Episode 65. The Elixir (1)

[The leech monster is dead.]

Frowning, I stared at the message from Professor Elisha.

‘The leech monster is dead?’

The leech monster was a crucial clue to tracking down Jackal.

A monster that Professor Elisha herself had kept alive in a life-support device, now dead overnight.

[Was it killed by an intruder?]

[No, it just suddenly exploded and died.]

Suddenly exploded and died, huh.

‘Looks like Jackal made his move.’

I clicked my tongue and sent a reply to Professor Elisha.

[It must be Jackal’s doing.]

[I think so too.]

Whatever the reason.

With the leech monster, our only lead, now dead, further tracking was impossible.

‘Well, we’ve already gathered most of the information we could.’

In fact, the sudden death of the leech monster gave us new information—that Jackal could kill his familiars from a distance. Not a bad trade-off.

[Then, without any other leads, we’ll just have to wait for him to make a move for now.]

[I suppose so.]

[Understood. I’ll contact you again later.]

Just as I was about to close the message window.

[Wait.]

[c( ‘o’)っ]

Professor Elisha sent a special character emoticon that’s been trending among the candidates.

‘Wait, she’s using emoticons too?’

While candidates use them often, it’s rare to see seasoned(?) heroes like Professor Elisha using them…

[What’s this? Suddenly feeling a bit annoyed…]

No.

What’s with this Insight’s Blessing performance?

[Candidate Dale. Are you perhaps thinking something disrespectful right now?]

[I swear on my parents’ names, I’ve never had such thoughts.]

[Hmm… But aren’t you from the orphanage?]

[Are you calling me a parentless orphan right now?]

[Ah, no. That’s not what I meant…]

Even through the text, I could feel Professor Elisha’s flustered demeanor.

I didn’t back down and pressed her further.

[Assuming that orphans don’t even know their parents’ names is an insult to me and hundreds of thousands of other orphans!]

[I’m sorry, Candidate Dale. My thoughts were narrow-minded.]

[As long as you understand.]

[As an apology, can you tell me your parents’ names?]

[So, what were you about to say earlier?]

[…Candidate Dale.]

For some reason, I could almost see Professor Elisha letting out a deep sigh through the message window.

[Let’s get back on topic.]

[Yes.]

[This time, a magic stone was found in the alligator monster.]

Magic stone.

A type of magic power crystal found inside monsters, used in artifacts, magical tools, elixirs, and more.

Even the Hero Watch I’m using to message Professor Elisha has a magic stone inside.

‘Of course, the stones used in everyday items are mostly low-grade.’

Low-grade magic stones can be mass-produced without hunting monsters, so they’re commonly used in everyday magical tools like the Hero Watch.

But mass production is only possible up to mid-grade stones.

For high-grade stones and above, you have to hunt monsters, so their prices skyrocket.

‘And it’s not like every monster drops one.’

In fact, the more “eyes” a monster has, the higher the chance of a high-grade stone, but the lower the chance of finding one at all.

In other words.

Finding a stone from an eight-eyed monster is quite a big deal.

[What grade is it?]

[Close to top-grade, but classified as high-grade.]

[If it’s high-grade, just say high-grade. What’s with the “close to top-grade” nonsense?]

[The amount of magic power inside rivals top-grade, but the purity and quality are lower, so it’s classified as high-grade.]

[Ohh.]

But the magic power alone rivals top-grade, huh.

[How much would it sell for?]

[Hard to say. At least 5 million gold.]

5 million gold.

In the old Republic’s currency, that’s over 5 billion.

‘Wait, with that kind of money, I could buy a house in the heart of Valhalla City.’

It’s too big an amount to ignore.

‘The problem is, I don’t have the authority to dispose of the monster’s body.’

As a candidate without an official hero license, I don’t have the right to dispose of the monster’s body or claim spoils.

Especially since the alligator monster is Jackal’s familiar.

It’s tied up as a “subject of investigation,” so claiming a share is tricky.

“Ugh.”

Swallowing my frustration, I was lost in thought when a clear chime signaled a new message from Professor Elisha.

[I’ll leave the disposal of this magic stone to you, Candidate Dale.]

What?

[You’re giving the stone to me?]

[Yes.]

[But that’s…]

[You’re the one who killed the alligator monster, right? Even without an official hero license, I can’t just dispose of your property as I please.]

“Hmph.”

Right.

This is what a true educator is like!

‘If it were Professor Lucas, he’d give it but make a big show of it, annoying everyone.’

Professor Elisha, with her overflowing(?) life experience, really knows how to handle people!

[…Are you perhaps…]

[If that’s your decision, then so be it. I’ll make good use of it.]

[…….]

[૮(⇀‸↼‵‵)ა]

Professor Elisha sent an emoticon with a suspicious expression.

But even Insight’s Blessing can’t read minds, so there was no further probing.

[I’ll send the stone through Instructor Vincent.]

[Yes.]

About 30 minutes after finishing my conversation with Professor Elisha.

Knock knock.

A knock came at my dorm room door.

‘That was fast.’

Opening the door, I saw Instructor Vincent holding a square box.

“Professor Elisha asked me to deliver this to you.”

“You came quickly.”

“It’s the Professor’s orders.”

Instructor Vincent’s short reply carried a sense of unwavering loyalty to Professor Elisha.

I chuckled and took the box from him.

Opening it, I found a magic stone emitting a sinister black glow.

Nodding, I held the fist-sized stone in my hand.

“It’s here.”

“So it’s a magic stone.”

“You didn’t even know what was inside and still delivered it?”

“It’s the Professor’s orders.”

“…….”

Is this what happens when you become an instructor?

As I smirked at him, Instructor Vincent stared at me intently and spoke.

“The Professor has been paying a lot of attention to you lately, Candidate Dale.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

Was it because of my looks?

Though it was a ridiculous reason, it was clear from her actions that Professor Elisha had some fondness for me.

“Are you jealous?”

“Not at all.”

When I teased him, Instructor Vincent gave a wry smile and shook his head.

“To me, Professor Elisha is like a mother. She’s the one who took me in when I was lost and without hope.”

“A benefactor?”

“I’m also a survivor of a demon attack, like Professor Elisha.”

Instructor Vincent’s expression grew distant, as if recalling the past.

“There are many others who owe their lives to the Professor. She even runs a foundation for victims who lost their homes and families to demons.”

“…I see.”

This was the first I’d heard about Professor Elisha running such a foundation.

“The Professor donates all the money she earns as a hero and her salary as a special professor to the foundation. She insists on only buying cheap brands, saying even spending money on New Year’s is a waste.”

“…….”

“She’s someone who’s given up her own life for the sake of others.”

Instructor Vincent’s eyes were filled with respect as he spoke.

“Honestly, I’m relieved.”

“Relieved?”

“That the Professor has found another interest in you, Candidate Dale.”

Instructor Vincent smiled faintly as he looked at me.

“I…”

“Haha. No need to take it so seriously. People’s feelings don’t change just because you force them.”

Instructor Vincent chuckled softly and shook his head.

“But there’s one thing I want you to remember.”

Suddenly, Instructor Vincent’s eyes flashed fiercely.

“If you hurt her… I won’t stand idly by.”

Instructor Vincent’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

I swallowed a laugh and nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Instructor Vincent bowed his head and turned to leave.

“Oh, by the way, about that magic stone. Are you planning to sell it? Or do you have a use for it?”

“Hmm. Not sure.”

If I sold it, I could get at least 5 million gold.

‘But using it would be better than selling it.’

High-grade magic stones can be used to create elixirs that boost magic power.

‘I already have an elixir from Yuren.’

With Professor Jade’s skills, he could probably amplify the elixir’s effects by mixing in the stone.

“If you plan to use it, you’ll need to purify it first.”

Instructor Vincent pointed to the sinister black glow emanating from the stone.

As he said.

Magic stones freshly harvested from monsters can’t be used without being purified with holy power.

“If you need, I can introduce you to a purifier from the Holy Kingdom.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I smirked and shook my head.

Why bother with a purifier from the Holy Kingdom?

“I already know someone who can purify magic stones.”

I have someone far beyond any purifier from the Holy Kingdom—a ‘Saint’ blessed by seven gods.