So the feeling of losing control when I took the potion during the last advancement wasn't the potion's effect on me, but rather that I almost drank myself to death?
But thinking about it, throughout history, the 'existences' who occupied multiple non-adjacent Pathways were only those crazed Ancient Gods of the 'Second Epoch' who dared to eat like that.
Using a normal person's body to replicate their behavior—it was already a stroke of luck that I didn't split apart on the spot, thanks to my cheat.
It seems I need to find a way to resolve this drawback as soon as possible. If all else fails, I'll ask Adam; after all, He spent a lot of time studying Beyonder characteristics back then. If that doesn't work, I can only use the 'Unshadowed Crucifix' to suck the Beyonder characteristic out.
But that's not right either. The main reason I dared to do this was the information from my 'cheat,' and didn't Adam give me a hint? For the next advancement, enter the 'Ancient Castle' to take the potion... The next morning, after having breakfast, Altair went to the study and began writing a letter to Madam Anna.
Dear Madam Anna,
I hope this letter finds you well.
Regarding the investment you proposed the day before yesterday, after returning home and reflecting on it, I feel that this matter is feasible.
Therefore, I am solemnly replying to you: I am willing to do my utmost to assist with your husband's treatment. I am now providing a bottle of the 'Silver Moon Cleansing Mixture' that you urgently need to address your immediate crisis. The method of administration is: take it on an empty stomach under moonlight, then lie still for one hour. Once a day, 10 milliliters each time, for three consecutive days.
I only hope for your husband's early recovery and that you may find peace of mind.
Sincerely, your student, Altair.
August 12th
After writing and folding the letter, Altair took out an alcohol lamp, melted some beeswax, dripped it onto the seal, and pressed the family crest onto it.
When the servant entered, he handed over the letter and the potion, instructing them to be sent out as soon as possible.
After being educated by Uncle-Grandfather Leif and the others, Altair was no longer someone who would help out purely out of hot-blooded passion. He had his own goals in helping Madam Anna now.
If it weren't for Adam's sudden appearance yesterday morning, Altair would have almost forgotten a setting regarding gods. Although such things aren't necessary for a demigod, they are indispensable after becoming an Angel.
As a 'normal person,' he wasn't qualified to proselytize and have a large scale of believers.
Therefore, he could only cultivate a group of Beyonders who would never betray him to serve as 'anchors,' letting them replace ordinary people when the time came.
On the first night after receiving Altair's potion, Madam Anna gave it to her husband. After three days of persistence, he had basically returned to normal.
After all, his body had endured seven years of torment, so it certainly couldn't return to its original state; they could only see if the deficiencies could be supplemented later.
On the morning of the fourth day, Madam Anna came in person to express her gratitude. Altair directly stated his requirement: "I need you, Madam Anna, to personally help me train a group of slaves."
For Altair, training normal people to become Beyonders wouldn't necessarily achieve his goal of making them loyal believers. After experiencing the Irene incident, he was now more inclined to train these purchased people.
Madam Anna had no objections to this and immediately agreed to Altair's request.
Of course, the day after Altair sent the potion to Madam Anna, Heather Grant found out. She kept sending letters, sternly criticizing Altair's behavior and demanding he compensate her with some entertainment.
Helplessly, Altair went to apologize in person, and only then did she stop her mischievous behavior and agree to stop sending letters.
Regarding Heather Grant's behavior, Altair sometimes really felt that she was just like a young girl.
This even made Altair wonder if she had taken a potion called 'Child'.
During this time, Altair had also consulted Owen about the reason, and his reply was: "Heather Grant is a Sanguine. If converted to human age, she is indeed still in the young girl stage."
After hearing this, Altair wanted to kneel before the couple on the spot. What did he mean by converting according to age? Did the intellect have to be converted according to age as well?
With that matter settled, Altair's life returned to tranquility. He spent his days in leisure, having sex and flirting with the maids.
Until the morning of October 3rd, after finishing their morning exercise, the two lay naked on the bed, their bodies exposed without any attempt to cover up.
Panting, Vivian leaned happily against Altair as if sensing something good, and whispered in his ear:
"My potion's acting has just been completed."
Altair then looked at the radiant Vivian in surprise and asked, "How could it be so fast? Didn't you say two days ago that it would still take a long time?"
Vivian, the person involved, shook her head and said, "I'm not sure why either, but I'm certain that just now, I clearly felt that sensation of the acting being completed."
Stroking her beautiful back, Altair asked leisurely, "When do you plan to advance to Demoness of Afflictions? And do you know the materials, formula, and ritual?"
"Of course, everything is ready." Vivian lifted her head, resting her chin on Altair's chest, and said happily, "I have to thank you for your help, otherwise I wouldn't have known when I'd finish so many newcomer training tasks."
"I plan to complete the advancement after breakfast. I prepared the main materials for the potion half a month ago, and I'm familiar with the formula and ritual."
Altair advised with concern:
"Why not wait a couple more days to stabilize your state? After all, the ritual for advancing to Demoness of Afflictions isn't exactly pleasant."
Vivian shook her head in refusal and comforted him, "Don't worry, since I dare to say I'll advance today, I'm definitely confident. After all, I have you now, and I'm loath to leave this world."
Altair and Vivian lingered in bed for another half hour before getting up for breakfast. Their relationship was now like that of a couple in the honeymoon phase, feeding each other during meals without regard for others.
An hour later, in the basement laboratory, Altair watched as Vivian took out: a beautiful eye, two bottles of blood of different colors, something that looked like the tip of a snake's tail, and added 10 drops of essential oil.
She concocted a potion of dark red, nearly black blood that quickly turned pitch black, with disgusting green bubbles occasionally surfacing.
He murmured, "Is this enough?"
Vivian nodded and said, "Yes. Ideally, it's best to use Beyonder materials to make potions for all Sequences."
"Because those who can advance to this stage will have more or less mental pollution on their Beyonder characteristics. But unfortunately, time waits for no one. The Demoness Sect doesn't have ready-made Beyonder materials right now, and I don't want to wait, so I applied for the characteristic directly."
"The potion is ready. Altair, remember, after I've been burned for fifteen minutes, get me down immediately and give me the potion, or feed it to me directly."
"Now, help me undress and put me on the Stake."
After undressing Vivian and tying her to the Stake, Altair held up a burning torch and looked at her.
Once Vivian nodded, Altair threw the torch onto the pile of firewood. As time passed, the flames grew larger, and Vivian's painful cries rang out.
Altair looked anxiously at the pocket watch in his hand, finding that what was usually a short time now felt like years.
Hearing Vivian's tragic cries, Altair prompted, "Three minutes left, just hold on a bit longer..."
Perhaps hearing Altair's prompt, Vivian's wails of pain turned into laughter, the sound breaking within the tongues of fire, carrying a hint of frenzied pleasure.
Once the fifteen minutes were up, Altair rushed into the sea of fire and carried Vivian out. He pulled out the dark green potion from his robe and poured the liquid, which carried a sweet and decayed scent, into her mouth.
After taking the potion, Vivian's body, which had been broken and battered by the burning, began to shed debris and grow new flesh.
But perhaps because the 'potency' was insufficient, the speed of regeneration was very slow. After laying Vivian down steadily, Altair picked up the recovery potions already prepared on the table and began feeding them to her one by one.
Not until Vivian's body had completely recovered to its original state did Altair stop the feeding.