From Bad to Worse

"Go! Hold him down!"

My summoned minions surged forward in sync, following my command down to the letter.

And with a throbbing head and a rapidly beating heart, I ran for Vex.

As I sprinted toward her, I shoved a hand into my pocket ring and fumbled for the slim vial tucked near the back; my third high-tier mana elixir of the day.

I hesitated for a split second. Just a split second. It wasn't recommended to consume three elixirs in a day.

But I popped the cork and downed it, having no time for such thoughts.

The potion went down easily, and I felt it hit instantly.

Why wasn't it recommended to consume more than two elixirs?

There was a very good reason why people didn't keep chugging these concoctions down.

The first dose restored 60% of the consumer's maximum mana, clean and pure.

The second was less generous at 30%, but still extremely valuable.

This third time? Five percent. If you were lucky.