World’s Cutest Alchemist

Back at home, I stood in front of my cauldron(pot).

If I believe hard enough, I can make it out to be a cauldron!

Yeah…No. Still a pot.

“Haah…” I sighed.

Something I’ve been itching to do was brew potions. It’s been a thought in the back of my mind throughout the day.

Now that I’ve finally resolved everything(?) I needed to, I can brew potions without worry!

I sent a text to Luna telling her that I was about to brew potions and she quickly sent a reply. I smiled at the message before putting my phone down.

I wasn’t going to make my bouncy bouncy potions or anything new, but the reliable mana potion. Even though I had a huge stock of them already, there was something cathartic about creating them.

They were so simple that I’ve practically got them down to a T. At the start it took me multiple hours to make a batch of ten, but now, I can do a batch in about an hour.

If I asked the efficiency mister, I could cut the material usage down and maybe cut the time by a few minutes, but it was fine as is. When I’m a better alchemist, one day I’ll go back and rework or remake all my potions.

I prepared all the materials needed for today. I didn’t plan on stopping until it was time to go to bed.

Rolling up my sleeves, I got to work.

…

Hours later, 60 mana potions were completed and organized neatly in a bin.

I really put in the work today. Once I started, I just didn’t want to stop. Perhaps the thought of ‘I may have never been able to brew potions again’ struck me too hard. As it felt like I was making potions like my life was on the line.

But…I don’t know if it was really a bad thing? I had fun and made a lot of potions. Perhaps I’ll even do a special sale tomorrow and sell 50 instead of the usual 20 mana potions on the exchange.

Though, that’d probably mean I would stop selling the buff potions.

“Mm…” I sat in thought.

Decisions decisions. How did I want my brand to grow?

Right now, I’m just selling what’s fun and easy to make.

But…I probably should start thinking about the future now too.

With the bouncy bouncy potions and mana potions alone, could I still remain my current income?

I’m not sure.

As time moves on, my potions will likely become more and more obsolete. People will innovate and evolve. If superior options are available for cheaper, why purchase mine?

“Ugh…” I groaned and shook my head.

I don’t like thinking too hard. When have I ever done that in the first place?

I’ll just continue on. I’ll keep growing and do as usual. I’ll flow alongside time—isn’t that how all ages start?

Turning off the light, I sent Luna a text.

[Me: Going to sleep, goodnight.]

[Me: (sleepy raccoon icon)]

[Luna: Goodnight!]

[Luna: Sleep well (sleepy mouse icon)]

With that, I lay down and close my eyes.

…

Verdant grass tickled my legs as the bright blue sky looked down upon me.

Wisps of wind scattered in the air as the scent of nature hit my nose.

Dirt smeared onto my calves and knees.

“Ah…” I looked up.

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:59]

“No…No…No…Not again.” I let out in distraught.

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:55]

“Send me home!” I shouted.

“This is a dream! Wake up!”

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:49]

“This isn’t real!”

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:46]

Right? It’s fake…Right?

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:40]

Surely.

I was sent home by the tower and went to Luna’s house…I even made cake for the Grandma next door.

That was all real.

Right?

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:30]

“Send me home! I want to forfeit this floor!” I screamed.

But, no screens appeared. As if it was never an option in the first place.

I’m dreaming. Right?

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:20]

What if I’m not…What if this is real?

“Ah…”

“I want to go home…”

I looked at the grass beneath me.

[Hobgoblin spawning in 0:01]

[Spawning Hobgoblin]

With blurred vision, I saw a monster materialize far away from me.

…

I woke up in a jolt, clutching at my rampaging heart. My cheeks were wet and I was sweating.

“A dream…” I finally let out after taking in my surroundings.

It was still dark—as if no time had passed since I closed my eyes.

Checking my phone, that was indeed the case.

02:36

I only slept for 3 hours.

This had happened the last night too…Will this continue to happen? Will I always have that nightmare every time I try to sleep?

Whatever the case, for now I knew one thing,

I can’t sleep.

I sent a text to Luna.

[Me: Are you awake?]

Even after a few minutes passed by there was no reply. She was definitely sleeping.

With no one to talk to, I sat in silence for a few moments.

“Guess I’ll brew potions…” I mumbled, getting up.

…

Luna woke up to the sound of her second most hated enemy: The alarm clock. The first was skeletons.

Sunlight peeked through her blinds as she stretched her arms wide.

Still sleepy, she drowsily got out of bed.

The familiar scent of breakfast-

“Ah.” She realized that there was no smell of food in the air. Stella had gone home.

A hint of disappointment unconsciously showed on her face as she turned off the alarm.

Then, she glanced at her phone.

“Mm? Stella’s awake?” She noticed a text message.

[Stella: Are you awake? (Time Sent: 02:36)]

Her eyes widened when she saw when the message was sent—A little after midnight.

Her drowsy mind immediately woke up as she sent a reply,

[Me: Good morning!]

[Me: (waving mouse icon)]

[Me: Sorry, I was asleep. Did something happen?]

She waited but didn’t receive a reply even after a few minutes.

Did she fall back asleep and is still sleeping? Luna wondered.

Eventually, she had finished with her shower and still hadn’t received a reply.

So, she made a decision.

Partly out of worry and partly because she wanted to see her, she sent a text.

[Me: I’m coming over! Hope that’s okay with you?]

She was curious about Stella’s place and her alchemy setup. Plus, she got to make sure Stella was okay. It’s a win-win.

Luna got dressed and immediately started to drive over.

But…Once she parked, she realized she forgot one tiny little thing.

“…What apartment does Stella live in?”

After a few moments she decided to just call.

The phone rang several times before it eventually connected.

“…Hello?” A tired-sounding low voice came through the phone.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” Luna replied.

“No…Good morning…”

"Good morning! Um, what apartment number do you live in?”

“22, why?”

“I’m visiting! Hope that’s fine with you?”

“Mhm…I’m happy you’re visiting.” The low voice came through the phone.

Luna just figured she was tired and didn’t think much of it.

“Great! I’ll be up in a moment.”

“…Eh? You’re already here?” A slightly shocked voice replied.

“Yep! See you!”

Luna hung up and entered the building.

She found out that apartment number 22 was on the second floor so she quickly took an elevator and found the door.

Knock Knock!

After knocking on the door, she patiently waited.

“Should I have brought a cake or something?” Even though it was morning, she knew Stella would never reject sweets. But, it was too late to go and buy one now.

Soon, the door slowly creaked open.

“Good morn-” Luna’s voice stopped as she saw the figure in the doorway, “S-Stella!? What happened!?” She immediately asked, “You look terrible!”

Stella had eye bags under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept. She wore a oversized lab coat and slightly swayed as she stood.

“Hehe…Thanks for the compliment.” Stella smiled and joked.

But, Luna wasn’t in the mood for jokes, so she continued,

“No! I’m serious! You have bags under your eyes!” She stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders to stop her from swaying, “You’re swaying as if you’re drunk and you can barely keep your eyes open!”

“Mm…It’s not that bad…I just couldn’t sleep.”

“Not that bad?! Have you looked at yourself!?” Luna pulled out her phone in selfie mode and showed it to her.

Stella stared at it for a moment before giving a half-smile,

“Hehe, I’m cute aren’t I~?”

“Stop joking! No, Stella, you need to go to sleep.” Luna stepped into the house and grabbed her hand, “Where’s your bed?”

“Hehe…”

She saw a forced smile on her friend’s face.

“Stella.” She stared into Stella’s jittery eyes.

Eventually, Stella stopped smiling and looked down,

“…I can’t sleep.”

“What?” Luna asked.

“…Every time I try, I have a nightmare.”

“Then…” Luna’s heart hurt listening to Stella. “You’re forcing yourself to stay awake?”

“Mm…” She nodded.

Luna’s hand tightened around Stella’s,

“…What if I’m here? Can you go to sleep then?”

Stella looked up and into Luna’s eyes.

“…Maybe?” She responded after several moments of silence.

“Then let’s try it. Come on, let’s go to the bedroom.”

Stella silently nodded and started to lead the way. While walking through the house, Luna briefly glanced around.

It looked cozy and lived in.

Her eyes slightly widened when she saw the kitchen—it was filled with empty and full glass bottles, materials were scattered all over the counter, and a pot sat on the stove top. There was even chemistry equipment there.

Stella really did do alchemy in her kitchen.

She shook her head and decided not to think about it for now. She had more pressing matters.

Soon, they reached a door that led to Stella room.

Inside was a large double bed. A mouse plush sat on it which caused Luna to smile. There were also several other plushes, but those were elsewhere in the room.

Stella quietly got onto the bed and looked at Luna.

“…Let me take off my shoes first.” Luna said, realizing that she had been walking with shoes on through the house.

Soon, Luna sat down, holding Stella’s hand.

“Go to sleep, I’m here.”

Stella nodded and closed her eyes.

Within seconds she was out like a light.

“…Just how tired were you?” Luna mumbled to herself, looking at her sleeping friend.

She had no plan to go back on her word and quietly lay beside Stella and pulled out her phone. Since she wasn’t tired herself, she had no choice but to occupy herself with other means.

…

While Luna was scrolling on her phone, she suddenly felt her right hand being gripped tighter. Looking over, she saw Stella was slightly shaking—likely having that nightmare she talked about.

Luna immediately put down her phone and quietly embraced her.

“It’s okay, there’s nothing to worry about.” She whispered to the sleeping girl.

After stroking her hair a bit, the shaking soon subsided, replaced with comfortable snoozes.

It hurt Luna’s heart seeing this.

Now, only one problem remained.

She kind of needed to use the bathroom.

…

It was hours later when she sensed movement from beside her.

Stella was finally waking up.

“Mm…” She let out a moan as she opened her eyes.

Stella yawned before finally starting to look around she locked eyes with Luna, who’s hand she was still holding.

She looked back and forth between the hand and the face before smiling.

“Good morning.” She said, her voice was still deeper than usual because she just woke up, however, it was noticeably brighter.

“Good morning.” Luna replied, “How’d you sleep?”

“Really well. Thank you.”

“Of course.” Luna smiled, “Now…I just have one teensy tiny request.”

“Yes?” Stella tilted her head.

“Please tell me where the bathroom is.”

“…”

“…”

“Bahahaha!” Stella burst out laughing but Luna wasn’t in a laughing mood.

Her leg was bouncing up and down on the bed.

“Please!”