Chapter 76: New Potions (2/2)

“I think the one selling these potions was going on about how, ‘That’s just what they’re called.’ I don’t have any explanations to offer you in this respect.”

“Hmph. Cheap tricks.”

Although he said so, Alvankent was thinking to himself, no wonder the Brilliant White Church, a purveyor of potions, seemed to have made no response to this matter. With the limited nature of these potions’ effects, in fact making them inferior to his elixirs, they were no threat to the upmarket potions trade. It was no surprise that the blue one was well-received by spellcasters. Even his own Elixir of Will had never been in universal demand—only mages were willing to pay for any real amount of the stuff.

Alvankent placed the potions upon the counter-top, then brought out his crystal loupe to have a closer look.

As a high-ranking devotee, one step away from being the high priest of the God of Herbs and Poisons, he had an innate ability to discern the ingredients of any mixture. The crystal loupe he wore over one eye was also an enchanted item in its own right.

Strangely, no matter which of his analytical techniques he employed upon these two potions, all the results he got were baffling.

The feedback from the red potion read: ‘Medicine Grass, Honey, Water’; from the blue potion, he got: ‘Mana Flowers, Honey, Water’.

Alvankent was familiar with Medicine Grass and Mana Flowers. Medicine Grass was a beneficial herb with blood-clotting and pain-relieving properties, and was the first herb anyone learned about. It was used in almost every curative potion ever created. Mana Flowers were similar to mint, with subtle calming and stimulating properties.

No need to discuss honey and water.

Putting it all together, all you had was herbs in syrup. It shouldn’t be able to produce such potent effects.

“How much does each one sell for?” he asked, removing the loupe at last.

“Both types are 150 Rions a pop,” Lang replied.

“Not that much cheaper,” Alvankent muttered. “How did it become so popular?”

Considering typical consumer behavior, if two products were roughly equal in terms of price and quality, most people would just stick with what they were used to. Something like this shouldn’t have been able to displace him in the market so easily.

“Well…” the young man seemed a touch nervous as he whispered, “I hear it’s pretty tasty.”

“Tasty?”

Alvankent frowned, and opened up the blue one. First, he held it up for a careful sniff, but nothing seemed out of sorts. With a sudden surge of daring, he quaffed the whole thing in a rapid series of gulps, and then released a long, powerful burp.

In addition to the typical stimulating effects of such a potion, Alvankent’s expression was one of pure bliss.

A moment later, the look on his face soured again.

The taste and sensation were both excellent, and its beneficial effects were undeniable. Now he understood how the product had gained such a lead over him overnight. Worse, it would be difficult for him to duplicate such a thing: Flavors could be introduced with various herbs, but how had this refreshing effervescence been achieved? Even if he managed to replicate the process, it would probably raise production costs through the roof.

When he thought about how this competitor was actually selling these items at lower prices than his… If he raised his own prices just for the sake of improved flavor, he would surely be digging his own grave.

But something had to be done!

At this thought, Alvankent waved the young man over. “I have a new task for you…”