Chapter 5

As they gradually approached the central area of the market, Luo En's eyes began to look around incessantly.

Everything here was full of freshness to him—

Various strange hawking sounds rose and fell:

"Fresh magic snake gall! Guaranteed to be taken just this morning!"

"Top-quality phantom scale powder! Imported directly from the Fairy Homeland!"

"Special clearance! Selling failed experimental bodies at half price!"

The stalls in the market were filled with dazzling goods, many of which Luo En had only seen in books—

—glowing little people in glass bottles, colorful crystals floating in the air, magical beasts under a freezing spell...

A merchant with goat horns waved enthusiastically at them: "Would the two lords like to take a look? This is authentic goblin craftsmanship..."

"Don't pay attention to him." Andre whispered, "This guy's things are all fakes, specifically to cheat us candidate apprentices."

Not far away, a snake-person female merchant with a long tail was skillfully weighing a chameleon salamander, her slender snake tongue flicking out from time to time while speaking:

"Hiss hiss... This batch of goods comes from the edge of the abyss, the medicinal effect is three times stronger than ordinary ones; buy from me, I'll give you a discount..."

"Don't look for now..." Andre patted him on the shoulder, "The most important thing now is to find the materials for the Scorching Essential Oil, let's hurry."

On their way through the market, a scene in the distance attracted Luo En's attention.

A middle-aged man in a white wizard robe was leading more than a dozen apprentices towards the school's central hall.

"Which wizard lord is that?" Luo En asked softly.

Andre looked in the direction of his gaze, a trace of respect flashing in his eyes:

"That is Lord Fernandez, a formal wizard, specializing in elemental magic. He holds several paid consultations every month, specifically to answer questions raised by talented apprentices."

"Formal wizard?" Luo En's heart tightened; he was full of awe and fear for the existence at this level.

In his cognition, formal wizards possessed the power to turn apprentices into experimental materials and were terrifying existences that were difficult to contend with.

Andre seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled slightly:

"Don't be so nervous; although formal wizards do possess terrifying power, most do not abuse their power. Especially those wizards who choose to serve as mentors, they are really willing to cultivate promising newcomers."

"You mean, they won't just grab apprentices for experiments?" Luo En was somewhat incredulous.

"Of course not." Andre shook his head:

"They only punish apprentices who violate important school rules, or deal with dangerous targets that have already begun to aberrate. In fact, if you show enough talent and potential, they will be very willing to provide guidance and help."

Luo En realized something; this was different from his previous cognition: "Then why is everyone so afraid..."

"Because the power gap between formal wizards and apprentices is too great, like a life level of different species."

Andre explained seriously: "Even high-level apprentices are as fragile as children in front of real wizards."

This explanation made Luo En relax a little; at least he didn't have to worry about being grabbed as an experimental subject because of outstanding performance.

Perhaps in such an environment, performing well and following the rules was the best way to survive.

"After we buy the materials, if there is still time, you can go check the mentor bulletin board."

Andre suggested: "It will list the directions that various wizards are willing to guide, as well as the criteria for choosing students. Although you are still a candidate apprentice, it is always good to know these things in advance."

"Then thank you very much." Luo En said sincerely.

………………

When pushing open the mottled wooden door of the herb shop, various strong smells rushed towards them.

The light in the shop was dim, and the flames dancing on the bronze candlestick projected the dense shelves onto the wall, forming twisted shadows.

"We need..."

Andre took out the crumpled notebook and began to look for materials against the list: "First, find red sand grass, three portions."

He pointed to a glass jar covered with red spots, "It's this one, remember to choose the ones with complete roots..."

Luo En looked at the various materials on the shelves, somewhat overwhelmed.

"What is this?" Luo En pointed to a round container, inside which floated clusters of translucent spheres, looking like some kind of egg.

"Egg sacs of the moonlight jellyfish."

The blonde youth answered without raising his head: "Materials used to make transparent potions, but the price is too expensive, twenty magic stone fragments for one."

"Over here." Andre walked to another row of shelves, "Phoenix tail flower powder... ah, here it is."

He carefully took down a bottle sealed with golden powder, the powder flickering with fine sparks in the dim light:

"This thing is very delicate; it will fail if it gets even a little moisture."

"Also need the stems of carbon-breath grass..." He continued to rummage: "It's the one that smokes... yes, that one."

Luo En watched Andre skillfully shuttle between the shelves, occasionally stopping to carefully check the quality of a certain material.

"This silver-light mushroom looks a bit old." He frowned while checking a mushroom emitting silver light: "But we'll have to make do with it."

Putting the last material into the cloth bag, Andre clapped his hands: "Alright, they're all here. These materials are enough for you to practice configuring several times..."

Speaking of this, he looked at his waist somewhat hesitantly; the money bag was obviously much flatter than when he came.

Just as the two were about to leave after checking out, the shopkeeper's hoarse voice suddenly sounded: "Wait, two little guests."

It was an old woman with a face full of wrinkles, the half-exposed eye glowing with ghostly green in the dim candlelight:

"I wonder if you are interested in potion refining? I happen to be recruiting an assistant here..."

Luo En's heart moved, but Andre had already pulled him out: "Sorry, we have other things to do."

It wasn't until they were far away from the shop door that Andre pursed his lips and explained:

"That old woman is notoriously harsh; the assistants under her have changed batch after batch; although the salary offered is quite high, she is not willing to give even half a magic stone fragment during the probation period; over time, no one is willing to waste time there."

So that's it; this actually suits him quite well.

"Is that so?" Luo En said thoughtfully: "But since she can offer a high salary, she must have some skills."

Andre saw through his thoughts: "You don't want to..."

"I plan to try tomorrow." Luo En nodded and then stated his plan:

"Anyway, I need a place to practice now; instead of spending a lot of money to buy materials and fumble around by myself, it's better to find an experienced master to guide me."

"Alright then." Andre sighed, "But I have to remind you, that shopkeeper's temper is not very good. If you can't meet her requirements, I'm afraid you won't even survive the probation period."

"I understand." Luo En revealed a smile: "So please accompany me tomorrow."

He helped Andre start packing up various materials: "I'll go back later and make an appointment with her for tomorrow's time."

Looking at Luo En's confident appearance, Andre suddenly had a strange premonition—perhaps, the result of this job application would be different from the past.

He handed the cloth bag containing various materials to Luo En, a trace of imperceptible worry flashing in his eyes.

"These materials should be enough for now." Andre said somewhat painfully, and added: "Remember, every failure is a waste of materials."

Luo En took the cloth bag and saw the other party's concerns.

He's probably afraid I won't practice well and will ask for a refund, Luo En thought secretly.

After all, fifty magic stone fragments are quite a lot of wealth for the current Thirteenth Prince.

Back in the room, the blonde youth didn't say much and immediately began to teach Luo En how to configure Scorching Essential Oil.

The tools were very simple—a chipped ceramic pot as a stove, a few crooked iron bars as stirring rods, and even the measuring tools were replaced by rough homemade graduated cups.

"First, chop the roots of the red sand grass."

Andre leaned his head to watch the special reaction in the ceramic pot while giving guidance:

"Yes, that's it, be careful not to throw away the root hairs, that's where the most concentrated fire elements are."

As the materials were successively put into the ceramic pot, a strange heat flow began to surge in the pot.

Tiny bubbles burst on the surface of the red liquid, occasionally making slight popping sounds.

"Now add the phoenix tail flower powder..."

Andre's voice suddenly rose: "Wait! Don't pour it directly in, the reaction will be very violent! Sprinkle it in slowly, let them spread evenly on the liquid surface."

Luo En carefully operated according to the instructions, watching the golden powder form a complete ring on the liquid surface, then slowly sink, stirring up ripples of firelight.

The first attempt was successfully completed under Andre's guidance; when configuring the second time, Andre deliberately stepped aside and stopped talking, intending to see Luo En's true level.

To his surprise, Luo En's movements were smooth and flowing, as if he had done it thousands of times.

The dosage of each step was just right, and the timing was exceptionally precise.

Although it was far from real potion refining, Luo En believed he was capable of just preparing this body-tempering essential oil with a simple process.

"Could it be that this kid really has talent in potions..."

Andre muttered to himself: "When I was guided by the King, the conditions were much better than this, but it also took many attempts before..."

Just as the second "Scorching Essential Oil" was completed, a string of translucent information suddenly appeared before Luo En's eyes:

【One refining completed √】

【Profession change conditions met:

1. Basic Potions (Proficient 9/100) √

2. Complete one refining √

Do you want to immediately change profession to — Potion Apprentice?】

(End of this chapter)