When Yuu woke up, dawn had already broken.
He slowly sat up, massaging his temples. First, he closed his eyes and assessed his physical condition—no discomfort, except for hunger.
Seemed like just sleeping was enough to refill his stamina. The exhaustion he'd experienced twice yesterday was gone. Today, he still felt energetic. Even right after waking up, he felt like a superhuman who never tired.
"Morning, buddy." Giving a salute to the tent-like bulge under the blanket, Yuu turned from the bed, looked around the room, and his gaze finally settled on the computer desk.
Where the mineral water bottle used to be, a strange small crystal bottle now appeared. It radiated a mysterious aura different from its surroundings, as if odd and not from this world.
Yuu approached and picked up the crystal bottle. He shook it and could feel liquid inside.
"Is this the item exchanged for mineral water and… damn, my stamina?"
He didn't open it or smell it. Instead, he carefully asked, "System, explain. Don't tell me I have to guess what's inside myself?"
The system didn't respond. Only a description box appeared beside the crystal bottle, like in a game.
[Life Elixir: A precious potion produced in another world. Just one drop can enhance human physical condition, achieving miraculous effects such as extending lifespan, beautifying skin, and curing all diseases.]
[Note: Ordinary people can only drink one drop. Current capacity: 10/10.]
"The explanation is so brief and clear, just like a small ad on a utility pole."
After complaining, Yuu sat on the computer chair. While observing the crystal bottle in his hand, he pondered.
There was no need to doubt its authenticity. The system still had credibility in this regard.
Besides odd statuses, physical items like the JOJO volume the system gave him had perfect printing quality, layout, and even the scent of a brand-new premium book. Even the volume received by Araki himself might be slightly lower in quality.
In other words, he'd truly obtained a treasure only found in another world, and it was of the highest premium quality. And the price was just a good night's sleep—
This transaction was too profitable to the point of being suspicious. He had to worry if there was a trap behind it, or if he'd actually paid for something else without realizing it.
"System, this potion doesn't have side effects, right? Like changing gender or becoming immortal?"
[No side effects whatsoever. Effects are exactly as described. The Host can drink it with peace of mind.]
The system once again emphasized its principle of "never harming the Host," combined with its updated soft voice, indeed made one feel slightly relieved.
Yet, Yuu still frowned, and like a nagging housewife, repeatedly sought confirmation from the system. After he questioned all possible loopholes, he carefully opened the bottle cap and brought his nose close to sniff.
No smell. Inside was a milk-like white liquid. The bottle neck was very narrow, likely designed to pour only one drop at a time.
"Will this also be useful for me?"
[Confirmed. The Host's physical quality hasn't reached superhuman level. This potion can help the Host take one step closer to true strength, but it's still not recommended to drink more than one drop. Risk of energy overload exists.]
"If I drink this, can I use magic?"
[In the other world where this potion is produced, magic does exist. But before being transacted, the system has already removed all magical energy and accompanying side effects from the potion. Currently, it only has basic effects like strengthening the body.]
"What a pity… Wait, so this potion does have side effects?" Yuu clicked his tongue dissatisfiedly. "Dog system, why didn't you say so from the beginning! The most taboo thing in information processing is ignoring obvious things. Even though I'm not afraid to drink it, the mental preparation when informed or not is very different, you know!"
[…] The system didn't speak, only listened calmly to his complaints.
Yuu just ranted as usual. He quickly flipped the crystal bottle and poured it into his mouth.
Exactly one drop of milky white liquid came out, landed on his tongue, and quickly melted.
"Hmm…" He pursed his lips and tasted it carefully. But he only felt emptiness. No strawberry flavor, nor any warm surge rising from within his body. No black dirt and stench emerging from under his skin.
As he closed the bottle, he touched his chin and murmured thoughtfully: "Is this a slow-acting type? It tastes just like drinking plain water, no changes…"
The system agreed: [The Host can consider it a supplement. Effects are slow and long-lasting. And since the Host has a strong body, the benefits of the potion are relatively less compared to ordinary people, so the sensation is thinner.]
"I see." Yuu thought for a moment, then asked again, "Can I give this to others? Do the remaining nine drops have to be discarded?"
[Confirmed. However, the Host is forbidden from revealing any information about the system.]
"Yeah, yeah, I know~" Yuu waved his hand, like a child bored with his mother's advice. "Geez, anyway no one would believe me if I said it, why so afraid of information leakage? Really easy to die if found out."
While complaining about the system, he looked at the Life Elixir with nine drops remaining. An idea had already formed in his mind.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A precious potion, like the elixir of immortality or magical brews in legends—capable of extending life and curing diseases—was now in Yuu's hands.
Of course, three ideas emerged—using it himself, giving it to family, or selling it.
Fortunately, thanks to the system suddenly becoming generous, Yuu didn't need to make a difficult choice. Even if he chose "I want it all!", plenty would remain.
After asking the system, he even briefly considered taking a few drops to send for composition analysis—don't talk about whether it could be replicated. As long as he could make a version diluted ten times, he could develop his business to unimaginable levels.
But that was just a thought. Selling it or sending it for analysis wasn't suitable for his current situation.
"If I sell it, no one would believe me, and there's no guarantee I could get the same potion again in the future. Explaining its origin is also very troublesome, let alone if the issue escalates, it could affect the family… Sending it for analysis is the same. Without my own lab and equipment, it's just asking for trouble. Costs, risks, and benefits are completely disproportionate."
Therefore, Yuu felt the first two options were sufficient.
Around 6:10 AM, he left his room and went to the living room to call the little gray cat. He poured some cat food into its bowl.
"Artoria… No, Yukinon, your master is giving you a golden opportunity."
Dripping the potion onto one piece of cat food, Yuu put away the bottle and squatted on the floor, staring seriously at the little cat. He said earnestly, "If you fail, you'll die. If you succeed, you'll be reborn… I don't mean to harm you. That creature also said it has the same effect on pets. But I'm a strange person. I don't care about myself, but when it comes to your little lady, I must be extremely careful. Do you understand my feelings?"
"Meow~ (Master, who understands what you're talking about?)" That was the cat's answer in animal language.
Yuu stroked its head, his eyes still gentle, smiling as usual.
"Simply put, try this poison for Sora. Tell me how you feel later. If you're fine, then I'll dare to give it to Sora."
"Meow~ (Understood, just eat this, right?)"
Though much smarter than ordinary cats, Yukinon was still not human. He couldn't understand Yuu's selfishness and obsession. He just obediently followed orders, ate the potion-dripped food piece, and finished all the food in the bowl within ten seconds.
This cat was perfect, except its appetite was as huge as a King of Knights—in the past, the Tenkuji family definitely couldn't afford to feed it. It would make an already not-rich family even harder.
After seeing it successfully consume the potion, Yuu didn't wait around. He went for a morning run, and about an hour later, he returned and carefully asked about the cat's physical condition, like a doctor.
"More energetic than before, the hind legs that were slightly stiff before suddenly became much better… That's it."
After putting down the little gray cat, Yuu looked relieved: "Seems there really is no problem. I can give it to Sora."
[…]
If the system had its own will, it would surely be mocking him now, saying he was more cautious than a eunuch tasting poison for an emperor, overly careful about his sister.
But for Yuu, this was just right—even if it came from the system, he didn't dare directly put a potion from another world into his mouth. Being as cautious as possible was only natural.
After confirming the safety of the Life Elixir by every means available, Yuu went to the kitchen and began preparing today's breakfast.
What he would do next was very simple. Into the cup of milk Sora always drank every morning, he would—
"Add the medicine!"