Chapter 99

"Alchemy explosives..." Luo En recalled the words he saw in the library.

According to records, alchemy explosives were accidentally invented by a wizard named Herman.

He had an accidental explosion while trying to combine magic crystals with specific minerals, almost destroying the entire laboratory.

The power of an ordinary alchemy explosive is enough to rival the attack spells of a formal wizard, and even more terrifying in some cases—because it does not rely on the caster's magic power, and once activated, it will erupt with constant power.

Luo En recalled a field test that Andre had once described.

He saw a high-level apprentice throw an inconspicuous small silver ball at the target, followed by blinding white light and a deafening roar.

When the smoke cleared, the small hill that was more than ten meters high had turned into powder, leaving only a deep crater on the ground.

"It's just that the price is really too high..." Luo En sighed.

That alchemy explosive with astonishing power was said to have cost a high-level apprentice several months of savings, and sold individually, it was worth at least several complete magic stones.

However, as long as it can be activated through a magic lead, a primary apprentice can also launch a blow comparable to a formal wizard, which is terrifying just to think about.

"Andre's initial attempt was the alchemy route..." Luo En recalled the frustrating experience that this thirteenth prince had once mentioned.

"Now that I have become a professional Potion Master, my basic potionology has also reached the proficient level."

Luo En planned in his heart, his fingers subconsciously rubbing the patterns on the surface of the crystal:

"Next, I don't need to devote all my experience points to potionology; I can completely divide a part of my energy to explore this new path of alchemy."

Although potionology and alchemy are two different disciplines, they have commonalities in material processing, energy control, and many other aspects.

Especially after systematic training as a Potion Master, he already had a relatively deep understanding of the properties and reactions of various extraordinary materials, which would undoubtedly greatly shorten the time for alchemy entry.

What's more, the golden finger of the infinite profession column is prepared for this kind of multi-line development.

"I can ask Andre later to see if he can transfer his alchemy books to me."

Luo En calculated in his heart, as if he had already seen the scene of himself setting up an alchemy workbench in a corner of the workshop:

"Multi-faceted development can not only increase strength but also create linkage effects between professions and gain more attribute bonuses."

He had fully experienced the benefits brought by the linkage of 【Potion Master】, 【Knight Attendant】, and 【Wizard Apprentice】.

If 【Alchemist】 is added, what kind of sparks will collide?

………………

When he walked out of the teaching area, the sunset of the Black Mist Jungle was dyeing the entire sky orange-red, the tree shadows mottled, like an impressionist painting.

Luo En walked slowly along the stone path, pondering the knowledge he learned today and the upcoming test.

Passing by the probationary apprentice dormitory area, he noticed that the entire area was unusually quiet.

The laughter, arguments, or various practice movements that could often be heard in the past had all disappeared.

"Why is it so quiet?" Luo En was a bit puzzled, then suddenly remembered today's date—it was the annual "Cleaning Day."

Those probationary apprentices who failed to advance within the deadline had already been driven away or chosen.

Thinking of this, he unconsciously quickened his pace, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe surged in his heart:

"If I didn't have the golden finger, perhaps I would also be among those driven away at this moment."

A year ago today, he was still that ignorant boy who had just been brought to the Black Mist Jungle by the white-robed wizard, with low mental power aptitude and a worrying future.

Returning to his residence, Luo En began to pack his simple luggage, preparing to move out of the dormitory officially.

Although he already had an independent workshop, he hadn't completed the move because he had been busy with various affairs these past two days.

"Let's move out of here completely today."

He looked around this simple room that had accompanied him for nearly a year, his fingers gently stroking the wear mark on the windowsill left by opening the window all year round, and a trace of reluctance surged in his heart.

This small space had witnessed his hard struggle and continuous growth; here, he had spent countless late nights reading by the light.

Studying the "Basic Meditation Method" over and over again, and later practicing "The Whisper of the Star Eater" at the risk of mental pollution.

Here, he had flipped through "Basic Potionology" until the edges were curled and damaged, writing countless detailed notes.

Just as he was immersed in memories, a knock on the door pulled him back to reality.

Luo En opened the door and saw Andre standing outside, holding a cloth bag in his hand.

The blond youth's face looked slightly tired, with obvious dark circles under his eyes.

"Just in time." He smiled and gave way to the passage, "I was just about to move things to the workshop."

Andre seemed a bit nervous, and after entering the room, he silently helped Luo En pack his items, which was obviously different from his usual casual attitude.

His back was straight, and his movements were extra cautious, just like facing a superior, his eyes dodging from time to time, avoiding direct eye contact with Luo En.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Luo En noticed the abnormality of his friend and made a joke casually:

"Were you possessed by a ghost? Or did you have a nightmare last night?"

Usually at this time, Andre would definitely follow up with a joke and retort, or return a more exaggerated joke.

But today, the blond youth just smiled reluctantly, his voice so low it was almost inaudible:

"Nothing, just... saw some things and had some feelings."

Luo En stopped his movements and looked at Andre seriously: "Is it the cleaning activity today?"

Andre nodded, a trace of bitterness appearing on his face:

"Yes, I saw with my own eyes how they dealt with those... probationary apprentices who failed to advance within the deadline."

"I met a few... former fellow villagers."

Andre continued, his voice trembling slightly:

"They knelt down and begged me to introduce them to you, hoping to become your servants. But I... I refused."

He raised his head, complex emotions flashing in his eyes: "Luo En... did I do something wrong? Maybe I should have..."

"You did exactly the right thing." Luo En interrupted him:

"I do need assistants, but not ordinary people without any special talent. Besides, resources are limited; every extra useless person we support will distract our energy."

Andre's face changed slightly; clearly, he didn't expect Luo En to express his point of view so directly and coldly.

In his impression, although the other party was rational, he had never shown such a tough side.

"However..."

Luo En's tone softened a bit; he looked at the other party, his words implying something:

"If I meet someone with real talent, regardless of their background, I am willing to give them a chance. The world is like this; only if you possess value yourself can you exchange for the right to survive."

Andre nodded, seeming to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Don't think too much."

Luo En patted him on the shoulder casually:

"Help me move that box of books to the door, and we'll go to the new workshop together. By the way, I have a new idea to discuss with you, about the bloodline activation ritual."

Andre's attention was immediately attracted, and that familiar vitality returned to his eyes: "What idea?"

Luo En began to explain slightly, while carefully putting a few books into the cloth bag:

"I've been studying ancient books on bloodline activation these past few days and found some interesting clues."

He took a worn notebook from the bookshelf and opened one of the pages:

"Did you know? Bloodline activation potions were originally designed for alien slaves to strengthen the extraordinary characteristics they were born with. But in the mid-second era, someone began to try to use them on humans to activate the ancient bloodlines hidden in their bodies."

Andre was immediately attracted by this topic, and his curiosity temporarily replaced his worry: "Really? I've never heard of these."

"Because most attempts ended in failure."

Luo En flipped to another page of the notebook, which was densely recorded with various experimental data:

"The earliest bloodline activation potion formulas were too radical and lacked detailed adjustments for human physiological characteristics, leading to severe deformation in most experimenters. The success rate was despairingly low, probably only around 1%."

He pointed to a paragraph in the notebook:

"But with the continuous improvement of the formula, the success rate gradually increased. By the early third era, there were relatively stable human-specific bloodline activation potions, which is the foundation of your royal family's inheritance."

"Then your new idea is..." Andre looked at Luo En with some expectation.

"I think the traditional bloodline activation ritual mainly relies on external stimulation to awaken sleeping bloodlines, but this method is often difficult to control the direction and intensity of the awakening."

Luo En explained, his eyes sparkling with thought:

"If we use specific potion combinations, we might be able to guide the process of bloodline awakening more precisely, and even trace back to a more ancient and pure source."

He closed the notebook in his hand, his expression becoming serious:

"The bloodline of the Faruke royal family hides the characteristics of the 'Sun Dragon,' while traditional activation methods can at most awaken 'Fire Lizard' or 'Wyvern' bloodlines. But if a special 'directional activation potion' can be configured, perhaps it can point directly to that most ancient and pure 'Sun Dragon' bloodline."

Andre's breathing clearly accelerated: "This... can it really be done?"

"Theoretically feasible, but the risk is also quite large."

Luo En didn't hide it: "Any attempt to deviate from the traditional path may bring unpredictable consequences, including bloodline deformation. Especially trying to directly activate more ancient and purer bloodlines, the rejection reaction will be more intense."

Andre fell into deep thought, his fingers gently tapping the table, thinking about the pros and cons of this proposal.

But soon, a firm light ignited in his eyes again:

"I am willing to be the first to try. After all, the bloodline of the Faruke royal family is relatively stable; most people awaken 'Fire Lizard' or 'Wyvern' bloodlines, and the probability of deformation is low."

He paused, his tone turning resolute, every muscle on his face tense, showing a determination that was almost crazy:

"And, I hope to become stronger, at least to make myself possess enough value to stay here."

Luo En looked at the determination in his friend's eyes and finally nodded:

"Alright, starting tomorrow, I will begin preparing. Today you help me finish moving these things, then go back to collect the materials on the list, and we will discuss the specific formula in detail tomorrow."

The two each picked up a cloth bag and left this simple dormitory that was about to become the past.

The corridor was still eerily quiet, and the entire probationary apprentice dormitory area was shrouded in a gloomy silence.

The vague shouts that occasionally came from afar only highlighted a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere.

Leaving the probationary apprentice dormitory area, Luo En looked back one last time at the place that carried all his memories of his early days in the Black Mist Jungle.

His gaze swept over those familiar buildings; every stone brick and every window seemed to have carved the mark of his growth.

Although his rapid growth was because he had extra help, at least for those countless days and nights of hard work, the sweat was real, and the pain was real.

"Goodbye... no, never see you again." He said in his heart, then turned and left.

(End of chapter)