Robb nodded. The discomfort from body tempering still lingered, but since he had promised to go, he wasn't about to back out.
"I'll come with you," Andrey said thoughtfully. "That shopkeeper… supposedly has quite the background."
"You mean…?"
"I'm not sure of the details." He shrugged. "But anyone who can run a shop in the Black Mist Forest is definitely not ordinary."
The two retraced their steps. Morning light had driven away most of the gloom.
As they passed a patch of mutated fungi, Robb noticed that the glow of the luminescent mushrooms looked brighter than before.
"What's this?"
"Your perception has improved," Andrey explained with a knowing smile.
"After body tempering, your five senses become sharper. This level of change is about on par with a proper knight's squire. Still not quite on the level of a novice mage, though."
Robb's heart stirred. The changes were indeed noticeable—not just in sight, but even the faint magical fluctuations in the air seemed clearer.
Of course, some of that boost came from his new class as a potion apprentice. But he wasn't about to share that with Andrey just yet.
"We're here."
They stood in front of the herb shop. The weathered wooden door was tightly shut. A bronze wind chime hung from the doorframe, producing a crisp sound as the breeze passed.
"That's odd..." Andrey frowned. "It should be open by now."
Just then, the chime suddenly shook violently, letting out a sharp, grating sound.
A raspy voice came from within the shop:
"Come in. I've been expecting you."
Robb and Andrey exchanged glances, both catching a flicker of caution in the other's eyes.
Such strange occurrences usually meant danger in the Black Mist Forest.
But they had already come this far. Turning back now might offend the person inside—or worse, provoke them. There was no choice but to play it by ear.
As they pushed open the door, a wave of strange smells hit them.
Compared to last time, Robb's enhanced senses allowed him to clearly detect the magical auras within those scents—some vibrant and full of life, others reeking of toxicity.
The shopkeeper sat behind the counter, in front of a crystal ball emitting wisps of violet smoke.
Robb hadn't dared look too closely before. Now that he did, he saw her hawk-like nose, hunched figure, and deeply wrinkled skin—like a character straight out of Spirited Away, eerie and fearsome.
And at the moment, this old witch was studying them with glowing green eyes, her gaze filled with subtle intent.
"The Solar Blessing…"
She suddenly spoke, her eyes resting on Robb.
"Though incomplete, it's still quite rare."
Robb's heart skipped a beat. He had changed clothes. The golden markings should've been completely hidden.
"No need to be surprised," the shopkeeper said with a cryptic smile.
"Mystic arts can see through such disguises with ease."
Her gaze turned to Andrey.
"As for you, little prince of House Farwynd, seems like you're planning to cash in your family's legacy?"
Andrey's expression shifted slightly. "You are...?"
"Relax, child. You can call me Madam Elena." She waved a hand and began tidying the cluttered tools on her desk.
"I have no interest in the trivial affairs of royal families."
She pulled out a rusted iron box from beneath the counter.
"Your grandfather used to come here for potions. Back then, he was just a scrappy fifteen-year-old, always shouting about becoming a legendary wizard..."
She trailed off, lost in the memory.
After a moment, her eyes refocused on Robb.
"So, you're here to apply as my assistant?"
"Yes," Robb replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
Though the woman seemed friendly, the pressure from her overwhelming presence made it hard to relax.
"Hm…" Madam Elena stared deeply at Robb.
"Decent talent in potion-making. Solid foundations too. But…"
Robb stiffened slightly. She could judge his skill just by looking? He hadn't even done anything yet.
"But theory alone isn't enough." She stood up. "Come. Let me see your practical skills."
She led them past the shelves to a room at the back of the shop.
As the door opened, the scent of herbs thickened.
It was a simple brewing room. Several workbenches lined the space, covered in tools. Herbs were neatly arranged on shelves along the walls—some faintly glowing.
"Use these ingredients," she said, pointing to several herbs on the table. "Brew a bottle of calming potion."
She noticed Robb's hesitant look and smiled faintly:
"Don't worry about failure. These are basic ingredients. Besides…"
That sly smile again:
"With your current level, you shouldn't mess this up."
Robb stepped up and began inspecting the herbs carefully.
His newly acquired Herb Identification skill kicked in, helping him assess each ingredient more accurately.
On the table were several types of herbs:
Moonlight Grass, with semi-transparent silver leaves—its properties were gentlest when exposed to moonlight.
Mandrake Root, sliced thin, with bluish glowing edges.
Bramble Vine, still covered in thorns—each tip glowing faintly red.
And a few other plants he couldn't name, but could gauge their attributes through his skill.
"I've studied all of these. Shouldn't be a problem," he murmured.
The ingredient combo was deliberate—Moonlight Grass for soothing effects, Mandrake Root for slight stimulation, and Bramble Vine to stabilize the potion. The rest supported the overall effect.
The challenge was in the proportions. Each herb's traits could clash with another. Even a minor imbalance could ruin the entire batch.
Robb recalled the recipe from Foundations of Potion Crafting.
It was a basic potion, but getting it right required deep understanding of how ingredients interacted.
"Use whatever tools you like," Elena added, though her eyes never left Robb—watching him closely.
Andrey leaned against the doorframe, holding his breath. He was genuinely worried Robb might botch it and anger the shopkeeper—possibly sealing their fate inside this very shop.
Robb took a deep breath and got to work.
First came the Moonlight Grass—he carefully tore along the veins to preserve the potency.
Next, the Mandrake Root—too harsh if sliced flat, so he cut it diagonally to release the magic slowly.
Then the Bramble Vine—it required peeling with a silver tool; otherwise, it would disrupt the blend.
[Herb Identification (Beginner) +1 XP]
[Potion Crafting (Beginner) +1 XP]
He could clearly feel the difference after becoming an Alchemy Apprentice—skills progressed more easily than when he was just a novice.
Every tiny detail deepened his understanding. That enhanced awareness, in turn, allowed more accurate decisions.
"Good technique," Madam Elena said suddenly.
"Seems you've spent time mastering the basics."
Robb didn't respond—he was focused on measuring the ingredients.
His heightened perception helped him sense the interaction between components.
When the last ingredient hit the copper pot, the liquid slowly changed color—from murky to clear, finally settling into a soft amber tone.
"Perfect timing."
Madam Elena glanced at her pocket watch, then at the potion:
"Color and consistency are spot-on."
She scooped a bit with a silver spoon and wafted it beneath her nose:
"Full extraction of properties. You clearly understand your ingredients."
Then her eyes sharpened suddenly.
"But…"