The owner of the potion shop

"Good day, Mr. Alex." Aikte respectfully gave the man in the dark green robe a wizard's salute.

Mr. Alex? Chen Chuan was startled.

This potion shop was named Alex.

Could he be the owner?

The man in the dark green robe nodded slightly. His gaze swept over the potions in Chen Chuan's hands before settling on Chen Chuan himself, his eyes appraising.

"Mr. Alex owns this shop and is also an adviser to the Academy Potions Association. He's a Formal Wizard," Aikte hurriedly explained, awe in his voice.

Chen Chuan was shocked and hastily gave a wizard's salute as well.

"Mr. Alex, this is Chen Chuan, a very promising apprentice potion maker. He's only been studying potion making for a little over a month, but he can already make good-quality Elementary Life Potions."

Hearing Aikte's words, Alex narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Are these the ones?" Alex pointed to the bottles of life potion in front of Aikte.

Aikte nodded hurriedly and respectfully handed him the potions.

Alex picked up a bottle of Elementary Life Potion, glanced at it, and put it down.

"Young man, the potions you made are very good." Alex's voice was deep and resonant.

Chen Chuan's heartbeat quickened slightly, and tiny beads of sweat formed on his palms.

The Formal Wizard's gaze seemed capable of piercing through appearances and seeing straight into his soul.

Alex gently rubbed the rim of the potion bottle with his fingertip. The movement seemed casual, yet carried an indescribable precision.

"Good-quality Elementary Life Potions..." Alex's voice was low. "That kind of talent is rare even among Third-Class Apprentices."

His gaze shifted to Chen Chuan, his eyes sharp as knives behind his lenses. "Your name is Chen Chuan?"

"Yes, sir." Chen Chuan straightened his back, keeping his voice steady.

Alex nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Chen Chuan's face for a moment, as though assessing something. "Potion making is a difficult path, but your talent is worth investing in."

"You haven't learned any other elementary potion formulas yet, have you?"

"No, sir," Chen Chuan answered honestly.

"I happen to have some notes on elementary potion formulas left over from my own days as an apprentice."

Alex took a leather-bound booklet from inside his robe and casually opened it. "Besides some special techniques, it contains three elementary potion formulas, all basic formulas used in the assessment."

Chen Chuan said nothing, because he knew that normally, such precious notes would come at a considerable price.

Alex's fingers brushed lightly across the pages, making a faint rustling sound.

He observed Chen Chuan's reaction, and a barely perceptible smile touched his lips.

"These formula notes are valuable," Alex said evenly, "but for a genius like you, I can make an exception."

He held the booklet out to Chen Chuan. Potion formulas and instructions were neatly recorded in ink on its pages.

"These three formulas are enough for you to take the elementary assessment. The Recovery Potion, Purification Potion, and Protection Potion are the most basic of the basics."

Alex explained, his gaze fixed closely on Chen Chuan's expression.

Chen Chuan took the booklet, his fingertips feeling the smooth texture of the leather cover.

He quickly skimmed its contents, a surge of delight rising in his heart.

This was much more direct than buying secondhand notes from Aikte.

"Sir, how many magic stones will this cost?" Chen Chuan asked, keeping his voice calm, though he could hardly conceal the anticipation in his eyes.

Alex shook his head slightly. "There's no need to pay now. We can discuss compensation after you pass the assessment."

He paused, then added, "However, if you really want to show your gratitude, you could consider doing me a favor."

"Please, go ahead, sir," Chen Chuan said warily, a trace of doubt rising in his heart.

Alex said, "My laboratory is short-handed, and I need an excellent potion-making assistant. I'll help you apply for a research assistant position. Of course, all of this is contingent on you passing the elementary apprentice assessment."

Chen Chuan felt a slight stir in his heart. If he didn't pass, naturally there would be nothing more to discuss.

He didn't know much about the specific benefits of being a research assistant, but his intuition told him this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I have no objections, Mr. Alex," Chen Chuan answered calmly.

Perhaps because he thought Chen Chuan was acting too calmly,

Aikte quietly reminded him,

"Chen Chuan, a research assistant position comes with an allowance of at least fifty elementary magic stones every month, as well as permission to apply for certain special materials and laboratory equipment. Most importantly, you'll become an academy employee and be under the academy's protection."

Chen Chuan's expression changed slightly. The magic stones weren't the main thing for him; what worried him most was the unseen scrutiny from the shadows.

If he could obtain this position by passing the assessment, then his current predicament would no longer be a problem at all.

Alex turned his gaze to Aikte and nodded slightly. "Aikte, it seems you know quite a bit about it."

Aikte hurriedly bowed. "You flatter me, sir."

Alex's gaze returned to Chen Chuan, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "You seem very interested."

Alex tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze lingering on Chen Chuan's face.

"The work of a research assistant isn't easy. I'm currently researching a new type of potion, which requires a great deal of testing and patience."

Chen Chuan tightened his grip on the formula booklet, feeling the texture of the leather. "I'm willing to devote the time and effort."

"Good." Alex took a sheet of parchment from inside his robe. "This is how you can contact me. Once you pass the assessment, take this paper to the Potions Association and find me."

A line of complex runes was written on the parchment in silver ink, emitting a faint glow.

Chen Chuan took the parchment and could feel the fluctuations of Magic Power within it.

"Remember, Chen Chuan, talent is only the beginning. True growth comes from practice and setbacks." Alex's voice grew serious. "The path of research is full of unknowns. Some experiments may fail, and some may even be dangerous."

Chen Chuan nodded and carefully put the parchment away. "I understand, sir."

Aikte arranged the potion bottles nearby, stealing an occasional glance at Chen Chuan's reaction.

"Your first task is to prepare for the assessment." Alex stood, his dark green robe moving without a breeze. "Don't disappoint me, young man."

Chen Chuan saluted and took his leave. As he walked out of the potion shop, sunlight was just piercing through the mist, casting dappled light and shadows on the bluestone pavement.

He headed toward the dormitory.