I spent close to ten minutes looking around, and while 90% of the things were trash or unknown to me, I did single a few things.

First, there were a few herbs and flowers that I had seen in the potion book.

Secondly, I found a flask marked as [Metal Dissolving Beast Spit], and while I don't know what kind of beast is one of those, the part about metal dissolving attracted my interest immediately.

And for last, several wooden containers with powders marked as [Alchemy Dusts, Varied]. I don't know what each one was, but the open one looked like a kind of crystal salt, and my memories told me that it should be saltpeter.

Thus, when Azar returned, I had already made a mental note to confirm and even buy them.

Soni, or as I would find just a moment later, Sonifreda was walking next to Azar while rubbing her eyes. And here, I need to mention two things, even to myself.

First of all, it wasn't sound or intuition that made me turn towards the so-hidden curtain to an inner room but smell. It was the so nostalgic smell. And one that I had been, hiddenly or openly, wishing to smell. Tobacco!

And secondly, from the start, I knew that I was in what should be called a fantasy world. Still, until this moment, the only fantastic thing that I have met was the [Gloomclaw] from my first days and the [Silent Belt] that followed the beast. Well, magic also applied. But as I haven't seen any spells myself outside the utility ones, I did not think much about it.

But now, as the female (being?) known as Soni appeared, I could not be less convinced. And how could I not? A bone-like horn above her forehead, purple-colored eyes, reddish skin, and while I could not say how even her ambiance felt different.

But in truth, I wasn't so taken aback by seeing the first non-human being in this world, but the pipe she held in her hands!

"Lindar, let me introduce you. Sonifreda, the shopkeeper and one of the few demi-humans living in Megvuroz." Azar began introducing us, but I could not care more. In turn, I made a few steps forward and heavily inhaled.

Now with the source far closer, I comprehended that it was only something close to tobacco and not the thing I so desired. And either this or my inner creepometer made me understand I was acting strangely.

"Oh, sorry! Just the thing that you are smoking attracted me." I excused myself before nodding and saying, "Nice to meet you."

"Call me Soni. But a fellow smoker? And a human one? Surprising, considering that only we halfies' tend to use the [Demon's Bane] for something except rituals." Thankfully, Soni(freda) did not pay much attention to my rareness.

"Ah, so that's why I did not find anything like the things that my previous employer liked anywhere. He was human, but his likes were a bit special. Well, as I now find out." As Azar was probably in the know of my story, I decided to go along with it. Not that it diminished my craving at all.

"Mmm, it can be addictive indeed. Let me look around. I should have a spare pipe somewhere." Soni turned her body around on the spot and began rummaging a shelf near where they appeared.

As for Azar, his eyes were round as he looked at me. Oh, it wasn't hard to understand that he was probably expecting me to have some reaction to the demi-human, but, hell, does he thinks such a thing can shock me? Horned and slightly bigger than a human, and so what? Even on Earth, people cosplayed and modified themselves. Some to a far more shocking degree.

As it turned out a bit later, Soni wasn't a social being. She did attend the store and everything, but people weren't her choice to pass her time. And after Soni gave me a small, slightly damaged pipe and a pinch of herbs from a pouch on her belt, she did not speak more.

So Azar quickly took the reins and began explaining to her how we met. As for me, I inhaled the smoke and felt bliss. Now with me smoking, neither the taste nor smell was akin to tobacco, but hell, it was something!

While Azar was a chatterbox, his emotions weren't so easy to read. Still, after a few minutes to finish the pipe's contents, I understood everything. Well, maybe not everything but at least the reason for him to go into the store. It seems our mageball is in love, and his choice is not only oblivious but isn't even a human!

***

Azar used fifteen minutes to retell practically every breath we took since our meeting. After which, I asked what I wanted from the start. Indeed, was the dissolving spit capable of dissolving gold? And if it was, would it disappear or assume a liquid state?

"Gold? Who would dissolve something valuable?" Azar choked on whatever he meant to say.

"Liquid. And if you want to try to get it out, it's also possible. Not that it would serve much, as, without a forge and forceful cooling, it will not assume any form." As for Soni, she gave the answer that I wanted.

"Good! Can you sell that flask to me? I have been meaning to run an experiment since hearing an idea in my town." Lying again, huh?

"Anything here is for sale. The flask? Yes, let's see, you are Azar's friend, so five crowns." Again with no emotion and to my envy refilling her pipe, again, Soni answered.

"Bought. I would also like that, that and that herb. As well the set of varied alchemy dusts behind me." From the latter, I could only identify one, but hell, I did not doubt that the others would be useful at some point. Until now, I have been spending only the funds on myself. And with 50 gold coins waiting for me at Reuben's, why could I not spend?

"Mmm, let's close it at 16 then." I am unsure if Soni wanted to say another number first, but 16 was perfect. After all, my funds were down to a single gold and seven silvers by now. Not that I could not ask her to keep the things for me, but buying them right away seemed suitable.

"Deal. And Soni, if it's not a big issue, do you mind selling me this pipe and some of your ahh, [Demon's Bane]?" Hoping that she would say something like a single silver, I asked.

"Buy a pipe somewhere else. That's my old one. As for the herb, hmm, it's forbidden to sell it. So, sorry, the best I can do for Azar's friend is forget a small pouch near the entrance." Soni raised a hand, which to my surprise, had claw-like nails, and pointed towards the direction of the entrance door.

"Thank you. I swear that your forgetfulness will not go unrewarded by someone."

"Heh, no need." As she chuckled, I found that her mouth had actual fangs. Well, she's not a human after all.

"Azar? Are you feeling well? And actually, why the maw you didn't tell me beforehand that you would be arriving?" Suddenly Soni turned to the silent Azar, who was fidgeting because of something, and asked him with audible annoyance by the end.

"Emm, Lindar was hoping to buy something with the leather smith in front of here, and I... brought him here to look?" Azar somehow meekly replied.

"I appreciate the client, and the human isn't bad, but next time I want you to take care and avoid my nap time." She half-barked at him before turning to me and, adding with a fanged smile, "Lindar, thank you for coming, but so you know for the next time, I usually sleep while the sun sets completely."

"Got it. Sorry for disturbing you." I took the cue to leave and so quickly (and hiddenly) summoned 16 silver coins. As she did not extend her hand, I put them on a small space on the shelf to my right and proceeded to take the bought items.

Then, I walked towards the entrance and, reacting to a sudden cough from behind, found an open pouch with the [Demon's Bane] herb that she said she would 'forget' for me.

***

Five minutes outside later, Azar exited the store.

"Soni tends to have some changes of mood. But surprisingly, she did like you." I am unsure if Azar meant that as a fact, or if it was an attempt at a jab, or whatever else.

So, not saying anything to that, I pointed to a building nearby, the [Dancing Horse] that Gris had taken me in, and asked, "So, drinks?"

"Ah, yes." He nodded and started towards the inn.

"But before we go, I have to admit I am close to being broke now. So if you pay for me as well, I will repay you later."

"No need. My invitation, my treat." Azar shrugged without stopping.

"Then I guess next time it will be mine." It seemed almost traditional here that who invites pays. I'll need to keep that in mind for the future and take Azar out someday.

***

The [Dancing Horse Inn] first floor's tavern welcomed in the face of the same waitress from the day before, and if I wasn't mistaken, even the same table.

Azar turned out to be far a more worldly drinker than Gris thought, as his first and probably last order was "[Megvuroz's own. Full-size tankard, and keep them coming."

The beer wasn't the worst, at least for me, and not that I had a say anyway. The only intriguing bit was the tankard, as it turned out to be something akin to a metal jug with a capacity close to half a gallon.

"It's rumored that the Dwarf-men use only such chugs." As if he could read minds, Azar informed me as he took his own.

"Got it. So, Azar, what did you want to talk about?"

"Well..." He hesitated and drank a big gulp.

"Or if you want, we can always talk about how come that you haven't revealed your feelings to the horned cutie from before." His eyes intently stared into the tankard, and I could not help but tease.

"Bastard!" After avoiding choking and only spitting out a small amount of his beer, Azar exclaimed as he went red.

"I mean, it may be unclear for her, but me?" As if nothing, I continued on the same line.

"Soni, huh? While she does live in Megvuroz, she does not like humans. I, and maybe now you, are a happy exception, but as to accept feelings? It will not happen." Somewhat calmer, Azar told me the obvious.

"Yes, but if you have never tried, why do you know that it would be so?" Love-life counseling wasn't my forte, but in my opinion, it was better to try and fail than avoid the subject.

"Well, when we met, I was yet to break ties with my family. Anyway, the matter why I wanted to speak with you is actually my family. Or, to be more exact, my father." Azar quickly changed the topic.

"I see." And what else I could say? I probably could not help anyway, and I did not know anything about Baron Totraz.

"Oh, it's not like I expect you to do anything. Just listen." Azar understood my expressions not less than I did with his, so he quickly added.

***

Overall, two things from Azar's continuous speech drew my attention.

First, it was that healing of any type was not omnipotent. By my logic and lack of knowledge, I assumed it to be. Still, it turned out to be that I was mistaken. And while Gris' tale from yesterday gave me the idea that some illnesses were incurable, I did not understand why until now.

Any wounds, including the most grievous ones, could be healed with potions or magic. It was dependent on the skill of the potion maker or the mage indeed. But even an absolute profane (well, Azar considered anyone below-average a profane) could brew or cast some healing to prevent someone from dying. That latter applied to received wounds, and the lesser the skill (or level for potions), the amount of time that could pass for the healing to be effective decreased.

Now I understand why some people have scars, even with the supposed healing miracles!

Most illnesses, at least ones acquired from the environment or carriers (sick people), were also curable. Here the skill was far more at play, but a decent healer mage or potion brewer could cure them. Still, here was when the [Most] applied. And for Azar's father and Gris' aunt (as I now understand), it was the one at play.

Healing magic or potions, per se, restored the body to a condition from before the wound or illness. Thus, anything that was part of the body itself remained.

An easy example that Azar used was poison. Cleansing magic and antidote potions existed, but they were a separate branch of healing, and almost every poison required a more-or-less unique approach.

In any case, this was also the reason why doctors existed in a world where potions and magic did. Still, medical science was on a humble level, so only some could be treated successfully. And so, almost all of the heavy ones killed the patient anyway.

Azar wasn't knowledgeable about such topics, but from his explanations, I guessed that such illnesses were things like cancer and similar. And, at least for me, the mention of [Innard Changer] immediately brought to mind tumors and the like.

And the second thing was the explanation of Baron Totraz's illness itself. I wasn't, and I'm not, a doctor. Neither had I studied medicine at any point in my life. Still, Sepyre's blessing of perfect memory allowed me to recall even the most impossible bots of knowledge. And for some reason, as Azar described everything, I felt that I had heard it somewhere else.

But where? Perfect memory or not, it wasn't as everything popped up when I needed it, more like googling in my mind.

***

"And lately, he can not even go out during the day. The sun burns and pains him as if he is some evil being." Unaware of my thoughts, Azar continued. He had mentioned hair loss, weakness, trouble sleeping, and several other symptoms.

And while it wasn't one, Azar did consider that calling him back home (while we were near the Fort) was one. "He asked me to return to the family, even offering to reinstate me as the heir! And it was him who previously said that he would not have a mage as one!"

"I see. I am unsure, but I think I have heard of something like that before. Can you describe more about your father? Not wanting to give you hopes, but what if it's the same thing?"

"Ah? You have heard of it?!" Azar half-stood while exclaiming, and his tankard flew to the ground.

"I do not know yet. Don't hope for much, but please repeat everything and describe your father's lifestyle." The tankard was empty, so it wasn't any loss. As for Azar's reaction, I didn't want to give him hope. After all, what if what he said will make me recall some terminal, uncurable on Earth, illness?!

"Ah, yes, yes. Sorry." Azar calmed himself momentarily, but his previously darkened gaze brightened. Damn, no hopes, please!

...

I know what it can be! Well, or the scenarists for that Doctor's series knew. And from what I recall, they were applauded for using scientific facts as the base. Better, it is something curable!

...

"I am unsure if what I will tell you will help you, but I did hear about such an illness. If what you say about the Baron's skipping most of his meals during a few months because of [Stamina Recovery Potion] use is true, then it can be what I think."

"Truly?! And can it be cured?!" The previous calm disappeared again, and Azar jumped up from his seat.

"Well, if I am not wrong, then yes. But in any case, it's not hard to check. And it will be pretty safe anyway."

"Tell me! Please! Or better, let's go, now!" Not caring about shouting for the entire tavern to hear, Azar almost pleaded. So he does love his father, huh? Not that I can say anything, but I had suspected that being run off because of his magic studies would make him more... insensitive?

While my status screen does show everything possible, it's not like it will help me heal what he can have, especially as [Pellagra] (what I assumed it to be) will say nothing to the locals. Thus, going there to confirm was something dumb.

And self-centered as it may sound, I would only spend time to either confirm that I am right or not. And what I truly fear is that using [Status Screen] for the diagnosis will reveal it. After all, the [Analysis] spell can not show illness or injuries. The more advanced, healing-magic version of it did not find anything wrong with Baron Totraz either.

And, am I ready to reveal such skill? Obviously not. At least not until I am sure that it will not affect me.

Azar was unaware of what thoughts crossed my mind or how close to outright evil they were. By now, he was almost pulling on me.

"I will not go as it will not serve anything. Regretfully, my skills as a doctor are zero. Still, if you want to try, I heard that such an illness is not so rare for people who abuse potions and magic to avoid eating. And it can be proved, even cured, with a correct diet."

"Really?!" Azar shouted again but then forced himself to regain his bearings. He slightly turned around and bowed with an ashamed expression in response to the several annoyed gazes on us and sat down.

"Yes, let's see. If I am not mistaken, one of the best foods for that deficiency is liver. Then, chicken breast and red-fish meat." Recalling things from random searches or nutrition sites, I chose three of the top.

"Cooked?" Azar quickly nodded to each and asked.

"Obviously, it would be unsafe the other way. Braised or simmered should be good." Something I wasn't sure about, but it should be correct.

"Got it. Now I only need to somehow disappear the stock of stamina potions."

"He is still not eating? No wonder he is getting worse! Azar, you better take care that he does eat. Even if not only what I told, but the food is important. I don't doubt that a potion is good when there is nothing but abusing them?" Why do I sound like an addiction counselor? Whatever.

"Mmm, the Fort's doctor had the same idea." Azar nodded after thinking for a bit.

"If I am not wrong, he should show improvement in a few days. And even if I am, a good diet will slightly help anyway. Sorry for being unable to do more."

"No, thank you anyway. And if it does work, I will be in your debt indeed." Azar half bowed while sitted, even though I motioned for him to not.

After that, finishing the fourth (?) tankard, Azar paid, thanked me again, and while I returned home, he rushed towards the gates. The sun had already set down, but seemingly there was a way for the Fort's people to enter and exit outside the usual hours.

***

Kierra and Angelique were already asleep, and the door was closed. But as I did not want to wake them up, I decided to open the door myself. I did not learn lockpicking from Sepyre's crash course, but there was no need either.

{Indeed, who needs lockpicks and skills if one has magic clay and mana?} I lightly chuckled as I summoned a small amount of clay and pushed it into the lock before sending a touch of mana.

*Click*

{Well, I should work out as a thief if needed, huh?} I could not help but smile as I held the new key in my hand.

Without waking up the girls, I returned to my room. A [Life Radar] later, I confirmed that no one but them was in the house and prepared to go to sleep.

Side note; Soni's stats.

She wasn't anything over-surprising, but I have to assume that non-humans like her are superior physically? Otherwise, why the basic stats are higher while her skills are average?

The resident title is a first for me, and no one I have seen until now had one like it. Can it be because she's not human?

Oh, she's also the first (I will omit person as she isn't one) who I see with increased communication/understanding of Nature and Spirits. Could the latter be a racial trait?

And actually, what is her race?! And is the 'Perk' her own or something racial as well? In any case, I wonder, what does it do?

NAME (AS SEEN BY ME) LEVEL (IF APPLIES) (ONLY ABOVE AVERAGE) Resident, Kingdom of Neverc (Title) - Strenght 16 Body 20 Nature (Other & Special) 15 Spirit (Other & Special) 15 Addicted (Talents & Traits) - Horned One, Corrupt Stage (Perk) -