The books kept by Asti’s mother, Lady Misty, covered an astonishing range.
Most were related to magic: everything from basic magical theory to advanced applications, introductory guides to creating magical tools, texts for seasoned practitioners, and even miscellaneous notes on magical medicine.
And then, mixed among them, were books on cooking basics, guides to making daily life more convenient, advice on building human relationships, and even childcare manuals with titles like Hello, Baby.
Seeing them all together made it feel real—this was a home where a woman had truly lived, raising her son here.
“There are so many different kinds of books.”
“Sorry, they’re a bit scattered. I did整理 them after she passed, but still…”
“It’s fine. It feels like a treasure hunt. It’s exciting.”
Finding exactly what I wanted might take time, but thankfully, I had plenty of it now.
I could imagine myself slowly losing hours to reading here.
Still, my priority was clear. I needed a way to improve my recovery potions.
The truth was, the way I made them now was… rather rough.
I took the main herb, put it into a magic cauldron, added purified water, brought it to a boil, and stirred while chanting buff magic. That was all.
To be fair, potion-making differed from apothecary to apothecary, so it wasn’t “wrong.”
But it was sloppy. I couldn’t deny that.
The ingredients from the Spirit Forest were far superior to anything I could obtain in the capital, with far greater magical density. Potions made from them should have had higher base performance than before.
And yet, they didn’t suit the people of this town.
According to Bella, my potions were balanced in nature.
That meant I needed to specialize them somehow.
Attack power? Defense?
Speed, mana, stamina…?
None of it quite clicked, and a crease formed between my brows.
No matter which I chose, it felt like it would only appeal to a narrow group.
As I scanned the shelves, matching my gaze against countless spines, one faded book caught my eye.
I pulled it free.
It was a fairy tale about the goddess Frail.
In the story, the goddess Frail was reborn as a human girl, gifted with the power of healing.
She traveled the world, mending wounds and saving those in need.
Before long, people began to call her the “Saint.”
Anyone from my hometown of Frailchest would know this tale.
The book was worn and discolored, clearly read again and again.
“That brings back memories.”
“Wah!?”
I had been so absorbed that I hadn’t noticed Asti leaning in.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest.
“S-sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you! I just—!”
My shout startled him instead, and he jumped back, bumping into the shelf.
Books cascaded down in a noisy avalanche, burying him in paper and dust.
“A-Asti, are you okay?”
“Cough—ugh—please don’t come closer! You’ll get dirty, and the dust might be bad for the baby!”
He stretched out an arm to stop me, even as he sat there covered in books.
Still, I couldn’t just leave him like that, so I began picking up the fallen volumes.
That was when I found a thin booklet titled On Creating the Ultimate Recovery Potion.
Opening it, I found page after page filled with handwritten notes.
One line caught my eye.
“To maximize the healing effect of a recovery potion—”
I flipped through, reading intently.
The ingredients listed ranged from common to extremely rare.
Some could be gathered from the Spirit Forest, but others would require hiring adventurers. Especially in my current condition.
I didn’t have a fixed party.
I used to team up with Amelie, but after she became pregnant with her first child, we had naturally gone our separate ways.
Until now, I’d joined various parties as a supporter through the capital’s guild, gathering materials myself when needed. Thanks to that, I’d managed to save most of my earnings beyond living expenses.
“That’s probably something my mother wrote.”
His voice made my heart jump again.
I must have been too focused; it felt awkward suddenly being aware of him.
“Maximizing healing effects…”
“Yes. Adventurers here prefer something specialized. That’s why this notebook really caught my interest.”
“I see… Healgrass and Mahinaori flowers grow in the Spirit Forest. Unicorn tears or holy dragon horns are another matter, but… I could fetch those for you.”
Asti said it brightly, almost eagerly.
But I couldn’t nod in agreement.
Ever since I learned of Leon’s betrayal, I’d relied on Asti for everything.
The investigation, the divorce, even the move. He’d supported me at every turn.
I was deeply grateful. Truly.
But I didn’t want to continue being carried along by his kindness forever.
“It’s all right. I’ll improve the potions little by little, sell them, and once I’ve saved enough, I’ll put in a guild request.”
“…But I’d be faster. I’m a top-rank adventurer, after all.”
“No. I don’t want that. If I keep relying on you, I’ll turn into someone who can’t do anything on her own. I don’t want that.”
This house was full of magical tools that worked simply by supplying mana.
That convenience was a blessing, but growing dependent on it would leave me unable to live anywhere else.
Right now, I was staying here because of Asti’s kindness.
But someday, he would surely find someone he loved.
When that day came, I would have to leave.
I was carrying another man’s child. No one would willingly choose such complications.
Even the man who once vowed love to me had built a family with another woman.
“I’m sorry. I’m grateful for your feelings. Truly.
But I want to live by my own strength.
For this child’s sake, too.”
I placed a hand on my growing belly.
Asti said nothing.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at his face.
The silence between us was broken only by the soft sound of his clothes shifting.
“…I understand. Sorry. I got carried away. That was embarrassing.”
“Your help means so much to me. I really do appreciate it. Teleportation magic is convenient, but I don’t want to become someone who can’t live without you.”
Relying on someone completely, handing over your choices to another.
That was dangerous. Something I should never do again.
If I were betrayed once more, I might not recover.
I quietly crushed the small, budding feelings inside my heart.
Asti was a precious friend.
Someone who always affirmed me.
And because of that—
I didn’t want to lose him.
I never wanted to lose someone dear to me again.
