Chapter 142: Ranking Rise

"Master, a guest is visiting." Ailan's voice interrupted his meditation.

Luo En frowned slightly; he did not have any visitors scheduled for today: "Who is it?"

"A girl in a blue dress who claims to be Madam Ellen's new assistant."

Ailan answered, her tone carrying imperceptible vigilance.

Luo En was somewhat surprised, then remembered the two new assistants he had seen at the herb shop earlier.

He tidied his robes and walked toward the front hall: "Please invite her in."

When he walked into the front hall, a faint, elegant fragrance rushed toward him.

A girl in a light blue long dress was standing by the window, the sunlight shining through the window onto her, outlining a graceful silhouette.

Hearing footsteps, the girl turned around, revealing an exquisite and moving face:

It was Lilia, but unlike her plain image at the herb shop yesterday, she was radiant at this moment, beautiful to the point of being almost unreal.

"Lord Ralf, sorry to disturb you." Lilia bowed slightly, her voice soft and pleasant:

"I am Lilia, Madam Ellen's new assistant; I had the honor of seeing you yesterday."

Luo En nodded, his expression calm: "I remember you; I wonder what is the matter with your visit today?"

Lilia lowered her head slightly, showing just the right amount of shyness and humility:

"I... I would like to request to be an assistant in your workshop to learn more about potionology."

She carefully raised her eyes, observing Luo En's reaction:

"Madam Ellen often mentions your achievements, saying that you are the most talented student she has ever taught. I think that if I could get your guidance, it would definitely benefit me a lot."

Luo En raised his eyebrows slightly and did not respond immediately.

He keenly sensed that there must be a reason behind this sudden request.

In the special environment of the Black Fog Jungle, he had already developed the habit of remaining vigilant against sudden events.

"Aren't you currently studying at Madam Ellen's?"

Luo En asked calmly: "Why do you still want to come here?"

Lilia seemed to have anticipated this question long ago; she sighed lightly, a glimmer of worry flashing in her eyes:

"At Madam Ellen's... resources are limited, and both Fina and I can only do some basic work. And I heard that you have your own workshop and are conducting some more advanced research..."

She hesitated for a moment and added: "Also, I... have some private reasons and hope to be able to leave there for a while."

Luo En stared at her, using the "Extraordinary Identification" ability without changing his expression.

The aspects of talent were the same as his observation at the herb shop yesterday; what attracted his attention was that a strange energy fluctuation was emitted from the girl's body.

That was clearly the effect of some kind of charm-type magic potion; although the effect was very weak, the intention was obvious.

This woman, her motive is indeed impure...

Luo En understood, but did not expose it, instead continuing to ask:

"Do you have any special skills? My workshop already has someone managing daily affairs and doesn't really need ordinary assistants."

A glimmer of panic flashed in Lilia's eyes, then she calmed down:

"I have some experience in potion material processing and introductory formulas; although not much, my learning speed is very fast."

She paused for a moment and added:

"In addition, I am also proficient in housework and cooking; before coming to the Black Fog Jungle, I learned etiquette and housekeeping in a noble family."

Luo En nodded thoughtfully.

Lilia's special talent was indeed precious; if it could be cultivated well, her potential in the future would be limitless.

The main thing was that he happened to lack an apprentice, that is, an object to receive "Grace."

Previously, he had tried to teach Ailan some occultism and potion knowledge.

The tree spirit's comprehension was not bad, but she did not give him a shred of Grace; perhaps this Grace rule was limited to his own people in the wizard system.

"I can let you help in the workshop for the time being."

Luo En finally decided: "But there are a few rules that must be followed."

Lilia's eyes flashed with joy, and she nodded repeatedly: "Of course, Lord Ralf, please instruct me."

"First, the experimental areas in the workshop must not be entered without permission; second, everything seen and heard must not be leaked to the outside; finally..."

Luo En's tone became serious: "I hope you can honestly tell me the real reason for coming here."

Lilia's expression stiffened slightly, then she lowered her eyes: "Actually, I... I am avoiding someone."

Her voice became low, carrying a trace of fear:

"There is an intermediate apprentice, Aug Cain, who has been... coveting me. It is said that he already has three female slaves, and their endings are all extremely miserable. I don't want to be the next one."

Luo En listened expressionlessly, not showing any sympathy or anger:

"So you chose me as your protector?"

Lilia nodded lightly, her eyes filled with tears, which was not a pretense:

"I know this is very presumptuous, but your strength and status are enough to make him not dare to act rashly. I promise I will work as hard as I can and will never bring you any trouble."

Luo En was silent for a moment, and finally opened his mouth:

"I can provide you with protection, but the premise is that you must learn and work sincerely, not holding any other purposes."

Lilia breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly: "Of course, I promise I will go all out!"

"Ailan." Luo En turned to the tree spirit on the side: "Take Lilia to the small room in the backyard to settle down, and then tell her the basic rules of the workshop."

Ailan nodded, her vines swaying lightly: "As you command, Master."

The tree spirit's mood did not seem very high, and her response seemed to be half a beat slower than usual.

When the two left, Luo En stood alone by the window, pondering this sudden variable.

"It doesn't matter; if she dares to pry into my research results, I will just bury her in the courtyard as flower fertilizer... Judging by Madam Ellen's meaning yesterday, she should have handed over all disposal rights to me."

Luo En shook his head, turned and returned to the laboratory, continuing his research.

At the same time, in a hidden conference room in the central tower of the school.

Soren Griffith and Yuni Serafin were having a private conversation.

"So, you have also noticed that little guy named Luo En?"

Yuni played with a crystal in her hand, her eyes flashing with playfulness.

Soren nodded, his fingers tapping the table lightly:

"His talent is indeed extraordinary, and his progress speed is even more astonishing. I have never seen anyone who could master so much knowledge and skills in such a short time."

"It's not just a speed issue."

Yuni added: "The most surprising thing is that he seems to have shown talent far beyond ordinary people in multiple fields. Whether it is spiritual power control, elemental affinity, or potionology, he performs like an old hand who has been immersed for many years."

"Moreover, according to my observation, he also successfully activated some kind of bloodline ability."

Soren narrowed his eyes: "This mode of comprehensive development is very rare; most apprentices will focus on one or two fields."

Yuni put down the crystal: "Do you know who this reminds me of?"

Soren nodded lightly: "Corinna's student, Trish. Her comprehensiveness is not as good as Luo En's, but her growth speed is equally astonishing."

The two looked at each other, both flashing with understanding.

"Do you think he might also have other special talents?" Soren asked.

Yuni pondered for a moment: "'Medicine-Body Resonance' is indeed rare, but it is difficult to explain his amazing progress in all fields, unless..."

"Unless he is also hiding more powerful talents or abilities." Soren took over the conversation: "Or, used some unconventional means."

The two fell into silence, each pondering the meaning of this possibility.

Eventually, Soren broke the silence:

"Regardless, his potential cannot be ignored; we should adjust his ranking in the candidate wizard sequence."

Yuni nodded in agreement: "Currently he is 19th; I suggest raising him by at least two places, entering the top 17."

"Why not directly enter the top 15?"

Soren proposed: "At the candidate wizard sequence meeting half a month later, we can formally put forward this suggestion."

Yuni hesitated slightly: "The top 15 is an important dividing line; are you sure he has reached this level?"

Soren smiled: "Don't forget, we have all obtained quite a bit of 'Grace' from him. Such a degree of talent, wouldn't it be a pity not to cultivate it early?"

Yuni pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "Alright, I will support your proposal, but..."

A glimmer of vigilance flashed in her eyes: "Corinna seems to have also shown interest in him, which might cause some... competition."

The smile on Soren's face remained calm:

"Competition is common, but true geniuses will always be discovered. I believe Luo En Ralf's future will be more exciting than we imagine."

When night fell, the workshop was brightly lit.

That familiar big-mouthed parrot flew in from the open window and handed a letter to Luo En.

He smiled lightly, looking at the ranking rise shown in the booklet sent over, as expected.

Feeding the honey food prepared in his hand to the messenger, he harvested a burst of grateful chirping.

And in a small room in the backyard, Lilia sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking her newly arranged simple residence.

Although the conditions were only slightly better than her room in the candidate apprentice dormitory, at least it was safe and clean here.

Most importantly, it was far from Cain's threat.

She changed out of that gorgeous dress she had carefully prepared and put on the ordinary work clothes prepared by Ailan.

Looking at herself in the mirror returning to simplicity, Lilia sighed lightly.

Ailan had already explained the rules to her just now, the strictest of which was not to enter any experimental area without authorization, especially those rooms on the second floor.

"It seems I still need some time to thoroughly integrate here." Lilia whispered to herself, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes:

"But it doesn't matter, I have patience."

She took out a small bottle from the bottom of her luggage and shook it gently.

This was her homemade soothing potion, which could help her sleep peacefully in a strange environment.

"Starting tomorrow, it will be a brand new life." Lilia took a light sip of the potion, lay on the bed, and closed her eyes.

Regardless of the future, at least now, she had found a temporary harbor.

And for people like her, being able to spend a day safely was already a great stroke of luck.

The first ray of morning sun shone on the floor of the simple bedroom; Lilia had already woken up and was sitting by the window combing her long hair.

This was her third day coming to Luo En's workshop, and every day she was trying to re-recognize her value and identity.

She had already reported her whereabouts to Madam Ellen, but the old woman was not surprised by her choice.

She just reminded her lightly to study hard at Luo En's side, whereas Fina was somewhat reluctant.

Yesterday, Ailan arranged for her the work of organizing the herb inventory; those complex herb names and attributes gave her a headache.

"Must do better today." Lilia whispered to the small mirror, her eyes revealing rare determination.

When she first came here, she held the idea of throwing herself into his arms and clinging to the powerful, but the experiences of these few days made her gradually change her mind.

Luo En was neither cold nor intimate toward her, always maintaining an appropriate distance, which surprised her greatly.

In her past experiences, men facing her beauty would almost all show some degree of desire.

But Luo En seemed completely indifferent to this, his eyes filled only with enthusiasm for potionology and extraordinary knowledge.

More importantly, she found that Luo En's strength was far more unfathomable than the rumors.

Yesterday evening, Lilia accidentally saw Luo En practicing elemental manipulation in the backyard.

Between his fingers lightly outlining, the golden-red light ring was as brilliant as a small sun, with astonishing power.

Such elemental control ability, perhaps even some advanced apprentices who were taught separately, were about at this level.

"I must seize this opportunity and study seriously..."

Lilia took a deep breath, got up and tidied her clothes, preparing to start a new day.

When she came to the main hall of the workshop, she found that Luo En was already waiting there, with various potion materials and tools placed on the long table in front of him.

"Good morning, Lord Ralf." Lilia bowed respectfully to greet him.

"Good morning, Lilia."

Luo En nodded in response: "Today I want to teach you some basic potion knowledge to see your learning ability."

Lilia's eyes lit up: "Really? Thank you!"

Luo En smiled slightly: "No need to thank me too much; teaching students with potential is equally beneficial to the teacher."

In the next few hours, Luo En patiently explained the core concepts of basic potionology and some simple formulas.

Unlike Madam Ellen's strict and direct teaching style, Luo En focused more on guiding thinking, often helping Lilia understand complex concepts through questions and demonstrations.

"Look, Moon-Seeing Grass and Morning Dew Flower seem to be mutually exclusive in attributes on the surface, but if mixed in a specific proportion and then adding an appropriate amount of stabilizer, a unique synergistic effect can be created."

Luo En explained while demonstrating the processing method of the materials.

Lilia observed and learned with full concentration, asking questions from time to time.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 143 =====