Back at the lab, Mr. F had sealed the room with protective magic. His mind focused on the system and the quest reward that had just been completed.

[Quest completed: Brew 500 potions with the help of your apprentices (500/500)]

[Quest rewards have been stored in the system space]

The first thing Mr. F did was retrieve the new recipe from the system space, eager to study it. However, as he examined it, he noticed something odd—the ingredients and the procedure were exactly the same as the previous version. Hadn't the system said there would be changes?

As if sensing his confusion, the system responded:

[The system has made modifications to the potion's effectiveness within the host's body. The host can now restore their Rank 7 magical power using Rank 6 souls. Please note, however, that this power will only last for about one month.]

Mr. F nodded. So far, everything aligned with his expectations. But the system continued:

[Additionally, the new feature of this potion allows the host to customize the extent of vitality replenishment. Should the host choose to only restore the magical power of a Rank 6 mage, the potion's effects will last for a year. However, the host may also opt to amplify vitality to temporarily regain the combat power of a Rank 8 mage.]

Upon reading this, Mr. F was stunned. Could this reward be any more perfectly suited to the current situation? It seemed as though the system's ability to foresee the causalities of the present and future was far more powerful than he had imagined.

He pulled out the necessary materials he had already prepared, taking a deep breath as he also retrieved the Rank 6 soul from the system interface. He thought carefully before proceeding. "I should use these souls one at a time," he muttered to himself. "That way, I can limit the potential side effects and ensure the potion's success."

He began the process, meticulously following the steps. When it came time to add the soul to the cauldron, the mixture began to bubble violently, and the cauldron itself shook as if alive. Mr. F quickly realized that the soul was trying to resist, attempting to disrupt the potion. He poured more of his magic into controlling it, but the resistance was fierce. In the end, the soul exploded, along with the potion inside the cauldron.

Mr. F took a deep breath, frustrated but not deterred. The system immediately offered an explanation:

[The higher the rank of the soul, the more it will resist consumption by the alchemist.]

"Great," Mr. F muttered under his breath, irritated that the system hadn't mentioned this earlier.

The second attempt ended much the same way, with the potion evaporating into nothingness. Yet Mr. F remained undeterred. He gathered his strength and decided he had learned enough from the previous failures. On the third try, he threw the soul into the cauldron and immediately began suppressing it.

The soul writhed and twisted, but Mr. F didn't give it the chance to ruin yet another potion. The battle lasted several minutes, but finally, the mixture calmed, and the potion was complete.

Mr. F poured the potion into a goblet, his hands trembling with anticipation. He drank it directly from the cauldron, eager to feel the rush of power that came with being a powerful mage once again.

…

The next day dawned, and Betty and Albert made their way to the lab. When they arrived, they found no sign of Mr. F—only a note on the table:

[To my students, Albert and Betty,

The attack will happen sometime today. I've left the lab to prepare for the battle. Stay in the city center and under no circumstances approach the frontlines with your weak Rank 2 and Rank 3 strength.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

F.]

The note was brief, but its message was clear: stay out of danger.

…

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Faust had convened with Emma and several other high-ranking officials to strategize for the upcoming defense. Everyone had gathered, but one crucial person was still missing.

"When are we going to start already?" one of the officials shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "The more time we waste here, the closer those damned beasts get to our city!"

His outburst was met with disapproving looks, but no one could deny the truth in his words. Many shared the same concern: why were they still waiting?

Faust leaned over and whispered to Emma, "Do you know where he is? He wouldn't have run off, would he?"

Emma was equally puzzled. She had no answer for Faust's question. "Let's start without him. If he doesn't show up, I'll explain everything to him when I see him."

Faust addressed the group, "Apologies for the delay, but it seems one of our key defenders hasn't made it here. Nevertheless, we need to proceed with the battle plan."

In the center of the room, a magical hologram of the city appeared, projecting the layout in stunning detail.

"As soon as the attack begins," Faust continued, "the city will activate its protective barrier to fend off the initial assault. The beasts will attack from the south. We've already evacuated the outer section of the southern district and will leave a passage open at the southern gate. The monsters will funnel in slowly, and we'll pick them off systematically.

"Our scouts have confirmed that we're facing at least two Rank 7 beasts. The first is the Fire Stallion that many of you have already heard about. The second is a Water Gorilla that has joined the attack. We're still unsure what's motivated this assault, but we must defend the city at all costs."

A stocky man with a physique like an ox asked, "What if the barrier falls? That would mean the monsters could enter from anywhere, while our forces would still be concentrated in the south."

Another man stepped forward, looking more like a craftsman with a massive hammer strapped to his back. "This is where I come in," he said. "Allow me to introduce myself—Markus Grav, a Rank 6 architect. My team and I are currently constructing a stone dome in the city center. If the barrier falls, this dome will serve as the last defense for the general population."

Markus continued, "The dome is about one kilometer wide and should provide enough protection for anyone below Rank 4, while the rest of us will remain at the frontlines."

More discussions ensued as each participant voiced concerns, all of which Faust addressed. Every Rank 6 mage with combat experience was assigned to face specific monsters whose weaknesses matched their magic types.

However, one sharp-eyed man raised a hand. "Who's going to deal with the second Rank 7 beast, Lord Faust? I understand you'll likely be facing the Fire Stallion with your water magic, but who will handle the Water Gorilla? And what if the Stallion turns out to be a Rank 8 beast instead of a Rank 7? What then?"

All eyes turned to Faust, eager for his answer. With a calm expression, Faust responded, "As many of you know, we've been waiting for someone who hasn't arrived yet. I have confidence that this individual will protect the city. He'll take on the Water Gorilla."

The man who had spoken earlier pounded the table in frustration. "Nonsense! We're supposed to trust our lives to someone who couldn't even be bothered to show up? How do we know he won't just abandon us in the middle of the battle?"

The room fell silent as everyone waited for Faust's response. Faust took a deep breath. "I can't reveal too much, but I will say this: if you trust me, then you can trust him as well."

The room buzzed with uncertainty, but before anyone could raise another objection, Emma spoke up. "I vouch for him as well. You have my word that he will do everything in his power to defend the city."

The crowd murmured in surprise. If even Emma, a powerful figure in the city, was willing to put her trust in this unknown man, perhaps they could too.

However, Faust addressed the room once more, this time with a more somber tone. "Now, as for the other concern—what happens if the Fire Stallion is actually a Rank 8 beast?"

The atmosphere in the room grew thick with tension. Everyone instinctively knew what such a revelation could mean. Faust continued, "If it truly is a Rank 8 beast, I will do my best to hold it off while the rest of you escape through the northern gate with your families."

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the room as the reality of the situation set in. There was little they could do if a Rank 8 monster attacked the city. The very idea struck fear into their hearts.

Faust cleared his throat, concluding the meeting. "That ends today's briefing. Return to your posts and prepare for the battle ahead."

Everyone filed out of the room, except for Emma, who stayed behind. When they were alone, Faust turned to her. "Are you sure we can trust him?"

Emma hesitated, her face thoughtful. "I'm not sure," she admitted, "but what choice do we have?"

Faust exhaled deeply. There was an air of resignation about him. Was there truly nothing they could do but place their fate in the hands of a stranger?