Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Shane's skepticism began to wane as Bart's enthusiasm proved infectious.

"You're saying your brews can aid us in battle?" He asked, amused by this revelation.

Furthermore, he also felt a bit excited since even in the Auction, Survivor Store, or even the sellers in the Regional Chat, Shane had never seen any beer, wine, or simply any alcoholic drink for sale!

For sure, the others also wanted to drink beer on some nights, but none of them were talking about it since they just didn't want to feel down.

If this man could really brew some good ale, then perhaps he could

"Exactly!" Bart exclaimed.

"I've concocted ales that can sharpen a warrior's focus, quicken a scout's step, and steady a surgeon's hand. Why, with the right herbs and a touch of magic, there's no telling what my brews can do!"

"Oh?"

Shane considered the possibilities.

A brewer with Bart's talents could indeed be an asset, especially if his concoctions held the power he claimed.

"Very well, Bart. You'll have a chance to prove the worth of your ales. If they're as good as you say, you'll find a welcome place among us. I'm Shane Wells, the lord of this estate, the Springriver Manor…" Shane said with a chuckle.

Of course, even if his brews weren't as effective as he said, he still had a part in this estate. After all, as long as he could make an ale, even just a normal one, he would be a nice addition to their population. Furthermore, he knew that he would be able to easily sell it in the Regional Chat or even in the World Chat very easily.

Bart's face split into a wide, toothy grin.

"You won't regret this, Lord Shane. Bartholomew's Brews will be the toast of Springriver Manor!"

Shane then invited the man inside the manor and introduced Mr. Wadsworth. He asked Bart if he wanted to rest first or eat first, but Bart just wanted to get started. He wanted to start brewing since he only had a few alcohols left in his bag!

Shane laughed at this as he felt that he understood the man already.

Soon, in the quiet of an empty room of the manor, Bartholomew, known as Bart, set about his craft with the fervor of a man possessed by passion.

Shane watched, intrigued by the brewer's meticulous preparation. He even invited Anna to watch just in case she was interested.

Of course, Anna agreed since it was also a nice pastime.

Bart began by laying out his equipment—a collection of pots, pans, and mysterious vials, each with a purpose in the 'alchemical-like' process that he was about to conduct.

He filled a large cauldron with water from the estate's water source. Then, after adding a drop of "special water", the liquid began to heat over a newly kindled fire.

"First, we must awaken the water," Bart explained. "It's not just water; it's the lifeblood of the brew."

As the water reached a rolling boil, Bart added his grains, a mix of barley and wheat, along with a handful of mystical herbs whose names he kept secret.

The concoction simmered, the grains releasing their sugars, the herbs their magic, infusing the liquid with a golden hue and a fragrance that promised robust flavors.

"Now, we coax the sweetness from the grains, and the herbs lend their essence to the brew," Bart narrated, stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon carved from a purple branch of a tree. It was quite an interesting spoon.

They had to wait for a while during this time, so Shane decided to ask Bart about his skills.

"Of course! Let me show you my skills!"

[ Master Brewer Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that enables the skill user to possess mastery in the art of ale brewing, allowing him to create a wide range of potent brews with versatile effects. It grants the following benefits:

+30% effectiveness of all brewed concoctions

+30% duration of brewed effects

+30% chance to create bonus effects in ales ]

[ Ale Connoisseur Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill for the user's expertise in consuming various ales. It grants him unique benefits and resistance to intoxication. It provides the following effects:

Immunity to Intoxication: Bart is immune to the negative effects of alcohol consumption.

Enhanced Tolerance: +50% resistance to poisons and toxins.

Hangover Resistance: +50% reduction in recovery time after consuming alcohol. ]

[ Drunken Master Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill to harness the power of inebriation in combat, turning his intoxication into an advantage. It offers the following effects:

Drunkard's Reflexes: +50% increase in agility and evasion while drunk.

Tipsy Tactics: +50% boost to strategic thinking and improvisation in battle when under the influence.

Ale-Enhanced Combat: +50% increase in attack speed and damage output when intoxicated. ]

"Gahaha! That's my only maxed skills, Lord Shane… The other skills I have weren't as great as these skills."

"Master Brewer, Ale Connoisseur, and Drunken Master… They're all incredible skills Bart." Shane commented after realizing that this man could also fight. His Drunken Master was level 10 after all!

"Hahaha! I still can't survive alone with these meager skills." Bart said, although he was feeling proud after hearing Shane's reaction.

After an hour, Bart removed the cauldron from the heat, allowing the wort to cool.

He then transferred the liquid to a fermentation vessel, a process he performed with the precision of an experienced brewer.

"Hoho… My skills haven't rusted yet…" Bart commented as he added the yeast, the final ingredient that would breathe life into the ale.

"The yeast, tiny as it may be, is the soul of the ale. It feasts on the sugars, dancing in the liquid, transforming it from mere water to a potion of vigor," he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Ahem… However, I don't have many of them. If you can find yeast for me… That would be amazing." Bart commented.

Shane and Anna knew that yeast was indeed important for every beer, so they nodded at the man.

Soon, the room was filled with the bubbling sound of fermentation as the yeast worked its magic.