Wizard:Start as a Potion Master

In the old steward Warwick's room, the air was thick with despair. His condition had deteriorated to a point of no return.

He was simply too old.

At eighty-three years of age, the medical knowledge of this era offered no hope.

The barony's physician, Dr. Petro, had taken one look at Warwick and pronounced his death sentence. "This is beyond the realm of medicine," he said. "Even if you brought him to Stormfort, the royal capital, not even their best physicians could save him. Only a court physician might offer a glimmer of hope."

Inside the room, the head maid was directing her staff to tidy up, sweeping away dust and arranging lavender-filled vases near Warwick's bedside in an attempt to lift his spirits. But even the calming scent of lavender couldn't mask the grim reality—Warwick's life was slipping away.

As Warwick lay there, his mind was heavy with worry for his young master, the sixteen-year-old Baron Su Nan. Burdened with the responsibility of leading the fractured Peter Barony, Warwick's only wish was to see the young baron succeed.

Staring at the ceiling, Warwick felt an unfamiliar fear of death creeping over him. Stretching a trembling hand toward the heavens, he silently prayed to the Storm God: Please, do not take me yet. I need to see my young master restore the barony to its former glory.

But when his gaze fell upon his hand, lined with wrinkles and marred by age spots, reality struck him like a blade.

"Mr. Warwick, Baron Su Nan has come to see you," announced Pera, the sixty-year-old head maid, who had devoted her life to serving the Peter family.

She had witnessed the family's rise and fall, choosing loyalty to the estate over marriage or a family of her own.

Warwick grasped Su Nan's hand weakly as the young baron approached. His voice, though faint, carried urgency: "Master Su Nan, I must tell you something…"

Su Nan raised an eyebrow, distracted as his AI analyzed Warwick's condition, preparing to fine-tune the potion for the transformation. He hadn't expected Warwick to be so emotional.

"Hold on, Warwick," Su Nan said calmly. "Whatever you have to say, it can wait. Your condition is critical, and I need to ensure everything is in order for your treatment."

But Warwick was insistent. He struggled to sit up, his frail body trembling with effort. "No… If I don't say this now, it will be too late. I don't have much time left."

"Master Su Nan… no, my lord. Sell this land. Sell the barony and the village. I know nobles who would pay handsomely for it. With the proceeds, you could buy a smaller estate on the outskirts of Stormfort—or even within the city itself."

"Once you give up the barony, your debts will no longer haunt you. You could live a wealthy, peaceful life with no enemies, no traitors, and no threats. A life where the only thing you'd lack is worries."

"Even if we can't save the Peter Barony, you and your descendants would still be safe and prosperous…" Warwick's voice faltered. "Leave us old folks behind. I'm dying anyway…"

Su Nan furrowed his brow but remained composed. Opening a vial of the radiant red-gold potion, he poured it into Warwick's mouth. "Warwick, you're far from death."

"And let me assure you, we are not struggling anymore. I've grown stronger, strong enough to reclaim what's rightfully mine. The Peter Barony was divided because I was young, but now, it will be reunited by my strength."

"This land is your home, Pera's home. You've spent your entire lives here, and I know you both have a deep attachment to it."

Besides, Su Nan thought, leaving for Stormfort is absurd. It's the headquarters of the Storm Church. If they discover my potion research, it will spell disaster.

Warwick gazed at Su Nan, puzzled by his words. Unbeknownst to him, the potion was already taking effect.

His voice grew steadier. His skin began to regain its elasticity, returning to the youthful glow of his twenties. The cloudiness in his eyes cleared, and the frailty of his aged body was replaced by vibrant energy.

As the full moonlight streamed into the room, Su Nan stepped back.

"AI," he commanded, "record every detail of Warwick's transformation. Designate him as Werewolf Legion Experimental Subject #1."

With limited access to wizard resources—and no living wizards to be found—Su Nan was left to rely on his AI to reverse-engineer and refine magical potions.

This experiment was the foundation for creating a powerful werewolf legion, one that would help him reclaim his fractured barony and secure more resources related to wizardry.

"Pera," Su Nan addressed the head maid, "have the maids leave the room and return to their quarters."

Although confused, Pera obeyed without question, ushering the maids out of the room.

Meanwhile, Warwick's transformation reached its peak. He bolted upright, his eyes glowing gold, his pupils slitted like a wolf's. Under the moonlight, his shadow on the floor wasn't human—it was that of a wolf.

"I feel… incredible. What's happening to me?" Warwick muttered, his voice tinged with wonder.

In an instant, his jaw elongated, his eyes became golden rings, and his body sprouted thick fur. His hands morphed into claws, his form shifting into something better suited for bursts of raw power.

"Master Su Nan… Is this… the wizardry you spoke of?" Warwick asked, his voice trembling as he gazed at his transformed form.

Su Nan stood calmly, nodding in acknowledgment.

Warwick soon reverted to his human form, his body effortlessly switching between the two. This confirmed that the potion was a success, with no apparent side effects.

"I can't believe it…" Warwick murmured, shaken. For years, he had dismissed tales of wizards and magic as mere fiction. But now, his own transformation had proven otherwise.

"Are you afraid, Warwick?" Su Nan asked, his tone steady.

Warwick, now back in his tailored suit, shook his head. Though his appearance was unchanged, his body was brimming with vitality, and his loyalty burned brighter than ever.

"My lord, I am not afraid. I have never been afraid—not of kings, nor the Storm God himself. I only serve you and the Peter family."

His voice carried a newfound conviction. "Those who betrayed the barony will pay the price. Your father would be proud."

His golden eyes briefly flickered with rage, his wolf-like fangs glinting as he clenched his fists.

Su Nan nodded, satisfied. The potion's effects amplified Warwick's most intense emotions—his loyalty to Su Nan and his desire to see the barony restored.

"AI," Su Nan commanded, "analyze the connection between my magic and Warwick."

[Analysis complete. Your magic has established a weak link with Warwick, likely due to the shared essence within the potion. This connection aligns with the concept of 'wolfpacks' described in folklore. Pack members seem to share strength, and the alpha can concentrate or distribute power among the group.]

[Recommendation: Create more werewolves to further study and refine this phenomenon.]

Warwick, now fully aware of his newfound abilities, clenched his fists. "Thank you, my lord."

At that moment, the door creaked open, and Pera entered.

She paused, staring at Warwick, now looking like a man in his forties. Restraining her surprise, she remarked, "It seems the potion has another benefit—it restores youth. My lord, don't be too biased. I want to be transformed too."

She smiled softly. "If I become a werewolf, I can protect you and this estate even better. After all, this is the only place I've ever wanted to call home."