Chapter 12: Wisdom Potion

Ace took the diary back and read it with great interest. Gradually, his expression became serious. The book read:

“20th October, 20th Year of City Founding, Rain

We defeated the Barbarians once again, but this time we suffered heavy losses. The Noble army lost 5 whole men, all strong warriors who had awakened their bloodline power. The Citizen heavy armored army lost dozens of men. This was a very painful experience for our brigade.

All of this was because of the hateful Shaman of the Barbarians. He could suddenly make several barbarian warriors strong as an ox and swift as a leopard. He could even remotely trigger traps. Those who understand the barbarian language call this Shamanic Power. They must have sold their souls to gain the power of the Demons.

I searched the body of this wicked Shaman and found a roll of parchment. Something seemed to be recorded on it.”

Ace flipped forward a few pages. About three months later in the diary, the parchment was mentioned again.

“28th January, 21st Year of City Founding, Snow

The weather is terribly cold. Blessed by the Frost God, several Barbarians were forced to go out to find food due to the heavy snow, and we captured them. I must get a Slave to learn the barbarian language and script to understand the meaning of the parchment.”

“8th March, 22nd Year of City Founding, Sunny

It took me a year to finally understand the meaning on the parchment. There are too few people in the Barbarian tribes who understand the script, which wasted a lot of my time.

It actually describes the recipe for a Wisdom Potion. If consumed and one survives the natural trial, there is a possibility of becoming a Shaman.

The main ingredients are the root tuber from the crown of a Whomping-Willow and the crystal from inside the skull of a Panic Crow, in a ratio of 3:1. The rest are calming and mind-refreshing herbs. Put them in an earthenware pot and simmer over low heat, continuously adding water until the entire pot is left with a clear, green paste, which tastes slightly sweet.

What is all this? Why can’t I help but want to try it? It must be the Devil tempting me!”

“1st October, 22nd Year of City Founding, Cloudy

Damn it, I actually gathered the materials and brewed a pot of green paste and drank it.

Why does my head feel dizzy, and my body feels hot all over? Maybe I fell for a Barbarian trick, and this is poison!

If anyone sees my diary, give it to my mother and tell her I love her.”

“8th October, 22nd Year of City Founding, Sunny

For 7 whole days and 7 nights, the high fever finally subsided. The Captain said they were already preparing to roll me in a mat and take me back to the city-state.

These heartless people! They don’t think about who took care of them diligently when they were sick. It seems I need to bleed the Captain more next time.

Fortunately, I survived and haven’t found any abnormalities yet. The feeling of health is wonderful. Maybe this medicine is only effective if consumed by Barbarians? In any case, it’s great to be alive!”

“20th October, 22nd Year of City Founding, Rainy

My eyes seem much clearer when looking at things. My memory has also become stronger, and my reactions are very quick. Could this be the effect of the Wisdom Potion? Is this the power of the Barbarian Shaman?”

“2nd February, 23rd Year of City Founding, Heavy Rain

I seem to, I seem to have gained the same ability as that Shaman. I can lift stones and twist wood with my imagination. Perhaps I should find more secret knowledge about Barbarian Shamans, such as the method to make a person strong as an ox.

I am not the same as a Shaman. I need to think of a new name. The Barbarians call what Shamans use ‘witchcraft.’ What should I call myself?

Perhaps ‘New Shaman’ is not bad?”

The diary ends here. After this, there is a patch of black blood that soaked the booklet, making it illegible.

Ace held the diary booklet, gently stood up, walked to one side, and secretly hid the diary on his person. Although he appeared calm, his trembling hands and lips betrayed him.

He was extremely excited inside. If the events recorded in the diary were true, then a path existed for mortals to gain supernatural power. The ability similar to telekinesis recorded in the diary was particularly attractive to Ace. He immediately wanted to try to brew a small pot of Wisdom Potion.

He took a few deep breaths, attempting to continue classifying his pile of books, but felt it was dull and uninteresting. Although many questions remained, and the authenticity of the diary was still questionable, his excited mood was hard to calm down immediately.

Even if the diary was true, many problems still troubled him, such as what supplementary herbs to use, what dosage, since the diary did not record them. Also, this medicine seemed to have certain dangers. How to avoid them, and other questions, he had not figured out yet.

For the next week, Ace maintained his calm routine of classifying books by day and compiling the dictionary by night. He secretly checked the registration records and inquired with Romon about the person who sold the diary. Romon happened to know him. Their life experiences were similar—both had lost their Citizenship—but that person had become even more disheartened, a widower who only drank wine all day.

After Ace confirmed the source was reliable, he copied down the important content from the diary and tossed the diary into the pile of worthless books, watching it burn to ashes. Another week later, he checked The Guide of Low Level Monster and found descriptions of the Whomping-Willow and the Panic Crow.

Whomping-Willow : (Image) A low-level plant Monster. Its branches actively attack creatures that approach it. If one unfortunately falls into its attack range, only a hard strike to the root tuber on its crown can quiet the raging Whomping-Willow. Some people believe this might be the Whomping-Willow’s brain, and a hard strike to the tuber makes it dizzy.

Panic Crow : (Image) A low-level avian Monster. This is a very intelligent and cunning Monster. It does not possess the special abilities of other Monsters, but its intelligence is perhaps its special quality. When they appear in groups, the danger is extreme.

Both of these materials seem related to the “brain” of Monsters. Perhaps this method can stimulate a person’s spirit, allowing the spirit to break through the limits of a mortal? Ace thought uncertainly. It seems experiments are necessary.

It was a rest day. Ace came to the Third District in the west of the city, the gathering place for Monster Hunters. He wandered casually, where many Monster Hunters were selling materials from low-level Monsters. He saw several Panic Crows tied up for sale, his eyes slightly lighting up, and he walked slowly toward them.

“These crows look fun. Brother, how much are you selling them for?”

The young Monster Hunter looked down and saw a young boy. “These are low-level Monsters, Dark Crows. They have special abilities and can temporarily blind people! They are already trained. If you buy them as a pet, they will make you look very impressive in front of your friends.”

“Brother, don’t joke with me just because I’m young. These are clearly Panic Crows, with no special abilities. But I like them very much. Can you give me a reliable price? I don’t have much money.”

Seeing that he couldn’t fool the boy, the young man conceded, “I was just teasing you. These crows are clever, just like you. One price: 50 Silver Thales.”

Ace of course refused. After some bargaining, he finally bought one large and one small crow for 20 Silver Thales. Both believed they had gotten the better deal, so they were both happy.

Ace tied up the Panic Crows and continued to wander for a while, seeing whips made from Whomping-Willow branches, but no Whomping-Willow tubers. He thought for a moment and decided to go back. The crows were an unexpected find for the day.

As for the Whomping-Willow tubers, Ace decided to ask his father to inquire. Romon had cut off quite a few Barbarian heads when he was young and had also killed Monsters. He had many comrades and wide connections in this area, making him the right person for this task.

As for persuading him, it would be easy. Since Ace received the commendation from the Ministry of Culture and Education, Romon was completely convinced by Ace, telling everyone he met what a good son he had.

As long as he told Romon it was needed for his medical studies, and with the Gold Thales in hand as backup, Romon would certainly agree.

(End of this chapter)