Chapter 4 Potions Master

Potions.

Even I, a Squib, had heard of them. They were the most profitable business in the wizarding world. If I could become a Potions Master, I'd be counting money until my fingers cramped up every day.

Unfortunately.

Making potions required exceptional talent.

Otherwise, my uncle's cauldron wouldn't be constantly belching black smoke.

"Do I have this talent?"

"Just barely."

I felt the old wizard's words weren't very reliable.

I hadn't even brewed a potion yet, and he could already tell I had talent? Besides, making potions was a very complex craft. Even magic schools only taught the most basic parts. To become a Potions Master, self-study alone would never be enough.

You had to have a real teacher.

"Are you a Potions Master?" I asked tentatively.

"That's right, I am a Potions Master."

The old wizard smiled.

My heart started pounding.

"Also, to restore your body, besides me no longer draining your magic, you'll need a potion."

"What potion?"

"One hundred milliliters of Ghost Shark blood, two hundred grams of Blood Vine bark, one Moonlight Grass. And most importantly, one gram of Witchblood extracted from a formal wizard's body after death."

"Witchblood?"

"Yes, Witchblood. A wizard's death is an incredibly fearsome thing. The more powerful the wizard, the more terrifying their death, and Witchblood is what is left from that. You'll understand later."

What about when you die? How terrible would that be?

And why are you in this ring?

I wanted to ask, but didn't.

"These materials aren't something a Squib like me can get my hands on. How am I supposed to get them?"

"That's your problem. I've already given you the solution."

The old wizard smiled.

His transparent soul suddenly disappeared. He had returned to the ring.

I went through my savings in frustration. After living here all these years, I'd secretly put aside some of the currency wizards used, something called Mana Stones that looked like grayish-white pebbles. I had hidden them once before — six Mana Stones — but unfortunately, my aunt had found them and confiscated my little stash.

Good thing I'd always been cautious and kept my savings scattered, so she didn't get everything.

Now I only had two Mana Stones.

Though I didn't know their exact value, what could this tiny amount buy?

I'd have to borrow money from someone.

But which wizard would be willing to lend money to a Squib like me?

Besides, even with money, I might not be able to buy those things.

I didn't even know how to get to a wizard shop. Someone would have to take me there. Where could I find a kind person willing to lend me money and bring me along?

I walked out of the bathroom.

I glanced at the magic vase, struggling with clothes and pants. Magic was great, and all, except that the things it created weren't very smart. Of course, it might also be that my uncle wasn't very skilled.

If only I had magic...

I pushed that thought down.

It was almost noon.

I walked to the neighbor's house.

Isabelle was reading a thick book.

I glanced at it — probably a book about wizards.

"Charles?"

"Isabelle, um... could you lend me some money?" It was a bit hard to say.

Good thing Emily wasn't there.

Though she might also be avoiding me.

"Is five thousand dollars enough?"

Without a word, she opened her wallet. The outside was covered with cute little panda charms. Isabelle had always liked these little things. Inside the wallet were bills.

I said awkwardly,

"Not that regular money. What I want is the money wizards use."

"Mana Stones? Wait a moment."

Isabelle turned and ran back home. Before long, she came out carrying a small pouch. She gave it a firm shake, and a spill of Mana Stones poured out of the little pouch.

"This is all my savings. I haven't counted them, but there are probably over two thousand Mana Stones."

Over two thousand Mana Stones?

In my seventeen years, I'd only managed to save six Mana Stones, and my aunt had confiscated four of them. Two thousand Mana Stones would take me over seven thousand years to save, and that's assuming none of them got confiscated.

"Charles, if you're borrowing Mana Stones, you're buying something wizard-related, right?"

"Yes."

I nodded, then said,

"I'll pay back double the Mana Stones I borrow."

My confidence in repaying came from my soon-to-be-restored body and that Potions Master old wizard.

But Isabelle suddenly smiled, her whole face lighting up. "Charles, you're back." Her gaze fell on my face with a tenderness I'd never seen before.

"The old you wouldn't have asked to borrow money from me, and would never say things like 'I'll pay you back double.'"

I froze for a moment, unconsciously touching my chest. For three years, I'd been like a snail curled up in its shell, hiding all my light away. Even I had almost forgotten what I used to be like.

Three years ago, before I was confirmed as a Squib.

I had been a spirited young man, too.

"People grow up after going through hardships, don't they?" I smiled, then added, "Want to come along? To buy things, Isabelle."

Actually, it was because I had no idea how to get there.

But could I tell Isabelle that?

"Does this count as a date?" Isabelle laughed.

A date?

I froze.

I looked carefully at her face. Without realizing it, that little girl who used to follow behind me, chattering away, had grown into a beautiful young woman. Her cheeks were round and full, her long lashes like two little fans gently fluttering, with cute freckles dotted across her nose.

"You've grown up."

I couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her cheek, as I used to when we were little.

Isabelle's face reddened, but she quickly brushed my hand away.

"Charles, do you still think I'm a little kid?"

"No, you're already a beauty."

I said it seriously.

But instead of being pleased, Isabelle looked even angrier. She turned and walked away. I opened my mouth, about to ask if we weren't going on this date anymore, when Isabelle walked a few steps, turned around, and rolled her eyes at me:

"Aren't you coming? I'll take you to the wizard shop."

Girls' moods were really hard to figure out.