inspire-indiana Chapter 32: Ch 32: The Strength Potion- Part 1
Chapter 32: Ch 32: The Strength Potion- Part 1
Chapter 32 - Ch 32: The Strength Potion- Part 1Fenrir adjusted the flame beneath the smelting dish and gently stirred the mixture inside.
Each ingredient had been carefully measured, ground, and purified beforehand, and he had memorized every step of the process by heart.
The Strength Enhancing Potion was one of the simpler recipes in theory, but execution was another matter.
Too much of one herb, or a second too long at the wrong temperature, and the whole mixture could destabilize.
He worked with the precision of a surgeon, the silence of the lab broken only by the occasional hiss of bubbling liquid.
After carefully monitoring the potion for a final few seconds, Fenrir removed it from the flame and let it settle in the cooling basin.
A few more minutes passed in tense anticipation before the system finally chimed.
[D-Ranked Strength Enhancing Potion successfully brewed.]
Fenrir frowned.
"D-ranked?"
He muttered, lifting the vial up to the light.
The potion had the right hue, but the system's assessment didn't lie.
He took a moment to consider the implications.
"...So the system isn't just a guide—it can act as a quality analysis tool too."
That was useful. Even if the system didn't always have accurate data on people like Betty Rose, it could still be trusted when it came to things like potion brewing, where logic and material composition ruled over unpredictability.
He pulled out his notes and scanned them.
Something in the mixture must've diluted the strength.
After a few moments, he realized it—his proportions were all still within safe ranges, but some ingredients were overpowering others.
It wasn't just about using the right materials; it was about balance.
He ran the process again. Then a third time. A fourth.
Each iteration came with changes: slightly more of the reinforced ginseng, a little less of the powdered corestone, and an extended smelting time on the third attempt.
After six total trials, he finally held a new vial in his hand.
[A-Ranked Strength Enhancing Potion successfully brewed.]
Fenrir allowed himself a small smile.
"Finally."
He poured a single dose and downed it immediately.
The effect was almost instantaneous.
A rush of heat flooded through his body, followed by a light-headed feeling. His knees buckled slightly under him, but he held on to the lab counter.
The system displayed a new line in the corner of his vision:
[Warning: Potion may cause dizziness.]
Fenrir scoffed.
"Yeah. I noticed."
Despite the side effect, the result was undeniable.
He felt stronger—more agile. He moved toward the mirror in the corner of the lab and studied his reflection.
His body hadn't changed in appearance, but when he clenched his fist or moved his arm, he could feel the difference. Muscles responded faster, his center of gravity more stabilized.
It was subtle, but potent.
"I'll limit myself to one bottle a week. No point overdosing and turning into a twitching pile of meat."
He said aloud.
He sealed the rest of the batch and placed the A-ranked potions in a magically reinforced container.
The D and B-ranked ones were stored separately for experimentation or perhaps for sale if he needed quick funds.
Once the brewing was done, Fenrir finally allowed himself a moment to look around the lab.
It was a mess.
Herb dust clung to the floor, glass tools sat in the sink crusted with remnants of potion, and parchment papers were scattered everywhere, ink stains bleeding into the corners.
Fenrir pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I need assistants. But I can't just hire people off the street."
He muttered.
There was no one he trusted—not with his secrets, not with his potions, and definitely not with access to his re
______
Mark Spencer's fists slammed into the reinforced training dummy with a dull thud.
The air rippled around him as he let out a breath, sweat glistening down his arms.
The leader of the Supreme Guild was not a man who enjoyed interruptions during training, so when the heavy doors to his private gym burst open, his expression was less than welcoming.
"Nina, this better be important."
He growled.
"It is. The mysterious seller—everyone's calling him 'X' now—just listed another item on the market."
His assistant said quickly, holding up her tablet.
Mark paused, then turned fully to face her.
"X?"
Mark had a feeling he knew this person, but that name rang no bell in his mind.