Chapter 1284: Chapter 1284: Demon-Infused Potion
Miss Benanis couldn’t quite imagine the appearance of the statue just based on Shard’s description.
Fortunately, Shard still had the toy version of the statue with him, so he restored it and placed it in the director’s office on the third floor of the Wilder Opera House.
Initially, Vanessa Benanis wasn’t too concerned, but when she actually saw the statue, she immediately stood up.
She circled the statue, observing its details closely, and finally gave her most honest opinion:
“Now I understand why the stonemason’s legacy hasn’t been claimed for a century, yet you solved its mystery in one night. This is… an absolute masterpiece. Although I don’t understand why you didn’t give the statue arms, paired with your aging effect, it has a kind of harmonious beauty that I can’t describe with words.”
This blonde witch not only understands opera and singing, but is also knowledgeable about literature and sculpture.
Shard did not feel any pride about this. He merely recreated the statue from his memory; it wasn’t his work, at least not completely his work:
“I plan to use this as a birthday gift for the Princess, it should be sufficient.”
“When I was seventeen, no one gave me a gift like this.”
The blonde witch said with half a complaint, reaching out to touch the statue’s face but remembered she wasn’t wearing gloves and gave up.
She turned to Shard:
“You often tell me you had no formal art training and only have a superficial understanding of art, yet it seems you wasn’t being truthful.”
The comment was playful, not meant to genuinely accuse Shard, but Shard explained:
“I haven’t lied. I consider myself someone who wouldn’t lie unless absolutely necessary. Honesty and trustworthiness are traits I believe I possess that would never change.”
“It’s the first time I’ve heard someone evaluate themselves like this.”
“I can prove it with a very simple example; have you seen my cat? It’s not actually my cat, just one entrusted to me for care. No matter how much I like Mia and wish for her to stay at my home, I must have the consent of her owner, Miss Mia Gold, in order to do so—that’s trustworthiness.”
A laugh echoed in his ears, and Miss Benanis was quite intrigued and asked:
“Since you consider yourself a relatively honest person, then tell me, do you think I’m more beautiful or Galina?”
“Beauty is a relative concept, just as it’s impossible to judge whether an apple is more beautiful than a banana; I can’t give a definitive answer. However, in my view, you both are unparalleled beauties in this world.”
The subtle lip lines on the blonde witch’s curled lips became more pronounced:
“You truly are quite a speaker. Now, answer me honestly, what did you do after meeting Galina yesterday?”
Shard looked up at her somewhat surprised:
“That’s personal privacy, isn’t it?”
Those golden eyes carried a touch of shy amusement:
“How about satisfying my curiosity instead?”
“No, no, it’s not only my personal privacy but also Miss Galina’s. I’m not someone who flaunts his interactions with ladies everywhere… besides, there’s nothing worth flaunting.”
The eyes drew closer, and Miss Benanis was at a dangerously close distance to Shard:
“Is that so?”
As she spoke, Shard could even smell the perfume scent—it was still “Witch’s Scent” perfume, but the fragrance on Miss Benanis was closer to an orange scent.
She leaned in, briefly kissed Shard’s lips, and then her face flushed with redness.
Shard was somewhat taken aback, yet felt a certain familiarity—this wasn’t the first time he had been suddenly kissed by a witch.
“This is to thank you for this.”
She swayed the small statue in her hand and then sat back on the single sofa, her gaze deliberately veering away from Shard’s eyes.
Shard leaned back slightly, letting his weight rest on the back of the sofa, and his gaze moved from the witch’s face to the sunlight outside the window.
[This is probably the most innocent witch you’ve come into contact with.]
“She” whispered softly, but Shard didn’t respond, his thoughts drifting back to that day over half a year ago when he first arrived in this world:
“How did I become this kind of person?”
On Saturday afternoon, Dr. Schneider’s clinic held the weekly group meeting as usual. However, this time only Shard and the doctor attended the meeting. Priest Augustus had been sent to the countryside of Tobesk for missionary work and wouldn’t return until tomorrow morning, while Dorothy had been called away by her father, Professor Luisa. The esteemed literary professor planned to hold a kingdom-level literary forum in Tobesk in spring, and he needed Dorothy’s assistance.
Even with only two people, the study meeting continued as usual. Shard, holding the cat, and the middle-aged doctor, who had been quite idle recently, exchanged their life troubles, complaining about the recent rise in vegetable prices and the news about a proposed “air cleanliness tax” to be levied on all citizens. This tax was intended to address Tobesk’s increasingly severe air pollution problem this winter.
“What have you been busy with in Randall Valley lately?”
The doctor asked about Shard’s recent activities. Shard sighed slightly:
“Doctor, I actually need your help.”
He searched his pocket and found the medal he and Luviya had found at the Stonemason Guild on Thursday:
“Do you think there’s demon power on this? I recently met a very strange person in Randall Valley.”
“Although I’m sensitive to demon power, my nose isn’t all-powerful. And, are the negative effects of [Night Watchman] and [Demon Hunting Seal] that strong? How did you encounter demons again? Last year, you ran into Human Pus, Ancient Flame Demon, and Desire Multiplying Demon. This year has just started.”
Despite saying this, the doctor still held the teacup with one hand and took the medal with the other to examine it:
“At least on the surface, it seems fine. But you’re in luck; I’ve recently learned a new magic potion from my demon knowledge. Wait a moment, I’ll get some things.”
Shard sat on the sofa, breaking small biscuits to feed the cat. Mia wasn’t fond of these biscuits, but happily ate them when fed by Shard.
By the time the cat had licked all the biscuit crumbs from Shard’s hand clean, forcing Shard to go to the washroom to wash his hands, the doctor returned with a black iron box.
The box was lined with soft padding, which had grooves carved into it holding four identical oak-stoppered glass test tubes. The test tubes contained liquid with a mercury sheen:
“[Demon-Infused Potion], highly sensitive to demon power, used to detect if mortals are tainted by demonic forces. You know, demon corruption is typically very hidden. As for why there’s a magic potion recipe specifically for detecting demon power within demon knowledge, it’s because demons are the true enemies of demons.”
“I understand, people are always greatest foes among peers.”
Amused by Shard’s words, the doctor chuckled:
“Don’t go around saying that.”
He pressed a finger on one of the test tubes, and the mercury-colored liquid inside seemed about to explode with bubbling. If the doctor hadn’t quickly removed his hand, Shard was sure the test tube wouldn’t have survived.
“This [Demon-Infused Potion] is very sensitive; it can be dripped on objects or skin, or even ingested. It’s said to be cherry-flavored, though I don’t dare drink it, lest it upset my stomach.”
The doctor regretfully remarked, gesturing for Shard to extend his hand, then donned gloves to open the stopper, using a dropper to place a droplet on Shard’s skin. Upon contact with Shard’s skin, the liquid emitted a faint glimmer.
“Besides demon power, this potion can detect potential soul corruption by demons. Of course, conclusions can’t be based on the potion alone; various factors need to be verified. This potion merely provides an initial assessment. The glowing indicates that your spirit is strong, your mental state healthy, and your willpower robust, with a low possibility of soul corruption by demons.”
The doctor explained, noticing Shard holding the cat’s right forepaw, and drew another droplet. Mia, the orange and white cat, with four pure white paws, looked quite uncomfortable being held by Shard’s left hand and the right paw grasped, trying to break free, but the cat’s power wasn’t as strong as Shard’s.
The liquid was also dripped onto the cat’s paw, emitting an even brighter glow than before:
“See, your cat has an even lower chance of demonic corruption than you. From what I know, this cat could almost be called a ‘Holy Spirit Cat’.”
The doctor joked.
“So, Mia’s Spiritual strength is higher than mine?”
Shard suspiciously looked at the paw-licking cat, its amber eyes simultaneously glancing reproachfully at Shard, unhappy that its fur was wet.
“Of course not. Your cat has a calm nature and is very simpleminded, with fewer distractions than you. Plus, you’ve mentioned it might have low-level supernatural abilities, hence its minimal risk for demonic corruption. In summary, we should maintain a balanced mindset and not seek excessive material enjoyment, learning to view the world peacefully…”
The doctor said casually, drawing another droplet this time onto the medal on the coffee table.
The mercury-colored liquid fell, showing no reaction for the first two seconds, then slightly darkened on the metal surface, losing its bright sheen.
The doctor froze:
“What? It’s actually a demon?”
“Didn’t I say from the start that it might be a demon?”
“But how could I believe your luck is this bad?”
Being called “unlucky” by the doctor was the only thing that seemed odd to Shard.