Chapter 105

Thank you, Lin Ke.

Mo Li closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pressed down all the tumultuous emotions.

In an extremely brief span of time, she flashed back from leaving the Kuítè Qúndǎo, arriving at the academy, becoming engrossed in social entertainment, shifting her thoughts, following studies, conducting research, improving grades, working part-time, all the way to what she witnessed with her own eyes today.

Then, it was as if a blade that had endured scorching flames and myriad hammerings, after being plunged into water for quenching, took shape directly,

Mo Li's whole person instantly became much more mature.

Opening her eyes, the noble young lady who liked to play little tricks, had a slight fondness for tea arts, and was accustomed to relying on others completely receded; appearing before Lin Ke was someone who could be called a truly qualified wizard apprentice.

Rational, self-serving, single-mindedly climbing upward.

Whether pursuing knowledge, truth, and power, or authority and status.

"Tsk!"

Witch Selin turned her head and glanced, letting out an exclamation of admiration.

Initially, Witch Paro sent Mo Li Kidman over as a part-time sales guide; after reviewing the file, Witch Selin actually wasn't very keen to accept.

Her aptitude wasn't great, her temperament was delicate and easily upset, and she was highly susceptible to feeling wronged.

Seeing that Mo Li Kidman had accompanied the entire process of two research projects, Witch Selin reluctantly agreed.

Later, in the course of interaction, Witch Selin discovered several bright points in Mo Li Kidman, which improved her impression of her.

That is, she can listen to advice, reflect, and learn from the advanced, making up for shortcomings by leveraging strengths.

Mo Li Kidman, in the sales position, went from unfamiliar to proficient to independently capable in just two days.

Witch Selin noticed that Linke Grand, aside from emphasizing Mo Li Kidman's introduction to Shaliya, gave no further overt assistance.

This was entirely a manifestation of Mo Li's personal ability.

So, Witch Selin today brought Mo Li Kidman along.

Originally, the plan was to have Linke Grand and Mo Li Kidman get hands-on with large-scale potion production to accumulate experience for later industrializing the manufacturing process of laboratory products.

Who would have thought that before this even started, Mo Li Kidman would undergo a spiritual baptism.

This is very beneficial for Mo Li Kidman's present and future.

"Test your spiritual power when you go back; there will be a surprise."

Witch Selin gave the reminder.

Mo Li, who felt her spiritual condition was much better than before, couldn't help but show a look of joy upon hearing that.

Soon, Mo Li composed her emotions and kept pace with Witch Selin.

Today's main task is debugging the new production line of the Li Xuancao series, not her change of mindset or improvement in strength.

Being aware of the times, this is another advantage of Mo Li.

Knowing what to do when, she never meddles pointlessly.

This is important; regardless of whether she is liked or not, at least she doesn't annoy people.

Debugging the new production line is actually not complicated, far from needing Witch Selin to personally step in.

It's just that the surge in orders has left this side of the factory truly overwhelmed.

Moreover, Witch Selin valued Linke Grand's talent in potionology and alchemical potionology, and got the idea to play around with a training scheme, which is why today's trip came about.

Throughout, Witch Selin didn't lift a finger herself, but kept directing and ordering Lin Ke and Mo Li, especially Lin Ke.

Running east and west, jumping up and down.

Stumbling here and there, making mistakes several times, redoing several times.

After spending an entire morning, the two finally completed the task that a skilled worker could finish in less than half an hour.

Leaving the 'workshop', they changed out of their protective gear and exited the factory.

Witch Selin flicked her fingers, and the sweat and grime on Lin Ke and Mo Li instantly vanished.

She didn't want her beloved car to get dirty.

Lin Ke looked down at his clean, dry body, and an obsession that had arisen since the start of school surged to the forefront of his mind.

Boarding the hovercar, after it left the acceleration phase and the speed stabilized, Lin Ke couldn't help but ask, 'Witch Selin, do water and wood systems have a similar instant-cleansing spell like just now?'

"Why are you interested in this?"

Witch Selin asked curiously.

"Hmm..."

Lin Ke pondered a bit, then spoke frankly, 'I feel that having to wash up every day is really a waste of time.'

"Hehehe..."

Upon hearing that, Witch Selin laughed until her branches trembled.

Lin Ke really didn't know which point of Witch Selin his simple sentence had struck.

It actually provoked such a big reaction.

Mo Li also chimed in at this point: 'Witch Selin, I also kind of want to learn this; could you trouble yourself to give some guidance?'

After a while, Witch Selin stopped laughing, didn't beat around the bush, and said directly, 'This isn't a spell; it's merely a simple application technique of spiritual and magical power. However, to master this technique, one must first advance to become a full-fledged witch.'

"Oh, I see."

Mo Li immediately lost interest in this spell technique.

Lin Ke, on the other hand, began calculating how long it would take him to learn this spell technique.

If everything goes smoothly, perhaps by this time next year, he won't have to worry about washing up and cleaning at all.

"Strive on."

Witch Selin gave them a word of encouragement, then focused on driving her beloved car.

She loved the feeling of speeding like wind and lightning while being under her control.

Not long after, they arrived at the potion shop.

The three got off the car and just caught up as the restaurant's smart kitchen finished preparing lunch.

After a busy morning, they had consumed not only considerable mental and magical power, but also more physical strength.

Lin Ke rarely felt the sensation of hunger again.

Even Mo Li no longer deliberately focused on etiquette while eating.

The two crunched down food amounting to more than half again their usual intake, leaving Sha Li Ya, Ti Na, and Ai La staring in astonishment.

Just not seeing them for a morning, how did their appetite increase so much?

Fortunately, the smart kitchen provided food that was only more, not less, otherwise there wouldn't have been enough.

After lunch, they rested briefly and started work.

The morning's unprocessed plants and herbs awaited Lin Ke's handling.

Another busy afternoon.

By the time the horizon glowed with fiery sunset, Lin Ke had finished processing all the plants and herbs.

These two days of booming business affected every aspect.

The six potions launched at the press conference, aimed at first- and second-level wizards, were also selling like crazy.

Lin Ke's workload had increased considerably.

That is, after working for over a month, Lin Ke had become skilled through practice, his efficiency greatly improved compared to when he first started part-time, which is what kept him going.

However, Wizard Se Lin still needed to consider hiring.

After next week, Lin Ke and Mo Li would no longer be able to work part-time at the shop.

After a brief rest of two days, the spring semester would begin.

What?

New Year?

The wizarding world doesn't celebrate this; it merely updates a line on the calendar and that's it.

Facing the sunset, Lin Ke and Mo Li left the potion shop and headed for the platform.

"Mo Li Jiedeman, Linke Grand, it really is you two—wait, wait, wait."

Just as they were about to board the vehicle, Lin Ke suddenly heard someone calling him and Mo Li, the voice quite familiar.

Quickly searching his memory palace, Lin Ke immediately identified the voice's owner: Jimu Ni Hengde Likesi.

One of the five who came from the Kuaitè Archipelago, later he went to the Metal and Flame Trading Company. (See Chapter Six)

"How did he end up here?"

Following the sound, he spotted Jimu Ni Hengde Likesi raising his right hand high and waving it, and Lin Ke felt puzzled.

At the same time, he waved at Jimu Ni Hengde Likesi and walked over.

"Jimu Ni, long time no see."

Lin Ke greeted him and extended his right hand.

"Yeah, it's been almost half a year!"

Jimni clasped his hands, gripping them tightly and unwilling to release them for a long time.

It was clear that seeing Lin Ke and Mo Li made him truly excited.

"Jimni, are you okay?"

Mo Li came over and also warmly greeted them.

In an unfamiliar place where one is not acquainted with the surroundings, even after staying for a while it remains a foreign land; being able to meet companions from the same hometown is a rare piece of good fortune.

"Hello, Mo Li, I'm really happy to see you again."

Jimni let go of Lin Ke's right hand, rubbed his hands hard on his clothes to wipe the sweat from his palms, then carefully shook Mo Li's hand.

"Do you have time now? Let's find a place to meet and have a good chat."

After exchanging greetings, the street wasn't a good place to catch up, so Lin Ke took the initiative to suggest.

Mo Li's green eyes also turned to Jimni.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Jimni nodded repeatedly, "I came out with a transport team from the trading company; all the work is done, now it's free time—I just need to go back to sleep at night."

"Okay."

Lin Ke glanced left and right, filtered the map in his mind, picked a direction, and said, "Come on, I know a small shop that's pretty good, suitable for chatting."

"Good, good, good."

Jimni repeatedly agreed.

Lin Ke silently took note of this situation.

On the way from the Qute Islands to the western coast, although they hadn't interacted much, Lin Ke remembered that Jimni's manner of speaking wasn't like this now.

It must be due to some strong stimulus that caused such a big change.

That small shop is not far from the station, just a few minutes' walk away; it mainly sells hot drinks and snacks, and it was the kind of place Lin Ke, when he first toured the East District, would hesitate to spend money at.

However, today he happened to meet a fellow townsman by the roadside; the first dividend from the new sprouting method of the Silver Star Flower has already been distributed, and there will be further dividends from hybrid breeding, so he isn't short of a few Magic Stones—what's the harm in splurging a bit?

Lin Ke, reluctantly acting as host, after being led to a seat by the waiter, ordered a hot drink and snack set for each of the three.

"This place is so expensive."

Jimni watched the waiter leave, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his tone somewhat hollow, and he said in a low voice.

"We're also coming to such a high-end place for the first time."

Lin Ke noticed Jimni's unease and spoke up to comfort him: "Today we're happy; I and Mo Li will also share in your glory and experience a bit of high spending."

"Yeah, we're also coming here for the first time."

Mo Li also chimed in from the side.

She was indeed visiting this small shop for the first time, and indeed it was her first high-end spending since enrolling at the Auspicious Fertile Seek Think Academy.

Magic Stone is hard to earn.

The waiter quickly served three dishes.

"Oh good, really good!"

Jimni picked up the enthusiasm, took a small sip carefully, his eyes narrowed into a slit, he savored it beautifully, then let out a sigh, saying: "This taste is good, being able to see you again would be even better."

As he spoke, a hint of gloom suddenly flashed in Jimni's eyes.

He put down the cup, his voice low as he said:

"It's a pity Kelisi died."

"What?"

Mo Li exclaimed in surprise.

This news came truly too suddenly.

Lin Ke looked over, waiting silently for Jimni to continue.

Jimni sighed, speaking sorrowfully: "A month ago, I accompanied a merchant convoy delivering a batch of goods to Shadow City, and after searching specifically, I finally found Kelisitena. She told me that not long after they entered Shadow City—about less than two months—Kelisi, in a bid over a resource, accidentally got into a conflict with someone."

Originally, they thought giving up that resource and avoiding the other party would be fine, but the other party refused to let go, continually harassing Kelisi, even going so far as to bother Kelisitena.

Kelisi, unable to bear it, agreed to a duel with the other party, and in the end both sides suffered losses.

Without Magic Stone, he couldn't afford potions, and so he died just like that.

Even——

Saying this, Jimni's voice choked up: "Not even a full corpse was left; Shadow City recycled it!"

Lin Ke knew how the Auspicious Fertile Seek Think Academy processed the corpses of Newbloods who died in the Storm Sea of the West District; hearing this news, he naturally had no reaction.

But Mo Li was different.

This news hit Mo Li hard.

If it weren't for the shocking education she had already received this morning, which had matured her mindset considerably, Mo Li would absolutely be unable to digest this news in a short time.

"Then what?"

Mo Li's face showed a hint of sorrow, but her mood was relatively calm as she asked: "How is Kelisitena doing now? Is she doing well?"

"Kelisitena has had a rough time lately."

Jimni sighed again, saying: "She later, later relied on a young master of a prominent local family in Shadow City, which improved her situation."

Mo Li is not an innocent simpleton unfamiliar with the world; she naturally understood what Jimni implied without him saying it outright.

"Sigh......"

But aside from letting out a long sigh, Mo Li had nothing else she could do.

Lin Ke waited for Jimni's emotions to ease a little, then he asked, "How about you? Jimni, how have you been?"

Jimni's expression instantly became somewhat unnatural, slightly awkward.

He picked up a pastry, propped his left hand near his chin, and carefully brought the pastry to his mouth with his right hand, taking a light bite, chewing slowly, savoring it.

Seeing this, Lin Ke abandoned the idea of asking further about recent events.

This expression clearly indicates there's a story behind it, that he's encountered difficulties, or that his current situation isn't good.

After sipping a small mouthful of hot drink and tasting a small piece of pastry, Lin Ke felt the satisfaction of his taste buds, as well as a slight stirring of both his mental energy and magic power.

You get what you pay for.

The price of half a standard first‑grade Magic Stone is money well spent.

Jimni carefully finished the pastry in his hand, not wasting even the crumbs caught in his left hand, tipped his head back to drop them into his mouth, chewed them thoroughly a few times, and washed them down with a small sip of hot drink.

After savoring the deliciousness, he suddenly gulped down the hot drink in big mouthfuls.

Setting down the cup, he picked up the napkin beside the utensils, wiped away the stain at the corner of his mouth, and gave an embarrassed smile, saying, "I've never eaten such delicious pastries or drunk such fine hot drink—you've gone to too much trouble."

Lin Ke laughed and said, "Happiness is what matters most."

"Yeah."

Jimni gave an approving sound, repeating, "Who would say otherwise? Happiness is most important!"

But Lin Ke saw the bitterness in Jimni's brows and eyes, and thought, "What you want to say probably isn't this, but..."

Being alive is what matters most!

(End of chapter)