"Ahem, ahem, ahem."
Leo's violent coughing echoed inside the laboratory, so strained that it sounded as if he wanted to cough his lung lobes out, and upon close inspection, tiny blood-foams could even be seen splashing in the air as he coughed.
"Lord Gavarci, although this time's potion will suppress the Shadow Power, it will not pose a fatal hazard to me. It can cause sustained painful torture, especially on the lungs, where the absorption of air has attenuated by seventy percent. I need to expend more mana on maintaining bodily functions, and my strength drops by about forty-five percent. Compared to the previous potion, the damage is not as great, but the onset time will last for a long time."
Leo sensed carefully. "I cannot determine the exact time for complete recovery at present. Without the interference of external forces, I expect it to exceed one year."
For some unknown reason, the duration of the experiment, which Gavarci originally said could end in another three months, had been prolonged.
The matter happened right after the last experiment succeeded. Gavarci went out of the tower once, and upon returning, changed his mind.
Gavarci belonged to that sort of workaholic, busy every single day with various experiments, almost treating the laboratory as home. The number of times he could leave the tower in a year could be counted on one hand, which was why Leo paid so much attention to the matter of him leaving the tower.
Moreover, after Gavarci returned, the experimental direction also changed, shifting from previously focusing on subduing the Shadow Power to researching sustainability.
Of course, this was only what Leo understood; whether there were other experiments in secret, Leo did not know.
Such a change was good news for Leo, because he could still remain in the tower to continue studying and furthering his education, given that his foundation was very poor indeed.
Yet at the same time, it was also bad news, which was that he still had to act as an experimental subject for some time more.
"There is no rush. During this period, you must absolutely not activate the Healing Rune Array. Just wait for your body to slowly recover, record the condition changes of every day well, and I will not treat you unfairly."
Gavarci cautiously drew several tubes of blood from Leo, including cutting off a portion of his hair and nails, with a meticulous appearance like a farmer harvesting crops.
Leo knew better than to dare ask Gavarci what experiments these were to be taken for. He had asked once before and received an icy-cold glance.
"You do not need to do anything during this time. I have brought you a few insights written by myself; take a look at them first."
Upon hearing that there were insights to read as well, Leo's previously weak and lifeless pupils instantly emitted the green light that only appeared when wild wolves preyed, looking as starved as a lifelong bachelor who suddenly saw the Four Beauties standing side-by-side and stark naked in front of the bed.
Insights mentioned by Gavarci were certainly not ordinary wizard books from the second-floor library, but surely the essence of Gavarci's millennia of cultivation. What was recorded above would be a wizard's signature skill, and every single sentence was experience that could shorten ten years of cultivation time.
Insight books of this sort were always every wizard's trump-card treasure, something descendants were not necessarily able to obtain, and Leo had never dared to dream that he could get them.
Too precious!
Watching Gavarci hand over three books with an expression as if his heart was bleeding with pain, Leo bared his eight teeth and accepted them with a flattering expression.
"The universe is vast, and the worlds are as numerous as silt in a river, naturally giving birth to countless life forms. Every life form is a unique existence; it can be said that every life form has unique secrets, and we wizards grasp power by studying the essence of all things."
"The power I grasp is poison, not the trash understood by ordinary people who only know how to concoct poisons, but pursuing the essence of things, finding their weaknesses, and striving to obtain the greatest results with the minimum power."
"Pity that after researching for a millennium, I have only researched over ten thousand kinds. In the greatness of the universe, what I have studied is merely a drop in the ocean."
Gavarci let out a long sigh. For the sake of the Dao he pursued, he was still a First-Level Wizard up to now. Although his research was so profound that even some Level Three Great Wizards had to praise it continuously, it had completely cut off the opportunity to advance to the second level. Between gains and losses, who could speak clearly?
"These three books record the theoretical parameter data of three thousand common animals and plants. How much you can learn depends entirely on yourself."
"Many thanks, Master."
Leo bowed respectfully. Regardless of what goal Gavarci had in handing these three priceless insights to him, he had to thank him sincerely.
These were good things worth more than gold, the fundamental basis upon which an Official Wizard depended for survival. Everything else was illusory, and only what one learned oneself was solid and real.
At the same time, Leo also knew that this was the first step of his contact with advanced knowledge. From these three books of insights, he could catch a glimpse of the knowledge system of the official Elemental Wizard, which held immense benefits for his own future.
Time passed once more. Ever since Gavarci changed the experimental direction, Leo spent most of his time recuperating in a sickly state, unable to muster the slightest bit of energy in his body, but the operation of his brain was unaffected. Therefore, as long as it was not sleeping time, Leo was reading those three books.
Though called three books, the contents inside were extremely miscellaneous and complex, and every page required careful study and pondering.
Fortunately, Leo currently had nothing else, but plenty of time.
These three books of insights not only introduced the detailed information, illustrations, habitats, medicinal properties, habits, and so on of three thousand kinds of animals and plants...
There were also Gavarci's experimental processes and data records, while at the very back of the insights, one hundred potion formulas were additionally transcribed.
This meant that as long as there were raw materials and experimental equipment, Leo could perfectly replicate these potions.
Upon seeing this, Leo almost jumped up. Gavarci had not only given him a fish, but also gave him the skill to catch fish.
"Ah, Leo, is Master Gavarci in?"
Leo looked at Skye before him, glittering with jewels and possessing only Wizard Apprentice strength. This was the branch manager of the Purple Gold Flower Merchant Group at the Purple Flame Wizard Academy, who held a long-term commercial contract with Wizard Gavarci.
To Gavarci, who had extremely deep researches into pharmacology, earning some money was far too easy, as there were too many merchant groups wanting to purchase potions from his hands.
A poison master with profound expertise would definitely be a potion master. To the merchant groups, that meant glittering Wizard Coins, since potions were one of the indispensable pieces of equipment for every wizard.
During the years Leo lived in the tower, when Gavarci was busy, he would handle a few miscellaneous chores, among which included dealing with some unimportant people, so he had long since known and become familiar with Skye.
"The master is currently doing experiments. This year's potion quota is already prepared, and I will fetch it for you right now."
"Many thanks, Brother Leo," Skye said with a smiling chuckle.
Leo quickly fetched the potions over. Gavarci had prepared them long ago-or rather, Gavarci had refined a fifty-year dose of potions all at once, and taking out a little bit from the storeroom each time was enough to dismiss Skye.
At the very beginning, Leo did not understand the situation inside here. It was once when Gavarci was too busy that he told Leo about the matters inside and instructed Leo on how to go about it, and only then did Leo know the tricks within.
"Three thousand shares of healing potions, one thousand shares of Red Roland Potion, five hundred shares of Bloodthirst Potion, three hundred shares of Scarlet Poison."
"The quantity is correct, and the potions are also correct. Many thanks, Brother Leo." Smiles piled up on Skye's face, a pair of eyes squeezed into a slit by his rounded cheeks.
Skye was naturally happy. In the past when Leo was not around, every time he came he had to wait for a long time, since he did not dare to disturb the experiment of such a potion master like Gavarci, and neither daring to leave nor stay, he could only wait dryly.
The longest time, he waited a full half-month, delaying a lot of business.
There was no way he could complain. He couldn't afford to offend Gavarci.
But things were different now. Ever since Leo had been there, not a moment had been wasted. It was rare for business to go this smoothly.
Skye took the potions but didn't leave right away. Instead, he stopped, beaming, and pulled a large handful of Wizard Coins from his spatial wizard tool, pressing them into Leo's hand.
"Thanks again, Brother Leo. Take this and get yourself something to drink from Kaqima."
Leo didn't refuse. Every time Skye came by, he slipped Leo some money. It wasn't much, just two or three hundred Wizard Coins. After several visits, Leo had taken a total of fifteen hundred from him.
The most coincidental thing was that Leo's total number of Wizard Coins was exactly fifteen hundred.
In other words, all the money in Leo's Shadow Space had come from Skye's tips. This was a bona fide top supporter!
"Manager Skye, I was wondering if you buy small quantities of potions?" Leo asked tentatively.
"Of course I do! I'll buy as many as you have, even just one. Brother Leo, do you have a source?" Skye's eyes shone with a ravenous light as they locked onto Leo, as if he wanted to melt him. He knew what Leo meant as soon as he asked.
"..."
Leo rubbed his nose. He hadn't expected Skye to react so strongly. The Purple Gold Flower Merchant Group was every bit as big as Green Cottage. They were both enormous merchant groups operating across multiple worlds. Why would they get so worked up over a single potion?
It was like one of the world's top five hundred companies taking an interest in a peasant's crops. It made no sense-twelve out of ten levels of no sense.
"I was just asking. Manager Skye, you know I've been studying with Master Gavarci for a while. Lately, I've been thinking of trying to brew potions myself, though I don't know if I'll succeed."
"Don't worry, Brother. Whatever potions you bring me, I'll buy them at a high price. I absolutely won't let you come out at a loss."
"If you're not reassured, we can sign a contract first. I guarantee you won't lose a single bit of profit."
Skye seemed afraid Leo wouldn't believe him. He started reaching for a contract, eager to sign it on the spot, without even considering whether Leo could successfully brew the potions.
Leo was startled. Was it really that serious? He immediately stopped Skye. "I was just asking. Once I've brewed some, I'll bring them to the shop. There's no need for a contract. What if I fail and let you down, Manager Skye? I promise that I'll only supply the potions I successfully brew to you."
After a great deal of effort, Leo finally saw Skye off. He hadn't expected Skye to react so strongly.
As soon as he turned around, he saw Gavarci standing at the top of the stairs, his face expressionless. He hadn't shown his face for half a month. It seemed he'd witnessed everything that had happened at the entrance.
Leo was so startled that he felt guilty and wanted to say something, but then realized that nothing would sound right.
"Have you understood all three of those books? Want to see if you can brew potions yourself?"
Leo looked nervously at Gavarci's expressionless face. Even the frog Lilith, perched on Gavarci's head, was staring at him with her bulging eyes.
For a moment, Leo didn't know how to answer. After all, what he'd done could be seen as poaching Gavarci's business, and Gavarci had caught him in the act. There was no room for excuses.
The air fell silent. Leo nervously swallowed, and his already weak body was instantly slick with cold sweat.
In the Wizard World, where the law was of little use, killing him for what he'd done would have been entirely reasonable.
"Master, I want to give it a try."
No number of excuses could explain what had happened, so Leo simply admitted it and accepted the consequences. After all, it had already happened, and Gavarci had caught him red-handed.
Leo resigned himself to watching Gavarci, wondering how he would punish him.
"Mm, good. The small laboratory on the second floor will be enough for you. I'll have Lilith help you. I'll cover the raw materials for now, and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty."
Gavarci stroked the frog Lilith on his head. With a croak, Lilith leaped straight onto Leo's head.
"???"
Leo was a little bewildered. He'd tried to poach Gavarci's business, and Gavarci had actually agreed-and even offered him a laboratory and the raw materials?
Could it be that his true identity wasn't experimental material, but Gavarci's new son and personal disciple?
"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master."
The outcome was better than Leo had hoped, so he thanked Gavarci profusely. Whether or not Gavarci had some other purpose, this was the best possible result for now.
Gavarci said nothing more. He drew two tubes of blood from Leo and left.
Only after Gavarci had disappeared from sight did Leo carefully reach up to touch the frog Lilith on his head.
Many wizards had a habit of raising pets. Some were suited for combat, others for support. They were called pets, but were really more like family, since wizards spent most of their time either cultivating or in the laboratory.
Their pets were the only ones who could always stay by their side. A friendship forged through all that time naturally couldn't be matched by anything else.
Leo didn't know what Lilith could do, since he'd never seen her in action. But Gavarci had asked her to help, so Lilith's abilities were probably quite impressive.
With permission secured, Leo rushed excitedly toward the laboratory. He'd been eager to get his hands on it for a long time.
"Which potion should I brew first? The simplest healing potion? Or the Ruby Potion, which can improve physical fitness? Or the Red Roland Potion, which can increase elemental affinity?"
In theory, Leo had already mastered the methods for preparing hundreds of potions, but when it came to actually doing it, he hadn't even touched the equipment.
He had a head full of theory, but zero practical ability.
"I can't get ahead of myself. I'd better start with the simplest healing potion. Gru sold one for five hundred Wizard Coins back then. Although Skye only pays four hundred when buying one back, the cost is just one hundred and fifty. I'd still make a net profit of two hundred and fifty per potion. Even after splitting that in half, I'd get a hundred and twenty-five Wizard Coins. If I brew a hundred a day, that's twelve thousand five hundred Wizard Coins."
"Heh heh heh, I'm rich! I'm rich!"
Leo's strange laughter rang out from the laboratory.