The next day.
Mages' Guild.
In the rocking chair by the window, Manlin held an ancient book in her hands, her jade-like legs crossed.
Her gaze danced between the lines, a faintly thoughtful expression on her face.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, followed by a familiar voice.
"Mentor Manlin, I've come to butter you up—"
Manlin chuckled softly. "Come in, Zeliel."
Zeliel pushed open the door. He first gave Mentor Manlin a slight bow, then placed the cloth bag containing Moonlight Grass on the table.
"Mentor Manlin, here's what you asked for. See if it's right."
"Pretty efficient, aren't you, little guy?"
"Any task Mentor Manlin assigns must be completed with utmost dedication," Zeliel said solemnly.
Manlin opened the cloth bag and took out a clump of Moonlight Grass still clinging to moist soil, examining it carefully before nodding in satisfaction.
"Not bad. The roots are intact and full of vitality. This batch of Moonlight Grass is of quite good quality."
Manlin arranged the Moonlight Grass neatly on the table.
Then she rose and walked over to rows of orderly medicine cabinets, skillfully selecting several supplementary ingredients—bright red Flame Fruit, crooked Snake Vine, and a few dried pieces of Silverleaf Grass.
It looked as though she was about to concoct something.
"Do you know Water Ball?" Manlin turned and asked Zeliel.
"I do." Zeliel nodded.
Manlin took down a copper basin from the shelf. "Put some water in it."
Zeliel placed the copper basin before him and began constructing the spell structure of Water Ball in his mind.
There was just one small problem.
If he cast Water Ball according to its original spell structure, the water ball would be launched straight out by the magical impact the instant it formed, likely splashing everywhere.
So Zeliel made