Chapter 2: The Werewolf Curse Conversion Potion

In the central estate of the Peter Barony, atop the tower in the attic, lay a complete set of alchemical equipment.

Su Nan stationed his knightly attendant, Robert, outside the door to stand guard.

Robert, the most reliable warrior Su Nan inherited from his father, was deeply loyal. A runaway serf in his youth, he had been taken in and appreciated by the late Baron Peter, who trained him to become a Storm Knight's squire. To Robert, the late Baron was not just a benefactor but a father figure.

This loyalty extended to Su Nan. Even during the most turbulent times five years ago, when other knights attempted to bribe him, Robert never wavered. Instead, he fought tirelessly for Su Nan's rights and survival.

In many ways, Robert was like a half-brother to Su Nan.

Inside the attic, Su Nan's left eye began to glow with a stream of flowing data. Grids and streams of code-like information scanned every corner of the room.

"AI, activate auxiliary control mode," he commanded.

[Auxiliary Control Mode Activated.]

This mode allowed the AI to assist Su Nan by taking precise control of his body, eliminating any chance of error. Even the most intricate alchemical procedures could be carried out flawlessly with this feature.

"Display the recipe for the Werewolf Curse Potion," Su Nan instructed.

[Currently, there are four predicted formulations for the Werewolf Curse Potion: Power Optimization, Vitality Optimization, Speed Enhancement, and High-Intelligence Werewolf. Each has unique characteristics:]

Vitality Optimization: Greatly enhances vitality but reduces the user's intelligence by approximately 60 points.

Power Optimization: Boosts strength at the cost of 30 intelligence points.

Speed Enhancement: Improves speed with a moderate reduction of 10 intelligence points.

High-Intelligence Werewolf: Allows seamless transformation between human and werewolf forms without being influenced by the full moon. Maintains human-level intelligence and adds a pack-consciousness instinct. However, this is the most difficult formulation to craft.

Su Nan hesitated briefly. "Show me the High-Intelligence Werewolf recipe. I'll attempt to craft that version."

The AI, designed for galaxy-wide mechanical ascension, could handle a potion synthesis far more complex than this, even without its full computational capabilities. The most challenging part—gathering materials and reconstructing the recipe—had already been completed during Su Nan's five years of preparation.

As data streams continued to flow in his left eye, Su Nan began his work.

He ignited the fire beneath the cauldron, filled it with water, and added three herbs: wolfsbane, he shou wu vine, and evening primrose. These were followed by three metal powders: iron, lead, and copper.

The herbs were relatively easy to acquire, but the metal powders were expensive. Large-scale potion production would require significant funds.

Su Nan opened the attic window, allowing the light of the full moon to stream in. The moonlight refracted onto the cauldron, a critical step for infusing magical potency into the potion.

The AI had deduced that beginner-level wizard potions didn't necessarily require spells. Proper methods could extract the latent magic within herbs and harness ambient mana, like the full moon's light.

Su Nan had no formal wizardry training, no meditation techniques to enhance his mental power. Yet, through the AI's reconstructed Mental Power Enhancement Potion, he had achieved extraordinary results, albeit through unconventional means.

This time, the stakes were higher. If the AI's Werewolf Curse Potion recipe was incorrect, the consequences could be disastrous.

With precision down to the milligram, Su Nan added the ingredients one by one. Each addition triggered a dramatic change in the cauldron's contents. The liquid shifted colors, bubbling furiously.

After five minutes, the potion turned a deep green. Su Nan then added a critical ingredient: silver lotus.

As the silver lotus dissolved, the liquid shimmered, transforming into a mesmerizing emerald hue streaked with silver. The potion seemed alive, swirling like a living galaxy.

Suddenly, Su Nan's senses heightened. He heard distant wolf howls, and his vision turned blood-red. His augmented mental power felt as if it were connecting with something primal and otherworldly.

"AI, analyze the auditory and visual anomalies," Su Nan commanded.

[Analyzing… Detecting heightened mental activity. Limited data available. Initiating simulation and hypothesis generation.]

**[Hypothesis 1:] The potion's magical properties are interfering with your mental power.

[Solution:] Hold your breath for one-minute intervals to minimize the effects of inhaling magical fumes.

**[Hypothesis 2:] Your mental power is undergoing a unique coupling reaction with the potion, evolving into a new form of energy akin to mana.

[No recommended solution. This phenomenon appears beneficial, suggesting your mental power is transitioning into mana, a hallmark of wizardry.]

Su Nan paused, choosing to hold his breath, but the visions persisted. Though mildly disorienting, they didn't harm him. On the contrary, he felt a surge of newfound strength, as if unlocking a latent potential.

Could the AI's second hypothesis be correct?

Had his mental power begun transforming into mana through the potion-making process?

If true, this was a breakthrough. Su Nan had long searched for a way to become a wizard, yet all he found were fragments of ancient lore. Now, by crafting the Werewolf Curse Potion, he had accidentally stumbled upon a path to mana.

Pouring the wolf's blood into the cauldron, Su Nan watched as the liquid roared and boiled violently, releasing an eerie howl.

A vivid vision filled his mind: a desolate field bathed in moonlight, surrounded by silver evening primrose blooms. Packs of wolves encircled him, their eyes reverent, as if recognizing him as their alpha.

[Warning: A drop of noble blood is required. Wolves need an alpha to lead them. Without noble blood, those consuming the potion may lose all human intelligence.]

The AI elaborated:

If commoner blood is used: Results may vary. Ordinary blood risks causing uncontrollable rage in the potion's user.

If noble blood is used: Ensures the user retains intelligence and leadership qualities.

Su Nan pricked his finger with a pin from his collar, letting a drop of his blood fall into the cauldron.

Next, he threw in five gold coins. Gold, the AI had deduced, contained latent magical properties often utilized by wizards to refine their potions. The process was costly, but necessary.

As the gold dissolved, the potion turned a radiant red-gold.

Su Nan stepped back, allowing the potion to absorb the full moon's light for an hour—a critical final step.

When the process was complete, he carefully decanted the potion into five glass vials. The radiant, red-gold liquid shimmered with an almost ethereal beauty.

The Werewolf Curse Conversion Potion was complete.

Su Nan stared at the vials, both awestruck and skeptical. Could this potion truly transform a person into a werewolf under his control?

Testing the limits of his new power, Su Nan focused intently on a nearby candle.

The flame flickered under the weight of his will, swaying unnaturally.

"AI, analyze this phenomenon."

[Insufficient data. Current wizardry knowledge is highly fragmented. Hypothesis generation underway…]

[Hypothesis:] Your mental power has partially transformed into mana. This energy appears to be both recoverable and permanent. Estimated mana conversion: 2 points of mental power.]

Su Nan clenched his fist, exhilarated. With mana at his disposal, he could now influence physical reality, bending the laws of nature to his will.

If Newton could see him now, he might rise from his grave in sheer disbelief.

Su Nan muttered to himself, "If these techniques are just reverse-engineered fragments, how powerful must true wizards be? If I can find them, the AI could unlock even greater mysteries."

Grasping one of the vials, Su Nan instructed Robert to maintain his post and strode purposefully toward Warwick's chamber.

His steward's fate was sealed. Conventional medicine had failed; Su Nan's only option was to save him by turning him into a werewolf.