Advancing to Junior Potion Master, Vivian's Deterrence

Ian did not look at Hal.

He walked over to the experiment bench.

A total of fifteen sets of materials had been laid out—five sets each for three kinds of potions.

He processed the materials and brewed the potions.

Very soon, a bottle of Minor Hemostatic Potion was successfully brewed.

Seeing this, Hal finally realized that this was no joke.

Ian really was taking the Potion Master assessment.

"No way, no way!"

Hal's chest heaved rapidly as he glared viciously at Ian.

He did not believe Ian could truly brew them so skillfully.

Once Ian failed, Hal would let him learn what real targeting looked like in the laboratory.

Before long, Ian had skillfully finished three sets of materials, producing three bottles of Minor Hemostatic Potion.

Hal's expression darkened.

"His proficiency with Minor Hemostatic Potions is already high, but the other two kinds of potions are... damn it!"

As Hal comforted himself, he saw Ian skillfully brewing a Stamina Potion.

Those movements did not even seem inferior to his own!

How could this be?

Very soon, one bottle was successfully brewed.

Since Ian had decided to show what he could do, he naturally did not mind displaying his strength.

Of course, only part of it.

What he showed was probably a little weaker than an expert's level.

Soon, the other two bottles were completely brewed. By then, Ian was even beginning to feel drowsy.

At that moment, Vivian smiled and tossed a bottle of potion to Ian.

"This is an Energy Potion. You're allowed to drink it during the brewing process."

Ian nodded.

He knew of this potion. It should already count as a mid-level zero-circle potion, and it was extremely valuable.

He swallowed it directly. Instantly, Ian felt his depleted energy recovering at an incredible speed, and even his Mental Power was fully restored.

Ian's eyes widened.

He had not expected the effect to be this exaggerated!

How great would it be to use this for practicing magic!

"Better get back to brewing."

Shaking his head, Ian continued.

Soon, an hour passed.

Three bottles of Antidote Potion were successfully brewed, with one failure.

"Twelve sets of materials, nine bottles of potion."

Vivian pursed her lips as she looked at the young man.

This was the first time she had seen Ian during the assessment, and he had indeed displayed a certain degree of potential.

But that potential had not been enough for her to decide that he was worth investing in.

That was why everything over this period had happened.

Actually, according to the original plan, she would also have given Ian subsidies this month.

Gradually lowering the difficulty.

But she had not expected Ian's rate of progress to be even faster than she had imagined.

"His talent is inferior to Victor's, but his talent for potion-making is on par with his—or may even surpass it!"

A faint smile appeared on Vivian's cold face.

"Ian, congratulations. You have passed the Junior Potion Master assessment."

"Thank you, Director!"

Ian took a deep breath and smiled as well.

Three months after joining the department, he had finally taken his first step.

Not far away, Hal's expression had become incomparably ugly.

He thought of Ian's usual performance in his laboratory. It had been decent, yet still utterly unremarkable.

That was clearly a disguise.

He never should have let Ian come into contact with the materials.

But unfortunately, it was already too late.

Given what Ian had displayed upon advancing to Junior Potion Master, he was probably beyond his reach for the time being.

"Hmph!"

Flinging his sleeve in fury, he turned and left the laboratory.

Bang!

Hal angrily shoved open the laboratory doors. Upon entering, he spotted a set of Experimental Equipment not far away.

He swept it up in one motion, then smashed it furiously onto the floor.

"Damn it, damn it!"

His furious voice rang throughout the laboratory.

Everyone else was dumbfounded, unable to understand why Hal was so enraged.

Even Roger, who was brewing a potion nearby, stopped what he was doing.

Then he saw Hal turn his gaze toward him.

"What are you looking at? Roger, you can get lost and process materials tomorrow too!"

Huh?

Roger instantly felt as though the sky had fallen!

What had he done?

"Congratulations, Ian."

Vivian put away the recording crystal, and the look in her eyes as she regarded Ian had completely changed.

In terms of talent for potion-making, he was on the same level as Victor.

He had the potential to become one of her right-hand men.

Ian finally let out a sigh of relief.

Heaven knew how he had survived these past three months. He had not had a single comfortable day; every day had been pushed to the absolute limit.

But having just taken an Energy Potion, he was exhausted yet wide awake.

"Energy Potions relieve mental fatigue, but they do nothing for physical fatigue. You look like you need a day's rest."

Vivian saw through Ian's condition at a glance.

"I'll take you back to rest. We can discuss everything else tomorrow."

"Then thank you, Deputy Minister."

Ian nodded. He, too, felt that he truly needed some rest.

Following behind Vivian, Ian headed toward the Residential Area.

"Deputy Minister, can we take the route along Maple Leaf Avenue?" Ian suddenly looked up along the way.

"Of course."

Although Vivian did not understand what he meant, she did not object.

Very soon.

Ian arrived at Maple Leaf Avenue.

"I'm going to say hello to a friend."

Ian turned and said.

Vivian paused, then nodded in silent assent.

Knock, knock, knock!

Ian knocked on Chris's door.

"Coming!"

After a flustered voice from inside, Chris pushed open the door.

When she saw it was Ian, she was also greatly startled.

"Ian, sorry, someone from my family came today. It's not very convenient for you to meet them." Chris pressed her lips together.

But when she raised her head, she froze instantly, because she saw Vivian standing behind Ian.

Naturally, she recognized the deputy minister of the Potions Department.

But how could Ian possibly have invited someone like her here?

"Ian?"

From inside, it seemed they had heard the name. A man's voice gradually approached the door, then he pushed it open and stepped out.

"You came at just the right time, Ian... Hal..."

A middle-aged Wizard strode out. Just as he was about to say something, his body suddenly went rigid.

"Nothing much. Just telling you that I've advanced to Junior Potion Master. This is Minister Vivian—she came to see me off."

Ian said to Chris.

He hadn't expected the timing to work out so perfectly.

"Good..." Chris's voice was even a little unsteady.

A Junior Potion Master!

It had only been three months!

She had considered that Ian might advance to Junior Potion Master, but she had thought it would be half a year from now. That was why she had been willing to withstand the pressure.

But she hadn't expected Ian's surprise to be even more astonishing.

The fact that Vivian had personally seen him back said it all.

At the very least, she had never heard of Vivian seeing any new Wizard home.

"Then I'll be going."

Ian nodded. As though he had truly just stopped by to say a word, he turned and left, returning to Vivian's side.

The two of them departed.

Chris merely turned around and looked at the middle-aged Wizard without saying anything.

The middle-aged Wizard was still standing there in a daze.

A few seconds later, he took a deep breath and said, "Nothing needs to be said. We were wrong this time. The family will compensate you, and Ian's funding will be increased as well—at least until he's fifteen."

"Not enough?"

Chris shook her head!

"Twenty!"

The middle-aged Wizard's mouth twitched, but he still said it.

Only then did Chris nod in satisfaction.

Only then did the middle-aged Wizard let out a sigh of relief.

His gaze remained fixed on the receding backs of Ian and Vivian, his heart shaken to the core.

He had never imagined that Ian could win Vivian's favor. She was the deputy head of the Potions Department!

Even though she hadn't said anything and had merely stood there, her stance had already been made abundantly clear.

As for Hal.

Sorry!

Not familiar!