Chapter 18: Renovating the mansion and making healing potions(1).

Deciding to open a shop, I considered the mansion’s layout and thought expanding a space for the store would be best. I had the funds—earnings from Middle and High Heal Potions, which were quite valuable. Though it would be costly, I could cover it.

I planned to extend one room for a café area and a counter for transactions, with a small kitchen. The customer entrance would be separate from the living space, connected by a door at the back of the café.

I’d have shelves built for displaying potions and Danish pastries, along with a few tables and chairs for the café.

I entrusted this to Elk, the master carpenter known for his signature hunting cap.

For household and shop essentials like the Geschirrspüler dishwasher and Warm Storage, I commissioned a magical device craftsman, a friend of Grandfather’s.

While the construction was underway, I found myself with free time.

“While the work’s being done, I’m free. Might as well make potions to sell.”

Thus began a new routine.

After waking, eating breakfast with the Cait Siths, and greeting Elk and his carpenters, I headed to the alchemy room.

“Let’s start today’s potion-making.”

I rolled up my sleeves and put on an apron to protect against splashes.

“First, let’s grind the sunflower seeds.”

I sprinkled sunflower seeds into a mortar, crushing them with the pestle, then grinding them into powder. This was one ingredient.

Next, I took out a beaker and added ingredients in order.

“Healing leaves, ethanol, and the ground sunflower seeds… This amount should be fine.”

Measuring with a scale and cup, I added each carefully.

For now, the healing leaves and seed powder floated in the ethanol. By using Formulate, I’d blend and transform them into a Heal Potion—a skill unique to alchemical mages like me.

“Formulate!”

Pouring magic from both palms into the beaker, the contents melded, transformed, and sparkled, becoming a Heal Potion with restrained magic.

“Good. Let’s make enough Heal Potions for the shop’s opening.”

My target customers were locals with sick relatives, who’d buy potions to heal them, and adventurers, who’d need them for injuries from hunting magical beasts.

Heal Potions would likely sell the most. Middle Heal Potions, maybe, but High Heal Potions? Rarely. They’re only needed in extreme cases, and I’d rather they not be needed at all.

Market prices were roughly ten copper coins for a Heal Potion, ten large copper coins for a Middle Heal Potion, and sixty gold coins for a High Heal Potion. Even as a precaution, the cost made High Heal Potions unlikely to be needed.

—By the way, what happened to the Middle and High Heal Potions needed at the royal castle?

Adolf couldn’t make them, but could Olivia?

“Well, that’s not my concern. I need more potions for my shop. Let’s keep at it.”

I focused on alchemy for myself.

After finishing a batch, I turned to prototyping bread. These weren’t wasted—we ate them, and the Cait Siths never tired of the novel breads, eagerly devouring them and helping with feedback.

I also shared some with the carpenters, with a “spread the word” request.

Besides yakisoba and katsu breads, I made sandwiches. I had a blacksmith make a square mold for baking loaf bread.

For variety, I tried curry bread.

For sweet breads, beyond Danish pastries, I made anpan, cream bread, and jam bread—portable and perfect for adventurers.

Days passed like this. Then, I realized I’d overlooked something.

“To open a shop, I need to register with the Commerce Guild.”

The Commerce Guild was like a regulatory body for the city’s shops, setting standards for quality, specifications, and prices. In the capital, joining was customary for businesses.

“Then I’ll take prototypes to the Commerce Guild.”

I couldn’t bring café samples, but since my breads were novel here, I’d bring them. For the café menu, I drew illustrations on paper with explanations.

—Well, the café menu’s based on past-life recipes, but still.

I looked at the breads I’d made: egg sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, and cream bread.

“I’ll bring these and three types of potions.”

While in town, I’d make flyers for the opening.

Flyers meant deciding on a shop name.

—What to choose?

I pondered.

A shop for potions, bread, and leisurely meals—a paradise for everyone.

A word flashed in my mind.

—Elysion!

In my past life’s mythology, it meant paradise. I wanted the shop to be a haven for visitors.

Yes! The shop’s name would be Elysion!

“If I’m handing out flyers, why not give out Heal Potions to townsfolk and adventurers as samples? It’d be great promotion.”

With that, I hurriedly made extra flyers and Heal Potions that day.