Chapter 37: Who’s the Most Compatible?
By the end of the auction, Abyss and his companions had acquired the most potions. Rebecca, her enthusiasm boundless, had bid on almost every unusual potion she had never seen before. Leona, obsessed with becoming “more feminine,” focused on potions with related effects. And Flora, ever the pragmatist, purchased every potion with potential health benefits.
Abyss had wanted to buy a few potions for himself, but the enthusiastic girls had already snatched up everything that caught his eye. He settled for being a passive observer.
Concerned about causing a commotion by summoning his magical catfish in public, Abyss purchased several bottles from the club, carefully transferring the potions they had acquired, his bag clinking with the sound of glass. However, one beaker, containing the compatibility-testing potion, remained unpacked.
“We’ll consume this one here,” Rebecca said to the staff member handling the potion distribution. “Is it alright to test it here?”
“If you’re testing potions, there’s a room for that. I suggest you use it,” the staff member said, pointing to a door across from the auction hall. “That room is specifically designed for potion testing. It’s reinforced, soundproofed, and equipped with emergency supplies. It’s quite convenient.”
“Great!” Rebecca said, grabbing the beaker filled with the strangely colored potion. “We’ll return the beaker after we’re done!”
“Alright, go ahead,” the staff member said, waving his hand dismissively. He was accustomed to such requests and found nothing unusual about it.
It wasn’t until he watched Abyss being led away by the three girls that he felt a pang of envy. “Tsk… That young man… So many girlfriends? Damn, those youngsters are living the good life. No wonder he’s so pale. I guess there’s a price for everything…”
…
The room, as the staff member had described, was ideal for potion testing. It had protective magic arrays, soundproofing materials, and a comprehensive first-aid kit for emergencies.
Abyss and the girls sat in a circle on the floor. Rebecca was eager to test the potion, and Leona and Flora were curious. Only Abyss seemed indifferent. As the most experienced mage among them, he knew that with the current level of magic and alchemy on the continent, accurately determining compatibility through a simple potion was impossible. It was just a novelty item, not to be taken seriously.
Rebecca placed the beaker in the center of the circle, her eyes sparkling. “There’s quite a lot of potion. Enough for all four of us. Leona, Flora, do you want to try it?”
“I… Why would I drink that? I don’t want to play such a silly game with ABC. It’s all fake, not accurate at all. Besides, I…”
“I’d like to try,” Flora said suddenly.
Leona immediately changed her tune. “Well, I guess I can try too.”
“Great! One big gulp each!” Rebecca said, taking the first sip, then handed the beaker to Abyss. “Abyss, your turn!”
Abyss chuckled, taking a sip. The potion was spicy, tingling his taste buds. Its magic activated his mana, gradually converging on his skin.
Flora took the beaker from Abyss, swallowing a large gulp, then handed the remaining quarter to a nervous Leona.
Leona stared at the potion, her mind racing. This was the beaker Abyss had used! Drinking from it would be like indirectly kissing him! But Flora had seemed so casual. She must not have thought about it! So, to appear natural, she had to drink it…
With the determination of someone offering their first kiss, Leona drained the beaker.
“Alright! According to the instructions, we just need to touch each other’s skin, and it’ll glow. The brighter the light, the more compatible we are!” Rebecca said, rubbing her hands together excitedly. “Can I touch Abyss first?”
“Sure, go ahead,” Abyss said, extending his hand.
“Here I come!” Rebecca exclaimed, grabbing his hand eagerly.
The moment their hands touched, a bright light erupted from their palms, illuminating the dimly lit room. Their faces were bathed in a soft, white glow, its intensity surprising even Abyss.
“Wow! So bright!” Rebecca said, giggling. “We’re so compatible! Abyss, look! I’ll be a good wife for you!”
“We are quite compatible,” Abyss said, smiling. But he was referring to their teamwork and their shared understanding, based on their recent collaboration in the other world.
“Me! I want to try too!” Leona exclaimed, extending her hand. “Abyss, hold my hand! Just so you know, I’m just curious…”
“Sure,” Abyss said, releasing Rebecca’s hand and taking Leona’s small hand in his.
A bright light erupted again, illuminating Leona’s flushed cheeks. She had been nervous, but seeing the bright glow, she couldn’t help but smile, her teeth biting her lower lip.
“My light is as bright as Rebecca’s!” she said, releasing his hand, her voice filled with pride.
“Flora, let’s hold hands too,” Abyss said, extending his hand towards Flora.
Flora nodded silently, placing her hand in his.
“My god!” Rebecca gasped.
An almost blinding light flashed from their joined hands. If Rebecca and Leona’s light had been like moonlight, then Flora’s was like the sun itself, illuminating the entire room with a brilliant white light, obscuring everything else.
Then, the light vanished as Flora withdrew her hand.
“Eeeeek!” Rebecca exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. “Flora! How are you so strong?!”
Leona’s jaw dropped.
Flora, however, remained silent, a knowing smile on her lips.
“I might not be as bright as Flora, but I won’t give up! Abyss, I’ll become even more compatible with you! Just you wait!” Rebecca declared, puffing out her chest.
“Me too! ABC, treat me better, and I’ll be as bright as Flora!” Leona exclaimed, her face flushed, her voice filled with determination.
Abyss patted their heads. “Alright, I’ll do my best to make you both happy.”
Flora smiled, her usual gentle demeanor masking a mischievous glint in her eyes.
The potion was just a gimmick. It produced the same light intensity regardless of the users. But Flora had used a subtle, undetectable Divine Art to enhance the glow.
Who said the kind and gentle Flora couldn’t be a little cunning when it came to someone she cared about?
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