As the faint blue light screen appeared, Roland gained a clearer understanding of the effects of Tier 3 and Level 4 Potions.
A Level 4 Potion should be twice as effective as a Tier 3 Potion. Starting today, if he began taking Level 4 Potions, Roland would probably need only another half month to break through to Level 5 Mage.
If he continued taking Tier 3 Potions, however, the development of drug resistance meant that Roland would need at least another two months to advance to Level 5 Mage.
Having understood the difference between the two, Roland naturally would not make himself suffer. Breaking through to Level 5 Mage a day sooner would give him a little more confidence in opening up his territory.
Next, Roland drank another Tier 3 Fire Element Resonance Potion and completed his meditation for the day.
Just as he finished his work for the day and immersed himself in study—
Knock, knock.
The soft knocking immediately made Roland frown.
He had instructed Old Nob not to disturb him unless it was something particularly urgent.
The knocking at this time undoubtedly meant that Old Nob had encountered an emergency. Roland did not delay and went upstairs to open the door.
"Young Master, a man claiming to be a steward of the Oroko Family has suddenly arrived outside. He wishes to see you," Old Nob said hurriedly upon seeing Roland.
"The Oroko Family? A steward?" Roland's expression darkened slightly.
Although the Oroko Family was merely an earl's family, one rank below the Solomon Family, as the actual masters of Highland City, they were still a colossal force to Roland at this point—one that could easily crush him.
Now that someone from the Oroko Family had suddenly come calling, Roland immediately suspected that his secret had been exposed.
But then he remembered that he had not even begun selling intermediate potions yet. What was there to expose? With that thought, Roland felt somewhat relieved.
Still, he was deeply puzzled, so he simply followed Old Nob to the entrance of the house.
At the gate, a man dressed in an exquisitely tailored steward's uniform waited patiently.
The man appeared to be around forty. His silver-gray hair was neatly combed back without a strand out of place. Time had added a few wrinkles to his face, yet only made him seem more mature.
The moment he saw Roland behind Old Nob, his eyes lit up.
"Greetings, Apothecary Roland. I am from the Oroko Family and currently serve Young Master Leslie. You may call me Tim."
"Leslie?" Roland froze, unable to understand why the second son of the Oroko Family had sought him out.
"Does Apothecary Roland know my young master?" Tim asked tentatively.
Hearing Tim's question, Roland's mouth twitched. With his young master's arrogant way of doing things, it would be hard for anyone not to know him.
"Yes. Young Master Leslie is well known, so naturally I know of him."
"May I ask what brings Steward Tim here today?" Unable to guess Tim's intentions, Roland did not wish to waste time and asked directly.
"Young Master Leslie heard that a genius apothecary had recently appeared in Highland City. He has specially invited you to dinner, hoping to exchange some knowledge of potion-making with you."
"Leslie is an apothecary too?" Roland asked, curiosity appearing on his face.
"You will find out when the time comes." Tim did not answer directly, seeming somewhat mysterious.
Seeing this, Roland became a little wary, though his expression remained unchanged as he asked, "Tonight?"
"Yes. Young Master Leslie has already prepared a banquet and is waiting for you to honor him with your presence."
Looking at Tim's warm and sincere expression, Roland could not determine the deeper meaning behind Leslie's invitation. But with his current strength, he truly lacked the capital to refuse an invitation from the Oroko Family.
Besides, there was no need to. As long as he did not reveal the secret of possessing the Chip, Roland did not believe Leslie would dare openly attack a Pioneer Knight.
After pondering for a moment, Roland nodded lightly. "It would be my honor. However, please allow me to change clothes. As you can see, I have just completed a magic experiment."
"Of course. My young master has plenty of patience when it comes to you," Tim replied with a smile.
"Very well." Roland turned and returned to his bedroom, where he changed into a brand-new Mage Robe. He deliberately hung his intermediate mage badge and Pioneer Knight badge on the left side of his chest.
Once he was ready, Roland boarded the carriage Tim had prepared, accompanied by Old Nob, and they headed north through the city.
Four pure white stallions pulled a luxurious carriage at high speed down Highland City's broad streets. The unrestrained carriage startled the pedestrians on both sides, who hurriedly stepped aside. Once they regained their balance, they were about to curse loudly, but upon seeing the blue sea emblem embedded atop the carriage, they were immediately shocked. The curses at their lips were forcibly swallowed, and the anger on their faces turned to fear.
That emblem represented the Oroko Family, the enfeoffed earls who ruled Highland City.
Roland witnessed this scene from inside the carriage, and it gave him a new understanding of the Oroko Family's influence.
Before long, less than twenty minutes later, the carriage slowly stopped before a magnificently decorated manor in the northern part of the city.
Led by Tim, the two entered the manor. Though Roland felt somewhat nervous, he did not show it and silently observed his surroundings.
A magnificent fountain stood in the manor courtyard, water trickling from the hands of an angel statue. The rare, lush green plants on either side had been meticulously tended, while the surrounding walls were covered in exquisite reliefs, their patterns clear and elegant. They were clearly the work of a master.
Overall, it was an extremely luxurious manor that fairly radiated the scent of gold, which happened to fit Roland's impression of the Oroko Family perfectly.
As the rulers of Highland City, the Oroko Family was known throughout the Terra Kingdom as the Golden Family. Their wealth was such that even kingdom dukes fell slightly short. To the Oroko Family, a small manor like this was merely a drop in the ocean.
Thus, although Roland's eyes had been opened, he was not particularly shocked.
Soon afterward, in less than a moment, Tim led Roland to a small reception hall.
The hall's decorations were equally opulent. The long table was already covered with all kinds of delicacies, and exquisite plates shimmered brilliantly beneath the Magic Lamps.
On both sides of the hall stood a row of graceful young women dressed as servants. Each one was beautiful and tall.
When they saw Roland, they immediately bowed and said in unison, "Welcome, Apothecary Roland."
Their sweet, pleasing voices were intoxicating.
At that moment, Roland inwardly cursed those damned nobles for monopolizing so many beautiful young women, yet his gaze could not help sweeping across every maid, lingering over them.
Yes, Roland was jealous.
"Apothecary Roland, please." Seeing Roland's reaction, Tim showed no contempt. Instead, he personally pulled out a chair for Roland and gestured for him to sit.
"Thank you." Roland reluctantly withdrew his gaze, dropped into the chair, and quietly waited for the true host of the dinner.
In truth, after entering this reception hall, Roland's tense heart had gradually settled. Tim's attitude, the sumptuous dishes before him, and the beautiful maids standing on either side all made him feel Leslie's goodwill.
Sure enough, Roland did not have to wait long.
Only a few minutes later, Leslie, dressed in formal attire, appeared at the doorway.
When he saw Roland seated at one side of the long table, a warm smile immediately appeared on his face.
"It is our first meeting, yet I have kept you waiting, Apothecary Roland."
His gentle, cordial smile was like a spring breeze, making others instinctively feel close to him.
Had Roland not previously seen Leslie's behavior when he caused a scene at City Hall, he would certainly have developed a very favorable impression of the man before him.
Even so, Roland stood and returned a polite smile. "Young Master Leslie, I only arrived a short while ago as well."
"That is good. Please sit. You are my honored guest today," Leslie said warmly.
"Please."
After the two sat down, the maids at either side immediately stepped forward in perfect coordination. They filled Leslie and Roland's wine glasses, then placed plate after plate of exquisite dishes before them. Their practiced, elegant movements made Roland's gaze rise once more and linger on them.
"Do you like them?" Leslie suddenly asked.
"What?" Roland did not react for a moment.
"Do you like them?" Leslie's finger lightly swept toward the maids serving them.
"This..." Roland was stunned.
Faced with Leslie immediately targeting his weakness, Roland forcibly suppressed the urge to rise, bow, and call him big brother.
Before he understood Leslie's intentions, Roland would certainly not rashly accept Leslie's goodwill.
"Ha ha." Seeing the shyness and awkwardness on Roland's face, Leslie let out a hearty laugh.
Yet there was no mockery or disdain in his laughter. Instead, it felt more like friendly teasing between companions. Roland could not help laughing as well, and his favorable impression of Leslie increased considerably.
Thus, the two men, who had both formed a favorable impression of each other, thoroughly enjoyed their dinner. They talked about everything under the sun, from romance to the finer things in life. Of course, Leslie did most of the talking while Roland listened. Aside from painful memories and magical knowledge, his predecessor had left him no experiences worth boasting about.
Before you continue