High-level Apprentice Holt

"Be careful. The properties of some herbs change over time."

As she checked the ledger, Mrs. Allen said, "What you've just learned from books may not necessarily work in practice."

Ron nodded and began carefully examining the pile of herbs.

With his Herb Identification ability, he could sense the unique "aura" radiating from each material.

"This one." He picked up a glass bottle filled with silver powder and spoke after a moment's thought.

"By all rights, this should be Moon Dew Flower powder, but this dull color seems different from what the books describe."

"Very good." Mrs. Allen raised her head. "Did you notice the pale purple traces around the mouth of the bottle?"

Ron examined it more closely. "Did it react with other herbs?"

"Exactly." Mrs. Allen set down the ledger.

"Moon Dew Flower powder should have been pure silver, but it is highly sensitive to all kinds of energy. Yesterday, a supplier brought in a batch of Amethyst Grass, and they weren't separated in time."

At that, she gave Ron an appraising look. "So, what do you think should be done with this bottle of powder?"

Ron considered it for a moment. "First, it should be resealed to prevent further Contamination. Then..."

He recalled the contents of Basics of Potionology.

"If it reacted with Amethyst Grass, it should be usable for making potions. Though its purity has dropped, its medicinal properties are gentler."

"Not a bad idea."

A flicker of appreciation passed through the old witch's eyes. She nodded slightly in approval. "It seems you not only remember what's in the books, but also know how to apply it."

Ron carefully set the bottle of powder aside and continued sorting the other herbs.

Gradually, he discovered that there seemed to be a hidden pattern among these seemingly disordered materials.

For example, most herbs that glowed carried a faint, almost imperceptible starlight aura.

Meanwhile, materials that radiated heat all possessed a particular Rhythm, reminding him of the solar energy described in the Corona Breathing Technique.

"So that's how it is." He muttered thoughtfully.

As he handled these materials in person, the knowledge from his books was gradually turning into practical experience.

Descriptions that had once been obscure and difficult to understand now became vivid.

"Hm?" Ron suddenly spotted a small bottle shoved into a corner.

The bottle was coated in a thin layer of dust, but faint starlight still flickered within through the grimy glass.

Just as he was about to inspect it more closely, Mrs. Allen's voice suddenly rang out.

"No one has cleaned there in a long time. Looks like you found something interesting."

"This is... Stardust Liquid?" Ron carefully wiped the bottle. "The books say this material can help stabilize fluctuations in mental power."

"That's right." Mrs. Allen walked over, took the bottle, and inspected it under the light. "But it's been sitting here too long. Most of its potency has already faded."

She glanced at Ron's slightly disappointed expression. "What? Are you interested in it?"

Ron did not hide it. "Yes. In three months, there will be an apprentice examination that will determine whether I can remain here. I need to improve my mental power as quickly as possible."

"I see."

Mrs. Allen smiled indifferently. "No wonder you chose to apply here. This really is a good place to come into contact with all kinds of rare materials."

She put the bottle back on the shelf. "But if you want to improve your mental power, relying on external aids alone won't be enough. A true breakthrough still depends on your own understanding."

Ron fell into thought. Indeed, his recent meditation had allowed him to grasp some unusual insights. If he relied blindly on external aids, something extremely terrifying might happen.

Just then, the shop door was pushed open, and a gust of wind swept several dead leaves inside.

"Welcome—" Mrs. Allen stopped halfway through her greeting.

Ron followed the sound and saw a tall figure standing at the doorway.

The newcomer wore a gray-blue robe, with a badge set with a deep blue gemstone pinned to his chest—an emblem of a High-level Apprentice.

He removed his hood, revealing a young but somewhat pale face.

"Mrs. Allen." The man gave a slight nod. "I heard you received a new batch of Evening Primrose?"

"Yes, Apprentice Holt."

Mrs. Allen's tone was calm. She seemed very familiar with the young High-level Apprentice before her. "They were all picked three days ago, on the night of the full moon."

"Continue your work. I'll handle the customer." She turned her head and said quietly to Ron, "Ask nothing. Say nothing."

Ron silently nodded and continued sorting the herbs in his hands.

But he could feel the atmosphere in the shop suddenly becoming tense.

The High-level Apprentice, who looked like a regular customer, said nothing. He merely paced slowly between the shelves.

His robe stirred without wind. Whenever he passed the jars and bottles containing herbs, the materials inside would ripple subtly.

Ron sorted the herbs while observing him from the corner of his eye.

Such an opportunity was rare—being able to observe a High-level Apprentice up close, he might learn something.

With the keen perception granted by Herb Identification, he noticed that the man would pause briefly when passing certain herbs.

These materials appeared ordinary, yet all carried a trace of special Resonance.

"Good quality."

After carefully inspecting the herbs, Holt actually took a complete Magic Stone from within his robe. "I'll take all of these."

Ron's heart jolted as he looked at the Magic Stone.

Unlike the fragments used by ordinary apprentices like them, a complete Magic Stone contained pure, powerful energy.

Just then, a stalk of Star Grass Ron was sorting suddenly emitted a faint glow, as though responding to the energy within the Magic Stone.

The Gray Robe Apprentice paused and turned to look in Ron's direction.

Though Ron could not see his expression, that sharp gaze sent a chill down his spine.

"Interesting." He murmured, "This Star Grass still retains its vitality. Little one, how did you manage that?"

Ron's heart raced, but his expression remained calm. "Sir, I merely followed what the books said and sealed it with Salt Crystal Powder."

"No..." Holt interrupted him.

"Ordinary preservation methods cannot achieve this. This grass was harvested several days ago, yet it can maintain such vitality. That means you understand something of its 'Rhythm.'"

Ron froze. He had indeed sensed the Star Grass's unique Rhythm while sorting it. Its cadence resembled the Mental Fluctuation he experienced during his morning meditation, so he had instinctively arranged it in a similar manner.

"Very good. What is your name?"

Just as Ron was about to answer, Mrs. Allen suddenly cut into their conversation.

"He's my newly hired assistant. He's only a Candidate Apprentice."