Chapter 32: Concealing Mist

The magical runes on the Fang of Concealing Mist have been fully restored, glowing anew with magical resonance.

Its magical power has not weakened from prior damage; rather, it seems stabilized and strengthened by the purification of [Repair+].

Gao De focused his mental energy on the restored Fang of Concealing Mist, full of anticipation.

Immediately, relevant information flowed back:

Once per day, you may cast a 1st-level spell [Concealing Mist] without cost.

When casting Concealing Mist, the Fang of Concealing Mist becomes magically infused, increasing damage during attacks.

[Concealing Mist] (Evocation, 1st-level):

A cloud of fog, 20 feet high and 20 feet in radius, rises around you and remains stationary for one minute.

The fog is motionless and obscures all vision, including darkvision; no creature can see beyond five feet (about 1.6 meters), and vision within five feet is severely impaired.

A gentle breeze disperses the mist in twenty seconds.

A strong wind disperses it in five seconds.

The mist is extinguished by fire.

This spell is ineffective underwater.

It is a non-damaging spell.

Disappointed? A little, but not much.

After all, upon hearing the name, Gao De had already guessed it would lack offensive power.

At least it wasn’t the worst outcome—it was still a spell useful in combat, not a purely supportive one like Repair.

And there was an unexpected bonus.

The Fang of Concealing Mist, besides granting a 1st-level spell, also had an additional effect: magical infusion.

This meant a magical item carried two spells.

Reputation is never undeserved.

The Oknelli Trading House, called the strongest magical alchemical workshop on the continent, truly lived up to its name.

Gao De wanted to test the power of the magically infused Fang of Concealing Mist.

But considering Master Seda was in the herb garden, any disturbance might draw his attention and expose Gao De prematurely—he decided against it.

How to use this 1st-level spell? Gao De fell into thought.

The alchemist who forged the Fang of Concealing Mist’s intent was clear: use Concealing Mist to create a favorable environment for melee, then strike with the magically infused Fang for greater damage.

Excellent synergy.

The problem was, to attack with the Fang, Gao De would have to close the distance to Master Seda.

And Master Seda had at least two spells that required direct contact to activate.

This contradicted Gao De’s planned combat strategy.

“Huh?!” Gao De, deep in thought, suddenly noticed a footnote on Concealing Mist—a strange idea flashed through his mind.

“Perhaps it could be used this way too.”

When Gao De returned to his bedroom, it was deep night again.

Amy, as usual, was already fast asleep.

But this time, Gao De did not move quietly as before; he went to Amy’s bedside and gently tapped his shoulder.

“Hm?” Amy stirred awake, half-asleep.

“It’s me.”

“Gao De… what is it?” Amy’s voice was still foggy, not fully awake.

As he spoke, Gao De used Mage Hand to light the room’s oil lamp.

In his actual hand, he held five silver coins embossed with a faintly glowing three-leaf flower.

“Tomorrow, buy me some things in town—the remaining money is your fee.”

“Huh? Why do you need this?” The silver coins jolted Amy fully awake; he sat up straight, puzzled. “Don’t ask why. Just say yes or no.”

Amy lowered his head, thought for a moment, then looked up at Gao De seriously: “Fine. But I don’t need the fee—I’ll help you for free.”

Gao De nodded, equally serious: “Thank you.”

Time slipped away silently, day after day.

Until the final day of Awakening Month arrived.

This day was when Phil’s Apothecary received its shipment.

At noon, Master Seda personally left the herb garden.

Gao De, who had been watching his movements, knew: Seda was going to Phil’s Apothecary to collect the final ingredient for his potion.

The moment Seda left the garden, Gao De slipped into his workshop.

Not to brew the Basic Spider Venom Potion.

At this point, he had neither the mood nor the need for such pointless work.

Gao De was making his final preparations before confronting Master Seda.

He took out glass vials he normally used to store potions, then cast [Acid Splash+] to obtain acid that would last up to a day, and filled the vials.

He then tucked these homemade acid vials into various pockets of his clothing.

He checked them—confirmed they made no noise when he moved and were not visibly obvious—then exhaled a long breath of relief.

Do all you can, then leave the rest to fate.

Gao De had done everything possible within his limited means; whether success came now depended partly on luck.

Master Seda returned to the herb garden two hours later.

Gao De deliberately left his workshop at that moment and met him face-to-face in the corridor.

“Master.” Gao De stepped aside respectfully to let Seda pass.

Master Seda merely glanced at Gao De without expression, said nothing, and walked past him coldly.

Only after Seda’s figure vanished from sight did Gao De resume walking.

Though Seda tried hard to appear emotionless, Gao De clearly sensed a fervent gleam in his eyes—he was excited.

“Be excited. The more excited, the better.” Gao De thought silently.

When Master Seda returned to his room and began his seclusion to brew the potion, Gao De did not idle.

He mentally rehearsed every detail of his final confrontation, running through scenarios in his mind.

He meticulously considered every possible outcome after confronting Seda, pre-practicing responses to dangers that had not yet occurred.

Then came the waiting—for Seda’s message, perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow.

That night, Gao De received no summons from Seda, yet he barely slept at all.

Spring Bud Month, Day One.

Morning.

Before a wooden table.

Master Seda, visibly weary, stood dazed, eyes vacant, lost in thought.

Long after.

He raised his hand, staring fixedly at the freshly brewed potion, gently swaying the vial, watching the liquid ripple inside—his heart stirred with anxiety.

“Has it finally succeeded?”

Though Seda felt confident this time, at the critical moment, he could not help but waver between hope and dread.

“Try it and see.” Seda gritted his teeth, suppressed his inner turmoil, and finally stopped hesitating.

“Call Gao De to test the potion.” He ordered.

(End of Chapter)