Chapter 186: A Complex Potion

"Edoro Potion, stabilizes spell models below level four, requires redwood berries, blue lotus leaves..."

Merlin carefully examined the lengthy potion formula in his hands.

This potion, known as the Edoro Potion, was named after a mage, Edoro, who followed the ancient tradition of naming potions after their creators if they held unique properties.

The purpose of the Edoro Potion was to stabilize spell models, different from the Purple Stone Powder, which only worked for zero-level spells. The Edoro Potion could stabilize any spell model below level four.

"Could it be that Samir's spell model is unstable?" Merlin wondered as he observed Samir. An unstable spell model was a severe issue, especially as higher-level spells were more challenging to control. If a high-level spell model collapsed, the vast magic energy within it would be powerful enough to obliterate any mage.

The old man in black robes, being only an entry-level mage, struggled with unstable zero-level spell models. If Merlin hadn't brought him Purple Stone Powder from Dark Domain, he might not even be alive now.

Now, Samir, with third-level spell models in his sea of consciousness, faced the risk of these powerful spells collapsing—a potentially catastrophic outcome. Merlin could see why Samir had seemed so desperate.

After reading through the entire formula, Samir spoke in a low voice, "Now you see, Mage Merlin, I have no reason to harm you. My initial orders to Colton were merely to capture you alive. However, given your abilities, we can now negotiate as equals. If you successfully create the Edoro Potion, I'll provide you with the Hundred-Year Cold Marrow."

Merlin lowered the formula and thought for a moment before asking, "Samir, doesn't Floating City have any other potion masters? And why are you so certain I can produce this potion?"

Samir shook his head slightly and replied, "I've sought out the best-known potion masters in Floating City, but without exception, none were able to create this potion. As for you, Mage Merlin, I believe you have the potential. Your ability to produce such a significant amount of alkaline earth potion in a short time suggests a deep knowledge of potions. But, if you can't manage it, I won't hold it against you."

Merlin's eyes narrowed. So it was his production of the alkaline earth potions that led Samir to him in the first place.

He glanced at the old man in black robes. Samir was not one to take "no" lightly, and if Merlin refused, while Samir might not be able to harm him, he could certainly threaten his companions.

The Hundred-Year Cold Marrow, though, was extremely tempting. If Merlin could get his hands on it, he could finally move forward with learning the Pandora's Ice Finger spell once he mastered the Freezing spell.

After weighing his options, Merlin looked at Samir and said, "Alright, I'll attempt to create the Edoro Potion, but I can't guarantee success."

"Excellent! I won't hold Colton's death against you, either." Samir's expression softened, and the tense atmosphere eased. Brunton and the old man in black also let out sighs of relief, visibly shaken by the alchemical creature's menacing presence.

Despite their relief, they both felt a sense of awe. Samir had attacked with his full power, yet Merlin had managed to withstand the assault and even prepared to escape if necessary.

If Samir hadn't made his tempting offer, Merlin would have likely fled already. Brunton couldn't believe that he had once sparred with Merlin, using his own alchemical creature, which now seemed almost laughable.

"It seems, Mage Merlin, that in a year, you've grown in ways I could never have imagined!" the old man in black said with a hint of amazement.

Brunton shot a cautious glance at Samir and said in a low voice, "Mage Merlin, Samir's reputation in Floating City is... less than stellar, especially in his dealings with lower-level mages. Are you sure you want to make a deal with him?"

Merlin smiled slightly. "Samir values his life and won't take any unnecessary risks. Don't worry; he won't make any reckless moves."

Samir smiled back and offered, "I'll provide the materials for the Edoro Potion. Mage Merlin, you're welcome to use my lab, which has a full set of alchemical tools and equipment…"

Merlin cut him off coldly. "No, I'll work here. Come back in ten days, and I'll have an answer as to whether I can produce the Edoro Potion or not."

He wasn't about to venture into Samir's territory, where he could be trapped. Samir seemed unbothered by Merlin's blunt refusal. He simply took out a bundle of ingredients from his ring, placed them on the ground, and said, "These are the materials for a single attempt at the Edoro Potion. I'll return in ten days!"

With that, Samir left with his alchemical creature in tow.

Watching him leave so readily, the old man in black turned to Merlin. "Mage Merlin, Samir is far too dangerous. Should we leave Floating City?"

Brunton shook his head with a wry smile. "Floating City is chaotic, a place where mages die daily. Only major factions, like the Silver Tower, maintain a semblance of order. Samir has been here for years and has countless ways to monitor you. If you try to leave, Mage Merlin, you might succeed, but it would be nearly impossible for Hill."

Merlin chuckled and reassured them, "I have my reasons for this deal with Samir. The Hundred-Year Cold Marrow is something even the Silver Tower lacks. My decision to stay has little to do with Hill. For now, let me focus on the Edoro Potion. If I succeed, everything else will fall into place."

With that, Merlin gathered up the materials and returned to his room, leaving the old man in black and Brunton to exchange worried glances.

---

Merlin spent the next few days in his room, entirely devoted to preparing the potion, while the old man in black and Brunton could only speculate on his progress.

Inside his room, Merlin meticulously prepared each ingredient. After reviewing the complex steps of the Edoro Potion, he understood why Samir's search had been fruitless.

It wasn't that the potion was particularly advanced; it was simply overwhelmingly complicated. Merlin counted a staggering 369 steps, all of which had to be executed with perfect precision.

Most potions required just a dozen or so steps, with complex potions reaching perhaps fifty. The Fantasia Potion Merlin had worked on had over a hundred steps.

But more than three hundred? He had never seen anything like it. The slightest error would ruin the entire process, and even the most skilled potion masters would struggle to complete so many steps without mistakes.

Yet, for Merlin, the challenge was manageable. With his Matrix to guide him, he could handle even a thousand steps without error. His main concern was controlling the temperature, a critical factor with so many steps involved.

After days of organizing the ingredients, Merlin finally began.

"Matrix, start the Edoro Potion."

Merlin activated the Matrix and, following its precise instructions, commenced the laborious process of creating the Edoro Potion.

---

Ten days later, Samir returned punctually, his intimidating alchemical creature in tow. Although his expression remained calm, his eyes never strayed from Merlin's room, betraying his inner anxiety.

Brunton and the old man in black watched Merlin's room with apprehension as well. If the potion failed, they couldn't be sure Samir would keep his word about not retaliating.

Finally, the door opened, and Merlin emerged, looking somewhat weary.

"Mage Merlin," Samir stepped forward eagerly, his eyes bright with hope. "How did the potion turn out?"