Great Benefits, Hal's Defense Break

Half an hour later.

Ian obtained the potion-making inheritance.

"Within the School, Wizard Horton passed down two Potion Master inheritances: Glimmering Eyes and the Spiritual Guidance Technique."

As they walked through the underground Library of the Potions Department, Vivian introduced them to him.

As Ian listened, he also surveyed his surroundings.

This place was much like the School Library. Bookshelves stood in rows, and the air was thick with the scent of plants and herbs.

"The former allows you to discern the energy within materials, while the latter releases a gentle Mental Power field to reconcile violent magic particles.

"However, both can only be studied by Second-class Wizards. What Junior Potion Masters study are simplified versions: Faint Glimmer and the Guidance Technique. Each costs one hundred Magic Stones."

Vivian stopped before a bookshelf and took down two Memory Crystals.

Only relatively important content was recorded using Memory Crystals; most was recorded on parchment or paper.

"One hundred Magic Stones?"

Ian clicked his tongue at the price.

That was far too expensive.

He couldn't afford it!

"Consider this a gift from me, as well as an apology for not helping you over the past three months. I hope you don't mind."

Vivian pushed up her glasses and handed the Memory Crystals to Ian.

"I don't mind, I don't mind."

How could Ian possibly mind? Even if he brewed potions every day for three months, he still wouldn't have earned two hundred Magic Stones!

"Now that I've given you the inheritances, I'll handle matters on the department's side. The rest is up to you.

"In the world of wizards, you ultimately have to rely on yourself. All I can offer is a little insignificant help."

Vivian said.

"I understand."

Ian nodded.

Of course he understood.

If he had not worked hard to improve his talent, how could he have reached this day?

So he absolutely could not slack off in his future life at the department.

Besides, there was still Hal and the Cultivation Sequence!

After obtaining the inheritances.

Vivian left, while Ian remained behind.

"One Magic Stone for one hour of reading."

Ian nodded and handed a Magic Stone to the wizard managing the Library.

Then he quickly began reading.

Compared with the Library, the potion-making books here were clearly far more profound.

Though this was only a public area, it was already better than some of the Library's paid content.

Ever since gaining the trait of never forgetting anything he saw, he had long since finished reading through the Library's public area, yet his proficiency had only risen to Proficient.

Now, it began to climb slowly again.

"I wonder what effect it'll have once this skill reaches Master Level!"

Ian felt rather expectant.

Unlike all the other skills he had learned, Potion Identification was Zero-ring—but Zero-ring encompassed everything from first-class to the peak.

Based on his understanding of the system.

The harder something was to improve, the better its effects generally were.

Once this skill reached Master Level, it would definitely bring him a pleasant surprise.

An hour later.

Looking at the twenty proficiency points he had gained, Ian left in satisfaction.

"Next, I need to go to the Castle to register my identity."

Rolling his shoulders, Ian left the department.

Before long, he arrived at the Castle.

At the Castle entrance.

Today, Mickey was resting atop the Castle like a statue.

They were too far apart, so he did not greet him.

Ian walked straight in.

"Ian!"

The instant he entered, Mickey atop the Castle snapped his eyes open.

"Three months already. It feels like your progress has slowed a little compared to before!" Mickey was not satisfied with Ian's pace.

"Is it really still a limitation of aptitude?"

He sighed.

Aptitude was truly too important for wizards, especially during the apprentice stage.

Although Ian's Spellcasting Talent was practically unmatched, his innate aptitude was undeniably a crippling weakness.

"Ah!"

The problem was that Mickey had no solution either!

Things capable of improving aptitude were all rare artifacts and secret treasures, things a small school like Horton Wizard School could never possess.

"I can only give him what investment I can. The rest will have to depend on himself."

Mickey narrowed his eyes.

He watched Ian emerge, an additional star now appearing on the Potions Department badge pinned to his chest.

"Junior Potion Master!"

Mickey's eyes lit up.

He had only entered the department a few months ago, yet he was already a Junior Potion Master. As expected of the talent Mickey had taken a liking to.

Now he had an excuse.

He slowly flew down.

"Lord Mickey."

The shadow on the ground shifted, and Ian noticed Mickey descending from the sky.

"Little Ian, you keep giving me more and more surprises. Congratulations on advancing to Junior Potion Master," Mickey said.

"I could not have done it without the school's help!"

Ian replied modestly.

"Don't give me that nonsense about the school. If you don't enter the Cultivation Sequence, then to the school, you're nothing but cannon fodder," Mickey said disdainfully.

As Horton's Magic Beast, no one understood the school better than he did!

The speaker had meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart.

Ian's gaze tightened.

If one did not enter the Cultivation Sequence... one was merely cannon fodder?

"May I ask Lord Mickey to explain what the Cultivation Sequence is?" Ian could not help asking.

"The Cultivation Sequence is something that old fellow came up with to preliminarily sift through the school's talents." Having suddenly recalled the matter, Mickey looked at Ian and said, "I suggest you make an effort to get in. There are many things you can only access after entering it."

"Understood!"

Ian nodded.

It seemed the Cultivation Sequence carried far more weight than he had imagined.

As he pondered this, a feather slowly drifted down before his eyes.

"It bears an Excellent-grade Wizardry. Consider it a gift for your advancement to Junior Potion Master."

Mickey's voice drifted over.

Ian was greatly surprised.

Excellent-grade?

Even the core departments lacked the authority to purchase such a thing.

It was something truly priceless and unavailable on the market.

"Thank you, Lord Mickey."

Ian thanked him.

He was not a fool. Once or twice could be explained away, but how could Mickey be this generous every time? Besides, over the past few months, Ian had heard bits and pieces of rumors about Mickey.

Even a dog passing by would have a strand of fur plucked from it!

Clearly, Mickey wanted something in return—but so what? Ian had gained more than enough already.

But he was not that greedy either!

So he handed all his remaining Magic Stones to Mickey.

Mickey's eyes immediately lit up.

He swallowed it all in one gulp.

"You really are sensible. Come find me again once you've entered the Cultivation Sequence."

Mickey Feather's plumage relaxed, and even his eyes became considerably kinder.

Meanwhile.

Elsewhere.

On the third floor of the Potions Department, in an office not far from Vivian.

The dim office was deathly silent, like a snake's nest buried deep underground.

Hal stood there, slightly nervous.

A voice shattered the silence.

"Hal."

"Minister Doug!"

Hal raised his head and looked ahead.

Behind a massive black desk sat a middle-aged wizard.

He wore a black Witch Robe, his hair slicked back, his eyes vertical slits like a snake's.

"Advancing to Junior Potion Master in three months—if you hadn't said you were targeting him, I'd practically think you were helping him."

Doug's voice was sharp, carrying an inherent chill.

Sweat beaded on Hal's forehead. "Minister, how could that be? You know it too—even my grandson was..."

"Stop!" Doug cut him off, lifting his head. "So you just stood there and watched someone comparable to Victor slip right through your fingers!"

His palm slammed heavily onto the desk, making Hal's heart shudder.

"Minister, it's all because that despicable Ian is too scheming. Minister, tell me, what should we do?" Hal gritted his teeth.

"What should we do? You're asking me what we should do?"

Doug raised his head and said through clenched teeth, "Now that Vivian is protecting him, what can I do? If you'd discovered him sooner, it wouldn't have come to this."

"We can only wait and see how the war develops, whether any opportunity arises. Also, your laboratory's resource allocation for the next three months will be cut in half."

"Fine!"

Hal's heart bled, but he nodded with difficulty.

Then he was driven out of the office.

The moment he returned to the laboratory, a potion master approached carrying a box of potions.

"Wizard Hal, the review office says this entire batch of our potions has problems."

"Problems?"

Hal stared blankly at the fairly normal-looking potions.

But then he realized something.

"Damn Vivian! Damn Ian!"

He completely lost it and cursed aloud.

The hatred in his heart for Ian surged even higher!