Rapid-Growth Gel

Five days later.

Wesley Durant glanced at the cyan Magic Flame burning beneath the crucible in Locke's hand.

Under the fumigation of that Magic Flame, the mixed liquid in the crucible gradually evaporated, turning into a pale green, gel-like substance, much like glue.

It was a simple potion refined by mixing distilled morning dew from oak leaf tips with Fluorescent Moss at a ratio of three to seven.

It was the simplest entry-level potion, so simple that it was difficult to even call it a potion.

Therefore, it could only be called Rapid-Growth Gel.

Fluorescent Moss was a supernatural plant that could often sprout and reproduce in an extremely short time in the wild.

This was because it contained a substance that accelerated plant growth, and Rapid-Growth Gel was made by extracting that substance with Magic Flame.

Though this gel potion was simple, Breeders often needed to buy it because it could accelerate the growth of magical plants.

Locke looked pleasantly surprised. "Teacher, Lord Durant, this is the first potion I've refined independently."

Witch Sophia's expression remained unchanged as she gave a slight nod. "As long as one masters the Magic Flame Technique, they can try refining something this simple. It still cannot be considered a potion."

Using his intact arm, Wesley Durant lifted the bottle of Rapid-Growth Gel and inspected it. "The quality is acceptable. Though it is a beginner's work, it is barely usable."

"However, there are still too many impurities. That shows your Magic Flame Technique is not very stable."

"My personal guidance was not wasted on you."

"Once your Magic Flame Technique becomes more stable, the quality of the Rapid-Growth Gel you refine should rise by several levels."

Wesley Durant had noticed that Witch Sophia was serious about teaching Locke. After Locke failed several times, he had finally been unable to resist personally giving Locke some guidance.

Under Wesley Durant's instruction, Locke had been asked to practice refining the simplest kind of potion, using this method to speed up his mastery of Magic Flame.

Of course, Locke could not yet be considered to have learned Magic Flame. He had merely learned how to use one type of Magic Flame, and he was far from proficient.

Since Wesley Durant was neither Locke's wizard mentor nor a Formal Wizard of Lilith's Cottage, he had fewer reservations than Witch Sophia and spoke to Locke far more casually.

"Although, Augustine, your learning speed is not particularly fast—perhaps even rather slow—your Mana is very stable."

"You must have a special talent in this area. Otherwise, you could not have begun using Magic Flame within five days."

"Of course, your foundation is also quite solid."

Wesley said, "You are much more useful than the students I taught at Holly High Tower."

"Sophia, this student of yours seems pretty good. Why not give him to me?"

Locke froze for a moment, but immediately kept silent.

Essentially, Wesley was merely joking with his teacher.

Locke was not foolish enough to truly believe that Wizard Wesley Durant had taken an interest in him.

If he could not even see that clearly, then he would truly be courting death.

Wesley simply had a good relationship with his teacher, Witch Sophia.

That was all.

Besides, Locke knew exactly where his talent had come from.

Without the twenty-five Deep Blue Jades and ten Dark Cyan Jades that had been scrapped over the past five days, he could not possibly have gained a preliminary grasp of a Magic Flame in only five days.

Witch Sophia smiled, unconcerned. "Sure. But go talk to the head of Lilith's Cottage yourself."

"My student is bound by quite a few contracts with Lilith's Cottage."

"As long as you can afford the Magic Stones, Wesley, you may take him. I have no objection."

Wesley Durant chuckled awkwardly under his breath. "Then forget it."

"How could I poach someone's student right in front of them?"

"I have heard of the head of Lilith's Cottage's reputation. After all, he is a First-Ring Wizard with Mental Power Crystallization. I wonder how intense his Magic Pressure field is."

Wesley Durant turned serious. "All right, back to the point. Sophia, I know you have not merely been letting your little apprentice practice these past few days."

"What have you decided? Are you confident?"

Witch Sophia nodded. "Yes, this is indeed my first attempt at lifting the Thousand Sores Curse of the Blood Curse Court. But I am confident. Over these five days, I have optimized my Emerald Potion formula again."

"It should be able to resolve the curse on you."

"Locke, go out first."

Witch Sophia said indifferently, "Your Magic Flame Technique is still immature."

"To refine Emerald Potion, one must use more than twenty different Magic Flames within an hour. With your current skill, you simply cannot meet the requirement."

"Therefore, I will operate the Magic Flame myself for this potion refinement."

"Remember to go to the Public Classroom and purchase Universal Studies. Also, go to the registration office of Lilith's Cottage to register your current wizard rank and collect your reward."

"The Academy has different task requirements for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices as well."

Locke nodded. Before leaving, he said to Witch Sophia and Wesley Durant, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher and Lord Durant."

Only then did Locke turn around and leave the potion room.

After Locke walked out, Wesley Durant snorted. "Sophia, your student is quite interesting."

"It seems that, in the little time you have left at Lilith's Cottage, you found yourself a decent toy."

"I heard that other wizard organizations have come to recruit you, and that you still have not signed a contract with Lilith's Cottage..."

Witch Sophia frowned slightly. "Wesley, do not misunderstand. Locke is my student, not my toy."

Wesley Durant raised his rotting left hand. "To a Formal Wizard, what is the difference between a student and a toy?"

With a wave of Witch Sophia's hand, five crucibles immediately floated before her. Five Magic Flames of different colors ignited beneath them, while powerful Magic Pressure flowed from her body, making Wesley Durant's expression turn grave.

"You talk far too much, Wesley."

Outside the door, Locke had just closed it when he felt an immense pressure radiating from the wooden potion house, like a heavy mountain pressing down on his body.

His heart seemed to be bearing an enormous weight. For an instant, it even seemed to stop.

An invisible pressure, impossible to touch or see, pierced through his skin from every direction and shot toward him.

Locke's pupils wavered. "Magic Pressure... As a wizard's Mana gradually increases, it produces radiant energy that affects living beings—a kind of Mana field."

"Just like gravity's effect on all things."

"Is that the power of a Formal Wizard? Simply standing beside one is fatal to the current me."

Locke's gaze became resolute. "So I will definitely become a First-Ring Wizard."

"First, I should register my wizard rank and purchase Universal Studies as Teacher instructed."

"Universal Studies is a prerequisite for Breeding class and Potion class. Only after learning it can I continue my studies."

Locke looked at the bottle of Rapid-Growth Gel in his hand. "Now that I can refine Rapid-Growth Gel, I can also sell it in exchange for some Magic Stones."

A thought flashed through his mind—what would happen if he synthesized the Rapid-Growth Gel he had refined?