Chapter 140: Special Talent

They were leaning against the pillars in the corridor, seemingly waiting specifically for him.

"Apprentice Ralf."

Mo Lisi called out to him, his tone carrying complex emotions:

"It seems you are very popular with Lord Soren."

Luo En maintained a polite smile: "Lord Griffith is a very good instructor and is generous to all students."

The other student sneered:

"Spare me that; we can all see that his attitude toward you is clearly different. He dismissed us in just a quarter of an hour, but is willing to spend half an hour or even longer guiding you alone."

Luo En did not respond directly, just feeling that the appearance of these people's incompetent rage was somewhat pitiful:

"Everyone's learning progress and needs are different; Lord Griffith naturally adjusts his guidance method according to the situation, teaching according to aptitude."

"Ha!" Mo Lisi scoffed: "Are you saying we aren't qualified to get more guidance?"

"Hehe... if even you think so yourself, then it seems there is no need for me to say anything more."

Luo En smiled lightly and said calmly: "If there is nothing else, I must leave first."

After speaking, he nodded politely and walked past them; it could be seen that they really wanted to act out but were trying their best to endure it.

"Don't think that having a little special talent makes you amazing."

The voice full of resentment from Mo Lisi came from behind: "There are many people in wizard history who had talent but died halfway; how far one can eventually go depends on real ability!"

Luo En did not look back, just continued on his own path.

This kind of jealousy and hostility was not rare in the Black Fog School, especially when someone showed talent and progress speed that exceeded the norm.

In the following days, similar things happened constantly.

Every time after Soren's class, there would always be one or two students staying behind to try to get special guidance.

Soren did not refuse this, but his attitude was clearly different.

Toward Luo En, he would explain every concept in detail and even demonstrate some advanced techniques;

While toward others, his guidance was more basic and brief, as if he were just coping.

"There is nothing strange about this." One day, Soren explained to Luo En:

"The essence of the 'Grace' rule determines that instructors will naturally tend toward those students who can provide more feedback."

His tone carried a trace of rare frankness:

"You should already understand the concept of 'Grace,' so I don't need to cover it up. The 'Grace' obtained from you is clearly much richer than other students, which shows that your growth and breakthroughs are more valuable."

Luo En was not surprised by this.

According to Madam Ellen's explanation, "Grace" is fed back to the instructor based on the student's growth and breakthroughs.

And students with higher talent and faster progress can naturally provide richer "Grace."

"Don't be troubled by the reactions of others."

Soren continued:

"In the extraordinary world, resources are always scarce, and competition is inevitable. People who can acquire more resources are often those who can create greater value."

Luo En nodded to show understanding; he could be considered a vested interest in this set of "Grace" rules.

And those students who were slightly inferior in ability and talent were destined to face more obstacles and setbacks in this cruel system.

"As long as you maintain this speed of progress," Soren's eyes flashed with expectant light:

"Your ranking in the candidate wizard sequence will soon go up another level."

The morning sun shone through the sparse canopy of the Black Fog Jungle, and Luo En walked on the familiar path, the surrounding environment reminding him of the scene when he first came here.

At that time, he was just a candidate apprentice whose spiritual power qualification barely reached the minimum standard.

Now he was an intermediate apprentice ranked nineteenth in the candidate wizard sequence, and also a young professional potionist.

"Time flies; it has been almost two months since I passed the potionist certification."

Luo En whispered to himself, his gaze falling on a wild grass with small flowers on the roadside.

He had been busy with various advanced courses and his own cultivation during this period and had almost not gone back to visit Madam Ellen.

As the first guide on his extraordinary path, Madam Ellen's help to him was immeasurable.

"I wonder how she is doing now." Luo En pondered, and at the same time thought of another thing.

Since obtaining the fusion skill of "Extraordinary Identification," he found that he could not only perceive the essence of items but also had a certain ability to distinguish people's talent and aptitude.

This gave him an idea: perhaps he could go to the candidate apprentice area to see if he could discover some overlooked genius seedlings.

These thoughts swirled in his mind, and he decided to go to the candidate apprentice dormitory area first, and then visit Madam Ellen on the way.

The candidate apprentice dormitory area was almost unchanged from the appearance in his memory; it was still those low and simple houses, and the air was filled with the damp smell of mold and the pungent smell after experimental failure.

Walking on the familiar stone path, Luo En noticed several candidate apprentices practicing basic spells in the courtyard.

They looked exhausted, their robes stained with traces of various potions and mud, clearly just returned from some experiment or mission.

When these apprentices noticed Luo En approaching, their expressions changed instantly.

The professional potionist badge and intermediate apprentice badge worn on his chest shone in the sun, highlighting his extraordinary status in the extraordinary world.

"It's... it's Lord Potionist Luo En!"

A thin, tall candidate apprentice exclaimed, then lowered his head nervously, fearing that his gaze would offend this big shot.

Other candidate apprentices also stopped what they were doing upon hearing this, retreated to the side of the road one after another, and bowed respectfully.

They did not dare to look directly at Luo En, as if he were some kind of fearful existence.

"Continue with your business; don't mind me."

Luo En said calmly, feeling understanding of their reaction; once upon a time, he also needed to respect those "Apprentice Lords" who were high above.

In this environment where the status gap was huge, the awe of the lower status toward the higher status was almost an instinctive reaction.

What's more, his current status was much higher than ordinary intermediate apprentices, second only to formal wizards in the school.

Several candidate apprentices thanked him after hearing this, but still maintained a bowed posture, only daring to look up after Luo En had walked far away, their eyes full of envy and yearning.

Luo En deliberately slowed his pace, while quietly using the "Extraordinary Identification" ability, attempting to perceive the aptitude and potential of these candidate apprentices.

But the result was disappointing.

Most of these apprentices' spiritual power qualifications were in the lower reaches of the fifth-grade star or sixth-grade star, about the same as he was initially, or even worse.

Their talent was mediocre and their potential limited; even if they were diligent and hardworking, most of them would only be able to barely become primary apprentices in the future, and then be trapped at that level for life.

Continuing to walk forward for a distance, Luo En heard the sound of several young people talking excitedly behind him.

"That is Luo En Ralf! The genius who legend says took only half a year to advance from an ordinary person to an intermediate apprentice!"

A familiar voice said excitedly.

Luo En recognized that it was the voice of the thin, tall candidate apprentice just now; it seemed the other party had learned about his deeds from somewhere.

"Really? Half a year?"

Another voice was full of disbelief:

"How is this possible? It usually takes at least three to five years, right? Even that genius Trish with third-grade star qualification is said to have spent more than half a year; could his qualification be better than third-grade star..."

"Absolutely true! He is also a professional potionist; I heard recently that his ranking in the candidate wizard sequence has rushed directly into the top twenty!"

The thin, tall voice was even more excited: "And when he first came here, it is said that his spiritual power qualification was only in the upper reaches of the sixth-grade star, about the same as us!"

"This..." the other voice was full of shock, then turned into excitement:

"Doesn't that mean we also have hope?"

"That's right! As long as we find the right method and put in enough effort, we might also be able to be like him!"

"Yes! Can't give up! We can also do it!"

Listening to the excited discussion coming from behind, Luo En shook his head somewhat helplessly.

He knew that these candidate apprentices did not understand the real reason for his success:

The golden finger of infinite profession slots, the special talent of dual souls, and the liver-exploding artifact like the Chrono-Guard Pocket Watch that allowed him to almost not need rest.

Without these, even if he worked harder, it would be impossible to achieve his current achievements in such a short time.

These candidate apprentices regarded him as a role model for counter-attack, using this to encourage themselves not to give up, which was originally a good thing.

But thinking that they would mostly hit walls again and again in the face of cruel reality, and eventually be forced to accept a mediocre fate...

It could only be said that everyone has their own destiny.

"I didn't see anyone after walking around; it seems that the lost genius is indeed not so easy to discover."

Luo En did not have much disappointment; he originally had the intention of not expecting anything, so he left the candidate apprentice area directly after seeing no harvest and walked toward Madam Ellen's herb shop.

When he passed through the stone archway of the apprentice market and the bustling exotic merchants, and came to that familiar herb shop, a warm feeling of nostalgia welled up in his heart.

It was here that his extraordinary path truly began.

From a candidate apprentice with mediocre aptitude, he grew into an intermediate apprentice and professional potionist today.

Pushing open the shop door, the familiar herbal fragrance rushed toward him, and various bottles and jars were neatly placed on the shelves.

Behind the narrow counter, Madam Ellen was looking down at an account book.

However, unlike before, there were two more girl apprentices in the shop, both looking to be fifteen or sixteen years old, busy organizing various medicinal materials.

One of them was slender, with an ordinary face, and brown short hair tied neatly behind her head, her brows carrying seriousness and focus.

She held a herb in her hand, carefully separating the leaves and stems, her movements precise and methodical.

The other was tall, with purple-black long hair hanging down to her waist, like a deep starry sky.

Her face seemed to have something applied, but her exquisite brows and eyes could not be covered.

She was wiping a row of glass bottles, her movements fast and nimble, checking a notebook from time to time.

"Madam, long time no see." Luo En greeted softly.

Madam Ellen looked up, her deep green eyes lighting up instantly, and the wrinkles on her face smoothed out a bit:

"Oh, Luo En! You finally remembered this old woman."

Her voice carried reproach, but could not hide her joy:

"Not coming for so long, I thought you had forgotten this teacher of yours after entering the candidate wizard sequence."

Luo En shook his head with a smile: "How could that be? Recently there have been too many courses and training, and I really couldn't find time; are you well?"

"Thanks to you, at least the state in all aspects is quite stable."

Madam Ellen snorted lightly and put down the account book in her hand:

"A few days ago, that old fellow Yuni also mentioned you, saying that you performed well in the element course."

"Instructor Yuni has indeed given me a lot of guidance."

Luo En said sincerely, then his gaze turned to the two candidate apprentices, who had stopped their work and were looking at him curiously.

"This is Fina and Lilia, my new assistants."

Madam Ellen introduced them following his gaze:

"This is Luo En Ralf, my former student, now an intermediate apprentice in the candidate wizard sequence, and also a professional potionist."

When the two women heard this introduction, their eyes widened instantly, revealing astonishment; it seemed they did not expect such a genius to have the interest to come here.

"Hello, Lord Ralf."

The ordinary-looking woman—Fina, bowed respectfully, her voice light and humble:

"Madam Ellen often mentions you, saying that you are the most outstanding student she has ever taught."

"Hello, Lord Ralf."

The exquisite-looking Lilia also bowed, her voice more pleasant and moving, her eyes flashing with curiosity and some kind of ambition:

"It is an honor to meet you; Madam Ellen says you are one of the most talented potionists she has ever seen."

Luo En responded casually, while quietly using the "Extraordinary Identification" ability to observe the aptitude and talent of these two young women.

Fina's spiritual power qualification was in the upper reaches of the fifth-grade star, a bit higher than ordinary candidate apprentices, but it could not be called extraordinary.

She had good comprehension of potionology, her techniques were precise, and her thinking was rigorous.

Perhaps after honing for more than ten years in the future, she would have a chance to become a professional potionist, but that would be the end of it.

Regrettably, Luo En did not perceive any special talent in her.

However, when his gaze turned to Lilia, a strange energy fluctuation caught his attention.

Lilia's spiritual power qualification was only in the middle reaches of the fifth-grade star, slightly lower than Fina's, but there was a unique energy flow pattern in her body.

【Lilia

Spiritual power qualification: middle reaches of the fifth-grade star

Special talent: Diligence Makes Up for Clumsiness (second-tier)

When focusing on a skill study, learning ability will gradually increase over time, and the eventual upper limit is extremely high】

Luo En felt a slight shock in his heart; not expecting anything, he actually saw another second-tier special talent here!

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 141 =====