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Noon.

The sunlight grew increasingly scorching. On Wright Street, nobles traveled by carriage while ladies strolled beneath parasols. For the ladies, not even this weather could stop their desire for clothes and jewelry.

After returning to Will City, Colin first went to the stables to return the white horse, then carried his bags back to Wright Street. He was drenched in sweat, and carrying so many things by himself was hardly dignified.

From Monday to Friday, the Russell family generally did not make lunch. Linda and Smith received free lunches, while Colin made do at school.

As expected, the front door was shut, and no one was home.

Colin found the key hidden nearby and opened the door.

After entering the house, he first placed the bags on the coffee table in the living room. Then he washed up with cold water, changed into clean clothes, and selected the Magic Pharmaceutical Apparatus, materials, and the Strength Potion before taking them upstairs to his bedroom.

Colin placed the items on the table, drew the blue curtains, and shut the bedroom door. Only then did he take out the Basic Strength Potion.

"Ding-dong. Energy source detected. 1 point of energy can be collected."

The system's voice sounded exceptionally crisp and pleasant to Colin.

"Absorb it." Colin said with the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

Then Colin opened the system interface.

Colin Russell

Class: Novice Knight.

Vitality: 2

Intelligence: 5

Strength: 3 (+1)

Agility: 3

Bloodline: Black Bear Bloodline (Faint). Note: Requires 1 Bloodline Point to upgrade.

Bloodline Effect: Strength +1

Skills: Roer Military Swordsmanship (Poor). Note: Requires 1 Skill Point to upgrade. Riding (Proficient). Requires 1 Skill Point to upgrade. Basic Alchemy. Basic Strength Potion Crafting (Poor). Note: Requires 1 Skill Point to upgrade.

Unassigned Attribute Points: 0. Note: 1 Energy can be converted into 1 Attribute Point.

Unassigned Skill Points: 0. Note: 1 Energy can be converted into 1 Skill Point. Note: Skill Points can also be used to learn skills.

Unassigned Bloodline Points: 0. Note: 2 Energy can be converted into 1 Bloodline Point.

Energy: 1. Note: Energy can be converted into Attribute Points, Skill Points, and Bloodline Points. Unused Attribute Points, Skill Points, and Bloodline Points can also be converted into Energy.

Note: All items containing magical power can be used to collect Energy.

Status: Healthy.

Without any hesitation, Colin converted 1 point of Energy into 1 Skill Point and added it to Basic Strength Potion Crafting.

"Ding-dong." With a crisp chime, Basic Strength Potion Crafting (Poor) on the system interface immediately became Basic Strength Potion Crafting (Ordinary).

The level of potion crafting was directly related to the success rate of making potions. By first raising his potion-crafting level, he could make better use of the materials from George Magic Shop, produce completed Basic Strength Potions, collect Energy, and further raise his potion-crafting level. By repeating this cycle, he would be able to obtain an endless supply of Energy.

A trace of delight rose in Colin's heart, and his hands itched with impatience. After furtively confirming that the bedroom door was securely shut, he immediately took out the Magic Pharmaceutical Apparatus and one set of materials, arranging them neatly on the table.

The table was a writing desk, somewhat small. With so many things on it, it was barely sufficient.

Colin opened the Magic Lamp expectantly, and magical flames immediately surged upward.

Two hours and fifty-eight minutes later.

Colin looked exhausted. He lowered his head and stared at the black liquid in the transparent vessel, his face full of distress. He had failed. Forget increasing strength—drinking this stuff might even cause diarrhea.

"My potion-crafting level went from Poor to Ordinary, yet I still failed. Last time at George VIII's home, I succeeded on the first try. I really must have stepped in shit." Colin sighed, then cleaned up and hid the Magic Pharmaceutical Apparatus and materials in the small attic.

For now, he had not figured out how to explain to Linda and Smith that he could make potions without exposing the system.

Linda cleaned his bedroom from time to time, but the small attic was safe.

It did not matter that today's potion-making attempt had failed. After resting for a day, he would try again tomorrow night. He would first raise his potion-crafting level, then improve his own strength. Slowly but surely.

After carefully hiding everything away, Colin picked up the potion-making waste and cautiously left the house, taking it outside the city to bury it carefully.

By the time he returned, Linda had already finished work.

Because the gifts Colin had brought back were sitting in the living room, she already knew he had returned. She was not surprised when she saw him. She merely stepped forward, hugged him, and kissed his cheek.

"Colin, congratulations on completing the first great adventure of your life." Linda rubbed her head against his as she congratulated him.

Colin rolled his eyes. A trip to Kent City counted as a great adventure? That made adventures far too cheap.

But Linda was simply happy. Their parents had died early, and the eldest sister was like a mother. Linda's feelings for Colin went beyond those of ordinary siblings; she had raised him like a son.

Linda pulled Colin along and chatted with him for quite a while, asking about what he had seen along the way and in Kent City. Colin picked out a few interesting things to tell her, then went to the living room and took out the gift he had prepared for Linda: a fairly exquisite little gift box tied with a ribbon.

"Big Sister." Smiling, Colin handed the gift box to Linda.

"Thank you, Colin." Linda accepted the box with a smile and kissed him again before undoing the ribbon and opening it. The moment she opened the box, a smile spread across her face. "It's so beautiful."

It was a finely crafted but inexpensive brooch.

Wearing it out would not have been particularly respectable. But the Russell family's circumstances were what they were, and since it was a gift from Colin, Linda was very happy. Smack—she kissed Colin's cheek again.

Not long afterward, Smith returned. The two brothers talked for a while, and Colin gave Smith his gift as well: a small bottle of ordinary men's perfume that Smith usually used.

Linda quickly prepared dinner. It was very lavish, with a large roast chicken and three steaks. Linda also opened a bottle of ordinary wine and filled her two brothers' glasses.

"Come, let's celebrate our adorable Colin completing a great adventure." Linda raised her glass, her face full of delight.

"Congratulations, Colin." Smith also raised his glass with a smile.

Although Colin felt rather helpless, he still raised his glass. The three siblings clinked glasses and drank a sip of sweet red wine.

Just wait, Linda, Smith. Once I get rich from making potions, I'll have the Russell family living in a big house, with maids, servants, a butler, and a carriage. I'll buy you lots of fine clothes and buy Linda lots of jewelry. Colin looked at Linda and Smith, remembering how they had cared for him since his transmigration. His eyes grew slightly moist.