The Witch Hunter System

Cyrena Ashenborn celebrated with joy, not because she succeeded in potioneering, but because she learned a lot from Vaan's lesson.

Although she was more or less convinced by Vaan's Equilibrium Principle, hearing about it and seeing it successfully applied hit her differently.

"The Pore Stimulation Potion actually succeeded with a wood-attribute ingredient. This is amazing, Teacher! Mm, it doesn't have that hint of fiery aroma that normal Pore Stimulation Potions have. This means there are no side effects, right?" Cyrena Ashenborn asked excitedly.

"According to theory, yes," Vaan calmly nodded before suddenly adding, "However, that doesn't mean the Pore Stimulation Potion can be abused. Just like regular medicine, the body will suffer from overdosage if too much is taken in a single session."

"Furthermore, it hasn't been tested yet. So, we can't exactly say there's no side effect until it has been proven."

"Teacher is right. We should test its effects first," Cyrena Ashenborn agreed.

"Even renowned Master Potioneers would do a test run with a sample of their potions to ensure its effects every time they succeed in making a new batch."

"Un," Vaan nodded.

"Master Potioneers need this level of meticulousness to ensure there aren't any problems with their potions before putting them on the market. After all, a single major mistake is all it takes to cost them their entire reputation and career."

"Furthermore, it doesn't hurt to use some of the potions for testing. After all, just looking at this batch you made, you can fill up roughly a hundred two-ounce bottles of Pore Stimulation Potions," Vaan estimated.

The Pore Stimulation Potion was just a basic rank 1 potion. Thus, even if there were a lot of it, it wouldn't be able to sell for too much.

Also, witches only buy them in bulks like a carton of drinks. As such, only extremely huge sales will show

…

On the side, Helia Ashenborn overheard their conversation and turned her head to Hester Thornton with surprise.

"What are they talking about, Hester? Cyrena used a wood-attribute ingredient to produce the Pore Stimulation Potion. Furthermore, it does not have the burning side effect as well?" Helia Ashenborn asked in doubt.

"Err, you weren't paying attention to the ingredients that Young Lady Cyrena used, Lord Helia? There was indeed a wood-attribute ingredient, the Sirre Root," Hester Thornton responded.

"Teacher Cadieux proposed that following the Equilibrium Principle would guarantee potioneering success. However, I am unable to confirm whether Young Lady Cyrena's Pore Stimulation Potion truly has no side effects until it is tested."

"The Equilibrium Principle? A Pore Stimulation Potion with no side effects? If what you said is true, then…" Helia Ashenborn's eyes shined with money.

"A standard Pore Stimulation Potion lasts an hour but requires a six-hour cooldown period between each dosage of two ounces while a Master Potioneer's improved Pore Stimulation Potion can reduce that side effect's cooldown period to two hours."

"On the other hand, a Pore Stimulation Potion without side effects would imply that it can be used consecutively after each hour… It will definitely be in great demand. If we can mass-produce this kind of potion, it will definitely sweep the low-end market!"

Helia Ashenborn could imagine the immense profit from the sheer sales. But after a moment, Helia Ashenborn subtly looked at Vaan's back with a serious expression.

If the Pore Stimulation Potion truly had no side effect, the Delarosa Household would have long put it on the market and reap in the profits.

But since Helia Ashenborn hasn't heard anything about it, it must mean that it hasn't happened yet.

'The sheer amount of manpower of potioneers needed to mass-produce the Pore Stimulation Potion, and expenditure and effort required to procure the ingredients… the Delarosa Marquisate, which is closer to the southern borders, isn't ideal for carrying out the business.'

'As expected, the Delarosa Household is testing me to see whether I am worthy of being their business partner. Most likely, they only want to collect their share of the profit and leave the manufacturing and sales to me, Helia Ashenborn speculated.

At the same time, Helia Ashenborn concluded that Cyrena Ashenborn making the Pore Stimulation Potion without side effects was purposely planned by Vaan.

Vahn Cadieux wanted her to see it – or so Helia Ashenborn believed.

'This kind of bait… It's hard to resist taking the bite after seeing it. How shrewd. Look like I will have to negotiate the business deal with Vahn Cadieux after his lesson,' Helia Ashenborn thought.

After all, there was a lot of money to be made. She had to take the initiative to secure the deal.

…

After Cyrena Ashenborn emptied the cauldron containing the Pore Stimulation Potion into 107 two-ounce glass bottles, she asked, "Should I test one now, Teacher?"

"Absolutely not," Helia Ashenborn suddenly interrupted before Vaan could reply to the question.

"No matter how confident you are in your potion, a potioneer must never personally test their own potion. This should always be left to the potion-testers."

"If you don't have any potion-testers yet, I will assign one for you?" Helia Ashenborn said firmly.

At the same time, Vaan briefly glanced at Helia Ashenborn's strong reaction, causing his eyes to flicker for a moment. Shortly after, he casually agreed with a nod.

"Lord Ashenborn is right. This should be left to specifically assigned potion testers," Vaan inputted.

Cyrena Ashenborn furrowed her brows for a moment, but she eventually agreed with a nod, "Then, I will let Mother arrange it."

"Good."

After getting the consent of all parties, Helia Ashenborn instructed Hester Thornton to summon a few willing True Witches at the middle stage or higher to the open courtyard, where the air was fresh, and the mana was aplenty.

"Let us head outside too. We can't witness the effects if we are not there to observe it," Helia Ashenborn suggested.

Vaan and Cyrena Ashenborn agreed.

Nevertheless, Cyrena Ashenborn didn't let Helia Ashenborn touch the two potion racks of two-ounce Pore Stimulation Potions.

Instead, Cyrena Ashenborn used her spatial storage-type magic tool to store the potions before following Vaan and Helia Ashenborn outside.