The older apprentice, Allen, stood completely stunned.
Li Wen's words were like a heavy hammer, smashing into pieces all his efforts, all his worries, and all his self-righteous research in the past month. Those seemingly profound recipe steps, those mysterious material reactions in the words of the instructor, at this moment, were stripped of all their gorgeous coats, revealing the simplest and most essential core.
Light and turbidity.
How simple, how obvious. But he, an apprentice who has been immersed in Sunday Secret College for more than ten years and claims to have some achievements in potions, has never thought of it. He just mechanically followed the ancient writings, imitating the strokes of his predecessors like a child, but never tried to understand the true meaning behind those strokes.
A huge sense of shame and frustration overwhelmed him like a tide. He thought of the promotion test he missed because of this problem, the disappointed look in his mentor's eyes, and the sympathetic or mocking looks of his companions. It turns out that what trapped him was never a profound problem, but his own ridiculously shallow understanding.
"So... that's it..." Allen muttered to himself in despair. His face, which had become pale due to staying up late for a long time, had all the blood faded, leaving only a grayish white. The way he looked at Li Wen had completely changed. It is no longer examination and temptation, but a heartfelt awe and admiration when facing a peak of knowledge that is beyond one's reach.
Although the young apprentice Roy next to him could only understand half of what he heard, he clearly saw the expression on his companion's face that looked like his faith had collapsed. He knew that Allen had really been awakened, and that the mysterious alchemist hiding himself under the cloak in front of him was probably far more knowledgeable than they imagined.
After a brief moment of dead silence, Allen suddenly came back to his senses. Without any hesitation, he bowed solemnly to Li Wen. The standard of his posture was even more respectful than when he met his mentor.
"Your Excellency..." There was an uncontrollable tremor in his voice. The previous arrogance and politeness disappeared without a trace, leaving only the purest plea. "Please forgive me for my previous rudeness and offense. Your knowledge makes me feel ashamed. I...Allen Faas, please give me more guidance! No matter what you need, as long as I can do it, even if it means using up all my learning points and savings, I will not hesitate!"
After saying that, he kept his bowing posture, not daring to raise his head, like a sinner waiting for God's judgment. When Roy saw this, he also quickly bowed down in the same manner, not daring to express his anger.
Li Wen looked at them quietly, feeling calm in his heart. Everything was as she expected.
"I don't need your knowledge, nor your money." She spoke calmly, her voice was not loud, but it made Allen's body tremble slightly. "The reason why I spoke is because I don't want to see an excellent ancient formula buried because of the stupidity of future generations."
Although her words were direct, they did not make Allen feel offended. Instead, they made him even more ashamed.
"As for guidance..." Li Wen paused and changed the topic, "I am not your mentor and have no obligation to teach you. Moreover, I will leave Camelot soon and continue my journey."
Hearing this, a trace of despair flashed in Allen's eyes. He raised his head suddenly and said eagerly, "Your Excellency! Where are you going? Maybe I can do something for you! As long as you are willing to point me out, I..."
"I am an alchemist and a scholar." Li Wen interrupted him, his tone still calm, "According to the teacher's order, I am currently collecting data for an important academic research, so I am pursuing knowledge that has been forgotten in the dust of history. I heard, Sunday Secret College's library is the most knowledgeable place in the entire Kingdom of Arthur. I came to Camelot this time to check out some myths about ancient Giant race, as well as related documents about some long-extinct sects that believe in death."
She stated her purpose in a reasonable way.
Allen and Roy looked at each other and saw embarrassment in each other's eyes.
"Your Excellency... you want to enter Arcane Academy's library?"
Allen's tone is full of bitterness,
"I'm afraid... it's difficult. Arcane Academy's library is divided into three floors. The first floor is open to all Arcane Academy members, but most of the books in it are basic theories and public documents. The second floor's literature room requires sufficient academic points and permissions to enter. We apprentices from the outer courtyard, You may not have the opportunity to enter it once every year. As for the legendary third floor... it is said that the manuscripts and the secrets of truth left by the seven sages are stored there. Only Archmage who has made immortal contributions to the Arcane Academy is qualified to set foot in that place."
He paused and added, "More importantly, the library... is never open to outsiders. No matter how much money you are willing to pay, it is impossible to gain entry. This is the iron rule Arcane Academy has set since its establishment."
This undoubtedly poured cold water on the hopeful Allen. He was unable to meet the needs of this mysterious master, which meant that he would lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change his destiny.
Just when the atmosphere reached a deadlock again and Allen was frustrated, Li Wen said as if casually, "Really? That's a pity. I thought that the great Sunday Secret College would be more enlightened than those stubborn Alchemist Association of Sigrut. It seems that the monopoly of knowledge is a common problem among all scholars."
"No! Wait!" In extreme anxiety, Allen's mind Flash of Inspiration seemed to grasp the last life-saving straw, "Maybe... maybe there is a way!"
Li Wen's eyes moved slightly under the hood, looking at him quietly.
"Although Arcane Academy does not allow outsiders to enter the library, but..." Allen spoke quickly, fearing that this idea would slip away, "However, Arcane Academy allows apprentices to hire temporary academic consultants when conducting certain important research topics! As long as our application can be reviewed, we can apply for a temporary pass for you!"
Roy's eyes also lit up, and he had obviously thought of this possibility.
"That's right!" He agreed excitedly, "We can jointly apply for a research project on 'Improvement of Ancient Magic Potion Recipes'! With the knowledge you just showed, this project will definitely pass the review! At that time, as our 'Alchemy Consultant', although you cannot enter the literature room above the second floor, you can move freely in the public reading area on the first floor and consult most of the public classics. There is no problem at all!"
"That's right! There are countless books in the Arcane Academy's library, even on the first floor." Allen added, the light of hope rekindled on his face, "Although this may not fully meet your needs,... but this is the only thing we can do for you!"
This is indeed a perfect solution.
What Li Wen wants to look up is not some earth-shattering core secret, but some ancient history that Arcane Academy thinks is sideline and useless. Such books are most likely stored in the public area on the first floor. The identity of "Alchemy Consultant" allows her to enter Arcane Academy reasonably without attracting too much attention.
She only needs to pay a little "guidance" as a price to have these two apprentices who are eager to prove themselves complete all the tedious procedures for her.
Li Wen pretended to ponder for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she nodded slowly.
"It doesn't sound unacceptable." She said in a slightly reluctant tone, "Since you are so sincere, then I will temporarily serve as a 'consultant' to help you complete this project. However, I am not interested in your project itself, I only care about the books I need."
"Of course! Of course!" Allen was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, "Your Excellency, you only need to give us a few pointers when we encounter problems! We will handle all the rest! It only takes three days at most to apply for the project and apply for the voucher! After three days, we can take you to the Arcane Academy!"
The two sides reached an agreement on this.
Li Wen left the address of White Deer Inn, and Allen wrote it down respectfully and promised to inform her immediately once the procedures are completed.
Before leaving the bookstore, Allen seemed to have remembered something, and asked a little embarrassedly, "I haven't asked you yet... how should we call you?"
Li Wen paused in his footsteps and did not look back.
"Mephisto."