Chapter 95: Intimate Relationship: The Wayfarer

"A musical instrument?" he asked with some confusion. "This... is indeed a very special gift for this place."

A flash of cunning crossed Trish's eyes: "In our last chat, didn't you mention that your sonic spells had hit a bottleneck? That you felt like you'd walked into a dead end?"

Luo En recalled that conversation. He had indeed complained to Trish that his research into sonic vibrations was progressing slowly and that he felt he was missing some kind of breakthrough.

"Dawo De once mentioned that he came from a family of musicians."

Trish continued, her eyes sparkling with a lively light:

"I thought that perhaps understanding sonic waves from the perspective of music might bring you new inspiration. After all, music is essentially a meticulously designed vibration frequency."

Luo En felt a sudden sense of clarity. He lightly plucked the strings, listening to the clear, bright tone echoing in the air. If this violin were sold in the mortal realm, it would likely be worth a fortune.

A brand-new line of thought flashed through his mind.

This was truly a case of being unable to see the forest for the trees; for some time, he had only been thinking about how to increase the power of sonic oscillations.

He hadn't considered that the essence of sonic spells lay not just in single-frequency vibrations, but in complex combinations of sound waves and rhythm!

Through recollection, Luo En was surprised to discover that the music theory and instrument craftsmanship of this world had developed to a quite mature stage, almost comparable to the modern level on Earth.

Approximations of various Western instruments could be found here, and the theoretical system was relatively complete.

Because of the fusion of extraordinary elements and otherworldly culture, it had even developed deeper in certain areas.

"This is... absolutely brilliant!" he said excitedly, inspiration glowing in his eyes:

"I've been drilling into single-frequency vibration effects while ignoring the combinations and layers of sound waves! By using musical performance, I can create much more complex and exquisite sonic attack patterns."

His thoughts raced, and he had already begun to conceive a new spell model in his mind:

"Perhaps in the future, I won't even need to rely on any instruments; I could simulate various musical effects with just my own magic power, creating that kind of invisibly penetrating melody of death... After all, enemies in battle won't give you the chance to play the violin."

Watching the light of inspiration burst forth in Luo En's eyes, Trish couldn't help but feel a trace of satisfaction.

She had originally prepared the gift on a whim, never expecting it would bring him such an important breakthrough.

"It seems I chose the right gift," she smiled slightly. "I'm very happy to be able to help with your research."

Luo En put down the instrument and said sincerely: "This might be one of the most valuable gifts I've ever received. Thank you, Trish."

Their gazes met briefly in the air before each looked away.

"Speaking of which," Luo En changed the subject, "I hope to expand the sales channels for my potions. Although I've obtained the status of a Potion Master, managing a workshop requires a solid customer base."

Trish nodded, understanding what he meant: "You need me to introduce clients to you."

"Yes, but I have a special requirement."

Luo En's tone became serious: "Aside from potion brewing, I also have to balance meditation and spell cultivation, so my energy is limited. I want to follow a boutique route; I don't need many clients, but the quality must be high."

The young lady pondered for a moment, then revealed a smile:

"That's not a difficult thing. I know quite a few mid-to-high-level apprentices in the sequence; they have sufficient purchasing power and are willing to pay a premium for high-quality potions. I can help you with the introductions."

"That would be great." Luo En nodded gratefully: "I will guarantee the quality of the potions and will continue to provide you with a friends-and-family discount."

With the business settled, the two chatted casually about recent events, and the atmosphere became relaxed.

As they talked, Trish suddenly looked around and said with a hint of disdain:

"Seriously, you've already become a professional Potion Master; why are you still living in such a broken dormitory? It's not very convenient every time I come to find you."

Luo En scratched his head in embarrassment; he did indeed have an ancestral habit of being stingy, just as he had been on Earth:

"Actually, I've already applied to the school for an independent workshop. A messenger should be bringing the contract over later."

………………

When she walked to the probationary apprentice dormitory area, Gwenyth's mood remained complex; she had already prepared her apology.

But when she stood before Luo En's door and was about to knock, the door suddenly opened on its own.

A young lady in a light-colored dress opened the door from inside, with a slender and elegant leopard-woman sticking close behind her.

Gwenyth instantly recognized the other person—Trish, the genius apprentice who had been the talk of the school lately, and the prized student of Mentor Corinna.

"Apprentice Trish?" Gwenyth blurted out in surprise.

The brown-haired girl turned her head, scrutinizing her with those bright eyes: "Hmm? And you are?"

"I am Gwenyth from the East District Registry. You might not have heard my name..." she explained awkwardly: "I'm here to deliver the workshop contract to Apprentice Luo En."

"Oh, the workshop contract." Trish smiled slightly and stepped aside to make way: "He's inside. It's a good time for him to pack his things and prepare to move."

Gwenyth nodded and walked into the room.

The scene before her was not quite what she had imagined; the room was small but neat and orderly.

Dozens of potions were lined up neatly on the table, each emitting a stable energy fluctuation—clearly high-quality finished products just completed.

Luo En was organizing some potion materials. Seeing someone enter, he looked up and asked: "Senior Gwenyth? Is something the matter?"

Gwenyth was surprised to find that this young man actually knew her name, even though they had only met once, and that encounter hadn't been pleasant.

"Apprentice Luo En... no, Potion Master Luo En." Gwenyth hurriedly corrected her address, her tone carrying obvious nervousness:

"I'm here to deliver this workshop contract."

She handed over the document cautiously, her gaze shifting between Luo En and Trish, her heart shocked by this startling discovery.

This young genius, the most sought-after in the school lately, actually had such an intimate relationship with Apprentice Luo En!

"Also," Gwenyth took a deep breath, a hint of apology appearing on her face:

"I want to apologize for my attitude a few days ago. I didn't understand your strength at the time, and my words were somewhat offensive..."

Luo En took the contract, flipped through it, and then smiled slightly at Gwenyth:

"It's alright, I understand. After all, Potion Masters of my age are indeed rare."

"That's no excuse." Gwenyth said sincerely, her gaze becoming firmer:

"As compensation, I have already purchased a set of furniture for your new workshop. Although they are of ordinary material and have no extraordinary effects, they are all practical, large pieces. I hope they can be of help."

She took a stack of meticulously drawn furniture blueprints and renovation plans from her bag and handed them to Luo En.

Each blueprint was marked with detailed dimensions and materials; clearly, she had put a lot of thought into this.

Luo En looked at the blueprints in surprise: "This... is too kind, Senior Gwenyth. Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"

"Please, you must accept it." Gwenyth insisted, her eyes filled with sincere apology:

"I've already arranged it with the merchant; it will be delivered to your new workshop tomorrow morning. This is just a small gesture from me, and also a welcome from the school to a newly promoted Potion Master."

Judging that the other party was not being hypocritically polite, Luo En could only nod gratefully: "Then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you very much, Senior Gwenyth."

Trish, standing to the side, took all of this in, a knowing smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

Having completed her task, Gwenyth tactfully took her leave.

Before leaving, she couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion: "Geniuses really do all hang out in the same small circle..."

Watching Gwenyth's departing back, Luo En half-closed the door and turned to Trish: "It seems my new workshop will be ready for move-in tomorrow."

"The East District? That's a prime location." The brown-haired girl raised an eyebrow: "It seems Master Ma Genusi thinks quite highly of you."

Luo En shrugged: "Maybe it's because of Lady Ailan. She and Master Ma Genusi seem to be old acquaintances."

"Moving tomorrow?" Trish stood up and straightened her long dress:

"Need any help? I can have Liyue come over to lend a hand; she's got plenty of strength."

"No need." Luo En shook his head: "I don't have many things, and Andre has already agreed to come help. Two people will be enough."

"Alright then." Trish nodded, preparing to take her leave: "I still have things to attend to. I'll come visit your new workshop another day."

After seeing Trish off, Luo En stood at the door, looking at the workshop contract in his hand, a complex surge of thoughts rising in his heart.

Just a few months ago, he was merely a probationary apprentice facing the threat of death at any moment, ignored by all, struggling at every step.

Now, he already possessed the status of a professional Potion Master, was about to move into his own independent workshop, and had an increasingly broad network of connections.

"The rules of this world are just that simple and cruel. As long as you demonstrate sufficient value, people will come forward to win you over and curry favor even if you just sit still."

He looked at the Potion Master badge on his chest, then glanced at the instrument and the workshop contract on the table:

"The wisdom of the ancestors—the saying that 'if you are rich, you have distant relatives even in the deep mountains'—really holds true everywhere."

………………

At the first light of dawn, thick fog wove through the branches of the Black Mist Forest, shrouding the entire probationary apprentice dormitory area in a hazy veil.

Andre stepped along the moss-covered stone path, walking toward Luo En's dormitory.

Today was the day to help his good friend move, and his mood was more complex than he had imagined.

Originally, while by his father the King's side, he was merely the Thirteenth Prince of the Kingdom of Faruk, with no right of succession, and had to swallow his pride before all his older brothers and sisters.

After coming to the Black Mist Forest, his situation had once become even worse than it was in the royal palace.

But just three months ago, everything had changed quietly.

"Ridiculous, in the end, I still have to rely on someone I once looked down upon..."

He whispered to himself, his fingers subconsciously stroking the gray-white badge on his chest.

That was his proof of servitude, which Luo En had applied for some time ago, registered under his name.

Only by possessing this could Andre be considered an internal member of the school and be allowed to stay.

A servant... although the other party treated him with the equality of a friend, every time he touched this special badge, he always felt a lump in his throat.

Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, a burst of hurried footsteps alerted Andre.

He looked up and saw three disheveled figures stumbling toward him at the intersection ahead, their faces filled with terror and despair.

"Your Highness Andre! Your Highness!"

The voice was sharp and trembling. Andre frowned—that was Byron Laiman, once the eldest son of a frontier count in his father's royal court, who had come to the Black Mist Forest in the same batch as him.

Beside him were Helena and Tonis, both of whom had once been well-known noble offspring in the kingdom.

A few months ago, on the way here, these three were still in high spirits, proudly discussing how they would make a name for themselves upon arriving at the Black Mist Forest.

Now, however, they were in rags, their faces haggard, their eye sockets sunken, their faces showing the traces of several days of sleepless struggle.

"Your Highness, please have mercy..." Helena rushed to Andre, falling to her knees, her crying filled with broken sobs:

"We know you are close with that newly promoted Potion Master; please, we beg you to introduce us!"

Andre didn't speak. He frowned slightly, instinctively taking half a step back, not wanting to be grabbed by the hem of his clothes.

"Your Highness, please, please..."

Byron also knelt at Andre's feet, crying until he could barely breathe:

"Today is the last day of the assessment period; the Enforcement Team has already started clearing out the dormitories! We must either be picked by a high-level apprentice or be driven out of the Black Mist Forest. You know what it's like outside!"

What was it like outside? A sour feeling rose in the blond youth's heart; he knew it all too well.

Although he had gone out to visit the black market with Luo En some days ago, they had only dared to operate in the safe areas around the school.

Even in the relatively stable Sunset Tavern, they had walked on thin ice.

The wilderness outside was filled with various alien races extremely unfriendly to humans, as well as terrifying magical beasts with strength enough to easily slaughter groups of knights.

Ordinary people without any extraordinary power couldn't survive three days in that environment, let alone trek for months back to human territory without any means of transportation.

"Your Highness, please..." Tonis also joined the ranks of the pleading, his voice trembling with despair:

"We don't want any compensation; we are willing to do anything, even... even if it's just being the lowliest servants!"

Helena was almost hugging Andre's legs, her eyes red from tears:

"We know that Lord Luo En has always liked living alone, but as long as you are willing to introduce us..."

"Listen, although my relationship with Luo En is not bad."

Hearing this, Andre hurriedly corrected himself, trying to draw a line in the sand on this point: "But I have no authority to make any decisions for him..."

"The Enforcement Team is here!" Tonis suddenly screamed, pointing into the distance.

Andre looked in the direction of his finger and saw a team of apprentices in uniform gray outfits checking door by door in the dormitory area.

"Look at this batch of defective products; as weak and powerless as always."

An Enforcement Team member sneered, his tone filled with contempt.

They drove the panicked probationary apprentices out one by one, gathering them in the central courtyard.

Some struggled and tried to resist, only to be mercilessly struck down;

Most others just kept their heads down, letting themselves be handled like walking corpses, their faces filled with resignation.

"Please, Your Highness..." Helena's voice was almost hoarse from crying:

"Introduce us to that Potion Master; even if it's just to let us do the lowliest manual labor, it's better than being driven outside..."

Andre looked at the three of them begging so humbly, a complex feeling rising in his heart.

Beyond that trace of pure pity for those in the same plight, there was more of a sense of powerlessness against this cruel system.

Just as he was caught in conflict, a somewhat familiar voice came from behind: "Your Highness Andre, what happened?"

Andre turned his head sharply and saw Norris standing there.

This squad leader in the Enforcement Team had a somewhat sinister face, but his eyes were exceptionally alert.

(End of chapter)