"You should remember these things."
This enthusiastic but unnamed wizard shot the examinee a reproachful look and slightly emphasized his tone. "These are things the examiners may not necessarily ask about, but if they do, you must quickly and accurately describe your experiences practicing the Transformation Spell. That way, they won't mistakenly think you mastered it through a Black Magic Ritual or some other external method."
Zheng Qing understood the reasoning.
The problem was, why did he feel that this helpful fellow's description of learning the Transformation Spell sounded even more like some kind of Black Magic Ritual?
His hand unconsciously settled on his belt, his fingers uneasily tapping against his Gray Cloth Bag.
"But..." Zheng Qing ultimately decided to be a little more cautious, so he defended himself in a very low voice. "When I practiced the Transformation Spell, I never used Datura Leaf."
The black-robed wizard's expression immediately turned solemn.
"Then what did you use?" He took a small step back, the smile vanishing from his face. "Oak leaves? Animal fur? Or some other method?"
"None of those. I used Transformation Potion..."
"Transformation Potion?" The slightly plump wizard's already-red nose seemed to turn faintly purple in an instant. First he looked shocked, then he fell silent. Finally, his lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
He merely patted the boy on the shoulder. After a long while, he let out a wry smile. "Ah, Transformation Potion... No wonder you managed it in just a few months... I mean, your elders really seem to value you."
"I guess."
Zheng Qing muttered, and the empty display window of Sanyou Bookstore immediately flashed through his mind. If wanting to see someone yet being unable to was a form of valuing someone, then