AMV_WEAKLY
patreon
[14] Useful or Useless
🕑 Added 2025-07-05 11:36:38 +0000 UTC(Riven POV – Church Basement Room)
I study my status sheet in silence, brow slightly furrowed.
I’m not disappointed, nor elated. Just… satisfied.
With Predator, this is the baseline I should be reaching. Breaking into SS rank in any stat might be amazing for most, but for me, it's just the start.
'It’s going to get harder from here.' I note to myself. 'I’ll need to fight for tougher monsters. Maybe Minotaurs...'
They’re still dangerous enough to be fun to fight without throwing my life away. And then being level 2 means that I'd get high-quality Exelia from killing them. I might not need it to level up, but I'm sure it'd raise my stats more than regular Exelia.
'I’m not dumb enough to fight Infant Dragons… yet. Even Level 2 parties struggle with them. I’m still Level 1 and don't even have a party.'
I notice a suspicious squint from the corner of my eye, interrupting my train of thought.
“Are you thinking of doing something dangerous again?” Hestia’s voice cuts through the air like a mother catching her child reaching into the cookie jar.
I blink, schooling my face into mock innocence. “Is that really what you think of me?” I ask, placing a hand over my chest in mock hurt.
She doesn’t even flinch and continues staring at me with narrowed eyes.
“…No.” I relent with a soft chuckle. “I was actually thinking about avoiding danger.”
Her gaze lingers for a moment longer, likely confirming I’m telling the truth before giving me a skeptical nod.
"You’re totally the type to go charging at Minotaurs or Infant Dragons at Level 1. At least I don't have to worry about that now.” She sighs in relief.
I wisely say nothing, preventing anything I say from being used against me.
I slip my shirt back on and place my status sheet over nearby a candle, watching it curl and blacken in the flame.
“So…” I say lightly. “Are you ready to head out, Goddess?”
She blinks at me. “Go where?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Outside? I’m not diving into the dungeon today, so I thought we’d be going out together. I told you about it.”
Her brow furrows, and she looks at me with a puzzled expression. “You never said anything like that.”
I pause, frowning. 'Didn’t I...?'
[Answer: You were distracted, marveling at the cuteness of the Goddess Hestia, and did not voice your plans aloud.]
I smirk mentally. 'Great Sage… was that really necessary to include? Almost feels like you're teasing me.'
[Answer: That is incorrect. I was simply stating events.]
'It didn't mean it as a bad thing.' I think. 'I'm just surprised. Interested, even. It's really fun when you suddenly shock me like that mid thought. I really like having you in my head.'
[Answer: Noted.]
I turn back to Hestia with a sheepish grin. “Yeah, you’re right. I got distracted and forgot to mention it. So... would you like to come with me? I’m officially asking.”
She flushes a little. “L-like a… y-you mean… a d-date?” She stammers, her voice barely louder than a whisper, and her eyes as wide as saucers.
That wasn’t quite what I was going for… but now that she’s said it… I can’t stop the smirk that forms.
“Yeah.” I grin. “Let’s make it a date.”
Her face erupts into crimson, eyes widening with stunned joy—right before her expression falls and her shoulders slump.
“I… can’t.” She sighs. “I’ve got work today…”
I blink. 'I was prepared to get rejected… but not like this.'
“You mean at the jagamarukun stand?” I ask, and she nods sadly. “Can’t you just quit? You’d free up your time for better things.”
She straightens suddenly, eyes sharp. “No way. I took that job to help the Familia. I want to help support us too.”
'Weren't you originally just freeloading until recently?'
I raise an eyebrow at her conviction, surprised. “Wow. I didn’t expect you to be that responsible.”
She bristles instantly. “I am very responsible!” She huffs, puffing her cheeks and stomping a foot in indignation.
I nod seriously. “Of course. Completely dependable.”
“You’re lying!” She yells, pointing at me with accusing eyes.
I shrug with a smug smile.
“Anyway…” I sigh dramatically, “I guess that means our date is off. I really wanted to spend time with you.”
She looks genuinely torn for a moment before a spark of hope lights her face. “I can get off work by two in the afternoon! If you’re okay with waiting?”
I grin. “That works. I’ll come pick you up.”
Her whole face brightens and she nods eagerly.
'She’s really adorable when she’s happy… she's also cute when mad. Should I mess with her a bit?' The thought passes through my mind with unstoppable momentum… and I give in to the urge.
I reach out and gently pat her head.
She goes stiff. “W-what are you doing?!” She squeals, blushing furiously.
“Patting your head.” I say plainly, watching as her ears twitch slightly and her hands reaching out to stop me, but pause halfway through.
“I’m not a kid…” She mumbles, turning her head away with a pout, arms crossed and cheeks puffed out.
But unlike that last time I tried this, she doesn’t stop me.
(Riven POV – Blue Pharmacy)
Eventually, I parted ways with Hestia—who insisted on one last hug before I left—and made my way toward my first destination of the day: the Miach Familia.
The main reason being that it's the closest stop on my list.
The bell above the door jingles as I push open the door, the familiar herbal scent of potions and medicinal salves hitting me instantly. Shelves packed with flasks and vials of various potions stretch along the opposite wall.
But this time, Naaza is nowhere to be seen.
Instead, behind the counter stands a tall man, roughly my height, with long, loosely tied dark blue hair and matching eyes. He radiates a relaxed aura, which unlike Naaza's lazy one, feels more like someone who’s found peace in his purpose.
'This must be Miach.' I think as his gaze lifts toward me.
He offers a warm, easygoing smile. “Ah, you must be Riven. Hestia’s child, yes?”
I nod, returning the smile. “That’s me. And I assume you’re Miach? Did Naaza mention me?”
“She did.” He replies with a soft chuckle. “Said you were helping her with a certain project she’s been puzzling over. You fit the description—though I imagine you stand out even without it.”
I give a light shrug. “Well, I do try to leave an impression.”
His smile deepens. “Are you here to buy potions, or looking for Naaza?”
“The latter.” I say, resting an elbow on the counter. “I’m free today, so I figured I’d help her with the potion.”
Miach nods, genuinely pleased. “I’m glad she’s getting help and company.” He turns toward the back room, his hand already on the doorknob. “Give me a moment. I’ll go fetch her.”
As he disappears behind the door, I let my eyes wander the shop. The setup’s simple but efficient—no unnecessary fluff, just clean shelves and potions.
'Naaza probably wouldn't consider me company.' I muse, leaning slightly against the counter.
She strikes me more as the pragmatic type—calculating, self-assured, and definitely not one to make friends just for the sake of it. If anything, she likely just sees me as a useful tool to complete the dual potion.
But that’s fine.
'It’s just business. She gets her potion done faster, I get a portion of the profits. Mutually beneficial.'
There's no need for any pretense. 'But maybe friendship can come at that?'
After a few minutes, the door opens again, and in walks Naaza. She's wearing her asymmetrical shirt, with a sleeve that covers her prosthetic, and hair is slightly tousled. Her eyes are still half-lidded, clearly struggling to leave behind whatever nap she was dragged from.
She blinks at me blearily, then lets out a tiny sigh as her shoulders sag. “You came quickly.” She mutters, voice low and a bit raspy from sleep.
I raise an eyebrow. “One day later is considered quick?" I tease.
“I expected you to wait a couple of days at the fastest.” She says flatly.
Miach’s voice drifts in from the back room, warm as ever. “You need the sleep, Naaza. Don’t push yourself too hard and work all night again.”
“I’m not.” She calls back, yawning halfway through the sentence.
I watch her for a moment. Even half-awake, her movements are precise, ingrained after years of practice. She grabs a clipboard, scans a few items on the counter, then finally glances at me again with more awareness in her gaze.
“So,” she says, tilting her head, “you’re really up for it today? I half-expected you to never show.”
I smirk. “I’m a man of my word. But if there's nothing I can do, then that's on you.”
She nods slowly, then gestures toward the back. “Come on, then. Let’s see if you can be useful.”
“You’re as charming as ever.” I say, following her past the counter and into the back room.
I was expecting to be ignored, but the corner of her lips twitches slightly, which feels like a small victory against her.
(Naaza POV – Blue Pharmacy)
Honestly, I didn’t expect him to actually show up again.
'I took a gamble.' I remind myself, watching him quietly from the corner of my eye as we walk. 'Now I just need to see if it pays off.'
Diluting potions for extra profit isn’t exactly noble—but I never do it to a dangerous degree. It'd always be enough to heal the adventurer… just slower. They're completely indistinguishable from a regular potion without extensive testing.
'Which is why it still bugs me that he noticed.'
I glance back to make sure Riven’s still behind me and not poking at any of the stacked flasks on the shelves. He is, following with his usual calm expression, and that annoying air of casual confidence that I’m not entirely sure is real.
'Even Miach wouldn't be able to tell the difference without a full analysis. So how did he know just from one look?'
The question’s been chewing at the edges of my thoughts since that day. I had figure: why not take a chance?
If I can get this dual potion right, it might finally pull us out of the debt I dragged us into.
'But it has to work first.'
And if this guy really can see what others can’t… 'He might actually be useful.'
I push open the door to my personal mixing room. “Here we are.” I say simply, stepping inside.
Shelves line the walls, filled with ingredients, raw herbs, crystal phials, and more. The center table is cluttered but organized. A mess only I understand. The scent of medicine and dried herbs hangs in the air.
Riven follows, his gaze slowly sweeping over everything. I watch him closely. There’s not much recognition… just quiet curiosity. He focuses on the equipment, the layout, even the tools I’ve arranged by category.
'Huh. That’s not what I expected. He looks like he’s never seen any of this before…'
A pit opens in my stomach. 'Did I misjudge him? Was this whole thing a waste? Great, there goes a free mind potion.'
Still, the ingredients are already prepped, and there’s no going back now.
“If you’re done gawking…” I say, my tone clipped. “I’ll show you my notes.”
I move to the far desk, flipping open a thick, worn notebook filled with diagrams, charts, failed results… everything I've discovered and tried. The culmination of months of work. I offer it to him, and he takes it without hesitation.
Then proceeds to flip through it way too quickly.
I narrow my eyes. “You didn’t actually read anything.”
“I did.” He says with a small, knowing smile. But I don’t buy it.
“That fast?”
“My memory’s pretty good. It helps that I'm a quick reader.” He shrugs, handing the book back.
'Right. And I’m secretly the Goddess of Wisdom.'
Truth is, I wouldn’t have shown him any of this if Miach hadn’t vouched for him. Said Hestia wouldn’t take a bad person as a child. Said showing him everything would give me the best chance at success.
'Multiplying zero still gives you zero.' I think bitterly.
“Can I see how it’s made?” He asks casually, like he has any idea what's actually going on.
That smile of his… it’s fake. I can tell. There’s something careful about it, too precise to be natural.
'Something doesn't add up… but what?'
Still, I nod. I’d already prepped the components in case he showed up, and I needed to continue my own trials anyway.
Without speaking further, I move to the table and begin the process. Herbs are crushed and steeped, powders sifted, extracts boiled down into translucent liquids. I move with practiced ease, every motion refined by years of repetition. The familiar rhythm calms me.
As always, everything goes smoothly… right up until the final step.
The solution begins to shimmer, the two merged liquids on the verge of stabilizing… and then… it fails. The shimmer fades and the potion collapses.
'A ruined batch… again.'
I sigh, already bracing for his unhelpful commentary.
“That’s what keeps happening.” I say flatly, turning to him. “Any advice?”
He steps closer, pretending to examine the ruined solution. His expression doesn’t change, but his eyes don't even seem focused on the potion.
“Yeah…” He says after a moment. “I’ve figured out the problem.”
“…What?”
I blink. I didn’t mean to say that aloud. “Could you repeat that?”
He meets my gaze, calm and composed as ever. “I said I’ve figured out the problem.”
The casual certainty in his tone is… irritating. Despite seeming like he's been playing around this entire time, he claims to have understood the issue I've been stuck on for so long… with just one glance?
I narrow my eyes. “Are you playing with me?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t sure.” That teasing smirk again. I want to wipe it off his face.
And yet… my heart is pounding. I can feel it in my chest.
'What if he’s not lying?'
If he is, I'd know soon enough anyway.
What if—just maybe—he can see something I can’t? That Miach couldn’t?
A fragile and dangerous hope stirs in my chest… and I try not to feed it. Not yet.
“…Alright.” I say, carefully keeping my voice level. “Tell me, then. What have you discovered?”
************
A/N: Hello Everyone. Hope you're all having a great day.
So this is the chapter. Hestia and Riven have a date planned (if it can be called that), and Riven and Naaza have met up. Not much happened this chapter. And next it'll be him showing her how to fix the potion (and something else we've all been looking forward to). Great Sage really comes in clutch. Then, overall, How'd you like the chapter, and do you have any suggestions for possible magic he could learn and so on? Anything really. It helps me gain new ideas and overall improve the story🤣.
But that's all from me. I hope you enjoy the chapter.😁
![[14] Useful or Useless](https://img10.patrefans.com/storage/7/fm/jp/563145-019e907f-514d-78cc-a924-c0e9c367fcfd.png)
Comments
AMV Weakly
He's already got blue powder for regeneration. So I'm gonna give him the arc of embodiment. Basically covers all magic he'd ever need except healing. And with Great Sage can't annulment, he'll be a beast
Sunny
Magic suggestions, anything CQC related, since he's becoming kind of a battle freak and likes to get close so he can feel danger, so anything that helps him while going straight at it seems correct
AMV Weakly
I need his POV to show the process, but don't worry. I like POVs so it'll be entertaining 😁
Hiraeths
I demand more! …Within a reasonable timeframe. I love reading reactions, so, since most of what Riven will be doing is crazy (and I’d expect nothing but insanity from his skills), I hope we see lots of reactions lol. Hope the next chapter is still Naaza’s pov. Riven’s perspective probably wouldn’t be as funny in this case. Mainly want to see how Freya reacts when she realizes bro’s emotions are suppressed. It’d be funny seeing her trying to make him feel something, anything, besides the current caution.
AMV Weakly
Female👀. Yeah, it's like in telltale games: "Your choice will be remembered"🤣. He'll tease everyone, but Great Sage will ruthlessly tease him🤣🤣🤣. Yeah, they're both cute. Naaza likes Miach, so she'd be a friend and not a love interest. Maybe he'll get to pay her one day... Platonically of course
Legnas
Merci pour le chapitre. Hestia et Naaza sont Mignonnes. Riven aime se faire taquiné par le "Grand Sage", a ce propos la voix qu'il entend est masculine ou féminine ?
AMV Weakly
I appreciate you too🤣🤣🤣
odds
Thanks appreciate you !:)
AMV Weakly
I'm happy you liked it🤣
pEmKayS
Thanks for the chapter. As always good)
AMV Weakly
I hope you enjoy it😁
Ghost
Thank you for the chapter
