After finishing dinner, Luke arranged everything he needed.

Thankfully, he didn’t forget the other two essential ingredients for the potions and collected them on his way back home.

Now, he currently contemplates whether to actually do it inside the room or not. Given that he would need flames to boil the potion, it might trap the smoke within the confined space.

However, doing it in the kitchen wouldn’t be convenient. He would need to bring everything there and work while standing up since there wasn’t much space.

Bringing the big grinder and all the equipment would take too much space. Not to talk about, inhaling the smoke rising from burning poison could be harmful to the others.

That was problematic. He didn’t think of small details until now.

"Hmm? Luke? Is there a problem?" Monica asked as soon as she entered.

The way he had been standing there cluelessly, she knew that he was stuck somewhere.

Luke scratched the back of his head before confessing his trouble, "I need to boil the medicine but creating fire here would be dangerous and in the kitchen, there isn’t any space."

There wasn’t any tool in the shop too that could help him either. There was a boiler but it was too small to contain the fluid and not to talk about, it still doesn’t solve the problem of the flames.

Monica hummed in curiosity, "So you need to boil the medicine, huh? Well, how much space do you need to prepare the ingredients?"

Luke crossed his arms, "To put a grinder, and some space from the flames since I couldn’t have heat reach anywhere near during the blending of herbs."

Monica understood vaguely how much space that would take, that’s why, she thought for a few moments and said, "You can use the spare cooking hearth."

Luke blinked in surprise, "Is there something like that?" He didn’t know or maybe didn’t remember.

Monica chuckled, "Of course, there is. Every house has several hearths since a single hearth only lasts for about twenty or so days."

Earthen hearth tends to burn in three weeks, causing it to slowly crumble. That’s why people make several hearths in advance during the days when the sun remains high and hot.

Luke tilted his head, "Then...where can I use it? Outside, it’s too windy." There was too much open space in the village, allowing the cold breeze to travel freely. Igniting flames would be a problem.

Monica suggested, "The bathhouse? The outer perimeter is already prepared, no? Won’t that much space be enough?"

Luke thumped his fist on his other hand’s palm in realisation, "Right," he inched closer and gave his mate a bear hug, "Thanks a lot. You solved all my problems so easily."

Monica giggled at that before telling him, "Now, let’s go and prepare everything."

Luke nodded, "Tell me where the hearth is and I will go bring it."

Monica showed him the way. It was kept in the spare room where Ginna slept and a few on the backside of the house, covered with several layers to protect it from rain.

Then she went to prepare the other things like the firewood, lantern, and water in case of emergency.

When she entered the kitchen to collect the firewood, Laila also followed her and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Just something...what about you? Can’t sleep?" The lady asked as she got up and turned to look at her daughter.

Laila’s cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "I was wondering where I should sleep...you know..."

Monica nearly burst into laughter seeing how awkward her daughter was when it came to Luke.

She didn’t tease her for long and told the silly girl, "He is working on something tonight so sleep wherever you want."

"Working at this hour?" Laila grew curious, "What is he going to do? Hunt?"

Monica shook her head, "Preparing some medicine. Anyway, if you have time, go and help him arrange the hearth."

The earthen hearth they use might be portable but it takes three people to handle it.

Luke said he could manage it on his own, but she was still worried.

Laila asked where he was before heading toward the backside of the house.

As she opened the door, the gentle breeze of the night greeted her.

She moved the strands of her hair behind her hair before she turned to look at Luke.

He was carrying the hearth on his back, not fully comfortable but not struggling either.

Her heart sank...he was that strong?

But then again, he fought a monster that was actually larger than a whole section of the village.

"Why are you out here at this hour?" Luke asked as he slowly lowered the structure inside the perimeter.

It was covered from three sides, so it was convenient for him

"Mother said that you might need my help." Laila muttered before approaching him, "Why do you need a hearth in medicine preparation?"

Luke heaved a sigh as he stood up and rested his hands on his waist.

"So she told you about it as well, huh?"

Laila blinked in surprise, "She wasn’t supposed to?"

Luke crossed his arms, "Considering the reactions I have gotten so far at this, I would rather keep this fact a secret. Don’t want to draw attention anymore, you know."

Laila slowly nodded, already aware of her brother’s tendency to avoid recognition.

"I won’t tell anyone," she promised, "...though I am curious, who taught you this?"

Luke hummed, "You can say this is a gift I received alongside the magic. An ability of mine." He lied, of course. He couldn’t tell her that this was a gift he received from the system as a reward.

Laila was clueless about this whole magic thingy but people tend to grow curious about what they don’t understand...or wary. Laila was from the first category.

"What exactly can you do with your magic? Maybe fly or make flames?"

She has only heard from people that magic can do things that are humanly impossible.

Luke wryly smiled at that, "Nothing like that but I can use a few other tricks. Like my senses are sharp...really sharp."

He raised his hand toward the door and said, "Like I can hear Dalia and Ginna talking. Father’s snore and Monica’s approaching footsteps."

Laila blinked in surprise and as he said, Monica actually appeared from the other side of the door, holding a large pitcher in one hand and a lantern in the other.

Luke instantly approached her and took the pitcher from her, earning a sweet smile from his mate.

He rested the things beside the hearth and said, "Well, Laila...you should go inside and sleep now."

The woman blinked in surprise, "What about you, mother?"

Monica instantly said, "I will be staying here, watching him or maybe helping him if I can."

Laila was somehow expecting this...that’s why, she turned towards Luke and asked, "Can I...stay as well?"

Luke sighed and shook his head, "Do whatever you want just don’t disturb me."

He then took out the things necessary and got to work.

His goal; at least five healing potions.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter. Please leave a review and comments since they help me keep going.