Chapter 8 Making a Magic Potion
"Let's begin and make the Magic Potion," the old wizard said.
Back at home, I tiptoed to the place where my uncle used to make Magic Potions.
A few years ago, my uncle was still interested in making Magic Potions, but after failing so many times, he stopped coming here. Now the whole place was covered in dust.
Today, my uncle and aunt were not home, so I could borrow the cauldron. But I could not keep borrowing it forever, right? That meant I needed my own private space.
Maybe I needed to move out sooner rather than later.
I spread all the materials out on the table: Moonlight Grass, Ghost Shark blood, Blood Vine bark, and that bottle of Witchblood. Just looking at them, I felt a rush of excitement. Finally, I could make a Magic Potion.
"Stop dawdling, Charles," the old wizard's voice rang in my head. "Start making it now. While the materials are fresh, the effect will be best."
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. Following the old wizard's instructions, I put the materials into the cauldron one by one and lit the alcohol lamp. Throughout the whole process, I was extremely careful, afraid of making even the slightest mistake. The old wizard kept guiding me, constantly correcting my movements.
"Lighter... yes, just like that..."
"Turn down the heat a bit. The Blood Vine bark cannot be burned too much..."
"Alright, now you need to inject magic power. Let me handle that..."
Under the old wizard's guidance, the materials in the cauldron gradually merged together, releasing a strange fragrance. After about an hour, the preparation was finally complete. What remained in the cauldron was a small bottle of pale purple liquid, clear and transparent, with tiny specks of light seeming to flicker inside.
"There you go, kid," the old wizard's voice carried a hint of weariness. "This is the potion that can restore magic power. Drink it."
I picked up the bottle of Magic Potion and looked at the pale purple liquid inside. My heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
I took a deep breath, unscrewed the cap, and drank it all in one gulp.
The Magic Potion tasted slightly sweet with a faint coolness. As soon as I swallowed it, I felt a warm current surge up from my throat and quickly spread throughout my body. Then a powerful magic force erupted from deep within me, like a sleeping beast waking up. I could feel the magic channels that had been blocked slowly clearing, and the magic power in my body gradually returning.
It felt as if some kind of seed was taking root and sprouting inside me.
"Ah..." I could not help letting out a low groan. I felt full of strength, and all the fatigue and soreness disappeared. I clenched my fist and could feel the weak but real magic power inside.
I was not a Squib anymore. I had really recovered my magic power.
Overwhelming joy crashed over me like a tide. I was trembling with excitement, my eyes stinging. Three years — a whole three years — I had finally cast off the shame of being a "Squib" and could finally live like a normal wizard.
"Over the next month, your body will gradually adapt to the magic power," the old wizard said.
"Does that mean after a month, I can start learning magic?" I perked up, feeling great all over.
"No, you still cannot learn magic," the old wizard suddenly sneered. "You have other things to do."
"What things?"
"Make money," the old wizard said firmly. "Make Magic Potions and sell them. Right now, you cannot even afford the supplies for magic school, and you owe so many Mana Stones. Do you have any idea what poor people usually look like?"
"What do they look like?"
"Like you."
The old wizard's words hit me like an arrow to the heart.
I could only nod, my heart full of urgency. I could not keep drifting through life like before. I needed to make money, get stronger, and make those who looked down on me see me in a new light.
To make Magic Potions, I needed a private space.
I had to leave my uncle's house.
Early the next morning, I packed up my things.
Actually, there was not much to pack, just a few worn-out clothes and some almost worthless odds and ends. I stood at my uncle's door with an old backpack, feeling a bit lost. This was the place where I had grown up, and although it was filled with humiliation and pain, now that I was really leaving, I still felt a bit reluctant.
"Where are you going?" my uncle asked.
"I am moving out," I said.
"...You are moving out?" My uncle seemed very surprised, but then quickly sneered. "A useless Squib staying at home is just a waste of food anyway. Then get lost and never come back."
I ignored him and turned to leave.
I was not the same Squib who let people push him around anymore.
As I stepped out the door, sunlight fell on me, warm and gentle. I looked up at the sky, my heart full of hope.
I went to Isabelle's house first.
The moment I saw Isabelle, a warm feeling immediately surged through my chest. She always showed up when I needed her most, giving me warmth and support.
"Isabelle, here are the remaining Mana Stones." I handed over the small pouch.
"Charles!" She took the pouch without even counting it, and instead asked anxiously, "You are moving out? Why so suddenly?"
"Yes. I am going to find a place to rent."
"What are you planning to do next? Do you want me to help you find a job?"
"No need," I said. "I am planning to make Magic Potions myself and then sell them for money. That way I can both practice my Magic Potion skills and pay back the debt I owe you."
"Make Magic Potions?" Isabelle was a bit surprised. "You can make Magic Potions?"
"Yes," I said. "I seem to have some talent in this area."
My face turned a bit red as I said this.
Last night, when I made the Magic Potion, the old wizard had been right there giving me step-by-step guidance, and in the end, he had been the one to inject the magic power. If I had to do it by myself, I definitely would not have succeeded.
"So... does that mean you have become a wizard too?" Isabelle asked carefully.
"Yes."
As soon as I finished speaking, I saw Isabelle break into a smile.
"That is wonderful," she said.