Walking into the workshop I decide to check up on the mana crystals and claim the crystals. Upon claiming them a new screen pops up on the tablet connected to the wall. It just says upgrade expansions available.
"I can expand this place even further my skills know no bounds" I say with a grin in my face
Clicking to see what's new it looks like I can make the headquarters even bigger and add more vacant rooms to the place or start buying rooms that focus on production such as a greenhouse room for medical plants to grow for my alchemy potions.
I can also increase the amount of mana crystals headquarters generates.
Deciding to use three quarters of the mana crystals I have now I upgrade mana crystal generation by 2 levels and replace one of the guest rooms upstairs with a greenhouse lvl1 to start producing medical herbs and such.
"Ok minor distraction is over now it's time to create a better cure potion just in case kunou needs it in the end. Better to be safe than sorry is a phrase I'll never forget."
Creating potions lvl 4 or above becomes exponentially more difficult due to the purity of the liquid becoming harder to control. The difference between a lvl 10 potion and a lvl 9 potion is the difference in purity where the level 10 (aka max lvl) potions average between 98%-99.99% purity while lvl 9 potions average between 92%-97.99%. purity is what classifies the grade of potions and effectiveness.
The lvl 3 potion averages between 20%-30% purity. Simply the water has to be purified, the easiest method is to use mana crystals the more that are used the purer water. Next is high quality materials that won't taint the purified water. Lastly is the method used to create the potion.
In the end the more time and resources you pour into creating the quality potions the more likely they are to be successful.
If you're me though there is a cheat system that will create the lvl 9 potions with the downside of it requiring time and the resources of a lvl 10 potion. Bringing out my crafting book I set it on the alchemy table in the workshop. I flip over to the page with the instructions to create a lvl 10 cure potion
"Let's see here, auto craft." Saying those words a screen pops up in front of my face
due to the level of your skill lvl 10 cure potion will be downgraded to lvl 9 cure potion proceed?
Clicking the proceed button it starts crafting the potion and a timer pops up 3 hour remaining
"Honestly, I thought it would take longer, but I'm glad that creating potions isn't time consuming for me with this crafting book it will do them for me. Now time to create a backlog for the next couple of weeks."
Using up the rest of the materials that I had I created multiple types of potions of different grades. The backlog says it'll be done in 3 weeks so I'll check in on it every now and then to collect the stock.
Heading to my room I fall asleep for the night.
Waking up I immediately head down to the workshop to collect the lvl 9 cure potion and collect my mana crystals and medical herbs that are being farmed automatically in the greenhouse room.
Collecting the mana crystals is a pain but interestingly enough when I collect the medical herbs they automatically go into their respective jars in the alchemy side of the room
Deciding to leave the headquarters I walk outside I'm immediately greeted to kazuki waiting outside my door
Walking out and closing the door as soon as I can before he can see what's inside. Luckily he was on his phone texting while he was waiting for me
"Kazuki hey what are you doing here. You know I don't swing that way right." I say mockingly
Kazuki scoffs at me "I'm just here on Yasaka's orders to pick you up as soon as possible. She wants to talk to you about something important. I know none of the details even though I'm her secretary."
"That's kind of scary. What if she is after my head? Should I run, should I hide where's the nearest orphanage? She won't look for me there, right?" I say sarcastically
"She would never kill you at least not yet you are still useful to her until kunou heals at the very least" Kazuki says with an evil smirk
"K enough joking around how's kunou" I ask
"Kunou hasn't gotten much better or worse. She has been feeling better than before though so that's the upside." Kazuki says
"That's good to hear. I have something that will for sure cure her but I need to discuss it with Yasaka beforehand." I say
"Perfect I'll lead the way then"
kazuki begins leading the way
"How has Yasaka been since yesterday" I ask kazuki
"Yasaka has a lighter expression ever since you lightened kunou's illness. Kunou seems to have an easier time moving around; she was able to sit up on her bed on her own. She is doing remarkable compared to yesterday I would say"
Kazuki says with a smile
"That's good to hear." I say
we approach yasaka's office, kazuki knocks on the door three times
"Come in" I hear Yasaka say from the other side of the door
"Good morning Yasaka" I say
"Good morning? It's the afternoon." Yasaka says concerned
"Yeah my bad I was too busy working on potions to cure your daughter I got them finished late into the night." I say
I grab the potions out of my backpack putting them on her table.
"The first one is the strongest cure potion I can make. It'll pretty much cure any illness, poison, venom and stuff related to that. The second one is a health potion. It's similar to Phoenix potions but are relatively weaker." I say to Yasaka
Yasaka looks at the bottles on the table and looks back at me
"What's the catch" she says
"No catch, remember that I said I would save your daughter in return for that favor. As far as I know your daughter still isn't saved, at least not guaranteed to be safe. Think of this as completing my side of the bargain. Speaking to you about something important." I say
Yasaka motions to kazuki to leave the room
As soon as Kazuki closes the door Yasaka sets up a barrier
"Don't worry this is for more confidentiality. I finished the documentation for your new identity. I just need you to give me the name of your new identity." Yasaka asks
I stood there for a good minute thinking of a new name and in the end I was too lazy. "Ryan forged." I say
Yasaka writes down what I can only assume is my new name on a few papers before handing them to me.
"Here you go, your new identity is done. Now what was the thing you were going to ask me about?" Yasaka asks with curiosity
"Can I form a business contract with you for a year? I need the cash and also I could learn a bit about supernatural politics and stuff. My family was very secluded from that world; we only knew the basics for the most part." I ask Yasaka
"What kind of business deal is it" she asks
"I can provide potions like the ones that were used to heal your daughter and I can enchant armor with unique effects. It helps give an edge when necessary." l say
"I'm interested in the enchant ability, Is it similar to runes in a way?" Yasaka asks
"Idk what runes are but if they are used to give equipment a buff then yeah it's similar in that regard" I say
"Can you show me a demonstration of the enchant ability you have?" Yasaka asks with curiosity
Thank god I brought some enchantment coins with me
Pulling out a lvl 2 mana regen enchant coin and lvl 2 max mana enchant coin. I place them on the table.
"These 2 coins have two different effects one helps regen mana quicker while the other increases the max mana one can hold there both lvl 2 out of 10 so there definitely not the strongest I have but these can be more easily produced" I say
"How do you enchant with these coins?" Yasaka asks
"Do you have any jewelry or something you wear often of decent quality?" I ask
Yasaka opens the drawer of her office table and pulls out a heart shaped pendant. Looking at the pendant a screen pops up
[Quality-rare 0/7 enchantment slots]
"It seems this pendant has enough resistance to hold these enchantments" I say
I pick up both enchant coins and place them on top of the necklace I start pouring magic onto the coins
"Enchant"
The pendant shines brightly for a good second before dying down.
[enchantment complete 4/7 enchantment slots. Lvl2 mana regen, lvl2 max mana]
"Ok all done the enchantments are on the pendant." I say to Yasaka
Yasaka grabs the pendant and puts it on. She lifts up her hand and makes foxfire in her hand. After a good minute she extinguishes the fire and looks back at me
"The enchantments seem to work. I feel my max amount of mana increase and I feel it regening a bit faster than normal." Yasaka says to herself
Yasaka pulls out a pen and paper and starts writing
"I am writing up the contract. just to confirm you said you wanted a business contract for a year and a half right?" Yasaka asks
"Yes," I respond
"What about the price of the potions and enchantments" she asks
"Each lvl 1 potion will cost 20 thousand yen and will multiply by double each level. As for enchantments it'll vary since I'm not able to confirm how many enchantments I'll have available" I reply
Yasaka finishes writing and hands me the contract
"How does it look" Yasaka asks
"Looks fine" I say
"Sign here if you find this contract pleasing" Yasaka says while handing me a pen
Grabbing the pen I write my name on the bottom of the contract. I lift up my head to see Yasaka have a smile on her face. that smile gave me a bad feeling.
I try to grab the contract but before I can Yasaka grabs it and starts looking at it and starts laughing.
She pulls out a magnifying glass out of her desk and hovers it above the contract, below the last paragraph it reads in microscopic letters
Contractor will not be able to leave Kyoto. The contractor will be linked via a mana cable to the owner to know their location at all times. The contractor may not hurt the owner in any way. The contractor must follow the owner's command unless it's life threatening. Violating the contract will cripple the contractors magic and body over time
"Oy oy oy Yasaka this isn't very funny why the hell are these terms here I didn't agree to this" I say frantically
"It's ok you don't need to leave kyoto you can just be here with me you don't need to go anywhere else." Yasaka says
Looking up to see her face I see Yasaka's eyes no longer had the same look she gave me the first time we met. They were now filled with an empty void almost like she's in a trance
I need to get out of this room, away from her.
"Ok Yasaka I'll leave the healing potion for your daughter I need to get back to my room and sort some things out" I say while trying to hold back my fear
I start walking towards the exit
"Wait we haven't finished talking you can't just leave mid talk" Yasaka says with a pout
My body mid walk stops moving and turns around on its own
"What is this, why can't I control my body?" I ask
"This is a magical contract it binds the rules into ones soul and makes it so the contracts can't be breached or faked" she explains
Oh she wants to play like that I guess I just found a loophole then as long as I believe my life is in danger I can avoid any orders given.
"Ah ok, that makes sense. It was my first time seeing a magical contract. thanks for explaining but I really gotta go, the stuff I'm making is time sensitive." I say
I turn around and start walking away
"Before you go, give me a hug" she asks almost demandingly
The magic shackles holding my body in place feel like they have been lifted. Is it because I feel like I'm in danger?
No time to dwell on it. I need to make a run for it. Quickly turning around and start fast walking to the door
I suddenly feel a malicious aura emanating behind me.
I don't dare turn around and face the wrath of Yasaka.
I start sprinting to the door. Slamming open the door u bump into kazuki and fall on my ass.
"Sorry forged didn't think you would come out of the office running" kazuki says apologetic
"No it's fine it was my fault I should have been more careful" I say
I look up to see Kazuki reaching a hand out. I grab onto his hand and he picks me up with ease. I hug him
"Thank you, I need your help" I whisper into kazuki's ear
"No problem you need help with anything. Seems like you were in a rush there" kazuki asks
Yasaka walks out of the room with both potion bottles in her hand
"Thanks for the potions Ryan I'll stop by later so we can finish our conversation, I need to take these to Kunou so toodeloo" Yasaka says with a wave of her hand
"What was that about, why did you ask for my help and seem desperate about it?" Kazuki asks
"Oh did it seem that way I was just in a hurry since I have some time sensitive stuff I needed to get back to soon" I say trying to make an excuse
Kazuki looks at me with suspicion "So do you still need help" he asks
"Yeah I was actually hoping you knew any blacksmiths. I need a weapon my old one was so worn out it practically crumbled during my last fight" I say
"Well I do know of one person but he will only do it if you can pay up front" he says
"Well I don't have any cash now I guess I'll just have to wait till my first check comes in from the first rotation of potions I'm making" I say
"We'll just call me when you get your pay I'll take you to him and put in a good word for you just don't be an asshole and he won't make you suffer" he says
"What do you mean suffer" I ask with a worried tone
"Just don't make him angry and you won't need to find out" kazuki smiles
It's been a week since signing the contract with Yasaka. Kunou is practically as healthy as a child could be and is running around and playing in the shrine temple. Kunou has also gotten very attached to me even though I was told she was very shy. My guess it's because I saved her life even though she was probably expecting to die.
Kazuki and I became close friends in that short period of time even though he calls me a old soul trapped in a young body if only he knew.
I sold a good mount of lvl5 potions and below and made about 5 million yen during this first week.
The supernatural world went crazy with how effective these potions were even though they are what is considered to be cheap.
Some compare them to the Phoenix tears calling them bootleg versions that can be used by poor people. I mean I don't disagree that the lower level potions are definitely inferior to Phoenix tears but I can assume lvl 9 or 10 might be on par or slightly better than Phoenix tears but they don't need to know that.
Phoenix tears didn't hit any walls in the sales department since they are technically still the best option if people were willing to pay the hiked price per bottle. while poorer people used my potions as an alternative. It's a win/win situation
I also found out that being inside my headquarters doesn't count as leaving Kyoto and Yasaka can't track me while I'm in it so it's my safe haven.
"I should have enough money now at the very least for a down payment for my new weapon I should call kazuki" I say to myself
I reach over for my phone and look at the text Yasaka somehow got my number even though I just got new phone yesterday.
Yasaka has been texting me every couple of hours to see if I have time to meet up with her. I have been giving excuses to not see her. Mainly cause she scares me
I guess I'll send a text to kazuki to see if he's free in an hour so he can take me to the blacksmith.
A/N i swear im still alive just have been busy so have been so much for 3 weeks of consistent uploads i shouldnt make promises i cant keep lol anyways ill probably upload every 2 weeks ill try no promises