Is this ... the real elixir?

　Amelia held the vial in her hand, looked at it sullenly, and concluded that. There was a hint of surprise in the sound of her voice, and it was clear that the elixir was something Amelia hadn't expected.

　--but the surprise doesn't end there.

'Oh, since there's more,'
Heh...?

　Three new vials were placed at a time. Each of them was filled with a blue liquid - all of them were unmistakably the real elixir.

''Eh........eh?

　Amelia stands up from her chair and shouts so loudly that it echoes through the guild. Even if it's just a precious elixir lined up in front of a total of four eyes, it can't be helped.

　However, it's the S-class adventurer girl who is most surprised by this occasion, so. Raffy opened her eyes and looked at Wraith in dismay.

　The gazes of the adventurers in the guild stabbed at Wraith. None of them were able to hide their surprise.

　The person in question who was exposed to the gaze rolled his eyes and looked around scowling.

''Uh........''

　The atmosphere was indescribable, and Wraith was confused.

　Then suddenly Raffy grabbed Wraith's hand, retrieved the four elixirs on the desk, and headed first to the guild's exit.

''Eh, wait!''

　As expected of an S-class adventurer, I should say. Wraith wasn't allowed to resist, and with Raffy's hand in mine, the adventurer's guild moved away from me as fast as I could see.

　They waded through the crowds of people and eventually arrived at an alleyway with few people in it. Wraith, who was being dragged around, turned his eyes and sent a protesting glance to Raffy.

　However, Raffy didn't care about such a look and thrust the four elixirs in her hand in front of the Wraith.

''What the hell does this mean...!
What I mean is that it's just an elixir.
Did you make all this up?
Yeah, but...
Huh....

　In front of Wraith, who doesn't understand the situation very well, Raffy sighs heavily.

　Even though she's just confused, the alchemist in front of her doesn't seem to grasp her abnormality.

''Listen, Wraith. Your skill as an alchemist is extraordinary, to say the least. Just making an elixir at your age is genius enough, but if you're making multiple elixirs, you're the only one in the world who can do it.

　Raffy grabs Wraith's shoulders and says the words forcefully as a reminder. The Wraith, who was left to do as he was told, smiled bitterly.

''That being said, the only thing I have on hand right now that I can sell is the elixir. If this is the case, the money........

　It can be said that Wraith has no money in his possession. Not only do we have no money for lodging, but we have no money for tonight's meal. If we don't sell something, we're going to have a cold night.

''Gu........Ugh, but.......!

　Raffy grunts and groans to herself. After a few moments of this, she slumped her shoulders and sighed.

'It can't be helped ... you can stay at my place for the rest of the day.
For me, that's a big help, but are you sure?
'It's just me and my sister and I don't have to worry about it. As for the former, you couldn't sell the elixir because of me.

　It's not pleasant for Wraith to stay at the house of someone he's never met before today, and a girl, but it's a pleasant offer, that's for sure.

''Well then, I'll take your word for it.

　In the end, he couldn't refuse and accepted the offer.



　*****



'I'll go explain the situation to my sister, you can wait here.
Okay.

　Wraith watched Raffy walk up the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief. She drops the bag she's carrying from her shoulder and leans back in her chair.　

　Then he looks around the house again and admires the house. It's a very fine house, even though it's not that different in age from Lace's. Raffy said she and her sister live together, but with this size, five or six more people could live here.

　Compared to that, the current Wraith is penniless. It's a significant difference.

''........Yeah, let's sell something as soon as possible to make some money.

　I open the bag with a melancholy mood. Inside, the materials used for alchemy and potions that have already been completed are stored in it, divided by type.

　When Wraith left his hometown, he was in a hurry to get out of the demons, so he didn't bring any alchemy materials or potions in a selective manner. He shoved the ones he saw into his bag by type for now.

　So the number of potions is limited. To give you an example, there are only ten elixirs left, for example.

　However, it didn't matter to Wraith how many finished products were left. What mattered was the rest of the materials used for alchemy.

''Twenty bunches of cukla grass, five red copper stones, and ten bottles of white water?

　Cucurra grass is used to make potions for elixirs and other healing effects, red copper stone is used to process weapons and accessories, and white water is used to make holy water to defeat the undead.

''Well, are you alright?''

　That's enough to last us a while. If it's not enough, we can collect it.
　After checking, Wraith closes his bag and waits for Raffy.

　Then, at the right time, Raffy comes down the stairs. Next to her, there was one girl that Wraith didn't recognize.

　She has white hair that reaches to her waist and crimson eyes that remind you of blood. Looking at her height, which is shorter than Wraith, she must be younger than her age. She wears a mature atmosphere for her age, and she must be the sister Raffy had mentioned.

　However, for being sisters, they do not look alike. Their hair color and eye color are different.

'Here you are. This is my sister Sylvia.
Nice to meet you.
Hi. I'm Wraith.

　Sylvia sits down on the side facing the Wraith.

'I'm going to make some tea. Give me a moment.
Can I help you, sis?
No, you stay in bed.

　Raffy said and disappeared again. Left behind were two people who had never met before. Naturally, the awkward atmosphere flowed away.

　As Lace was thinking of something to talk about, Sylvia suddenly lowered her head.

''Um, thank you, Wraith-san.''
...Uh, what?

　Wraith nodded his head, wondering what he would have done to make Sylvia thank him for meeting her for the first time.

'To my sister, for giving me the elixir.
Yeah, I see. No, I'm indebted to you, you know. It's all part of the deal.

　Sylvia smiles softly at Wraith, who smiles bitterly.

''Still, thank you. Sis, you're doing your best for me.''
For you?
'Yes. I've been sick for a while now, and my sister has been looking for a way to cure me.

　Sylvia says this with an apologetic, sad look on her face. Lace knows why Raffy was seeking the elixir and understands why she was so desperate.

　If she was so desperate for an elixir, she could guess that Sylvia's illness must be a serious one.

'I see, you're a good sister,'
Yes, I'm proud of you!

　That gesture of Sylvia's, as if she were a child, made Wraith unintentionally smile.

''Ah, you did laugh!
'No, I'm sorry. I thought you looked so mature, I just felt like there was a gap.
I'm only fifteen years old.

　Sylvia puffs out her cheeks lightly, appealing to her grumpiness. The adorable fifteen year old girl is a sight for sore eyes, even as a wraith.

''I hope she gets better soon, sick.''
Yes!

　Gladly, Sylvia broke her face.