Chapter 428: Real Deal

Flynn Manor, Uptown Quarter.

The master bedroom in this luxurious manor exuded opulence and dark elegance, fitting seamlessly with the city's gothic ambiance. This room was vast with a high ceiling, depicting a mural of mythical creatures and ancient magi.

Against one wall, a massive fireplace carved from black marble crackled with a warm and gentle glow, casting shadows that danced across the room.

Heavy dark curtains of burgundy color were adorned on the arched windows that offered a view of the affluent neighborhood outside.

Rays of light seeped in through the window and gently landed on a frail, old man peacefully sleeping on the grand four-poster bed. Although the man looked pale, there were hints of vibrancy on his face.

The Patriarch of the Flynn Family, Brigham Flynn, lay on the bed covered by a luxurious silk quilt. His breathing was steady and his overall health had drastically improved since the last week.

Elysande, the eldest daughter of the Flynn Family, sat on the bedside, gently holding onto her father's hand. She squeezed his hand lightly and muttered under her breath, "Did the man's potions really work?"

Ever since she'd bought those two potions from Adam, she had been filled with deep skepticism about the latter claiming that his potions were twice as potent as others in the market.

Because of that, she had gotten the same potions from other grade 2 herbalists as well. Moreover, her father needed a regular supply of these potions, and she refused to buy more potions from Adam.

If Lord Dawson were here, we wouldn't have to depend on these measly grade 2 potions! Just a single potion brewed by him would have cured Father already, she complained inwardly.

Her father was a mighty Rank 3 Magus, as such normal grade 2 potions wouldn't work on him. Even if they did, its effects would be minute.

However, at this point, she had no other options. The only grade 3 herbalist in the city was currently absent. So she could only make do with grade 2 potions until Halbert Dawson, the guild leader of the Herbalist's Guild, returned.

But there was one thing, however, that surprised Elysande. It was that the grade 2 potions that she had commissioned multiple herbalists to brew-including Adam—were actually affecting her father in a positive manner.

When she found this out, she was elated. Then, she immediately thought of Adam's bold claims. However, she refused to believe it.

Thus, she instructed the herbalist of her household to authenticate the difference in potency between all potions concocted by the guild's herbalist that she had purchased.

She had left a very small amount of all the potions she had bought and given it to him for testing. A part of her was curious to find out if what Adam had said was indeed true.

However, without sufficient evidence, she would refuse to believe his claims. His claims were quite bizarre, after all.

The Flynn Family's herbalist was only a grade 1. However, that didn't impede him in any way from testing the results of the multiple potions.

Suddenly, Elysande turned her head in the direction of the door, her eyes flashing with hints of expectation. He's here!

She slowly drew back her hand from her father's subconscious hold and then gently tucked him in. Then, she turned around and silently left the room.

Upon opening the large mahogany double door, she found the family herbalist pacing back and forth in the corridor, his face flushed with excitement.

After soundlessly closing the door behind her, she glanced at the old herbalist and asked, "What have you found?"

"My Lady!" The bald herbalist bowed sincerely before speaking with great enthusiasm, "Those two potions that you gave me to authenticate... I can't believe the results! It's nothing like I've ever seen!"

"Get to the point," said Elysande with a stern look.

"Y-Yes, my lady!" The bald old man gulped before continuing, "Compared to the dozen other potion samples, those two potions were indeed twice as potent. No, I would even go so far as to acknowledge that the potency of those potions was more than two times!"

Elysande's pupils constricted and she involuntarily clenched her fists. Although she was expressionless on the surface, tumultuous waves were rising within her heart.

That man didn't lie! She thought.

"Why do you say so?" She probed.

"After conducting several experiments, I have deduced that the quality of mana used by the herbalist was extremely pure!"

The old herbalist paused for a moment before adding, "After all, the materials and ingredients used by the other herbalists were all the same.

"The only differentiating factor is the quality of their mana. You see, my lady, the purer the quality of the herbalist's mana, the greater the—"

Elysande coldly cut him off, "What if this herbalist in question had the help of a spirit who has a natural disposition toward the wood element?"

The old herbalist thought for a few moments before answering, "Certainly that would also be a deciding factor. However, it wouldn't be as great as the herbalist's own mana. After all, their mana too is an ingredient for the potion they concoct!"

"I see..." Elysande lowered her head, deep in thought.

So that man turned out to be truly confident in his abilities. If that is so, then charging twice the price would be completely reasonable, she thought.

She then glanced at the old herbalist and instructed, "Call Alvertos here immediately."

"As you command, my lady!" The old man bowed before hurrying off into the depths of the manor.

Not even a few minutes had passed and another old man with wavy white hair, a clean shaved face, and striking blue eyes appeared before Elysande.

"My Lady, I am at your service." Alvertos placed his right hand on his chest and deeply bowed.

"You remember that young man from the Herbalsit's Guild?" Asked Elysande flatly.

Alvertos sneered, his eyes flashing with contempt. "I would never forget that cocky scammer." Suddenly, he thought of something and smirked, "Is it time to get rid of him?"

Elysande shook her head. "On the contrary. It turns out...

"He's the real deal!"

Alvertos's eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean..."

"Yes." Elysande nodded. She paused for a brief moment before ordering the old man.

"Invite him to the Flynn Manor to diagnose the Patriarch."