Spatebog Spiders were a type of monsters that held relatively high value in the wizarding world even though common level-2 apprentices were enough to kill them. Bug users particularly loved them because the poison of a Spatebog Spider was exceptionally stubborn and difficult to discover. Meanwhile, other wizards often go after them because they could use the chance to find a special magical plant along the way, which was the Enchanting Thorn.
The secretion developed by Enchanting Thorn was a potent catalyst used for bringing out the effects of artificial pheromones.
When wizards made pheromones to arouse spiritual pleasure, they usually used three types of common catalysts in this world—Mana Algae Powder, Phantom Tea, and Enchanting Thorn Liquid. These three types of naturally-occurring catalysts were known to have minimal side effects compared to other ones. For this reason, Enchanting Thorns were always prized by alchemists and common wizards alike.
Among the three aforementioned catalysts, Enchanting Thorns were the hardest to find, after the population of Spatebog Spiders declined greatly.
“Never thought we’d find one here...” Eureka muttered. “These things were almost extinct at the Fey Continent when I was still there. It’s basically a crawling pile of magic crystals if we sell it to the right buyer.”
“I’ll capture it for you if you like it,” said Thewis.
“Ughh, no thanks. I’d welcome the money though.”
While they talked, Angor was still pondering over what he heard from Thewis.
If Thewis spoke the truth, then the spider had planted a “time bomb” inside Leon that would instantly end a mortal’s life if it was detonated. For now, the Enchanting Thorn stalled the effect of the poison so that the spider could “preserve” its food for longer.
He could not carelessly break Leon out of the prison as it would kill Leon for sure. His foremost task was to deal with the poison inside Leon.
“Don’t cast Neutralize if that’s what you’re thinking,” Thewis warned. “If you fail to cleanse every last bit of the poison, you’ll only quicken Leon’s death.”
Angor lowered his hand and waited for Thewis’ opinions.
“Such poison is sought after by many people just because it’s extremely hard to treat. You must find a way to fully remove it from Leon in one short attempt.”
“But how?” Angor frowned. He wasn’t exactly a healer.
“A specialized antidote is your best shot.” Thewis considered. “It’s not expensive, but it’s hard to find someone to brew it for you because you don’t find people inflicted by Spatebog Spider poison often. Wizards don’t have such an antidote ready since the spiders pose no threat to them.”
“An antidote...” Angor repeated the name while mumbling.
“Tsk. The Enchanting Thorn won’t suppress the poison for too long. Two days, maybe,” Eureka commented before looking at Thewis. “Maybe you can use a plane passageway to head to the Fey Continent and find someone who sells the potion we need?”
She asked because she knew that Thewis treasured Leon’s potential. Although she was still not sure whether Thewis was willing to spend valuable assets just to save Leon.
However, she forgot to consider Angor’s involvement in this matter. To Thewis, it was quite a good trade to pay some materials to win Angor’s trust.
When Eureka saw Thewis considering her suggestion for real, she couldn’t help but wonder if she underestimated Leon’s value.
“If necessary, I’ll go to Floating Mech City and help you look for a cure,” Thewis suddenly said to Angor.
This further astonished Eureka. As far as she knew, Thewis was not a polite wizard who would offer an apprentice help so nicely.
What’s going on between these two? she wondered. She was sure Thewis didn’t even know Angor a few months ago.
And she felt rather annoyed when Angor was showing more and more mysteries. Expensive potions, a personal storage item, a convenient flying boat, the Demeter...
She thought she could simply ask Thewis about it since Thewis seemed well-informed about Angor’s secrets, but Angor interrupted her by speaking to Thewis first.
“Thank you, Mister Thewis, but not now. If it’s only an antidote we need, I can try making it.”
Without waiting for a response, Angor took out a green-covered handbook and started reading.
He can what? Eureka asked that question by staring at Thewis.
“That would be better.” Thewis nodded with a somewhat disappointed look.
Thewis knew for a fact that Angor studied Tooling as a main alchemy subject, but he wasn’t expecting that Angor could make potions as well.
Welp. Guess I can’t buy his favor by saving Leon this time.
Meanwhile, Eureka felt her mind bloating with questions after her inquiring look was ignored.
Angor can make potions? And Thewis knew it?
She suddenly caught a glimpse at the book Angor was reading.
“Mithra...? But—”
Thewis also noticed Mithra’s signature. “So Angor is acquainted with ‘Elixir of Miracle’ Master Mithra. Nice. I can ask for his opinions the next time when I do alchemy.”
Angor was too focused on his reading to hear Thewis’ words, but Eureka still heard him.
Thewis would “ask for Angor’s opinion”?! What’s—
“Do you mean that Angor’s actually better at alchemy than you?” Eureka finally got her voice transmission out.
“Um? I thought you knew.” Thewis gave her a confused look. “He told me that he’s been staying at Padt Manor for half a year. Have you not seen what he could do? I can only tell you that he’s terrifyingly talented in Tooling. I don’t know about his Apothecary skills, though.”
He glanced at Angor’s handbook again.
“Rumor has it that he almost created a Mystery item at one point, but he was intercepted by Lady Isabelle from Dark Castle, so he failed to attain the title of Mystery Alchemist in the end. Sigh... Yes, I thought it was a terrible joke at first, like everyone else did. But most professional alchemists sounded their approvals, and Lady Isabelle never showed up to deny it. It’s probably true.
“An ‘Upcoming Mystery Alchemist’ is what people have been calling him these days. They may be green with envy or have other stances about Angor, but they won’t deny his accomplishment now.”