Artificial Star Dew

"Oh? With your discerning eye, Madam, you actually let a Candidate Apprentice serve as your assistant?"

Holt's interest was piqued rather than diminished by Mrs. Allen's reply. He studied Ron with evident curiosity.

"It seems you've found another promising talent."

He took a small bottle from his robe.

"This is some Artificial Star Dew, a welcome gift for the newcomer. Its effects are far inferior to genuine natural Star Dew, but it can still help improve mental strength."

Ron was about to thank him when Mrs. Allen had already taken the potion bottle.

"Then I'll thank Apprentice Holt on his behalf. But this child needs to take things slowly. It's still too early for him to use this."

Holt merely smiled faintly and said nothing more. He placed all the herbs he had bought into a special narrow-mouthed cloth pouch at his waist, then turned and left.

His gray-blue robe vanished beyond the doorway in an instant, as if he had never been there at all.

Only after that peculiar magical fluctuation had completely faded did Mrs. Allen turn to look at him.

"You've got some luck, kid. Holt is a prospective wizard on the verge of advancement. Nothing he has on hand is ordinary."

She carefully put away the crystal bottle.

"This bottle of Artificial Star Dew was refined from Star Essence that fell from the sky. Though it can't compare to naturally condensed Star Dew, among apprentices, you won't find a better potion than this."

"I'll keep it for you for now. Once you pass the apprentice assessment, I'll return it to you."

She glanced at Ron. "With your current strength, having a potion of this level on you isn't a good thing."

Ron nodded without objection. He understood the simple truth that an innocent man could be ruined by possessing a treasure.

"By the way." Mrs. Allen clearly had no intention of letting him off so easily. "How did you activate the medicinal properties of that Star Grass just now?"

Ron stopped what he was doing and explained honestly based on his own understanding.

"While sorting it, I noticed that the fluctuations it gave off were very similar to mental strength during meditation. So I tried arranging it using a similar Rhythm."

"I see." A rare smile appeared on the old witch's terrifying, deeply wrinkled face.

"It seems you truly have some talent for sensing mental strength. No wonder Holt took an interest in you."

"Help me sort and classify this Evening Primrose."

The casual conversation was over. Mrs. Allen pointed to the herbs in the corner and began assigning him tasks again.

"Remember, arrange them according to when they were picked."

Ron nodded and got to work. As he sorted the herbs, he casually mentioned the figure in the dark cloak he had seen hurrying away from the dormitory area that morning.

"Oh, that's a runner responsible for delivering letters and miscellaneous items to the apprentices. I heard he has some connection to the royal family on your side."

Without even looking up, Mrs. Allen said, "He often travels between the mortal Kingdoms and this place."

Ron silently filed away that information. Come to think of it, the number of Magic Stone Fragments delivered at the beginning of every month was always different.

There had been seven last month, but only six this month.

That was strange. The father in his memories had been so meticulous that he was almost rigid.

After inheriting the title of Count from Ron's grandfather, there had never been even a single silver coin's discrepancy in the estate's accounts.

If he had arranged for the Magic Stone Fragments to be delivered, there should have been no variation in the quantity.

In Count Ralph's study in the Farouk Kingdom, the fireplace cast the man's shadow upon the wall, making him appear exceptionally tall.

"These are this month's ten Magic Stone Fragments."

He handed a carefully sealed leather pouch to the butler. "The usual arrangement. Have Mr. Hawkins take them to the Black Mist Forest."

The butler accepted the pouch, feeling its considerable weight. "My lord, have you mortgaged the vineyard east of the estate?"

Count Ralph did not deny it. Last year's plague had caused poor harvests, and combined with the expenses of his other children, the estate was already running at a deficit.

But he had to ensure that Ron received sufficient resources every month. In a place like the Black Mist Forest, one could hardly take a step without Magic Stone Fragments.

"I neglected that child's upbringing in the past." The count stood by the window, gazing at the yellowed wheat fields in the distance. "Now, all I can do is help him through this difficult time as best I can."

The butler acknowledged the order and withdrew. He carefully stored the leather pouch in the highest-grade storage room on the estate.

A few days later, when Mr. Hawkins, the messenger who came as usual, slipped the pouch into his robes, a flash of greed swiftly passed through his eyes.

Mrs. Allen walked to the shelf in the corner and took out a cloth bag.

"That's enough for today. These are some ordinary herbs that restore alertness, an extra reward for your work."

"Thank you, Mrs. Allen."

"Oh, right..." Mrs. Allen said as he was preparing to leave. "Come a little earlier tomorrow. I'm planning to teach you some simple potion-making methods."

By the time Ron left the Herb Shop, the morning mist had long been scattered by the sunlight.

As Ron recalled everything that had happened today, he felt both delighted and somewhat uneasy.

The opportunity this job offered far exceeded his expectations, but it also meant it would draw more attention.

When he returned to the dormitory, Ron found Andre waiting outside his door.

"How was it? Did your first day go smoothly?" Andre asked with a smile, though his eyes held a trace of concern.

Ron did not answer immediately. He first opened the door and made sure no one was nearby, then briefly told him what had happened today.

"Star Dew?!" Andre sucked in a sharp breath. "That High-level Apprentice couldn't be..."

He suddenly lowered his voice. "Lord Holt?"

Seeing Ron's puzzled expression, Andre explained.

"He's one of the few High-level Apprentices in our School who has displayed extraordinary talent in potions. I've heard he's also highly accomplished in the study and application of Star Orbit."

"But..." He trailed off.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." Andre shook his head. "Just be careful. Receiving someone's attention is a good thing, but it also means..."

Ron understood what he meant. In this world ruled by wizards, anything unusual could bring danger.

"Oh, right." Andre changed the subject. "The Second Body Tempering starts this afternoon. Are you ready?"

Ron nodded and took out the herbs Mrs. Allen had given him from the cloth bag. "These should help."

As he sorted the herbs, he reflected on today's gains and the increase in his skill experience.

Whether it was his perception of the herbs' "Rhythm" or his conversations with Holt and Mrs. Allen, everything had given him a deeper understanding of this world.

As for why the delivered fragments were not checked against the accounts, that foreshadowing will pay off in Chapter 64.