Obtaining Compensation

The refining process went quite smoothly. This crucible truly was a fine thing; even without being bound, it worked far better than the practice crucible that had already been upgraded once.

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Using a pure silver stirring rod, he carefully controlled his spiritual power to guide the balance of the medicinal properties. For the first two batches, he used pure water condensed with the [Water Creation Spell], successfully refining two bottles of excellent-quality Calming Potion.

When he began refining the third batch, Li Ang felt his spiritual power being drained rather heavily. Not daring to risk using the [Water Creation Spell] again, he used the distiller in the workshop to produce a portion of distilled water. In the end, he obtained one bottle of qualified-quality Calming Potion.

Looking at the three bottles of potion arranged on the workbench, Li Ang nodded in satisfaction. He pressed his badge against a summoning rune beside the commission board.

Not long afterward, the workshop door was pushed open, and Ginny, Eve's female attendant, walked in.

"Apprentice Li Ang, what do you need?" Ginny asked respectfully.

"Ms. Ginny, I'd like to submit a commission." Li Ang pointed at the three bottles of Calming Potion on the table. "Three bottles of Calming Potion, completed."

Ginny did not dare be negligent. She quickly stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the three bottles. When she saw the pure, dazzling golden color of two of them and the abundant specks of magical light within, her face instantly filled with shock.

"Ex... excellent quality? Two bottles?" She looked at Li Ang in disbelief, her voice even changing pitch. "You... you finished three bottles in a single day? And two of them are excellent?"

"Yes. Please inspect them," Li Ang replied calmly.

Suppressing the shock in her heart, Ginny carefully inspected the three bottles. After confirming that there were no issues, her tone became even more respectful. "There is absolutely no problem. Apprentice Li Ang, your skill is truly astonishing."

She took out a small ledger from within her voluminous robe and began calculating.

"According to the commission, qualified-quality Calming Potion earns one silver coin per bottle. After deducting the material cost of eighty copper coins, you will receive twenty copper coins."

She paused, then continued.

"Excellent-quality Calming Potion... although it was not written on the commission sheet, according to the tower's usual practice, the reward is two silver coins per bottle. After the same deduction of eighty copper coins for materials, you will receive one silver coin and twenty copper coins per bottle. Altogether, your three bottles come to two silver coins and sixty copper coins."

Hearing the amount Ginny quoted, Li Ang was instantly overjoyed.

Good heavens, just one afternoon and I've earned four months' worth of allowance money? At this rate, I'll have no problem eating selected meals every day in the future.

Ginny counted out the corresponding coins and put them into a small linen pouch.

"Apprentice Li Ang," Ginny added quietly as she handed him the little bag of coins.

"If you are not in urgent need of money, you can actually choose to exchange your commission rewards for school contribution points in the future."

"Many rare materials, knowledge, and even the right to use special tools cannot be bought outside even with money, but they can be exchanged for contribution points within the school."

Li Ang's heart stirred. He took the coins and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Ms. Ginny. I'll consider it."

Ginny bowed once more before leaving with the three bottles of potion.

By the time Li Ang left Instructor Eve's workshop, it was nearly dinner time. Humming a somewhat off-key tune, he stepped into the cafeteria once again.

The feeling of having money in his pocket put him especially at ease. His gaze habitually swept through the cafeteria, and he spotted Lottie again.

She was lining up to order food. Li Ang quickly walked over and stood behind her. Hearing somewhat familiar footsteps, Lottie turned her head and happened to see Li Ang behind her.

"Mr... Mr. Li Ang, good evening."

"Good evening, Lottie. Did you find a suitable commission?" Li Ang asked as if casually.

Lottie nodded at his words. She tried to force a smile, but it looked rather unpleasant.

"Yes, I found one. A copying commission."

One look at her expression told Li Ang that this girl had probably spent the entire afternoon copying and still earned very little.

Soon, it was Lottie's turn to order. Because Li Ang was present, she felt too embarrassed to ask for the cheapest simple meal. Just as she was hesitating over whether to extravagantly order a standard meal, Li Ang cut in front of her.

She did not quite understand Li Ang's action, but out of gratitude and trust, Lottie did not mind being cut in line. She even believed that Li Ang must have something very important to rush off and do afterward, which was why he had done this.

Li Ang said to the chef behind the counter, "Two selected set meals, thank you."

Just as Lottie was wondering why Li Ang's appetite had suddenly increased so much, she saw him smiling at her.

In an instant, she understood. Looking flattered and overwhelmed, she waved both hands repeatedly. "No, no, that won't do, Mr. Li Ang. This... is far too expensive for you. I... I can't accept it."

"It's fine. I just completed a commission today and earned quite a bit of money."

Li Ang tried to put her at ease. "It's only one set meal. It's nothing."

"Really, I can't." Lottie's attitude was exceptionally firm, her head shaking like a rattle drum. "You've already... already helped me twice. I can't let you spend so much on me for no reason again. Really... thank you so very much, but I can't..."

"Your two selected set meals are ready." The chef seemed to have understood the situation before him and, unwilling to let a sure sale fly away, served the meals faster than usual.

Li Ang pointed at the meals. "Sorry, Miss Lottie, but the food is already ready. Don't waste it."

Lottie's eyes were somewhat moist now. She fought to keep her tears from falling. "Thank you, Mr. Li Ang. Thank you, truly."

Carrying their trays, the two found a table near the corner under the envious gazes of the reserve apprentices.

Perhaps the delicious food had softened the defenses around her tightly wound heart, or perhaps Li Ang's repeated kindness had gradually built trust. Lottie began speaking more and more.

"Mr. Li Ang, you really are a good person," she said softly. Her gaze drifted as though she had sunk into memories. "Other than my family... it has been a long time since anyone treated me this well."

"Your family treats you well?" Li Ang followed her words and asked.

"Mm..." Lottie nodded, her gaze dimming somewhat. "My family, the Polk Lineage, is actually a very small wizard lineage. Although it has already declined, Father and Mother, as well as my older brother and sister, are all very kind."

Li Ang's heart stirred. A wizard lineage? He had not expected that.

Lottie continued in a low voice, as if confiding in him, yet also as if talking to herself.

"Big Sister Alisa is the eldest daughter of the family and has the best talent. She has Level 4 spiritual power talent. She is the family's hope. A few years ago, she successfully joined the Wizard Tower, and now she is an Apprentice Wizard of the Elemental School."

When speaking of her sister, her usual timidity vanished from her tone, replaced by heartfelt pride.

"Big Brother Ackerman has Level 3 talent, which is not bad either. He also came to the Wizard Tower the year before last and became an apprentice in the Astrology School... but me..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, nearly inaudible. "I only have Level 1 spiritual power talent, along with a tiny bit of fire-element affinity... I'm the worst in the family."