13 Mary's Help
(Ella's Pov)
I froze, only then suddenly realizing.
In the past, every time I saw Colin, I would first ask about Wayne's news.
Pursuing Wayne had become my habit.
But recently, Wayne appeared much less frequently in my life. Taking his place was Kyle.
This dangerous, difficult dark elf who always gave me headaches was gradually occupying my time and attention.
Thinking of this, I inexplicably felt somewhat guilty.
"Really? Maybe it's because I've been quite busy recently." I smiled, not knowing what to say.
Colin didn't continue pressing. He patted my shoulder: "That's good. After all these years, you should move on, Ella."
"I'll keep the things. I'll notify you if there's any news. I need to go train now."
"Alright, take care of yourself!"
Because of Colin's words, my mind was in chaos.
By the time I returned to the potion shop, it was almost dark.
Mary came over mysteriously.
"Ella." She asked me, "Are you looking for Starrift petals and Hulaweed leaves?"
I immediately looked up: "Yes, how did you know, Mary?"
Mary waved her hand dismissively: "I heard it from someone. By the way, I know someone who can provide you with Starrift petals and Hulaweed leaves. Will you do this deal?"
I was just worried about having nowhere to buy herbs. Of course I'd agree.
"Sure, what's the deal?"
Mary said: "My family's shop has a longtime supplier named Alric. He owns a mine and is very wealthy. The day before yesterday I went to see him. He also has hair loss problems. I told him about your potion and he's very interested."
"Alric? I don't know this person. Is he reliable?"
Mary immediately assured me: "My father has known him for over thirty years. He's a very reliable business partner. You can rest assured! And he's just an ordinary person like me."
Seeing Mary so certain, I nodded: "Alright, I'll do this deal. Thank you, Mary."
"No need to be polite. You've helped us a lot." Mary said with a smile.
The next afternoon, Mary excitedly rushed into the potion shop, holding a small box.
"Ella!" She leaned on the counter. "I talked to Alric. He's willing to give you the herbs in advance. After you finish this busy period, you can go to his house to treat him."
I was organizing herbs. Hearing this, I immediately looked up.
"Mr. Alric is willing to pay me the herbs in advance?"
"Of course!" Mary was very proud. "I worked really hard to convince him."
She lowered her voice.
"Mainly because his hair loss is very severe. You know~"
Mary lifted her bangs.
At her originally sparse hairline, a layer of fine fuzz had grown.
Although not yet thick, it was much better than before.
Mary said happily: "I showed him my hair and he immediately wanted to deal with you. But I know the town festival is coming soon and you'll be very busy, so I specifically explained to him. He's willing to wait until you're free to treat him."
"Look, here are the herbs you want. After Mr. Alric's hair loss is cured, he's willing to pay an additional ten gold coins."
I almost crushed the herbs in my hand. Ten gold coins?! That's almost half a year's profit!
Mary continued: "How about it? Mr. Alric is sincere enough, right?"
I was immediately tempted. The Shade Draught formula needs constant testing. I need large quantities of materials.
Herb prices have been skyrocketing recently. I was worried about money. Now everything's great—I have the herbs and the money.
"However—" Mary added, "Mr. Alric is quite old and inconvenient to go out. He hopes you can personally go to prepare the potion for him."
"No problem." For such a generous customer, this is proper etiquette.
"Thank you, Mary. You've been a huge help!"
Mary smiled happily: "It's what I should do. After all, you've helped us a lot too."
After she left, I felt much more relaxed. Kyle's potion finally had a solution.
As I turned back holding the box, Kyle was leaning by the window reading. His whole body curled in shadow, dark and unclear.
Hearing the sound, he looked up at me: "You seem in a good mood? Did something happen?"
"The potion I'm making for you finally has progress! Mary introduced a very good customer who even sent a deposit in advance." I patted the small box. "This is what she brought—exactly the two herbs I was missing."
Kyle raised an eyebrow: "Such a coincidence? You get what you need right away."
"Yes, could this be fate? Look, even the gods are helping us!" I leaned close to him and said with a smile.
Kyle smiled slightly. His expression didn't look as melancholy.
Though his expression was still bland, I could tell he was in a good mood.
I want to finish the orders on hand as soon as possible.
"The most difficult problem with Shade Draught has been solved. This is wonderful! Finn should be home. I'll go find him today to finish testing the suppressant and free up time to focus on making Shade Draught."
Kyle's page-turning motion stopped: "What test?"
I explained: "During a werewolf's underage period, magic power is very unstable. Potion dosage must be adjusted according to the body's tolerance range."
Kyle narrowed his eyes: "How will you test him?"
"I have an exclusive medicinal bath formula. I let Finn soak in the bath tub, then slowly increase the dosage while observing his condition."
"Then I'm going too."
"Kyle, what would you go for?"
"Of course to protect you."
"Finn is my friend. He won't hurt me."
"All I know is he's an underage werewolf."
"Oh please, before you came, every year I've reconfigured his suppressant. Every year I've accompanied him for medicinal baths. Nothing has ever happened."
Kyle suddenly drew out his words: "Every—year. Ella, if I'm not mistaken, that werewolf probably doesn't bathe with clothes on, right?"
Only then did I understand what Kyle was saying: "Good lord, don't overreact, Kyle. Finn is just my friend."
Kyle stood up, walked in front of me, and bent down slightly to look at me.
The beauty suddenly magnified before my eyes made me temporarily forget to breathe.
Kyle's gaze carried scrutiny: "Don't forget, you are my contractor."
I swallowed: "Never forgotten."
Kyle finally straightened up and moved a bit away from me. I could finally breathe.
He casually tossed the book on the table: "I'm going with you."
What else could I do? I could only agree. I don't know what he did before, but his way of speaking and acting is really domineering.
I hadn't had time to find Finn when Finn came on his own.
"Ella, can you check if I was bitten by a venomous insect here? It's such a big bump!"
Finn pointed glumly at his upper lip, which was swollen severely, making his whole face shape round, looking like a little dog.
I applied medicine for him and casually asked: "Finn, do you have time today? I want to do a potion test for you."
Finn nodded: "Sure, I'm very free today."
"During today's test, can Kyle also come? He wants to learn potion-making from me. He's never seen a potion test and wants to observe. Is that okay?"
Finn had been drinking juice. Hearing this, he nearly choked: "What? No way! I won't let just anyone watch me bathe!"
I quickly soothed him: "Don't be angry. You're both men, and you'll be sitting in the tub. He won't see anything..."
"Still no." Finn refused decisively.
Kyle sat to the side and suddenly spoke lightly: "Forget it."
Finn and I both turned to look at him. Kyle propped his chin on his hand, his gaze very blatantly sizing up Finn from top to bottom.
"Someone’s clearly super insecure about his build. We’d better not ruffle his feathers."
Finn’s eyes widened in shock. "Excuse me? You think I’m insecure about my physique?"
Kyle shrugged: "Sorry, I misspoke. Maybe he's afraid he can't endure the test and will embarrass himself."
"It's not like that at all!" Finn rolled up his sleeves, showing off his muscles. "My physique is excellent!"
He also lifted his shirt, displaying his beautiful abs.
"I'm very confident!"
I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to laugh out loud and embarrass the young werewolf.
"Alright, alright. You're the best." I patted Finn's hand and helped pull his shirt down.
Kyle curved his lips, seemingly mocking yet also helpless: "Yes, whatever you say."
Finn instantly bristled: "You must come today! I'll prove it to you!"
Kyle silently glanced at me and closed the book in his hands: "Fine. You said it."
I watched dumbfounded from the side. Finn, you're still too young to compete with Kyle.