The Blood Flow Potion is just as I want it!

My body feels stronger and full of vitality, not at all deficient in nutrients. I'm certain there are other invisible effects that I can't detect at the moment, but this will offer me long-term benefits.

As for the Energy Revitalization Potion, it gives an initial surge of energy, but is lacking in longevity. We might need to increase the concentration per vial or increase the recommended dosage. I'm sure this much is more than enough for most people, but as a Leviathan, it is just barely satisfactory.

Now, for the verdant green potion.

"Ahh…!"

This is by far the most amazing result.

My mind feels so calm, as though a serene feeling has completely taken over.

Everything feels so clear and bright, and it's like a great fog has been lifted from my consciousness. My body's coordination feels smoother, and the lingering headache from earlier has completely vanished.

As for longevity, it has an acceptable span of time; however, the downside is the dull feeling that comes once the Potion wears off.

I can see this Potion becoming addictive for a lot of people.

I'll call it Clear Mind Potion.

Blood Flow, Energy Revitalization, and Clear Mind… these Grade 3 Potions are enough for a short boost. However, to maintain greater longevity, which will reduce my intake of them and drastically reduce my overconsumption of food, I need to take them all at once.

'Let's see…'

After downing all three of them in succession, my body dissolves them rapidly, and they are absorbed in nearly an instant.

"Ahh…!" Feeling a surging rise in my vitality, I can't help but let out a pleasant groan.

Everything just feels right.

My mind is clearer… my body is stronger… and the world feels brighter.

Such a good feeling!

Even as the initial sensations wear off, I notice the lingering effects for over an hour before they all fizzle out. Afterwards, I don't even feel hungry until a few hours pass, and after only eating twice the normal portion of an adult, I feel full.

This is a major improvement!

'It isn't at Zarius' level yet, since the effects still burn off relatively quickly, but it's a start.'

Until I find a more sustainable solution, this will suffice.

I can eat three to four times a day, consuming twice a regular man's portion, while supplementing the rest with a dose of these three Potions in a day.

The only problem is… It's expensive!

Too expensive!

I expended all my savings on this venture, and judging by the number of ingredients we have left, I doubt I can make enough to last more than a single month.

The worst part is, after seeing the effects of these Potions on my body, I find it dreadful to return to my life without them. I can't go back to how I have been living all this time—not with such a more pleasant path before me.

Sigh…

This is hard.

But who said being a Leviathan is easy?

I more or less understand the reason behind the scope of Zarius' plans now. The only way he wouldn't have felt such a strain on his pockets was by using two Kingdoms as well as the Dark Guild for his plans.

By plundering all of those resources, he would be able to live a more comfortable life.

'As for me, it's pretty obvious that, in my current situation, I can't maintain this expenditure. I'll need to be a Count, at the very least, to be able to afford a stable supply of these Potions.'

Consuming three Grade 3 Potions a day… that's not normal.

That's ninety Grade 3 Potions in a month.

Over a thousand a year!

Even the Royal Family doesn't use so many Potions.

But this is my bare minimum. If I use Conceptions multiple times in a day, that number could double… or even triple.

That's 3,240 Potions in a year… all of which are Grade 3!

'This is too absurd…' I shake my head, feeling a small headache coming on. 'How do I maintain such a high expenditure? The benefits are immense, but it's even more costly than eating normal food.'

'Zarius must have used a much better Potion, one that lasts much longer than mine. That means he was using a high-grade Potion—most likely Grade 4. That's what I probably need to maintain this standard for a day, while Grade 5 will have the most optimal effect.'

But where am I going to see a Grade 5 Potion?

How can I even make it?

Forget it.

This is my limit for now, and I have to find a way to ensure I can afford the bare minimum.

Sigh…

My only hope now is the Dark Guild that I am currently heading to.

'The inventory report that they gave Count Kaelen has some value. Maybe I can plunder them and reap some rewards. I also have to find out the connection between the Count and those herd of criminals!'

Needless to say, I'll be having my hands full.

"J-Javier… this is strange." Aunt Leila stares at me with wide-open eyes, almost like she cannot believe what she is seeing.

"What's wrong?" I ask her, a little worried.

She points at me with shaky hands before muttering. "No Trace Elements… I don't see any Trace Elements on you."

'Ahh…!' A wry smile forms on my face almost immediately. 'I forgot about that.'

It's true.

As a Leviathan, whenever I consume Potions, I devour them entirely, digesting the entirety of the Potions and leaving no traces. Since Trace Elements are formed from undigested traces that seep out of the Potion user, I can't leave any behind.

I think this is also why Zarius was able to consume his nutrition Potion while leaving behind no trace elements for me to detect.

I learned this a while back while experimenting with Potions on myself, but to think Aunt Leila took note. What should I say to her? No… I'd better let her arrive at her own conclusions.

As much as leaving no Trace Elements is quite useful, it can also be harmful.

By thoroughly digesting a Potion, you absorb all its effects… that includes the Side Effects. This is why I try to avoid consuming Potions with low purity. Doing so will only cause more impurities to form within me, causing more harm than good.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, because of my anatomy, the effects of Potions wear off quickly, including their Side Effects.

But this is not a major problem when it comes to my newest inventions.

Not only are they high in purity, leaving behind very few side effects, but these side effects are negated when I drink all three of them at the same time. There's also the fact that their effects are further supplemented when they are consumed together.

This helps me a great deal.

If I can only find a way to afford this expenditure, I'll have no further worries in the meantime.

At least, not in the aspect of my nutrition.

But other challenges remain evident on the horizon.

For one, the struggle for Crown Prince, and then there's Julian's schemes against me. However, the most urgent one at the moment is Count Kaelen's involvement with the Dark Guild.

I find it unbelievable that he was linked with Zarius, but I must still entertain the possibility.

If that is indeed the case, then…

… I fear what I will end up doing to the Count and the rest of his family.

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