A Sudden Invitation

With the faint blue light screen appearing, Roland gained a clearer understanding of the efficacy of Tier 3 and Tier 4 potions.

The efficacy of a Tier 4 potion should be double that of a Tier 3 potion. Starting today, by taking Tier 4 potions, Roland would likely only need another half a month to break through to Level 5 Mage.

If he continued to take Tier 3 potions, with the development of drug resistance, it would take Roland at least another two months to break through to Level 5 Mage.

Having understood the comparison between the two, Roland naturally wouldn't torture himself. Breaking through to Level 5 Mage a day earlier would give him more confidence in developing his territory.

Next, Roland took another bottle of Tier 3 Fire Element Resonance Potion, completing his meditation for the day.

Just as he finished his work for the day and immersed himself in studying.

"Knock, knock."

The light knocking on the door made Roland frown.

He had instructed Old Nob not to disturb him unless it was something particularly urgent.

The knocking at this moment undoubtedly meant that Old Nob had encountered an emergency, so Roland didn't delay and went upstairs to open the door.

"Young Master, a person claiming to be the butler of the Oroko Family suddenly appeared outside. He wishes to see you," Old Nob said immediately upon seeing Roland.

"The Oroko Family? A butler?" Roland's expression turned slightly unpleasant.

Although the Oroko Family was merely a Count's family, one rank lower than the Solomon Family, as the de facto rulers of Highland City, they were still a colossal force to Roland at this moment, capable of crushing him with ease.

Now, with someone from the Oroko Family arriving, Roland instantly suspected that his secret might have been exposed.

However, he immediately thought that he hadn't even started selling intermediate potions yet, so what was there to expose? Thinking this, Roland felt a little more at ease.

Yet, he still had great doubts in his heart, so he simply followed Old Nob to the entrance of the house.

At the main entrance, a man dressed in a finely tailored butler's uniform was waiting patiently.

The man was about forty years old, with silver-gray hair neatly combed back, not a single strand out of place. Time had added a few wrinkles to his face, but it only made him appear more mature.

When 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 was taken aback, genuinely confused as to why the second son of the Oroko Family had found him.

"Apothecary Roland knows my Young Master?" Tim asked tentatively.

Hearing Tim's question, Roland's mouth twitched. He thought, with your Young Master's arrogant way of doing things, it's hard not to know him.

"Yes, Young Master Leslie is quite renowned, so of course, I know him."

"May I ask what brings Butler Tim here today?" Roland, unable to guess Tim's intentions, didn't want to waste any more time and asked directly.

"Young Master Leslie heard that a genius apothecary has appeared in Highland City recently and specifically invites you to dinner to exchange knowledge of Alchemy."

"Leslie is also an apothecary?" Roland's face showed a hint of curiosity upon hearing this.

"You'll know when the time comes," Tim replied mysteriously without directly answering.

Seeing this, Roland felt a bit wary, but he maintained his composure and continued to ask, "Tonight?"

"Yes, Young Master Leslie has already prepared a banquet and is waiting for your esteemed presence."

Looking at the enthusiastic and sincere Tim, Roland was unsure of the deeper meaning behind Leslie's invitation. However, with his current strength, he truly didn't have the capital to refuse the Oroko Family's invitation.

Moreover, there was no need. As long as he didn't reveal the secret of him possessing the chip, Roland didn't believe Leslie would dare to openly attack a Pioneer Knight.

So, after a moment of thought, Roland nodded lightly and replied, "It would be my honor. However, please allow me to change my clothes. As you can see, I just finished my magic experiments."

"Of course. My Young Master has a lot of patience for you," Tim replied with a smile.

"Alright." Roland then turned and returned to his bedroom, changing into a brand-new Mage Robe. He deliberately hung the Intermediate Mage badge and the Pioneer Knight badge on the left side of his chest.

After tidying himself up, Roland, accompanied by Old Nob, got into a carriage that Tim had already prepared, and they headed north of the city.

Pulled by four pure white strong horses, the luxurious carriage sped through the wide streets of Highland City. The uninhibited carriage caused the pedestrians on both sides to panic and scatter, making way. Just as they steadied themselves and were about to curse, they saw the blue sea emblem inlaid on the top of the carriage. They were immediately startled, and the curses they were about to utter were swallowed back, their angry expressions turning to fear.

This was because that emblem represented the Oroko Family, the rulers of Highland City, a fully enfeoffed Count's family.

This scene also fell into Roland's eyes within the carriage, which gave him a new understanding of the Oroko Family's power.

Not long after, in less than twenty minutes, the carriage slowly stopped in front of a lavishly decorated manor in the north of the city.

Led by Tim, the two then stepped into the manor. Although Roland was a little nervous at this moment, he showed no outward signs and quietly observed his surroundings.

In the manor's courtyard stood a magnificent fountain, with water gurgling from the hands of an angel statue. Rare, vibrant green vegetation on both sides was neatly tended. The surrounding walls were covered with exquisite reliefs, with clear and elegant patterns, clearly the work of a master.

Overall, it was a very luxurious manor filled with the scent of gold coins, but it perfectly matched the image of the Oroko Family in Roland's mind.

As the controllers of Highland City, the Oroko Family was known as the Golden Family in the Terra Kingdom. Their family's wealth was even slightly inferior to that of the Kingdom's Dukes. A small manor was nothing to the Oroko Family, just a drop in the bucket.

Therefore, although Roland's eyes were opened, he didn't feel particularly shocked.

Not long after, in less than a moment, led by Tim, Roland arrived at a small reception room.

Similarly, the decoration in the hall was extremely luxurious. A long table was already laden with various delicacies, and exquisite dinner plates shimmered brilliantly under the light of the Magic Lamps.

On both sides of the hall stood a row of graceful young women in servant uniforms. Each of them could be described as beautiful and tall.

When they saw Roland, they immediately bowed and said in unison, "Welcome, Apothecary Roland."

Their pleasant and sweet voices were intoxicating.

At that moment, Roland cursed the damned Nobles in his heart for hogging so many beautiful young women, but at the same time, his gaze couldn't help but sweep over each maid, lingering.

Yes, Roland was envious.

"Pharmacist Roland, please." Seeing Roland's reaction, Tim, standing nearby, showed no contempt and personally pulled out a chair for Roland, gesturing for him to sit.

"Thank you." Roland reluctantly withdrew his gaze, plopped down, and quietly awaited the true host of this banquet.

In fact, after arriving at this reception room, Roland's anxious heart gradually settled. After all, Tim's attitude, the lavish spread of food before him, and the beautiful maids standing by his side all made him feel Leslie's goodwill towards him.

As expected, Roland didn't wait long.

Just 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, his face immediately broke into a warm smile.

"It's our first meeting, thank you for waiting, Pharmacist Roland."

His gentle and friendly smile was like a spring breeze, making people feel an involuntary sense of closeness.

If Roland hadn't witnessed Leslie's disruptive behavior at City Hall before, he would have certainly developed a strong liking for the man before him.

Even so, Roland still stood up, returned a polite smile, and said, "Young Master Leslie, I also just arrived."

"That's good, please sit, you are my honored guest today." Leslie said warmly.

"Please."

After the two were seated, the maids on both sides tacitly stepped forward, filling the wine glasses for Leslie and Roland, and placing exquisite dishes one by one before them. Their skilled and elegant movements couldn't help but draw Roland's gaze upward again, lingering on them.

"Do you like them?" Leslie suddenly asked.

"What?" Roland didn't react immediately.

"Do you like them?" Leslie's finger lightly traced over the maids serving them.

"This..." Roland was stunned.

Facing Leslie, who immediately targeted his weakness, Roland suppressed the urge to prostrate himself and call him "big brother."

Before understanding Leslie's intentions, Roland certainly wouldn't rashly accept Leslie's goodwill.

"Haha." Seeing the shyness and awkwardness on Roland's face, Leslie couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh.

However, there was no mockery or disdain in his laughter; it was more like playful banter between friends, which made Roland laugh along, increasing his good impression of Leslie considerably.

Thus, the two, holding a good impression of each other, had a very enjoyable dinner, chatting about everything under the sun, from worldly affairs to romantic tales. Of course, it was mainly Leslie talking and Roland listening, as his predecessor, aside from leaving him a painful past and magical knowledge, had no experiences worth bragging about.