The door opened.
Keal: Arion!
Liora ran forward.
Liora: You came back!
Arion stepped inside quietly. In his arms were several eggs wrapped in cloth. A small fluffy beast walked behind him.
Keal blinked.
Keal: What… are those?
Arion: Eggs. Found them in the deep forest.
Liora walked closer and looked at the small beast.
Liora: And this…?
Arion: It came with me.
The small beast looked around nervously.
Liora slowly picked it up.
Liora: It's so soft…
She hugged it gently and kissed its head.
Liora: So cute…
The beast made a small happy sound and rubbed its head against her.
Arion watched silently, then walked inside.
Arion: We need a warm place.
Keal: For eggs?
Arion: Yes. They must hatch safely.
They cleared a corner of the house. Arion placed soft cloth, dry leaves, and warm stones carefully. He arranged the eggs in the center.
Arion: This will do for now.
He turned toward Keal and Liora.
Arion: Practice what I taught yesterday.
They both sat immediately.
Arion placed a few herbs in front of them.
Arion: Look at these. Tell me what you feel.
Keal picked one and closed his eyes for a moment.
Keal: …It feels sharp. Slightly heavy.
Arion: Continue.
Keal: There's… a poisonous aura. Not strong, but present.
Arion nodded.
Arion looked at Liora.
Liora held another herb carefully.
Liora: This one feels… warm… but also dangerous. Like it can hurt if mixed wrong.
Arion: Good.
He gave them a few more herbs one by one. Both of them answered slowly, concentrating seriously.
After some time, Arion stood up.
Arion: Enough for today.
Keal looked up.
Keal: What now?
Arion: I will make high-level pills today. We will sell them in the market.
No need to worry about expenses.
Keal nodded.
Keal: Okay.
Arion stepped outside. He placed many herbs on the ground and sat in front of them.
Keal and Liora watched quietly.
Arion closed his eyes.
A faint pressure spread.
The herbs on the ground slowly lifted into the air.
Liora's eyes widened.
Liora: Kael…
Keal stared without blinking.
The herbs began to refine instantly. Impurities vanished. Then they fused together smoothly.
Within seconds, the condensed essence formed into pills.
Ten red pills dropped gently into Arion's palm.
Everything happened in an instant.
Keal: …
Liora: …
They were completely shocked.
Arion: Level 4 pills. Enough for now.
Night came.
They ate dinner together. Liora fed the small beast happily while it sat on her lap.
After eating, everyone went to sleep.
Silence filled the house.
Late night.
Keal slowly opened his eyes.
He looked toward Arion, who was sleeping calmly.
Keal sat up quietly.
Keal (whisper): I want to try…
He took a few herbs and went outside quietly.
He sat on the ground and placed herbs in front of him.
Keal closed his eyes and tried to remember everything Arion did.
Refining… fusion… condensation… completion…
He focused hard.
The herbs trembled slightly.
Slowly, very slowly, they began to refine.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
Time passed.
Suddenly—
A burnt smell spread.
The herbs turned black.
Keal tried harder.
His head started hurting.
His vision blurred.
Then darkness.
He collapsed on the ground.
Inside the house, Arion's eyes opened immediately.
Arion walked outside and saw Keal lying unconscious.
Arion: …
He lifted him calmly and carried him inside. He placed him on the bed.
While adjusting the cloth, Arion noticed something on the ground nearby.
Two small pills.
Arion picked them up.
Arion: Level 3… two pills at once…
He looked at the sleeping Keal.
Arion: Good kid.
He sat beside him quietly.
Arion: Learned just by watching… but soul power isn't enough yet.
He placed the pills beside Keal and stood up.
Arion: Still… impressive.
Arion blew out the lamp and went to sleep.