Preparing Materials (Please Follow)

"I wouldn't dare claim to specialize in the Alchemy School. How much do low-level apprentices like us really know about the schools? Who's to say we won't switch schools later?"

Richard smiled, tacitly accepting Kevin's assessment.

"That's good. Richard, have you been making any Magic Armor lately? I still have some alchemical materials here. How about I sell them to you cheap?"

A flicker of shrewdness passed through Kevin's eyes. Richard's words sounded humble, but to Kevin, they practically amounted to showing off. He knew a little about the Alchemy School as well. At this stage, every Wizard Apprentice who could claim to specialize in alchemy was exceptionally gifted.

Though the Alchemy School valued practice over theory, even its introductory knowledge required more than ten Magic Stones to finish reading in the Library. For low-level apprentices short on Magic Stones, that was not only an enormous expense, but also terribly poor value for money.

Alchemy could not raise an apprentice's combat strength in a short time, and low combat strength meant fewer missions to choose from. That, in turn, left Wizard Apprentices who chose alchemy unable to keep up in Magic Stones, creating a vicious cycle that slowed their growth.

Yet Richard, standing before him, not only possessed a formidable aura, but apparently had enough money to bring a woman here for a meal.

For an apprentice with no talent in alchemy, that was impossible.

Suddenly, Kevin recalled a rumor he had heard recently.

Master Gerald of the Alchemy School was planning to take a low-level apprentice as his formal disciple.

Could it be...

"Haha, maybe later." Richard gave a vague laugh. He planned to study the specialized knowledge Gerald had given him recently and had no intention of making Magic Armor.

"That works too." Kevin's smile remained warm, but his heart pounded wildly. "I'll leave you an address. If you need materials in the future, contact me. I guarantee my prices will be lower than those in the Commercial District."

With that, Kevin pulled a card from his pocket. Kevin's name and contact address were printed on it.

"Alright. If I need anything later, I'll definitely come to you."

Richard accepted the card and slipped it into his inner pocket.

"Richard, the dishes are here."

Ellie's voice came from behind him. Richard gave Kevin an apologetic smile, then turned and returned to his seat.

After he left, Griffith, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

"Kevin, he's very strong."

"How strong? Stronger than you?"

Kevin elegantly poured himself a glass of red wine and gently swirled it.

The crimson wine reflected in his eyes. His mind was still filled with that earlier guess.

Griffith fell silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know. But my senses tell me he's dangerous."

Kevin's wrist trembled, and a drop of red wine spilled from his glass.

"That's even better." Kevin raised his glass and drained it in one swallow. "He isn't our enemy. He might even become our friend someday."

Magic Patterned Pork Chop tasted more delicious than ordinary pork. It was also firmer, with more bite. The fat, roasted to a golden crisp, burst with fragrance on his tongue. The muscle fibers of the Magic Beast rubbed continuously between Richard's teeth before finally turning into mouthfuls of minced meat that he swallowed.

After finishing a plate of pork chops, Richard's whole body warmed up. Every cell in him seemed to have been awakened, becoming extraordinarily active.

"So this is Magic Beast meat? Then this money wasn't wasted."

Richard took the towel offered by the waiter and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

It seemed the owner of this Restaurant had long expected their reaction.

"Richard, it's such a pity we didn't bring back that python we killed last time."

Ellie's cheeks were slightly flushed, and fine sweat seeped from her forehead, gathering into droplets that rolled down. She took off her thick coat, and the droplets flowed down her slender neck to her chest before finally slipping into the valley between her breasts.

Richard suddenly realized that Ellie, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, actually had quite a figure.

"Indeed. Next time, we'll definitely find a way to bring it back."

Richard shifted his gaze away and replied with a touch of guilt.

The meal cost a total of two hundred and ten Academy Coins, ten of which were a tip. When it came time to pay, Ellie insisted on splitting the bill.

After returning to the dormitory, Richard began meditating as usual. But the moment he closed his eyes, Ellie's figure appeared before him.

"Whew." Unable to meditate, Richard climbed out of bed, went to his desk, and opened the book he had not finished during the day.

"Books hold houses of gold, and books hold beauties fair.

Richard, Richard—knowledge is what a Wizard should pursue for a lifetime."

Day after day passed, and Richard's life continued in orderly fashion.

Over the course of a year, Richard raised his mental power to twenty-two, while his physique did not change in the slightest. During that same year, he finished all the books Gerald had given him.

However, alchemy was a discipline that valued practice. Once he had completed the theoretical study, he still needed practical experience before he could truly be said to have learned it.

"Twenty Magic Stones left. Looks like it's time to start making Magic Potions."

Richard counted the Magic Stones in his possession. During this period, he had not merely read books; he had also attended quite a few classes taught by various Alchemist Wizards. Though Gerald was knowledgeable and highly skilled, Wizards excelled in different areas. Whenever there were questions he could not explain clearly, he would tell Richard to attend a particular Wizard's Magic Stone course.

"Ugh, was this really written by an Alchemist Wizard?" Richard copied out the Focus Potion formula. The repeated phrases like "around" and "approximately" made his scalp tingle.

Making Magic Potions was different from making Magic Armor. When crafting Magic Armor, one particular step was often crucial. As long as that step was done properly, being rougher with the other steps would not affect the quality. Magic Potions were different. Every step required care. For the ingredients of many potions, even processing them one second too long or using equipment of the wrong shape could alter their properties and cause the potion-making attempt to fail.

Now Richard had no choice but to figure out those details himself.

The Commercial District teemed with people. Wizard Apprentices in all manner of attire and forms mingled together, making the place look like Halloween.

When Richard arrived in the Commercial District, the first place he went was Senior Sister Anna's Alchemy Shop.

The prices and quality of materials varied from one Alchemy Shop to another. If he tested them all himself, it would undoubtedly cost him a great deal of time and Magic Stones.

But asking someone was another matter entirely.

"You want to buy materials for Magic Potions?" Anna leaned against the counter and rubbed her temples. "If you want high-quality materials, go buy them from the Chax Assassin Guild. If you're only practicing and familiarizing yourself with the process, I recommend the Seven Luminaries Merchant Guild. Their prices are low. The quality is uneven, but it's barely usable."

"Alright. Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister."

Anna yawned and turned to look at her Junior Brother.

"Running out of Magic Stones lately? Want me to lend you some? No interest if you repay it within half a year. After half a year, it's five percent annual interest."

Richard had often come to her with questions recently. She greatly appreciated that attitude toward learning; the most precious quality a Wizard could possess was a thirst for knowledge. Unlike Jacques, who always lazed around and drank.

Besides, she had heard that Richard was also a farmer's child, with an equally awful drunkard of a father.

That made her feel a sense of shared hardship, as well as an unusual closeness to him.

"No, I still have some Magic Stones."

Richard smiled and declined Anna's kindness.

He had not yet reached the point of having exhausted his supplies.

"Suit yourself."

Anna gathered up her loose long hair, revealing what should have been a smooth neck.

"Hm? Senior Sister, how did you get hurt?"

Richard pointed at a patch of scar tissue on Anna's neck that resembled a burn.

"Just a minor injury. It's nothing." Anna waved her hand. "Problems are inevitable during Wizard experiments. Oh, and I've almost used up the Red Mercury you brought me last time." She suddenly smiled at Richard. "Interested in earning another batch of Magic Stones from your Senior Sister?"

Richard's heart stirred. A major deal worth one hundred Magic Stones was indeed tempting.

"Well... it depends. I've been researching Magic Potions lately, so I don't have much time." Richard pretended to hesitate.

"Alright, then help your Senior Sister refine some when you have the time."

Anna nodded, with no intention of forcing him. Even she found refining Red Mercury troublesome. If Richard did it, it would inevitably slow down his daily studies.

"Alright, then I'll go take a look at the merchant guild first, Senior Sister."

Richard waved to Anna, then turned and headed for the Seven Luminaries Merchant Guild.