Flora leaned in, inspecting the potions with a critical yet admiring eye. "These look incredible, Carter. What's in this one?"
Carter explained the ingredients and effects of each potion, his enthusiasm shining through. "This one's a Radiant Healing Potion. It's great for major wounds and restores vitality quickly. And this here is a Focus Elixir—sharpened concentration for mages or anyone needing a mental boost."
Flora listened intently, asking questions about his methods. "How do you manage to balance the potency without overloading the ingredients?"
Carter scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Trial and error, mostly. I've been experimenting with combinations. Some… didn't go so well."
Flora laughed softly. "That's how it is with alchemy. But you're clearly a natural. Have you thought about branching out beyond potions? Maybe salves or herbal infusions?"
The suggestion sparked an idea in Carter's mind. "You know, I haven't, but that's a great idea. Maybe we could collaborate sometime."
Flora smiled warmly. "I'd like that. Let me know when you're ready."
After finalizing a sale, Carter thanked her and left, feeling even more motivated.
His next stop was Victor's shop, Arcane Brews. As Carter entered, Victor greeted him with a hearty laugh. "Carter! Back already? You must be cooking up something impressive."
"You know it," Carter said, grinning. He pulled out a few bottles from his satchel. "Take a look at these. They're my latest experiments."
Victor examined the potions, nodding in approval. "You're getting better every time, kid. These are top-notch."
"Thanks, Victor. It means a lot coming from you," Carter replied. He gestured to one potion in particular. "This one's a Mana Infusion Draught. It boosts magical energy and strengthens spell potency."
Victor's eyes lit up. "That'll sell fast. You've got a real knack for this, Carter. How'd you pick it up so quickly?"
Carter shrugged modestly. "I've always been good with plants. Alchemy feels like a natural extension of that."
The two men continued talking, their conversation ranging from potion-making techniques to city gossip. Victor even shared a story about a particularly stubborn adventurer who insisted on brewing his own potions—with disastrous results.
"And that's why we leave it to the professionals," Victor concluded with a chuckle.
"I'll keep that in mind," Carter said, laughing. "Thanks again for the advice, Victor."
By the time Carter left Victor's shop, his spirits were high. He had made progress with his connections, sold some potions, and strengthened his relationships. The day was shaping up to be another success.
Carter started walking to the guild, his mind swirling with thoughts of his earlier conversation with Flora. "Learning other stuff beyond potions..." he mused aloud. "Salves, herbal infusions, maybe even tonics. That's actually a great idea." His steps grew lighter as he considered the possibilities, a smile spreading across his face. "I'll have to start planning soon."
A few minutes later, he arrived at the guild. The familiar rowdiness greeted him as he opened the door. The room buzzed with laughter, conversations, and the clinking of mugs. As Carter stepped inside, several adventurers noticed him. Recognizing him from yesterday, they greeted him warmly.
"Hey, it's the potion guy!" one called out, raising a tankard.
"Good to see you again!" another said, waving him over.
Carter chuckled and waved back. "Good to see you all too! Looks like it's another busy day."
"What brings you back here?" an adventurer asked, stepping closer.
"I'm here to show the guild some new potions I made this morning," Carter replied, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.
"New potions, huh? Can't wait to see what you've got this time!" the adventurer said, patting him on the back.
After chatting with a few more adventurers, Carter's eyes landed on Emma behind the receptionist desk. She noticed him at the same time and smiled warmly, waving him over.
"Carter! Back already?" Emma greeted, her cheerful tone cutting through the bustling noise.
"Hey, Emma," Carter replied as he approached the desk. "Yeah, I'm back. Wanted to see how you were doing and show you some new potions I whipped up this morning."
Emma's eyebrows raised in curiosity. "New potions? Now you've got me intrigued. Let's see them."
Carter opened his satchel and carefully placed a few bottles on the desk. "Alright, here we go. This one's a Swift Recovery Potion—perfect for restoring stamina after a tough fight. And this one is a Mana Shield Elixir—it creates a temporary barrier to protect against magical attacks."
Emma inspected the potions with a critical but impressed eye. "These look amazing, Carter. You're really getting the hang of this."
"Thanks! It's been a lot of trial and error, but I'm proud of these."
Emma turned to the bustling crowd behind her. "Let's test one out. Hey, you there!" she called to a nearby adventurer. "Come here for a second."
A burly man with a jovial grin approached, curious. "What's up, Emma?"
"Carter here has a new potion for you to try. Think you're up for it?" she asked with a teasing smirk.
"Always! Let's see what you've got," the adventurer said, holding out his hand.
Carter handed over the Swift Recovery Potion. "Give this a shot and let me know how you feel."
The adventurer downed the potion in one gulp. Within moments, his eyes widened, and he flexed his arms. "Whoa! This stuff is amazing! I feel like I could take on a whole pack of wolves right now!"
The surrounding adventurers cheered and laughed, impressed by the potion's immediate effect. Carter couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment as Emma turned to him, clearly impressed.
"You've got something special here, Carter," Emma said. "These potions are going to be a huge hit."
"Thanks, Emma. That means a lot coming from you," Carter replied earnestly. They continued talking about the potions and potential uses for them, further cementing the growing bond between Carter and the guild.
Carter and Emma stood by the receptionist desk, their conversation flowing naturally as they got to know each other better. "So, Carter, why potions and gardening?" Emma asked, leaning slightly forward with genuine curiosity.
Carter smiled thoughtfully. "It's hard to explain, but there's something peaceful about it. Growing plants, creating something from nature that can heal or help people—it just feels right. Back where I'm from, it was my way of finding balance. And now, in this world, it's become more than just a hobby. What about you? Why did you decide to become a guild receptionist?"
Emma's face softened as she thought about her answer. "Well, I've always admired adventurers, their courage and determination. But I'm not exactly the fighting type," she admitted with a chuckle. "This job lets me support them in a different way. Plus, I get to meet so many interesting people—like you."
Carter laughed. "Interesting, huh? I'll take that as a compliment."
They shared a warm moment before Carter shifted the conversation. "By the way, do you know how much it would cost to open a shop here in the city? I've been thinking about setting up a place of my own."
Emma's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! It depends on the location and the size of the building, but you could probably find something decent on the market. There are a few areas where shop spaces are available, and the guild can help with connections if you need them."
Carter nodded, taking mental notes. "Thanks, Emma. That's really helpful. Do you have any recommendations on where I should look?"
"Hmm," Emma pondered for a moment. "The market district is always bustling, but it can be pricey. There's a quieter area near the east gate that might suit you better—closer to nature and still within reach of adventurers who need supplies."
"I like the sound of that," Carter said, his enthusiasm growing. "Thanks for the advice."
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics, and they continued chatting about their interests and past experiences. Just as the atmosphere became more relaxed, two familiar voices called out from behind Carter.
"It's you! The guy from yesterday!"
Carter turned around to see the two adventurers who had brought the injured tiger demihuman woman to the guild. He greeted them with a warm smile. "Hey, guys! How's it going?"
The two men approached him with grins. "We're doing great, thanks to you," one of them said. "You saved that solo adventurer's life. We were in serious trouble until she showed up."
Carter waved off their gratitude modestly. "I'm just glad she's okay. Speaking of which, how is she doing?"
The second man answered, "Raena's still recovering, but she's awake and already trying to get out of bed. She's tough as nails, even when she's supposed to be resting," he added with a fond shake of his head.
Carter chuckled. "Sounds like she's got a strong spirit. That's good to hear."
Carter chuckled. "Sounds like she's got a strong spirit. That's good to hear."
The three of them continued talking, sharing stories and jokes as they bonded over the previous day's events. It was clear that Carter's actions had not only saved a life but also earned him the respect and friendship of these adventurers. The lively conversation filled the guild with a sense of camaraderie and mutual appreciation.