Master Olai stared blankly at the potion in Aven's hand, recalling the preparation method he had just witnessed. His eyes couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
As a master apothecary, he had never seen such a method before.
Yet this miraculous technique possessed an almost magical power—turning the ordinary Oran Berry into a wondrous healing potion.
Just then, he suddenly heard Aven say calmly, "Completing this step only marks the end of the preliminary phase."
Hearing those words, both Olai and his student widened their eyes. This was only the preliminary phase?
"Next comes the most crucial part—the fermentation process."
"To obtain the final healing potion," Aven continued with a smile, "you need to let the prepared mixture ferment at room temperature."
"Since this step takes a long time, I won't demonstrate it here."
"You can try it yourselves when you return. If you run into any problems, you can come back and ask me."
At this moment, Aven truly resembled a teacher—and, in fact, he had just fulfilled the role of one through his guidance.
"Alright, I'll go try it right away!"
Master Olai was visibly excited. Just as he was about to rush off to his potion lab, his student grabbed him by the arm.
"Teacher, we haven't even thanked Master Aven for the formula," Link whispered.
At that moment, Link's emotions were extremely complex. Did they really just receive the healing potion formula that easily?
But why did he feel a vague sense of unease? Aven had handed over the recipe so casually—but for what purpose?
With that thought, he realized that he and his teacher needed to speak with Aven again.
Even if Aven truly didn't mind them learning the formula, they needed to make a solemn promise not to leak it.
Reminded by his student, Olai finally came to his senses.
He suddenly recalled how he had asked about the formula the moment he stepped through the door. That had been extremely rude.
Realizing this, Olai's old face turned red.
What surprised him most was that Aven had answered him without a moment's hesitation. That level of trust deeply moved him.
Now, he wasn't even sure how to face Aven. He stood frozen in place.
"Master Aven, I was rude earlier. Thank you for your guidance." No matter what, Olai felt he should express his gratitude first.
In the world of apothecary, the principle of respecting one's betters also applied, so Olai spoke with honorifics, having just experienced the humility of being a student again.
"There's no need to be so polite, Master Olai."
"Your Pokémon of exploration in potion making is something we all should admire."
"I believe we have much we can learn from each other. Only through such mutual exchange can we truly advance the field of potion making."
Aven smiled and nodded. Olai was momentarily stunned, and then the old master's eyes began to shine—like he had found a kindred spirit. His whole body trembled with excitement.
"Beyond the healing potion, I believe we have much more to discuss," Aven continued with a smile. "For instance, the potion used to dispel the gray mist—I'd like to ask your advice on that, Master Olai."
Olai paused in surprise. He had heard Aven had created a potion to dispel the gray mist—what could he possibly need advice on?
Then he listened as Aven explained the matter. In truth, Aven's potion was far from a complete success; he had relied on the unique power of the Snow Siren to absorb the gray mist.
"So, in the end, it was the beast's power that resolved the issue?"
"That does mean you haven't truly solved the gray mist problem through potions."
"But... the soul domain—this lies beyond what we apothecaries currently understand, so I'm afraid I can't offer useful suggestions."
Master Olai sighed with some regret, though his gaze toward Aven was full of admiration.
If the healing potion's formula might have been passed down from another apothecary, then the anti-gray-mist potion had been developed by Aven himself!
He had repeatedly adjusted the recipe based on its effects—something Olai felt he could never manage—but Aven had done it, continuing until he reached the realm of the soul.
"Indeed, the soul domain is still untouched by current alchemy," Aven said with some emotion. "But I believe that one day, we will step into that domain. I alone cannot achieve this."
"On this path, we need companions walking beside us—maybe it will take two generations, maybe three. But I believe we will succeed."
Master Olai nodded in deep agreement. Today's apothecaries had been built through the efforts of earlier generations.
That day, Aven and Master Olai talked extensively about their insights into potions—well into the night. The old master was reluctant to leave and wished they could continue for days on end!
Unfortunately, Aven had no plans to stay long in Aspiration City.
He had finished what he came to do—it was time to return to his own territory.
Now that he had just gained his domain, there was still much to be handled. Master Olai expressed his understanding and reluctantly said goodbye.
On the way back, Olai kept replaying the conversation in his mind.
"Yes... why exactly?" he murmured aloud, pausing mid-step and turning to his side. "Aven, what do you think is the reason?"
At that moment, Link was standing right next to him. Hearing his teacher's question, he sighed and said, "Teacher, we've already left the castle."
Olai opened his mouth, then came to his senses and gave an awkward smile, sighing again.
The feeling of having countless unanswered questions was torturous for the old master—he felt like running back to the castle to ask Aven more.
"Let's go back and finish researching the healing potion," he finally said.
As he turned, he glanced back at the castle silhouetted against the night, his gaze instinctively finding Aven's room before he turned and strode away.
Back in the lab, Olai and his student began working on replicating the healing potion.
Aven had explained the process very clearly, but once Olai tried it himself, he realized how difficult it actually was.
Still, he was not one to give up easily. After countless trials, he finally produced a bottle of healing potion—though it had yet to ferment.
Next, he fetched a wooden box. Aven had said fermentation required a stable temperature, around 30°C.
Fermentation—this was a term Olai had never encountered before. But this mysterious process was what triggered the final, miraculous transformation of the Oran Berry.
"This time, I really do owe him a huge favor," Olai said, sitting beside the box with a sigh.
He understood just how valuable this healing formula was—it wasn't just a potion recipe, but an entirely new alchemical technique. To an apothecary, this was no less than being personally mentored.
Sometimes, he truly felt that Aven was born to be an apothecary. It seemed he was forging his own unique path.
"Teacher, I'll watch over the potion. You should get some rest," Link said, seeing his teacher's red, tired eyes.
"I'm fine," Olai shook his head, then suddenly asked, "Link, how do you think we should repay this favor?"
Link paused, then shook his head. "Normally, we could offer to brew potions in return. But Aven..."
He trailed off.
His teacher, Master Olai, was a renowned apothecary in Aspiration City. Just one potion from him was already a significant favor.
But Aven himself was a master apothecary. He didn't need their help to make potions—so that option was out.
"Brew potions… Wait a minute!" Olai suddenly felt like lightning had struck his mind. Excited, he exclaimed, "Who says Aven doesn't need us to brew potions?"
"He's a lord now—he definitely won't have the time to make potions. But I do! I can handle the work for him!"
"Yes! That's it! I can work for him to repay the favor, and maybe even get access to more formulas—like that Rock Slide Auxiliary Potion!"
"Hahaha, perfect! This way, I can repay the favor and gain more knowledge. If I stay in Fruitvale Village, I'll also have more chances to exchange ideas with Aven—absolutely perfect!"
Link stared blankly at his overjoyed teacher. He really wanted to remind him: Have you forgotten that vow you made—to never set foot outside Aspiration City again?
(End of Chapter)