Chapter 3

"Is this... a real elixir?"

Amelia held the vial in her hand, examining it closely, and came to that conclusion. Her voice carried a note of surprise, clearly showing that the elixir was unexpected for her.

—But the surprise didn't end there.

"Ah, there are more."

"Huh...?"

Three more vials were casually placed down. Each contained a blue liquid—without a doubt, they were all real elixirs.

"Eh... Eh!?"

Amelia stood up from her chair and let out a loud cry that echoed through the guild. It was no wonder, with four precious elixirs lined up before her.

However, the one most surprised in the room was the young S-rank adventurer. Raphi's eyes widened as she stared at Rais in disbelief.

The adventurers in the guild all turned their gaze to Rais, their eyes filled with shock.

Rais, who was the focus of these stares, looked around with wide eyes, bewildered.

"Um..."

The atmosphere was indescribable, and Rais was at a loss.

Suddenly, Raphi grabbed Rais's hand, collected the four elixirs from the table, and headed straight for the guild's exit.

"Hey, wait!"

As expected of an S-rank adventurer. Rais couldn't resist, and was quickly dragged away from the adventurer's guild.

Rais was pulled through the crowd and eventually reached a quiet alley. Dazed from being dragged around, Rais sent a protesting glance at Raphi.

However, Raphi ignored the look and thrust the four elixirs in front of Rais.

"What's going on with this...!"

"What do you mean... It's just an elixir."

"Did you... make all of these?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm..."

Rais, who still didn't fully understand the situation, let out a sigh.

Raphi sighed heavily, exasperated by Rais's lack of awareness of his own exceptional abilities.

"Listen, Rais. Your alchemy skills are, to put it bluntly, abnormal. Making an elixir at your age is already genius-level, but making multiple ones... you might be the only one in the world who can do that."

Raphi grabbed Rais's shoulder and spoke firmly, emphasizing her words. Rais, who was being dragged along, managed a wry smile.

"Even if you say that, the only thing I have to sell right now is the elixir. If this keeps up, I'll run out of money..."

Rais's funds were practically nonexistent. He couldn't even afford a place to stay or dinner. He needed to sell something to avoid spending a cold night outside.

"Ugh... But...!"

Raphi muttered to herself, then sighed and slumped her shoulders.

"Fine... You can stay at my place tonight."

"Thanks, but... is that okay?"

"I live with my sister, so it's no trouble. Besides, it's my fault you couldn't sell the elixir."

Rais felt uncomfortable about staying at a girl's house, especially one he had just met, but he was grateful for the offer.

"Thanks, I'll take you up on that."

In the end, he couldn't refuse and accepted the offer.

***

"I'll explain the situation to my sister, so wait here."

"Got it."

Watching Raphi go up the stairs, Rais let out a sigh of relief. He put down his bag and leaned back in a chair.

Looking around the house, he was impressed. Despite being around the same age, Raphi lived in a very impressive house. She had said she lived with her sister, but the size of the house could easily accommodate five or six more people.

In contrast, Rais was penniless. The difference was stark.

"Right, I need to sell something and make some money soon."

Feeling gloomy, he opened his bag. Inside were various materials for alchemy and already completed potions, sorted by type.

When Rais left his hometown, he was in a hurry due to a monster attack, so he hadn't carefully selected the materials and potions he brought. He had just grabbed whatever was in sight and stuffed them into his bag.

As a result, the number of potions was limited. For example, he had about ten elixirs left.

However, the number of completed potions wasn't the main concern for Rais. The real issue was the remaining materials for alchemy.

"Cycla grass, twenty bundles; copper ore, five pieces; and holy water, ten bottles."

Cycla grass was used to make healing potions like the elixir, copper ore was used for crafting weapons and accessories, and holy water was used to create potions to defeat the undead.

"Well, it should be fine."

The amount would last for a while. If it ran out, he could always gather more.

After checking, Rais closed his bag and waited for Raphi.

Just then, Raphi came down the stairs, and a girl Rais didn't know was with her.

She had white hair that reached her waist and blood-red eyes. She was shorter than Rais, so she was probably younger. Despite her age, she had a mature aura, and she must be Raphi's sister.

However, the two didn't look much alike. They had different hair and eye colors.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is my sister, Sylvia."

"Nice to meet you."

"Hi, I'm Rais."

Sylvia sat across from Rais.

"I'll go make some tea. Please wait a moment."

"Should I help, sis?"

"No, you rest."

Raphi said and disappeared again. The two, who had just met, were left alone, and an awkward silence filled the air.

As Rais tried to think of something to say, Sylvia suddenly bowed her head.

"Thank you, Rais."

"Um, for what?"

Rais tilted his head, wondering what he had done to deserve thanks from Sylvia, whom he had just met.

"For giving the elixir to my sister."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'm staying here too, so it's mutual."

Rais smiled wryly, and Sylvia smiled softly in response.

"Still, thank you. My sister has been working hard for me."

"For you?"

"Yes. I've been sick for a while, and my sister has been searching for a cure."

Sylvia spoke with a sad, apologetic expression. Rais understood why Raphi had been so desperate to get the elixir and realized that Sylvia's illness must be serious.

"You have a great sister."

"Yes, she's my pride!"

Sylvia's childlike gesture made Rais smile.

"You smiled!"

"No, sorry. I thought you were more mature, so the contrast surprised me."

"I'm only fifteen, you know."

Sylvia puffed out her cheeks slightly, showing her displeasure. The cute fifteen-year-old girl was a pleasant sight for Rais.

"I hope you get better soon."

"Thank you!"

Sylvia's face lit up with joy.