Chapter 83

"Luo En?" Cynthia frowned: "Are you talking about that assistant newly hired by Lady Ailan?"

"Not only that." Ao Li Fu turned around, his expression becoming serious: "I learned from intelligence channels that he has already applied for the potion master certification exam."

Cynthia was stunned at first, then burst into a sharp laugh:

"Potion master certification? He has been working under Lady Ailan for no more than three months at most. Even if he really had a foundation before, it's impossible for him to reach that level."

"Don't underestimate anyone."

Ao Li Fu shook his head: "I have a special interest in him. Regardless of whether he can pass the exam, if you make a move against him now, the school will pay special attention. After all, Lady Ailan's support for him has far exceeded the norm."

Cynthia narrowed her eyes, thoughtful: "So, you want me to endure it for now?"

"Of course, that is the wise choice." Ao Li Fu nodded: "Once he fails the potion master certification, he will naturally be assigned to field missions next month. By then, we will have plenty of opportunities..."

"I'll consider you right this time."

Cynthia put away the disdain on her face and turned to look at the orc who had been hypnotized to the point of being drowsy, a trace of morbid expectation flashing in her eyes:

"So, do you mind if I try this new toy now?"

"Please feel free to use it." Ao Li Fu bowed slightly: "My laboratory is very soundproof; no one will disturb your interest."

After saying this, he walked toward the door, and just as he touched the doorknob, Cynthia suddenly spoke:

"Ao Li Fu, don't think I don't know what you're up to."

Her voice was low and dangerous: "You want to know my secrets, but you are always afraid of being influenced by me. Be careful of playing with fire and getting burned."

Ao Li Fu stopped, but did not look back:

"Everyone is playing with fire, Cynthia. The only difference is that some people will get burned, and some people... will become the fire itself."

The moment the door closed behind him, the perfect smile on Ao Li Fu's face gradually disappeared.

A trace of disgust flashed in his eyes, like the discomfort after being stained by filth.

"Cynthia, you underestimate Luo En too much." He whispered to himself: "Pleasure, emotional manipulation... in front of a true genius, these are just small tricks."

Ao Li Fu looked at the flickering lights in the night of the Black Fog Jungle, his thoughts drifting back to memories from a few years ago.

At that time, he was just a 6th-star probationary apprentice with poor aptitude, not much different from Luo En's aptitude when he first arrived.

That was his first year in the Black Fog Jungle, and Huo Huo Erte, who arrived at the same time as him, had an extremely outstanding 4th-star spiritual aptitude and was highly regarded by all parties.

And he could only hide in the corner, silently watching that star-like dazzling figure.

"Another success; apprentice Huo Huo Erte only took three months to fully master the basic meditation method and advance to a primary apprentice."

Having finally squeezed out the paid courses on magic stone fragments, he could now only remember the praise echoing in the classroom:

"This kind of comprehension and control ability is rare even among 4th-star aptitudes. Now, please have him share his specific meditation experience with everyone."

Ao Li Fu, in the back row of the classroom, clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.

His eyes were fixed on Huo Huo Erte's figure, who was gladly accepting the praise, his heart filled with endless jealousy and longing.

"Why couldn't it be me?" He shouted in his heart countless times: "Why is fate so unfair?"

Until that night that changed everything, he accidentally discovered an incomplete ancient book, which mentioned an ancient spell concept called "Brain Extraction Technique":

"The talent and wisdom of every living body are hidden in specific areas of the brain."

The words within were like a demon's whisper: "As long as you master the correct method, you can extract it for your own use."

This discovery kept Ao Li Fu awake all night.

He began to secretly study this forbidden art, from the initial experiments on small animals to the later "collection" of failed slaves.

Every step was accompanied by great risk and pain, but it also brought amazing returns, and he also stimulated his talent for curse spells and biological modification during this process.

The first complete "extraction" success was in the second half of the year after coming to the Black Fog Jungle. He secretly captured a child from an alien village, and the child possessed a rare natural affinity.

The process was extremely bloody, but the result was exciting; his spiritual power actually improved, and his perception of natural elements also increased.

This success completely changed his path.

In the following years, he gradually perfected this art, constantly "collecting" the abilities of various special talents.

Every "collection" would take his power a step further, while also making his heart more twisted.

Three years ago, when he successfully advanced to a high-level apprentice, the mentor who had never even looked at him finally looked at him squarely.

"Sometimes, I really doubt if you are that kid who had no talent at all."

The mentor exclaimed, "Your progress speed is simply incredible."

Ao Li Fu just smiled slightly: "Everyone has their own path, teacher. I just found the one that suits me best."

Today, he is a leader among the probationary wizard sequence, only one step away from the threshold of a formal wizard.

And all of this is built on the pain and death of countless "collectibles."

"Luo En..." Ao Li Fu whispered to himself, a trace of elusive light flashing in his eyes: "I will definitely find out the secrets on you."

The black fog outside the window gradually thickened, as if responding to the darkness deep in his heart.

Ao Li Fu knew that he had gone too far and could not turn back.

But he didn't care, because at the end of this path was the power and status he had long craved.

As for those brains he "collected," they were just stepping stones to the peak.

………………

The day after the application was submitted, Luo En devoted himself entirely to the preparation for the potion master certification exam.

He filled his dormitory table with various notes and materials, and all the potion formulas that might appear in the exam were organized in a special notebook, which was densely filled with his own insights and improvement plans.

"According to Lady Ailan's hints, the exam usually randomly selects three from these ten potions."

Luo En muttered to himself, flipping through his notes: "Refreshing potion, healing potion, sobering potion, magic recovery potion, stardust liquid... each one must be mastered to the point of being able to prepare it with eyes closed."

He picked up the silver pocket watch and poured his consciousness into it.

The black gemstone on the pocket watch immediately emitted a faint light, absorbing the fatigue from his body.

【Successfully reset negative state: mild fatigue, energy -1】

After the fatigue in his body disappeared, Luo En immediately continued to work, using small refining tools to practice the most difficult parts of the potion formulas.

After completing one practice session, he checked the finished product, recorded the problems, and then used the pocket watch to reset his state again to start a new round of practice.

This almost crazy practice rhythm lasted for three days, until the fourth morning, when a light knock interrupted his focus.

"Luo En, it's me." A familiar voice came from outside the door.

Luo En opened the door and saw Andre standing at the door with rare worry on his face: "Good morning, Andre, is there anything urgent again?"

"It's the latest news from my investigation."

(End of chapter)