"Granny, this bottle… is it medicine?"
Gut took the small brown bottle from the shopkeeper and gave it a gentle shake.
"That's right, it's medicine for diarrhea," the granny replied cheerfully. "I still remember that elf lady. A long time ago, she came to my shop."
"Just like this time, after tasting one flavor of ice cream, she went on to try every other flavor in a single go."
"She was just like the younger me."
"Back then, I was madly in love with ice cream too. I even sought out the best dessert chef in the city and became their apprentice, turning my passion into a lifelong sweet profession."
"But no matter how tasty ice cream is, indulging too much sweetness still burdens the body."
"That's why I don't just know which shops have the best flavors, richest milk, or widest variety—I also know which pharmacy sells the best diarrhea medicine in town."
"So, take this medicine and give it to that elf lady."
As she spoke, the shopkeeper stroked her chin in thought.
"If I remember correctly, about thirty years ago, I saw that elf lady the next morning outside an inn. She looked awfully pale."
"I'd guess... she didn't have a very pleasant night."
"Got it. Thanks, Granny."
Gut clutched the medicine and bit his lip, suppressing a laugh, thankful for the gift.
On his way back to the inn, Gut's shoulders shook as he laughed openly—he never imagined Serie would have such a dark little history.
...
Meanwhile, inside the inn—
Serie, who had returned early, sat in a chair at her desk, pen in hand, sketching out magical theory from her discussions with Ewig.
Grrgle...
Suddenly, a growl sounded from Serie's stomach, and her face changed drastically.
"?!"
"No way… am I about to relive what happened thirty years ago...?"
Just the thought of that night from three decades ago made Serie's face darken. Holding her belly, she desperately tried to recall how she'd saved herself back then.
"That's right!"
"When I was nearly collapsing from it, I remembered how to use the folk spell—Healing Magic for Diarrhea!"
Her eyes lit up, and she rushed to retrieve that spell from her memory before the situation worsened.
Knock-knock-knock—
But just at that crucial moment, a knock on her door rudely interrupted her thoughts.
"GET LOST—!"
Gritting her teeth, Serie tried to ignore the distraction and focus on recalling the Healing Magic.
However...
Outside the room—
Gut, having gently knocked, didn't expect a furious "GET LOST—!" in response from his teacher.
Puzzled, Gut wondered if Serie had entered her once-every-ten-years Elven Irritation Phase. Just then, the system notification chimed in:
Ding!
Daily Quest: One Good Deed—Completed
"Huh??!"
Gut furrowed his brows. Completing this quest required genuine gratitude from another person.
Which meant… Serie had just sincerely appreciated him for knocking?
What the heck?
No time to think—Gut gripped the doorknob and pushed hard, breaking through the door and barging into Serie's room.
Inside—
Serie, who couldn't recall the Healing Magic for Diarrhea in time, was clutching her stomach, reaching for the bathroom door.
But before she could get in, her student burst in, door and all.
The two locked eyes right in front of the bathroom. Tension filled the room.
Gut scratched his head and broke the silence.
"Good evening, Master."
"You—wait—outside—!"
Serie's voice was terrifyingly calm as she pointed at Gut, speaking word by word before disappearing into the bathroom.
The next moment, a powerful magical barrier sprang up outside the bathroom door, sealing Gut off completely.
Gut, outside: ...
Staring at the newly-raised barrier, Gut felt a pang of sadness. Why would his teacher guard against her own student like this?
Though… considering the warped door still clutched in his hand…
Maybe her caution wasn't totally unjustified.
But if it wasn't Serie who had sincerely thanked him—where had that gratitude come from?
...
At the same time—
Schwer Mountains · Tiek Region · Mountain Cabin
Hero Himmel savored a bowl of fish soup made from the preserved salted fish left by a previous guest, overwhelmed with gratitude.
Calling Mut to come eat, the two chatted as they dined.
Mut took the chance to pull out the mysterious map he had obtained and shared his reasons and destination for this journey.
Himmel nodded—no wonder the young man's face looked familiar. He'd seen a bounty poster for him back in Fortress City Vorig.
Seeing that his idol didn't scold him for running away from home, Mut was ecstatic. After some hesitation, he invited Himmel to join him in exploring the unknown ruins marked on the map.
Beside the campfire, Himmel accepted.
This Hero who had defeated the Demon King had a unique trait—unlike Serie and Gut, he liked detours and helping others whenever he could.
Mut's destination, the Voll Basin, wasn't far off Himmel's route to the Holy Capital Strahl.
Besides… if this power-enhancing spring was real, then helping Mut reach it could strengthen humanity's forces against the demons.
...
...
Elsewhere—
Granat Countdom · Inn
Outside the barrier, Gut sensed a magical fluctuation from inside the bathroom. Moments later, the sound of flushing echoed out.
Gut couldn't help but mutter, "As expected from the pinnacle of magic… even going to the bathroom, she casts a spell for flair."
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Powerstones?
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