Chapter 30

'The overall medical level here is better, but there were no medicines that heal instantly.'

Perhaps because it was a world without magic, the medical technology here was quite advanced. Even though there was no high-level magic that defied the natural order, there were even miraculous surgeries that could reattach severed arms.

In comparison, the medical technology of the world Nain lived in was relatively inferior in surgical aspects, but it was overflowing with fast and effective magic potions that could heal most wounds instantly. It meant both worlds had their respective advantages in different areas.

Anyway, Nain already knew why the magic power reaction solution had failed.

'Materials.'

The ingredients for magic power reaction solution were quite simple compared to other magic potions. Only three things were needed: cleanly purified water, a mage, and materials with self-luminous properties.

There were no mages here, but he had magic potions made by mages, so that wouldn't be a problem. So he just needed to find materials with self-luminous properties, but the problem was that he couldn't find such materials in this place. It was an unexpected obstacle.

'Why aren't there any? Are there no natural magic stones here either?'

The nights here were completely dark. There were no objects that emitted light. Nain wandered around various parts of the center late into the night, searching here and there for anything similar.

He did manage to obtain something he thought was similar. A glow-in-the-dark toy someone had left on a bench... Of course, it had no effect. No matter how much he searched the internet, he couldn't find familiar materials.

'Right. The method of making medicine here was completely different from the concept I know. Thinking about that, it would be better to give up on finding familiar materials.'

So Nain ordered several items from online art supply stores with help from other staff.

Fluorescent ink refills. Fluorescent dye. Glow-in-the-dark paint...

He experimented with items bought by spending all his money, but it was useless. Far from creating a magic power reaction solution, the existing wound healing effect remained intact due to the diluted recovery medicine, only benefiting the Espers.

Even when he accidentally sprayed the solution on numerous test subjects... no, Espers' faces, or scared them about minor scratches saying "your leg might rot," soaking areas much wider than the wound area, no magic circuits were visible at all.

'Maybe I bought stuff that was too cheap?'

Dyes labeled as non-harmful to humans were all too expensive. And it wasn't even certain whether they would actually work.

'I need money.'

Money was really urgent. Where could he get money right away...

"Nain, I got my cast off."

Nain looked at Ash, who suddenly appeared and showed off his healed arm by rotating it, and pondered.

'I heard that person is rich, should I ask to borrow money?'

Ash, who couldn't possibly read Nain's thoughts, continued what he was saying.

"When I got an X-ray today, it was so perfectly healed that not even a crack was visible."

"..."

"No response. Why do you have that expression? Do you have something to say to me?"

...No. If he borrowed money from anyone, especially Ash, his life would probably become miserable. Nain's clouded judgment returned.

'That would have sold for whatever price I asked.'

Nain clicked his tongue. In his urgent need for money, it bothered him a bit that he had given such a magic potion to Ash without receiving a single penny. Giving Ash bone-healing magic potion was nothing for Nain. He could have just called the colorless, odorless magic potion water and given it to him. But remembering Ash's habit of always having something sweet in his mouth, Nain bought a drink from the vending machine and mixed it with the magic potion.

Sure enough, in less than five minutes, Ash, who had taken and drunk the beverage mixed with magic potion, said it was bland as if diluted with water and decided to boycott that drink from now on. That had been yesterday.

"I'm glad it healed well. Can you receive training now?"

Nain asked. Ash didn't answer the question but just bragged about how amazing his recovery ability was. Nain thought to himself.

'As if he knows whose help that was.'

Thanks to me, his arm is fine now, so I hope he stops coming. He looked particularly good today, which made it more tiring.

Ash bragged several times about how his attending physician was amazed asking how bones could heal in just three days, but for Nain, who knew the inside story, his words just seemed amusing.

* * *

Nain clicked the mouse while resting his chin on his hand. He realized that his weekly wage was nowhere near enough to buy all the materials he had put in his shopping cart.

'As expected... I should sell something.'

He casually mentioned to the Esper who had asked him to contact him that he had magic potions effective for relieving chronic fatigue and boosting vitality. This was thanks to remembering that he had been muttering about being tired lately.

"A vigor booster?"

He showed interest as soon as Nain dropped the hint.

"I made it last night by staying up all night. Full moon herbs need to be handled under moonlight for doubled effectiveness."

"...Come to think of it, it was a full moon yesterday!"

"It's the day when magic becomes very powerful."

Remembering what he had said before, Nain spouted nonsense as a service. The moon and magic had no correlation whatsoever. However, no one other than Nain could possibly know this truth. The Esper, who had supposedly worshipped witches and the occult since childhood, marveled at every word Nain said.

"What else? What else went in?"

"Should I write it down for you?"

"Yes!"

Nain scribbled random ingredients that came to mind on a memo pad.

[Vigor Booster

Ingredients: Clear lava water 100g, volcanic woodpecker claw powder a pinch, 50-year-old full moon herb extract 2.5g

Manufacturing date: This morning

Manufacturing method: Secret.

Efficacy: Vigor is restored.]

Actually, all the ingredients written on the memo pad were lies. There was no need to put high-grade herbs like full moon herbs in such low-grade magic potions, and he didn't even have volcanic woodpecker claws.

The secret of the vigor booster was simple. Add one drop of 'magic recovery potion' to a bottle of clean water and dilute it. This was enough to relieve physical fatigue.

Far from staying up all night, it didn't even take a minute to make. Just add it to water and mix.

"This should do, right? I'll sell it to you."

Nain showed the vigor booster he had brought in a plausible bottle along with the fake recipe. The Esper's eyes sparkled. Before he could reach out to grab the vigor booster, Nain pulled his hand back and made a request.

"Before that, there are two conditions."

"What are they?"

"Don't drink more than one bottle per day."

When Nain deliberately lowered his voice, the Esper's expression became serious. He also muttered quietly.

"Precautions, huh. What happens if I drink too much? Do I die?"

Nain shook his head. And answered very seriously.

"The effect works too well. Then it would be a waste."

"Ah... what is it."

The man grumbled as if deflated. Maybe he should have just said he'd die. Somehow it seemed like the man would like that better. He'd remember to say that next time. Nain raised another finger and muttered even more secretly.

"And the other one is maintaining secrecy. Don't tell anyone that I sell things like this."

At those words, the Esper's eyes truly sparkled brightly this time.

"Don't tell me I'll be cursed if I talk? A witch's curse..."

"No curse. What exactly do you think I am?"

While some people scoffed asking what magic was, there were also overly pure believers like this person. Asking if he'd be cursed for talking—there was no cuter notion, so Nain burst out laughing.

"It doesn't seem like it would be good for me if rumors spread."

"Yes! I'll definitely keep the secret. One bottle per day. Maintain secrecy. I remember everything!"

Nain nodded. Of course, it wasn't fraud. The magic potion was real. It would produce effects satisfactory to the man. But it wouldn't be good if rumors spread, since there seemed to be a clause prohibiting side jobs in the employment contract...

"But why does it say the manufacturing method is secret?"

"It's my trade secret, so I can't tell you everything. Originally I don't usually tell people about the ingredients either, but I'm specially telling you."

He hadn't particularly thought of such words beforehand, yet they flowed so smoothly—maybe I'm a scammer. Nain thought this while maintaining innocent eyes without a flicker of expression. The man, who had already completely fallen for it before such words were even spoken, muttered with interest.

"Is, is that so? A trade secret."

"Full moon herbs are especially good for men. I'm specially selling this only to you, so don't tell anyone. If it doesn't work, I'll give you a refund."

"...!"

The Esper's eyes widened at Nain's confident words. He downed the cost-effective vigor booster Nain had made in one gulp right in front of him, then gave a thumbs up saying he could already feel the effects.

The next day.

The Esper who came to find Nain again made a fuss saying he had felt great effects and asked if he could purchase more. Nain told him to wait a moment, then casually got water from the corridor water dispenser and made ten bottles of vigor booster right there on the spot. It was a creative economy.

Diluting inexpensive recovery medicine and then adding just one drop to water before selling it created an enormous margin. He felt a little guilty, but selling limited resources and scarcity was originally like this.

Nain imagined becoming rich by extorting money from Espers. Just imagining it was enjoyable.