Panacea.
Anyone who's played an RPG game even once would recognize this potion.
While its effects vary slightly across different games, it usually restores HP/MP by a certain percentage, demonstrating a top-tier effect.
In the game, 'Chronicles of Kyren Zena', the panacea does even more—it not only recovers HP/MP but also cures all debuffs, immediately heals injuries that aren't critical, and even replenishes a fixed amount of fatigue.
It could easily be considered a universal recovery potion.
As such, acquiring it is exceptionally difficult.
Even if you throw a pile of money at it, purchasing one is nearly impossible.
Even the current top-tier heroes who possess both wealth and fame, as well as renowned nobles of the continent, would find it hard to obtain this item.
'Why is such an item here?'
Even with Taylor's greeting, my eyes were glued to the purple potion on the desk.
"Hahaha. you look quite interested in that potion. Anyway, welcome, student Theo. I appreciate your coming all this way."
"...Pleased to meet you, Branch Chief."
"Just call me Taylor. Shall we sit?"
"Alright, Branch Chief."
Only then did I sit on the sofa Taylor had pointed to—a sofa that was clearly expensive and had an antique feel.
Satisfactory enough for the Theo inside me.
Taylor asked,
"What would you like to drink?"
"Anything but mint tea or mint chocolate latte, please."
"Ah, so you don't have those quirky tastes. How about I serve you what I usually drink?"
"Yes, that's fine."
Taylor picked up one of the many communication crystals displayed on his massive desk.
"Two of those, with a splash of ice. To my office."
─Understood, Branch Chief.
While most Healer Guilds are in favorable financial situations, using communication crystals for communication within the same building is something else.
And not just one, but more than ten of them.
Quite fitting for the Branch Chief of the only guild stationed in Elinia Academy.
"Hahaha. You can look forward to it. I believe someone of a high noble background like student Theo will find it to their taste."
After placing the communication crystal back in its place, Taylor sat opposite me.
Without hesitation, I asked,
"I heard you took care of me after the match yesterday when I passed out. First and foremost, thank you."
I rose from my seat and bowed deeply to Taylor.
'...[Twisted Noble's Dignity] didn't activate.'
This clearly means one thing: Taylor is of a rank or status worthy of such respect.
Though I am indebted to him, if he wasn't of significant standing, I would have felt a jolt of discomfort.
With a gentle smile, Taylor responded.
"Haha, please, have a seat. There's no need to bow so deeply. I was genuinely happy to help, especially when you sought me out in your time of need. Being remembered as someone trustworthy is always a joy."
"No, thank you once again. But I must ask..."
I sat down and continued speaking.
"...How exactly did you treat me?"
"Ah, you're curious about the method? Well, that's a trade secret..."
"I'm well aware that my condition couldn't be cured with regular healing magic. Did you perhaps use a potion?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, your condition was peculiar. There were no physical injuries, yet every muscle in your body, down to your fingers and toes, was tensed to its limit. An ordinary person would have fainted long before pushing themselves that far... Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I did use a potion."
Taylor pointed to the panacea on the desk.
"You used... that?"
I asked incredulously.
The panacea would be more than enough for treatment.
'It's like using a butcher's knife to kill a chick.'
The panacea is reserved for top-tier heroes who can face demons.
It's an item that even the wealthiest healing guilds wouldn't easily have access to.
"Thank you for the treatment, of course, but... am I really so valuable that you would use such a precious item on me?"
"You recognized its value instantly. However, it's an imitation that I crafted myself. Its actual effectiveness is only about a tenth of the genuine article. And to me, you are indeed worth that effort."
Taylor replied with a grin.
"Even as an imitation, it seems like an incredible item."
I stared intently at Taylor.
Even if its effect was just one-tenth of the original, it's incomparably powerful compared to ordinary potions.
To be capable of crafting such an item... why wasn't such a character introduced in the game?
There were very few potions that could nearly fully recover someone in such a state in less than 24 hours.
"Hahaha. Of course, simply consuming it won't provide its full effects. One must simultaneously use a specific healing magic for it to work properly. Just as I did when you were afflicted."
Taylor calmly explained.
That's astonishing.
If mass-produced, this item could revolutionize the entire continent.
There was nothing like it in the game.
I was trying to say something when–
Knock knock
The sound of a knock interrupted.
“Branch Chief, I've brought the drinks. May I come in?"
“Yes, come in.”
A woman dressed as a healer entered, holding a tray in one hand.
It was Elise, the one who had given me her card earlier.
The short reddish-haired Elise placed a drink in front of both Taylor and me.
"I hope you both have a good time. If you need anything, please call for me, Branch Chief.”
"Alright, thanks."
Elise bowed slightly towards Taylor, gave me a fleeting smile, and then left the office.
“Hahaha. She's usually not that friendly. It seems she's taken quite a liking to you, Theo. Maybe because you're a handsome and capable young man? That's Elise. Although she's a healer, she's quite skilled in combat too, making her our new ace.”
Saying this, Taylor took a sip from the drink.
‘Ah, I almost forgot what I was about to say.’
I looked down at the glass placed before me.
... A transparent green liquid floated with ice on top.
What on earth is this?
“Ah, give it a try. It’s a beverage with a pine scent. It's a rare find from the Eastern Empire.”
“Ah, okay.”
... It gives off a very ominous feeling.
Casually, I lifted the glass and took a whiff.
‘...Damn.’
It smelled somewhat like a sharp mouthwash or a toilet air freshener.
I was able to guess its identity with ease.
‘It's mint...’
The green liquid was pine needle extract.
With a slight frown, I set the glass back down.
... Thanks to that, I've made up my mind.
With someone like Taylor, it seemed best to be straightforward.
“What exactly do you want from me, Branch Chief?”
“... Hahaha. It seems the drink isn’t to your liking. It's a delicacy, you know."
Taylor chugged the iced drink as if to prove a point.
“Think of it as my intention to foster a good relationship with a promising prospective hero like you. Oh, this is a gift.”
Taylor placed the imitation panacea into a fancy box and handed it to me.
Offering such an expensive item under the guise of a ‘gift’?
It feels rather fishy.
“Thank you, but I’d prefer you to be more straightforward.”
“No, I genuinely have no other intentions. In my eyes, you shine as brightly as talents like Neike and Piel. I don’t want anything in return. Being a frail healer as I am... my arm hurts. Please, take it.”
... Highly suspicious.
Of course, even if it’s an imitation, it’s a high-grade item. I should at least accept it.
But I'll need to look more into this Taylor.
I accepted the imitation panacea.
"Thank you."
"Hahaha, this feels good. Now I see why people give gifts. Oh, I've been holding up a busy person for too long. Before you go, take this too."
Taylor pulled out a box from the drawer, filled with communication crystals.
...Unbelievable. How much is all this worth?
A single pair would amount to a mid-tier hero's monthly salary, and there seemed to be more than ten pairs in there.
This wealth would be equivalent to a high-ranking noble, maybe a baron or viscount.
Taylor handed me one of the communication crystals.
"As I mentioned earlier, to see the effects of that potion, a specific healing magic is needed. And beyond that, I want to maintain a connection with you, Theo. If there's anything else you need, contact me anytime."
"Understood. I'll repay this favor soon."
After leaving [The Hilté], I headed to the Knight Department's training ground.
Considering Irene's habits, there was a high chance she'd be at the training ground even the day after the exams.
As expected, I found Irene there.
"Whew, this isn't right..."
Her long lavender hair tied in a ponytail, she was practicing her swordsmanship, swinging her sword through the air, dripping with sweat.
I called out to her.
"Rin."
"Whew... Oh, Theo!"
Like a puppy seeing its owner after a long day, Irene rushed over to me.
"Are you feeling better? I saw you fall asleep at Jang Woohee's place last night."
"Yeah, I'm much better now."
While we were chatting,
"Oh, I have something for you."
She took out a small box from her uniform hanging on the wall and opened it.
Inside were two rings, identical in design.
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