Chapter 9: Exercise!

Back home, I set down the two egg babies and dove back into potion-making—there’s still time today, so I might finish these three potions and sell them tonight.

As someone dirt-poor, I need to seize every moment to make money!

Rent and living expenses are manageable, but the magic crystals for my kids are a big issue—I don’t know current crystal prices, but ones good enough for their needs won’t be cheap.

I exhaled, setting the three herb packs on the table, opening them one by one, and repeating yesterday’s process: grinding the herbs with water, then setting them aside to settle. Then, I went to the kitchen, grabbed a slice of black bread, cut it in half, stuffed it with vegetable leaves like this morning, and paired it with a cup of water for a makeshift lunch.

“Alright… the potions need four or five hours to settle… Next, I should train my body, then sleep for two hours!”

Looking at the settling potions, I rubbed my chin, planning the next five hours, and quickly decided.

What else? Train this body, obviously!

Potion-making is a living, but the profit’s too small for my future goals. With my magical knowledge, I don’t have to stick to potions—I could hunt magical beasts or non-humans for merits, materials, and crystals. That’s faster money.

I could make higher-grade potions, but the tools and herbs cost more… I’ll make some for myself when I have time and sell the extras.

Decided, I started cleaning the house. In no time, I cleared a space in the messy room.

Taking a deep breath, I got down on the floor… and started doing push-ups.

“One… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten… oof!”

I exhaled, struggling through—but after just ten push-ups, my arms gave out, and I collapsed heavily.

“…This body’s ridiculously weak. No extra fat, but it’s way too unconditioned.”

I lay on the floor, half-laughing, half-frustrated.

Ten push-ups, and I’m done? That’s pathetic.

“…Ugh… keep training.”

I rested a bit, then resumed push-ups.

In my past life as a mage, I didn’t know much about physical training—just basic exercises like these. Running outside? Not happening. At most, I’ll do push-ups and sit-ups at home.

Even so, I set a strict goal: despite my state, I have to do a hundred push-ups and a hundred sit-ups!

“Huff… huff… huff…”

After a grueling, stop-and-start effort, I finished my training goals in over two hours.

…But I’ll probably be sore all over tomorrow.

No choice, though—I have to keep training. It’ll hurt at first, but my body should adapt.

“Phew… I’m beat…”

Drenched in sweat, I stood shakily, stumbled to the bed, and collapsed.

Exhausted, I quickly fell asleep, clutching my two egg babies, but I adjusted my mental energy to wake me in three hours.

Three hours later, as expected, my muscles were screaming when I woke.

“Hiss…”

Feeling the aching protests, I sucked in a breath—clearly, my Phoenix healing doesn’t help with muscle soreness.

“Ugh… whatever, keep making potions…”

Despite the pain making me want to stay still, I dragged myself up to work.

Two hours later, I finished three potions.

Checking the time, it was just shy of eight p.m., and I sank into thought—

Should I sell these potions now and get more herbs?

With my mental energy, I could keep working tonight… but is it safe to go out at this hour?

I hesitated, then gritted my teeth, grabbed the potions and the backpack with the eggs, and prepared to head out.

Eight p.m. isn’t too late—patrols are still out, and the shop’s not far from the slums. I can get back quick.

I’m too poor to waste time. Since I’ve got time and enough mental energy for a fireball spell, taking a small risk to sell these and get herbs isn’t a bad move.

So, I made up my mind and headed out.

At eight, the streets were busy but not overcrowded. I kept to the edges, head down, and no one bothered me—yesterday, I got tailed because it was late, but with my hood up, I just look like a random drifter.

I reached the herb shop smoothly and, like this morning, placed the potions on the counter.

The shopkeeper checked them, confirmed all three were top-quality basic healing potions, and handed me nine sets of herbs.

I struggled to stuff the nine herb packs into my bag, nodded to the shopkeeper, and turned to leave.

But as I pushed open the shop door, I froze—four burly men dressed as mercenaries were blocking my way.