Chapter 332: Gradually

Fabienne, who had drunk the Low-Level Mana Recovery Potion, was constantly checking her physical condition. Since her appearance hadn’t changed, it seemed like she couldn’t really feel its effects.

“Well then, let’s make hot cookies together. You should be able to feel the effects of the potion then.”

“Understood. I’ll prepare right away.”

Fabienne, having stopped thinking too much, began to move. I followed her lead and started preparing as well.

The method was almost the same as making regular cookies, so we put the ingredients into a bowl and made the dough. The main difference was that we had to constantly infuse magical energy into the process.

“Is the method for making cold cookies similar?”

“Yeah. It’s just that some of the ingredients are different. If you’re going to make cold cookies, we first need to gather the ingredients.”

“Are they hard to obtain?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. We use the mucus from a blue slime. It seems to have a cooling effect on the body…”

Wow, Fabienne looks a bit disgusted. It seems she’s not fond of slimes, or anything of the creepy-crawly sort in general. Well, once it’s in its ingredient form, it’s just a slimy liquid, so I don’t think it’ll be that bad.

While we were talking about that and making hot cookies, Fabienne seemed to notice a change in her body. She looked at her hands, which had been infused with magical energy.

“Julius-sama, I don’t feel as tired as usual.”

“That’s probably because your mana is gradually recovering. Thanks to the potion you just drank.”

“I see, so that’s it. Ah, I get it now! By slowly recovering my mana, it’s as if my mana capacity has increased!”

“Exactly.”

Fabienne smiled happily. If it’s hard to increase mana capacity directly, then it’s fine to just recover the mana you’ve used. That way, you can create the illusion of increased mana capacity.

“The appearance was a bit odd, but as expected of a potion made by you, Julius-sama.”

“If you liked it, I’ll make more. Maybe I’ll change the color next time?”

“Thank you! I’m looking forward to it!”

Her smile was as beautiful as the sunrise over the horizon. For that smile, I could make potions as many times as needed. Maybe I’ll make the next one golden, like apple juice.

While I was grinning and thinking about that, the doorbell to the mixing room rang. It seems someone has arrived.

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

“It looks like the hungry one has arrived.”

“Hehe, just in time, the hot cookies are ready.”

What’s up with Mira’s sense of smell? Does she have a nose like a dog’s? Since we couldn’t move, Nero went to open the door for us.

Mira can open the door on her own. However, she seems to understand that she shouldn’t just enter this room freely, and she never opens the door to come in on her own.

Her intelligence seems to be about that of a senior kindergarten child?

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

“Mira-sama, calm down!”

Nero hurriedly picked up Mira, who was about to jump at the hot cookies. This is more like the intelligence of a young child. Seeing this, Fabienne started feeding Mira the freshly baked hot cookies.

Mira cupped her cheeks with both hands, making an expression to show how delicious it was. So cute.

“We really need to cut Mira’s fur soon.”

“You’re right, it’s getting long. It would be a bit cruel to cut it at this time of year, though, so I think we’ll wait until it gets warmer.”

“I think Mira’s fur could be used as material for something.”

“Kyuu!”

Mira, sensing something, clung to Fabienne’s chest. Oh, that’s mine…

“Julius, may I have a word?”

A knock came from the door that had been left open. When I turned around, I saw my brother Alex standing there.

It seems Nero prioritized catching Mira and forgot to close the door. He was looking down at the floor, looking a bit embarrassed.

It’s fine, there’s no need to worry about that. It’s not like we were making a potion we had to keep secret.

Hmm, maybe I should modify the mixing room door to automatically close? I’m pretty sure I could do it using a spring. I’ll try it when I have some free time.

“Did something happen, Alex-niisan?”

“Yeah. Actually, I was thinking about whether we could sell the potion you made.”

“My potion? Well, other shops sell potions besides the hot cookies, don’t they?”

So far, the only potion we are exclusively selling at the Heine Trading Company is the hot cookie potion. Of course, the recipe is not made public anywhere.

But other alchemists must be familiar with other types of potions. I don’t see why I’d need to make them myself.

“Well, you see, Julius, the potions you make are a bit different, right?”

“Well, yes, I do make sure to adjust the taste and smell to make them easier to drink…”

“Apparently, that rumor is starting to spread. People are asking, ‘Aren’t you selling this here?’ It’s been happening a lot recently.”

I could only give a wry smile. Who started that rumor? Was it someone from the knight’s order? Or maybe from the mage corps? Or perhaps the people who ate the hot cookies made the connection?

Now, what should I do?

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