Potion Apprentice: A Leap from Nothing to Something

"What is it?" Andre noticed him suddenly freeze in place. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing." Ron took a deep breath and silently said, Confirm class change.

The next moment, a strange energy surged from his heart, spreading through his entire body like a warm stream and making him feel as though he were soaking in a hot spring.

As a blank slate who had previously had no class at all, even though this was merely the most basic life class, the leap from "nothing" to "something" still triggered earthshaking changes within him.

His originally murky magic power gradually became clear, like mixed iron filings suddenly finding order when a magnet appeared.

His perception also underwent a subtle transformation.

The magical elements floating through the air were no longer entirely intangible. Though they remained blurry, he could at least vaguely sense their existence.

The most obvious change occurred in his hands. The herbs, roots, and even the free magic power in the air that he had touched before all left unique "imprints" in his perception.

It was like a blind man suddenly gaining an understanding of color; the world became rich and three-dimensional in his senses.

This level of perception was probably what people meant by specialization.

The mysterious sensation lasted for several seconds before finally gathering like droplets of water along his veins and settling around his heart, forming a faint "source point."

Class change successful!

Class obtained: Potion Apprentice (One Star)

Base attributes increased:
Mental Strength +0.3
Physique +0.1
Magic Power +0.2

Class skills unlocked:

1. Potion Brewing (Beginner)

2. Herb Identification (Beginner)

Special bonuses:

1. Experience gained from Potions-related skills slightly increased

2. Mental strength accumulation speed slightly increased

3. Magic affinity slightly increased

Ron closed his eyes and felt the changes within his body.

The previously vague fluctuations of mental strength had become clearer, like a painting veiled by thin gauze suddenly having its covering lifted.

And deep within his consciousness, it seemed he had gained a peculiar sensory ability.

When he focused his attention on the Scorching Essential Oil on the table, he could actually vaguely sense the flow of energy contained within it.

"Huh?" Andre's voice suddenly rang out. "Your aura... seems different."

Ron opened his eyes and found Andre looking at him with a somewhat puzzled expression.

"What is it?"

"I don't know why," Andre said, frowning, though he did not dare be certain.

"I just feel like you have some kind of special... temperament now? Like those High-level Apprentices who specialize in Potions."

Ron's heart stirred. This was probably a change brought about by his class change. It was not merely an improvement in his stats; even his temperament had undergone some mysterious transformation. Yet his expression remained unchanged.

"Probably because I just finished preparing a potion. My mental strength got a little training from it."

He casually rubbed his temples and brushed it off. "I feel a little more alert than before."

Andre nodded skeptically. "That makes sense. It's your first time coming into contact with so many extraordinary materials, so a slight effect is normal."

"Speaking of which," Ron deliberately changed the subject, "how long does the Scorching Essential Oil last?"

"Usually around three days."

Andre yawned. "It's getting late. Read through the notes I gave you when you have time. As for the specifics of body tempering, I'll come teach you how to begin tomorrow."

Only after the other man left did Ron finally let out a sigh of relief.

He could not wait to test the effects of meditation now. After adjusting his posture, he began entering a meditative state according to the Basic Meditation Method.

The moment he closed his eyes, he noticed an enormous difference—the consciousness rune that had previously taken a long time to outline now took only moments to form.

Moreover, the rune's shape was much more stable than before.

What delighted him even more was that the mental strength gathering around him was clearly more abundant than before.

It felt as though he had once been forced to draw water through a flattened straw, but could now scoop it up with a spoon.

Basic Meditation experience +1

Basic Meditation experience +1

Today's training time has reached its limit. Rest is recommended.

"This improvement..." Ron opened his eyes and looked at the data before him, feeling both delighted and uneasy.

Meditation Methods were definitely much easier to gain experience in now than before. If he went to test his aptitude, he might even test at a higher star rank.

And such a tremendous improvement had come merely from successfully taking on a life class that had little to do with combat.

It seems I need to be even more careful, Ron silently told himself.

Still, those wizards are fairly kind to Candidate Apprentices. As long as I follow the rules, they will not harm me, so I do not need to worry too early about being noticed by those in high places.

Everything had happened too quickly. These changes almost left him unable to take it all in.

At this moment, he felt that he especially needed to sort through his current situation and clarify his next plans and goals.

Ron stood up and began putting away the various scattered tools on the table.

The Black Mist Forest was especially quiet late at night. Only faint, strange sounds drifted over from the distance.

He began reviewing his current situation in his mind.

First and foremost were the base attribute improvements brought by becoming a Potion Apprentice:

Mental Strength: 1.1 → 1.4

Physique: 0.4 → 0.5

Magic Power: 0.1 → 0.3

Then there were the two beginner-level class skills and three special bonuses.

These improvements are not small, but they are still far from the threshold for breaking through to Primary Apprentice, Ron silently told himself.

Just as he sank into thought, unconsciously turning the small bottle of sealed Scorching Essential Oil in his hand, a new prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Scorching Essential Oil detected. Begin use?

Notice: First use will unlock the class change for the combat class—Knight Squire★.

"So that's how it is."

Looking at the prompt on the panel, Ron finally understood why Andre had said he would teach him how to use it tomorrow—the first use of such a body-tempering potion was especially important.

He carefully put away his notes and the medicine bottle, preparing to rest early.

Tomorrow, he would not only begin training in the Corona Breathing Technique, but also apply for the assistant position at the Herb Shop.

As he tidied up, his peripheral vision caught the copy of Basics of Potionology by his bed.

Thinking back on it now, perhaps there had been some unseen fate in his decision to choose the path of Potions.

The attribute increases and special bonuses brought by being a Potion Apprentice, along with the various corresponding resources he could obtain, would undoubtedly allow him to go further on both the wizard and Knight paths.

"But for now, the most important thing is to hide these improvements."

Ron lay down on the creaking old wooden bed and stared at the rough outline of the ceiling.

At least until I have enough strength to protect myself. That day should not be too far away.