Seeking Help

Malena saw the tension on Ian's face, with none of his usual composure.

"What happened?"

"On my way back, the badly wounded Nolan caught up with me. I had no choice but to run into the wilderness and kill him..."

As Malena listened, her eyes gradually widened, and her cherry lips remained parted for a long while.

"Y-you really killed Nolan? And even seized the Tranquil Flower?"

Malena shot to her feet and stared fixedly at Ian.

"Can you contact Wizard Alivia? I urgently need her help."

After speaking, Ian held the scarlet mark that was emitting a faint glow before Malena's eyes.

"Th-this is a Wizard's Mark. How did you get this thing stuck on you? This is bad... It looks like the other side is locating you!"

After seeing the mark, Malena's expression immediately turned grave. She no longer had the mind to ask about the Tranquil Flower.

"So can you help me contact Wizard Alivia? I'm afraid the owner of this mark is already on the way here!"

Seeing Ian grow increasingly anxious, Malena stopped wasting words and quickly went inside to retrieve a green rune card.

"This is the emergency contact rune card Alivia gave me. But asking a wizard to act comes at a steep price. You need to be prepared."

Ian nodded repeatedly. He had already thought it through on the way here. Among his connections, only Malena could ask a wizard to help him.

This was the fastest and safest solution. As for the price, Nolan's belongings should be enough, right?

With a squeeze of Malena's small hand, the green rune card shattered. A flash of green light shot toward the High Tower.

"Done. Just wait here. Until Lady Alivia arrives, don't leave my room."

Seeing that Malena looked somewhat nervous as well, Ian nodded vigorously.

Right now, he would ignore anyone who called him outside.

"Now, can you properly explain how you killed Nolan?"

Malena's eyes brimmed with curiosity. Ian was only an Intermediate Apprentice, yet he had accomplished what the four of them, all Advanced Apprentices, had failed to do.

How strong was Nolan?

Clayton and Christine were still lying in bed recuperating. Neither of them would recover in less than a month.

After Harvey cast his final spell, his mental power had been exhausted, and the Will Rune in his mind had been shaken. He too needed to recuperate slowly.

She specialized in Nature Element spells, so her recovery ability was considered the strongest, yet even she needed ten days to half a month of rest.

"When Nolan caught up to me, he was already severely injured. One of his hands had been severed, and half his body was nearly burned away."

"Even so, he wasn't someone an Intermediate Apprentice like you could kill. Hmph! I won't ask anymore. That's your privacy."

Seeing Ian evade the matter vaguely, Malena did not press further.

"Just be more careful in the future. Don't be too shocking when you make a move."

Ian knew she was warning him. Being too outstanding was not necessarily a good thing.

He was already a potion-making genius. If he became even more exceptional, the benefits would not increase by much, while the trouble would pile up.

After Ian had calmed down for the moment, he took the wooden box from his bag.

"This is what Nolan left behind. See if it's the Tranquil Flower."

He had examined it himself. Basic Potion Identification had even gained one point of proficiency.

Malena carefully accepted it and slowly opened the box.

Inside lay a black flower as large as a bowl. Its petals had already dried up. It had undergone an initial processing, which would not affect its medicinal properties.

The entire flower had seven petals, evenly spread outward. Their shape resembled the leaves of the medicinal herb "Paris polyphylla" from Ian's previous life, except this one was black.

Malena gazed at it with a dazed expression before reluctantly closing the wooden box.

"It really is the Tranquil Flower. Ian, you truly are lucky."

Ian looked helpless. "I'd rather not have this kind of luck."

"You mean that?" Malena raised her head to look at Ian.

"Mm. As long as Wizard Alivia helps me erase the mark, I'm willing to offer the Tranquil Flower as payment."

Malena's heart raced. She had wanted to agree immediately, but she held herself back.

"Let's wait until Lady Alivia arrives."

Although she felt that Lady Alivia would definitely agree, out of respect for her, she did not give Ian a definite reply. After all, she was not the one who would be taking action.

"Malena. What is your relationship with Wizard Alivia?"

Ian had wanted to ask that question for a long time, and now was the perfect chance.

A nostalgic look appeared on Malena's face, and her voice softened.

"Lady Alivia was my mother's best friend. My mother passed away when I was very young. After that, I lived with her, and she treated me very well."

"I'm sorry, Malena. I shouldn't have brought up something painful." Ian hurriedly apologized.

Malena shook her head. "I've lived in Shadowmoon Tower ever since I could remember. Even my mother's appearance is vague in my memories."

Ian suddenly recalled something. "When I first came to the shop, I saw a woman in a green robe there. Why haven't I seen her again since then?"

Malena's alluring eyes shifted as she shot Ian a sidelong glance.

"You certainly have a good memory. You only met her once, yet you remember her so clearly!"

Ian looked embarrassed and hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no. I was just making conversation!"

"Hmph! Who knows what you're really thinking?" Malena snorted. She did not continue teasing Ian, but she did not answer his question either.

"Um... How are Harvey and the others now?" Ian hurriedly changed the subject.

"They're not dead, so don't worry." Malena seemed to feel that her tone was inappropriate and added more about their condition.

"Clayton and Christine's injuries aren't serious either, so there's no need to worry. As long as an Advanced Apprentice doesn't die on the spot, there are usually ways to save them."

"That's good." Ian sighed inwardly. Those people had gained nothing, yet ended up covered in injuries.

Perhaps this was the norm for wizards. Giving something did not guarantee a return.

Ian noticed that the necklace around Malena's neck had begun to flicker, shining an emerald glow through her clothes.

"Lady Alivia has arrived." Malena's expression shifted slightly as she hurriedly got up and opened the door.

Ian rose as well and stood beside Malena.

A moment later, a powerful pressure descended over Starleaf Apothecary. Startled cries rang out around them, then quickly died down.

A familiar figure entered the room. It was Wizard Alivia.

"Lady Alivia, I didn't disturb your rest, did I?" Malena stepped forward, took Alivia's hand, and whispered a few words into her ear.

"Wizard Alivia!" Ian bowed as well.

"My lady, he is Ian, the Potion Master from the shop. This time, he has something to ask of you."

"Oh?" Alivia looked at Ian, a thoughtful expression appearing in her eyes.

"I remember you. You attended one of my classes some time ago and sat in the last row."

There had been over a hundred people in the classroom, and so much time had passed, yet she still remembered him. A wizard's memory was truly terrifying!

"Yes, esteemed Wizard Alivia. This time, I ask you to erase the mark on my hand."

Ian did not waste any words. He quickly extended his hand for Alivia to inspect.

Alivia only glanced at it before nodding lightly. "This is Douglas's mark. Did you kill one of his relatives or students?"

"Yes, one of his students. I was fortunate enough to kill him just now."