Half-finished potion

As early as the first cock crow sounded the next day, Naoki was already making a new potion in his Rabo.

When Daisuke went to his bedchambers to find him, he discovered his absence and easily guessed the only place he could be after their previous conversation yesterday.

His Rabo.

With that conviction, he hurried there to look for him.

Going through the familiar hallway to the library and down the stairs leading underground, he stepped into the Rabo and the first thing that came into his sight was his Master backing the first shelf close to the entrance.

Daisuke narrowed his eyes and the next thing that entered his line of sight was several transparent jars filled with different colors of liquids.

'Did he work on them all night?' He thought with his brows furrowing.

It was not exactly a small deal making that much potion within a few hours. The only possibility was that Naoki must have not slept a wink.

Not that he was all that bothered, considering he had been in a coma for eighteen years. Daisuke felt that perhaps, he couldn't find any sleep so soon.

Hearing the sound of footsteps which suddenly stopped behind him, Naoki's brows arched a bit as he pounded something in a small wooden mortar while listening to Daisuke's thoughts.

And when he almost couldn't keep up with them because of the work he had at hand, he released a sigh as his thin lips slowly parted while his hand continued in a fluid movement.

"Why are you standing there and not coming in?" Naoki questioned without breaking his concentration.

As soon as his Mozart tenor voice rang out, Daisuke recollected himself, straightening his back in the process.

Shifting his gaze to the man who had his back against him, he hesitated a little with his thoughts wandering not too far off.

Sensing his hesitation and guessing his train of thoughts judging from the worry rampaging in his mind, Naoki shook his head in disbelief.

"Tsk… tsk…"

Naoki did not even feel guilty for being able to read his mind one bit. If there was anything, he was enjoying his new powers. His heightened senses, as they saved him a lot of time.

Naoki was most likely impatient and felt it was a waste of time to ask a question and then wait for the recipient to conjure an answer out of the many trains of thoughts going on in his head.

However, with this method, he could save both their time and breath and figure things out.

"Are you afraid of falling into the state of unconsciousness because of the potions I'm making?"

He inhaled sharply giving Daisuke a single second to respond but before the latter could take hold of that opportunity, he spat out sharply, without turning his back. "Pathetic

Instantly, Daisuke felt the weight on his chest lighten up immediately.

He was guilty of having an ounce of fear within him but even Naoki could not blame him.

He did not know what he had to go through in those 18 years and how much his mishap must have left a huge impact on Daisuke.

This was an incident that Daisuke would never forget in a hurry.

Yes, stepping into this place and seeing the different strange liquids filling up the space, in no doubt frightened him.

But on hearing the contempt in his Master's tone that seemed to be calling him a coward, Daisuke felt a blow to his pride and immediately continued in his steps.

He couldn't afford to disappoint his master and shame himself.

"You finally took the bold step of faith, is that it?" Naoki asked with a hint of taunting before turning to him properly.

Daisuke felt guilty for his brief moment of cowardice and hurriedly lowered his head in apology.

"Ma…"

"Save your breath," Naoki interjected immediately as he rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

He was already feeling annoyed by the irritation.

"What did you come here for since you are so afraid of this place?"

Suddenly turning to him with a sharp gaze, he lowered his tone and asked, "Perhaps, are you by any chance scared that I might have slipped into the realm of unconsciousness again?"

Daisuke hurriedly cleared his throat before speaking up to finally cut off his Master's weird speculation, not knowing that he was being taunted.

"My Lord, forgive my interruption. I came to ask what you would like to have for breakfast."

Instantly, Naoki's nose scrunched up. 'Breakfast? What nonsense!'

"Forget it." He replied in a heavy tone before shifting his irritated glance back to the mortar.

Daisuke's honest question was due to the fact that his Master was a very picky eater when it came to food, and he didn't want to make him something he wouldn't appreciate.

Daisuke sighed in relief with a thought in mind. 'Good thing I didn't prepare the dishes without asking him first,'

Some seconds passed, leaving only the awkward silence between them.

Not being able to hold in his curiosity anymore, Daisuke inquired and asked from the side as his sight narrowed at the transparent jars.

"Master, why are you making so many potions?"

"Don't talk too much if you don't want to enter into a deep sleep." Naoki threatened while raising his brows as he pointed at the substance in the mortar.

He was simply reminding him of the fact that he was still in the middle of work, while also showing him that the potions he was working on were yet to be completed.

Naoki's threat was very effective because Daisuke fell into silence almost immediately. He did not dare to utter another word again.

The danger of a half-finished potion could still ring in his ears and flash through his mind. In addition, the image from 18 years ago was still as new as freshly baked bread.

His lips pressed tightly together. He made sure that not even a soft sigh would be able to escape while controlling the range of his breathing.

'Nothing must go amiss.' He thought apprehensively, while Naoki laughed hysterically in his mind.

But in reality, his gaze looked serious while using a small wooden spoon to scoop out the substance in the mortar that looked like grounded dried-up leaves.