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Chapter 119: The Return (1)
A single carriage came to a stop at the main gate of the White Tower.
As the mage, Oscar, stepped out of the carriage after settling the fare, he froze for a moment.
It was because someone entirely unexpected was waiting for him.
“...Senior Lena?”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Lena White.
The reason he was certain she had been waiting for him was simple.
[Welcome back, Oscar Crucian! Thank you for your hard work! - Potion Division Team]
He stared blankly at the banner fluttering above the gate.
Meanwhile, Lena White rummaged through her belongings and handed him something.
“...What’s this?”
“Tofu.”
“I didn’t come back from prison or anything, you know.”
Grumbling, but still out of courtesy, Oscar took a bite of the tofu.
As the rich, nutty flavor filled his mouth, he gestured toward the banner with his chin.
“And whose brilliant idea was this ridiculous plan?”
“Mine.”
“...I meant to say it’s so touching that I couldn’t even laugh.”
Oscar quickly finished off the tofu and walked toward the main gate, asking:
“Thanks for the food. Have there been any updates from the military?”
“Yep. But their response was far more enthusiastic than I expected. What exactly did you do out there?”
Enthusiastic?
As Oscar sent her a questioning look, Lena shrugged.
“Honestly, I thought even if the military agreed to regularly purchase our high-quality potions, the quantity wouldn’t be much. They’d have to save face for the Blue Tower, after all. But when we opened the lid, it was on a completely different level.”
Finishing her explanation, she handed him a document.
Oscar quickly scanned it, muttering with a surprised expression.
“...This is practically saying they’re ditching the Blue Tower entirely to partner with us.”
“Exactly. That’s why I hastily prepared this silly little event.”
Of course, they weren’t cutting ties with the Blue Tower on all fronts.
But for the Western Front—the largest battlefield on the continent—potions would now be exclusively supplied by the White Tower.
‘It seems Commander Theodore had a hand in this.’
He was the Western Tiger, having ruled the Red Fortress for 30 years.
Naturally, his influence within the military was immense.
Considering they had saved such a remarkable figure’s life and earned his trust, this result wasn’t surprising.
“Hmm.”
Still, the reality of the situation didn’t allow him to feel pure joy over this monumental achievement.
Handing the document back, Oscar remarked:
“This outcome will definitely provoke the Blue Tower.”
“You think so too, huh?”
Lena nodded.
“I think we’ve moved past being an annoyance. If we were like mice nibbling away at the enormous pie of the potion market until now... we’ve become equals sitting at the table.”
The White Tower’s potion division had become a massive force that threatened the Blue Tower’s dominance.
It meant the Blue Tower could no longer act as the unchallenged ruler of the market.
“That’s why, while I’m thrilled about your success, I can’t help but feel a little uneasy.”
“Hmm. The Blue Tower isn’t exactly the kind to sit back and let us challenge them.”
They’d try to tarnish the White Tower’s potion division at all costs.
‘Or worse, they might target the White Tower as a whole.’
Oscar’s gaze deepened as he said:
“Make sure production processes can handle the military’s requested volumes, and secure at least 20% more than their requirements. Above all, maintain quality. We can’t afford any accidents like the one in Mosque.”
“I figured you’d say that, so I’ve already handled the basics.”
Oscar barely restrained the urge to ruffle her hair in gratitude.
The saying goes, “If you’re not smart, you suffer,” but really, intelligence isn’t even necessary when you have competent people in key positions.
“Well done. Is there anything else the potion division needs?”
“Hmm. A killer product would be nice.”
“A killer product?”
“Yeah. Now that we’ve got momentum, it’d be great to launch a potion so groundbreaking that no other tower or company could dare to imitate it.”
She shrugged as she finished her thought.
“I mean, I know you’re not some all-powerful being. Just thought I’d mention it since you asked. Don’t stress over it.”
“A killer product, huh?”
Oscar stroked his chin.
Considering the White Tower’s current stature, the potion division’s market impact, and the explosive growth in sales from the military deal, he slowly nodded.
“It’s about time. If that’s what you mean by a killer product, then I have just the thing.”
“...You do?”
“Yes.”
Seeing the curiosity brimming in Lena’s face, Oscar asked:
“Do you like crying?”
“...Does anyone? Didn’t know you had such weird preferences.”
“It’s not about my preferences... but you might be crying a lot soon.”
“Crying? Why would I?”
As Lena tilted her head in confusion, Oscar gave a faint, enigmatic smile.
“There’s a potion I’ve been keeping under wraps until the White Tower was strong enough to reveal it.”
“There is? What kind of potion?”
“One that can save even the dying. A miraculous potion.”
“...That sounds like something a con artist would sell in a back alley.”
“You’re not wrong.”
After all, it was the first potion in history to be officially classified as an Elixir.
“Tears of the Star.”
Oscar smiled faintly as Lena’s eyes widened in astonishment at the name.
“This will be our killer product.”
* * *
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The Tears of the Star required extraordinarily expensive ingredients—each of them rare and invaluable.
And it wasn’t just about having the ingredients; producing the potion also demanded something else.
Time.
It was a potion that had to be crafted with painstaking care over a long period.
In short, it was a masterpiece requiring the utmost dedication of potion-making artisans.
‘Even during the prime of the White Tower, they barely managed to produce ten of these a year.’
Naturally, its price was whatever they demanded.
In fact, the White Tower didn’t even bother to put a price on it.
‘Simply possessing it was a source of power. That’s what Star’s Tear was.’
Lena clicked her tongue after reading the recipe Oscar handed her.
“Are these ingredients right? Every single one of them is expensive.”
“Well, it is Star’s Tear we’re trying to make.”
“Hmm, I see. But… if we really make this, does it actually make you cry that much?”
“Yes.”
Star’s Tear was a potion known for its sharp, tangy flavor, and its ingredients were just as fiery.
Consequently, the mages who made it often found themselves weeping profusely, even with goggles on.
‘We used to joke and call it the Potion Department’s Tears instead of Star’s Tear.’
After all, it was their tears that brought this potion into existence.
Oscar set a realistic goal for them.
“For the first year, don’t aim too high. Let’s set a goal of making three before the White Night Festival.”
“That sounds reasonable. You can’t expect too much at the start… and we’ll pick up tricks along the way.”
Receiving this new assignment, Lena returned to the potion lab with fiery determination.
It would likely take at least two months to produce a prototype.
But before Oscar could head to the Special Division, a broadcast stopped him in his tracks.
[Oscar Crucian, Mage Oscar Crucian, please report to the Tower Master’s office immediately.]
“...”
The inevitable had come.
It wasn’t surprising, considering there were bound to be countless questions about Sasha.
‘About how I managed to suppress her fairy rage. And…’
How he wielded magic with the same texture as the late Oscar Sage.
Exhaling deeply, he made his way to the Tower Master’s office.
“I greet the Tower Master.”
“No need for such formalities. Have a seat here.”
Sasha smiled warmly as she gestured for him to sit and offered him tea.
“I was quite surprised after hearing the report from the Potion Department. They said you restored the recipe for Star’s Tear?”
“Yes, I was fortunate.”
“Calling that fortune would put all the world’s alchemists out of work.”
Clapping her hands as if remembering something, she continued,
“Oh, and Commander Theodore Bale even sent me a handwritten letter.”
“Did he?”
“Yes. He wished the White Tower eternal glory and mentioned he was envious of us having someone like you. What incredible feats did you perform on the battlefield?”
That man certainly knew how to flatter.
Oscar shook his head lightly.
“I only did what I could.”
“You’re remarkably modest. Back in the day, you used to… exude more confidence on such occasions.”
Her soft gaze had a sharp edge, as if scrutinizing him thoroughly.
Oscar shrugged, letting the pressure pass over him.
“People change. You could say I’ve grown.”
“...Growth and change often come with a catalyst. What was it for you?”
“Well, perhaps nearly dying?”
“That’s all? No special encounters or fortuitous events?”
“Fortuitous events?”
“Yes, something… extraordinary... maybe...”
Sasha fumbled over her words, like a clock with a broken minute and second hand.
Oscar quickly realized what made her so hesitant.
‘Ah, she’s probably wondering if I inherited some legacy left by my past self.’
It was a logical assumption.
Who would ever think that the spirit of the late Oscar Sage had been reborn in a new body?
‘She’s clearly suspicious that I inherited her master’s legacy…’
But asking outright must have been too embarrassing.
The reason was obvious.
-Don’t ever bring up my senior disciples, my master, or anything related to them in front of me. That’s a warning.
She had said that during their previous meeting, her voice cold as ice.
Now, asking a question about Oscar Sage herself must have felt mortifying.
Oscar chuckled quietly at her embarrassment.
‘Some things never change.’
Sasha had always been terrible at lying.
‘If she tried, her whole body would tremble, and she’d never meet my eyes.’
Likewise, she couldn’t break promises she’d made.
That trustworthiness often made her fall prey to Gillian’s tricks.
“There was no fortuitous encounter.”
“Then… you restored the potion recipe entirely on your own? Is that even possible?”
“As I said, I was fortunate.”
Oscar maintained his ignorance.
To be fair, restoring the recipe for Star’s Tear was a near-impossible feat.
If it had been easy, other towers or corporations would have succeeded long ago.
But what could anyone say when the person who succeeded called it luck?
“Hmm.”
Sasha frowned, arms crossed, as she mulled over something before standing up.
“If you have time, would you join me for a walk?”
“I don’t see why not. But a walk, all of a sudden?”
“Yes.”
Sasha nodded and added,
“I feel like taking a walk. And… I’ll tell you a bit about the senior disciples and master you were curious about last time.”
At last.
Oscar’s eyes lit up as he rose from his seat and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
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