Chapter 11: The Night Physician

"Night Physician Store."

Mira spelled out the inscription above the door of the store she stood in front of, her eyes lingering on the words for a moment before she looked around the quiet street.

"This must be it," she muttered to herself.

She took another glance at her surroundings, only to be greeted by silence. There was no one in sight, and the entire street seemed deserted.

'The Night Witch was known as the Night Physician, and she lived alone on this street, selling magic potions and medicinal herbs. It was only later that people discovered she was practising dark magic, which earned her the name of the Night Witch.'

Mira took a deep breath before stepping forward. Raising her right hand, she knocked on the door, although she had little expectation that anyone would answer.

She knocked several times, but when there was still no response, she stomped her foot in frustration.

'The reason she's called the Night Witch is that she only makes an appearance at night. Anyone who wants to purchase something from her has to do so after dark.'

A bitter smile crept onto Mira's face as another memory surfaced.

'In my previous life, Leono brought me here at night to purchase an aphrodisiac, all so I could satisfy him even more.'

The painful memories of what she had endured during the early days of her previous life enveloped her, and before she realised it, she had lost count of how many times she had knocked on the door.

"Go away, kid, and come back at night!"

A masculine voice boomed from inside, followed by a terrifying force that pushed Mira backwards.

Rather than being discouraged, a smile formed on her face as she steadied herself.

'She's inside... Now, let's make use of this advantage.'

Mira rushed back to the door and slammed her fist against it.

"O Great Physician! The matter I've brought to you requires urgent attention. It cannot wait until night!"

There was no reply, which only caused her grin to widen.

"A friend of mine told me that you don't serve the Mother Creator. Instead, you serve the Night Goddess, and that's why you only concoct your potions at night. Oh, lest I forget, those who serve the Night Goddess are said to practise the Dark Arts. Since the Great Physician doesn't want to grant me an audience, perhaps the Church will be willing to hear me out."

Mira continued rambling, deliberately raising her voice as she made her way through one accusation after another. She had no intention of actually reporting the physician to the Church, but if provoking the mysterious woman was what it took to get inside, she was willing to take the risk.

She hadn't taken five proper steps away from the door when she heard it creak open behind her.

A smile spread across her face.

Her gamble had paid off. She had successfully rage-baited the Night Physician into opening the door.

Without wasting another moment, Mira turned around and rushed into the store, fearing that the physician might change her mind and shut the door if she hesitated.

The interior looked exactly as Mira remembered from her previous life. Shelves lined both sides of the room, filled with books and experimental potions of different colours. Several herbs lay scattered across a table, while the floor was littered with what appeared to be oil. The strange mixture of medicinal scents and unfamiliar fumes filled the air, making the place feel more like a laboratory than an ordinary store.

Mira directed her gaze towards the front of the room, where a solitary figure stood with their back to her, busy mixing a potion.

Kaboom!

A sudden explosion tore through the room, causing Mira to cover her ears and instinctively step backwards as smoke spread across the store.

"Hahaha! Another failure!"

The Physician burst into laughter before turning towards Mira.

With a mere flick of a finger, Mira found herself sitting on a floating chair. A black table materialised in front of her, and the Physician took a seat opposite her, seemingly settling into the air itself.

Mira's heart pounded with excitement as she stared at the figure before her.

'Magic... He's the real deal!'