Chapter 99

The fifth week of the vacation.

-> "The fifth week of vacation."

Wednesday, the sky is clear and bright.

-> "Wednesday, the weather was clear and bright."

The eastern district is bustling today; from early morning, a steady stream of vehicles has been arriving from all directions.

-> "Today the East District was quite lively; from early morning, transport vehicles kept arriving from all directions."

After two days of intensive promotion, all the resident wizards and apprentices of Rivorsith City know that there will be a good show today.

-> "After two days of heavy promotion, the resident formal wizards and apprentice wizards of Ruiwo Suosi City all knew there would be a good show today."

The Paro wizard and Peter Lionel wizard, who have been at odds for decades, are arguing again.

-> "The Paro wizards and Peter Leonel wizard, who have been at odds for decades, started arguing again."

Last time, Peter Lionel orchestrated a move that led to a life‑and‑death duel between the current president and vice‑president of the New Blood Mutual Aid Society, giving the wizards who know their decades‑long feud—especially the third‑level wizards—something to gossip about.

-> "Last time Peter Leonel orchestrated a move that led to a life-and-death duel between the current president and vice president of the Newblood Mutual Aid Society, giving the wizards who knew their decades-long grudge, especially the third-level wizards, something to gossip about."

This time, it's clearly the Paro wizard trying to regain face; no one knows what stunt he'll pull.

-> "This time, it's clearly the Paro wizards trying to regain face; no one knows what stunt they'll pull."

Many wizards are eagerly awaiting it.

-> "Many wizards were eagerly awaiting."

Many people arrived early at the eastern district exhibition center, waiting quietly for the show to begin.

-> "Many people arrived early at the East District Exhibition Center, quietly waiting for the show to begin."

On both sides of the exhibition center's main gate hang two extremely retro fabric banners, very eye‑catching.

-> "On both sides of the exhibition center's main gate hung two extremely retro fabric banners, very eye-catching."

The left banner reads, 'Congratulations in advance on Luciana's Pharmacy new product launch—may it be a total flop,' while the right banner says, 'Heartily celebrating Selene's Pharmacy new product launch—may it be a complete dead‑end.'

-> "The left banner read 'Pre-congratulations on the Luchia Pharmacy new product launch being a total mess,' while the right banner read 'Heartily congratulating the Selin Pharmacy new product launch on being completely dead.'"

Anyone who sees these two banners can't help but chuckle.

-> "Anyone who saw those two banners couldn't help but chuckle."

Third‑level wizards undergoing transformation must, as much as possible, stay true to themselves in order to better resonate with the wizarding world's consciousness.

-> "Third-level wizards in the transformation period, to better resonate with the wizard world's consciousness, should keep their true nature as much as possible."

If you think of something, you must do it; if you feel angry, you must vent it—otherwise, you'll inevitably cause quite a few jokes.

-> "Think of something and do it; vent any anger you feel; otherwise, you'll surely cause quite a few jokes."

The first‑floor lobby is split in two: the east side is occupied by Selene's Pharmacy, the west side temporarily belongs to Luciana's Pharmacy.

-> "The first-floor lobby was split in two; the east side was occupied by Selin Pharmacy, the west side temporarily belonged to Luchia Pharmacy."

Both groups are busy in their respective areas.

-> "Both groups were busy in their respective areas."

Link and Molly are also there.

-> "Lin Ke and Mo Li were also there."

The star of this launch is the Selene wizard, wearing an emerald‑green mermaid dress, radiant and captivating,

-> "At this launch, the main character was a Selin wizard wearing an emerald green mermaid dress, gorgeous and captivating,"

three soon‑to‑be‑full wizards and Molly, the inexperienced girl, serve as etiquette attendants, responsible for displaying Selene Pharmacy's various new potions,

-> "three soon-to-be-full formal wizards and Mo Li, this inexperienced girl, serving as etiquette attendants, were responsible for displaying the various new potions released by Selin Pharmacy,"

Link has an important task; he needs to make the final appearance.

-> "Lin Ke had an important task, needing to make the final appearance."

Paro wizard's arrangement surprises Link, yet it's not entirely unexpected.

-> "Paro wizards' this arrangement surprised Lin Ke, yet also wasn't surprising."

It's not surprising that he has a role in the launch.

-> "What wasn't surprising was that he had a role to play at the launch."

After all, if he wants to revenge against Sophie Luciana, he can't stay hidden.

-> "After all, wanting to retaliate against Sophie Luchia, how could he hide and not show up?"

Otherwise, it would be no different from sneaking around at night in fine clothes.

-> "Otherwise, it would be no different from sneaking around at night in fine clothes."

What's surprising is that the Paro wizard gave him a heavy role, hinting that he might be a main force of the launch.

-> "What was surprising was that the Paro wizards gave him a role of great weight, faintly intending for him to be a main force of the launch."

On the west side of the exhibition hall, Sophie Luciana, dressed in proper attire, sees Link Grand across the way—spirited, gentle, and refined—and feels a faint unease.

-> "On the west side of the exhibition hall, Sophie Luchia, dressed in proper attire, saw Linke Grand opposite, spirited and gentle, and felt a faint unease."

Her intuition tells her that something will definitely happen today.

-> "Her intuition told her that something would definitely happen today."

Before she could ponder further, her cousin Loren Luciana approached and said, 'Get ready; when you host the launch later and encounter any sudden situation, don't panic at all. The opposition is just here to cause trouble—we ignore everything else; as long as we go through the entire procedure, we'll succeed. Understand?'

-> "Without waiting for her to think further, her cousin Soren Luchia walked over and said, 'Get ready; when you host the launch later and encounter an emergency, absolutely do not panic. The opposite side are the troublemakers; we don't care about anything else, as long as we go through the whole process, that's success. Understood?'"

Sophie Luciana replied firmly, 'Understood, Cousin Loren.'

-> "Sophie Luchia replied firmly, 'Understood, Cousin Soren.'"

Hmm.

-> "'Hmm.'"

Loren Luciana nodded, then asked, 'What were you just looking at? You seemed so lost in thought.'

-> "Soren Luchia nodded, then asked, 'What were you just looking at? You're so absorbed.'"

Sophie Luciana thought for a moment, didn't hide anything, and said the truth: 'I was looking at that country bumpkin, Link Grand. He recently posted four consecutive "papers" on the academy's internal network: one describing the properties of a plant called "Lixuan grass" and the special effects of its leaf extract; the other three are based on that leaf extract to develop essential oils, fragrances, and perfumes. I think they'll bring that series over to cause trouble.'

-> "Sophie Luchia thought for a moment, didn't hide anything, and told the truth: 'I was looking at that country bumpkin, Linke Grand; he recently posted four more papers on the internal campus network. One paper introduces the characteristics of a plant called Li Xuan grass and the special effects of its leaf extract; the other three are respectively based on developing essential oil, fragrance, and perfume from that leaf extract. I think the other side will also bring out this series to cause trouble.'"

Hearing this, Loren Luciana didn't make a big deal of it; he was just waiting to prepare and assign someone to review the relevant materials when Peter Lionel arrived with a group of people.

-> "Soren Luchia heard this, didn't think much of it, and was just waiting for him to finish preparing to have people retrieve the relevant materials when Peter Leonel arrived with a group of people."

That's really unfortunate timing.

-> "That was really untimely."

Otherwise, even if we couldn't find a countermeasure quickly, we wouldn't end up getting blindsided later.

-> "Otherwise, even if we couldn't find a countermeasure in a short time, later we wouldn't end up getting hit with a blunt stick."

Loren Luciana could only note this point silently, planning to have someone investigate it later when he has free time.

-> "Soren Luchia could only silently note this, leaving it for when he had free time later to arrange people to investigate."

He hurried a couple of steps and met Peter Lionel.

-> "He hurried a few steps, and Soren Luchia went up to meet Peter Leonel."

They exchanged a few casual pleasantries.

-> "The two exchanged a few casual pleasantries."

Peter Lionel then began introducing the guests he had specially invited to give Loren Luciana support.

-> "Peter Leonel then began introducing the guests he had specially invited to give Soren Luchia support."

Loren Luciana smiled brightly on the surface, warmly welcoming all the guests, but inside he was silently lamenting.

-> "Soren Luchia put on a bright smile, warmly welcoming all guests, but inwardly he was lamenting."

Originally, this was just an ordinary potion new‑product launch; even if it went wrong, it wouldn't affect him or the Luciana family at all.

-> "Originally it was just an ordinary potion new product launch; even if it went wrong, it would have no impact on him or the Luchia family."

But after the Paro wizard interfered, Loren Luciana, the Luciana family pharmacy, and the Luciana family were all put on the spot.

-> "But after being stirred up by the Paro wizards, Soren Luchia, the Luchia family pharmacy, and the Luchia family were all put on a pedestal."

If the launch encounters even a minor issue, it will be blown up afterward, discussed, and used to attack the Luciana family.

-> "If the launch had any minor issue, afterward it would be magnified, discussed, and used to criticize the Luchia family."

On the other side, Link was also silently lamenting in his heart.

-> "On the other side, Lin Ke was also silently lamenting in his heart."

I thought today's scene would be big, but I never imagined it would be this huge.

-> "He had thought the scene would be big today, but he hadn't expected it to be this big."

According to a rough estimate, the bigwigs present whose status rivals that of the Paro wizard and Peter Lionel wizard number no fewer than ten!

-> "According to a rough estimate, the big figures present whose status was on par with the Paro wizards and Peter Leonel wizard numbered no fewer than ten!"

Link is certain and confident that after this launch ends, he will definitely become famous!

-> "Lin Ke was certain and sure that after this launch ended, he would definitely become famous!"

Thus, time passed amidst the different moods of the several parties involved.

-> "Thus, time passed amidst the different moods of the several parties involved."

The exhibition center's clock chimed precisely at 9:00 a. m.

-> "The exhibition center's clock chimed on the dot at 9 a. m."

Both launches opened simultaneously.

-> "The two launches opened simultaneously."

On Luciana Pharmacy's side,

-> "On the Luchia Pharmacy side,"

Sophie Luciana stepped onto the stage in high heels, her vermilion lips and powdered face, graceful and charming.

-> "Sophie Luchia stepped onto the stage in high heels, with vermilion lips and a powdered face, graceful and charming."

As soon as she appeared, she attracted many gazes.

-> "As soon as she appeared, she attracted many gazes."

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Luciana Pharmacy's new product launch; I am the host, Sophie Luciana.

-> '"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Luchia Pharmacy new product launch; I am the host of the launch, Sophie Luchia."'

Before the launch officially begins, please allow me to thank, on behalf of Luciana Pharmacy, Peter Lionel Wizard, Henry Percy‑Weasley Wizard, Enbid Smith Wizard, Todd Johnson Wizard, and all the distinguished guests who have attended today's launch.

-> "Before the launch officially begins, please allow me to represent Luchia Pharmacy in thanking Wizard Peter Leonel, Wizard Henry Percy, Wizard Embid Smith, and Wizard Todd Johnson, as well as all the distinguished guests who have attended this launch."

Today, Luciana Pharmacy proudly presents a total of sixteen new potions…

-> "Today, Luchia Pharmacy proudly presents a total of sixteen new potions……"

Sophie Luciana's voice was loud, her articulation clear, her delivery smooth; the opening went smoothly without a hitch.

-> "Sophie Luchia's voice was loud, her articulation clear, her speech smooth; the opening went very smoothly, without a hitch."

If we just give Sophie Luciana one more minute, her opening task will be finished.

-> "If we just give Sophie Luchia one more minute, her opening task can be finished."

Later, she will also serve as the presenter for the new fragrance series, explaining and promoting it to guests interested in the new scents.

-> "Later, she will also serve as the promoter for the new fragrance series, explaining and selling to guests interested in the new fragrances."

However, just then, the Serlin Pharmacy launch event started causing trouble.

The day before yesterday, Lin Ke and Mo Li were chatting, hearing Mo Li mention that Sallya, Ella, and Tina were discussing how to open the presentation to attract more attention, he casually said: "A regular host's opening is really ordinary; what's better than smashing an expensive potion on the spot for a stronger effect?"

Who would have thought that this sentence somehow reached the ears of the witch Selin.

Unexpectedly, Witch Selin actually prepared to adopt this practice, and even came specially to ask Lin Ke's opinion on which potion would be more appropriate to smash.

Lin Ke, gritting his teeth, offered an idea.

A passage of mournful music sounded, instantly drowning out Sophie Lucia's voice.

When most of the people in the exhibition hall looked over.

Witch Selin stepped onto the podium, without a word, and smashed a bottle of potion with a clatter.

A strange aroma spread out.

Threads of 'sweetness' welled up in everyone's hearts, as if returning to the happiest moment of their lives.

They came in high spirits and left happily.

Celebratory!

This bottle of potion is worth exactly ten standard second‑grade Magic Stones.

It is Witch Selin's proud creation, developed over four years, and only succeeded after returning to the homeland.

The potion is named 'Painful Regret'; its effect is to make people recall their greatest regret in life, strongly stimulating emotion, and its potential customers are third‑grade witches.

Because witches emphasize reason, not utter lack of humanity.

Many senior third‑grade witches, before reaching the standard for promotion to sage, tend to make themselves overly cold and unfeeling, affecting their humanity and hindering resonance with the witch world's consciousness.

Resonance, not assimilation.

The world's consciousness must be impartial and unfeeling, but humans are not machines; they must have humanity and individuality.

Otherwise, when faced with numerous impacts, one easily becomes a puppet of knowledge and power, rather than a witch who masters knowledge and commands power.

Regret stimulates humanity far more intensely and directly than positive emotions such as beauty and love.

Therefore, this potion will surely never lack buyers, and it is absolutely a masterpiece by a renowned hand!

Relying on this 'Painful Regret' potion, once Witch Selin promotes to sage, she can add the prefix 'Great' to her potion‑maker title, becoming a Great Potion Maker!

Just like the sage Perseus, people honor him as the Great Alchemist.

A flicker of pain flashed in Lin Ke's eyes.

Ten standard second‑grade Magic Stones, at market price, equal ten thousand standard first‑grade Magic Stones.

And just like that, it was smashed!

But expensive things have their reasons.

The 'Painful Regret' potion spilled, and through Witch Selin's special method of activation, its aroma permeated the entire first‑floor hall.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it.

Peter Leonnel and Soren Lucia were no exception.

The hostess, Sophie Lucia, burst into tears, her face wet with weeping.

She recalled how, due to a momentary shortsightedness, she looked down on the rural Newblood and lost the hard‑won position of acting director of the third botanical garden.

Forgive her shallow life; her greatest regret in life is merely this.

Peter Leonnel had the strongest reaction in the hall, actually wailing loudly, beating his chest and stamping his feet, anguished beyond endurance, repeatedly shouting: 'Staff! Staff! My staff!'

This was recalling the bitter events of over a decade ago.

In a certain secret realm, he was only busy admiring the dazzling beauty of the Perseus Sage's gem, when the Paro Witch snatched the Perseus Sage's staff right from under his nose.

Although Peter Leonnel was in a special transmogrification state, other third‑grade witches were all affected by the 'Painful Regret' potion, none unmoved.

Witch Selin lightly waved her hand, dispelling the potion's aroma, and seized the moment to open:

"Welcome everyone to my new product launch.

This launch is divided into three parts:

First, this potion, which I have named 'Painful Regret', is sold only to third‑grade witches at a price of ten standard second‑grade Magic Stones.

It is difficult to refine, output is limited; those who wish to buy should act quickly, and interested parties may reserve in advance.

Second, there are six potions aimed at first‑ and second‑grade witches, divided into daily, cultivation, and combat categories, two each; interested parties can learn the details themselves.

Finally, the highlight of this new product launch is the Lixuan Grass series, independently developed in its early stages by the Paro Witch‑favored potion‑learning genius, a first‑year Newblood from the South District of the Elementary Academy, Linke Grand, which includes essential oils, fragrances, and perfumes.

Now, please welcome first‑year Newblood Linke Grand to introduce the Lixuan Grass series."

The witches and apprentices whose attention had been snatched, the staff of the Lucia family potion shop, the exhibition center workers, and almost everyone showed unusual expressions.

Um…

You guys are playing pretty fancy.

Smashing a precious potion worth ten standard second‑grade Magic Stones was just to let everyone hear a product pitch from a first‑year Newblood?

Tsk, indeed rich and bold, talented yet willful.

Before they knew it, even without the influence of the 'Painful Regret' potion, the vast majority of people had turned their attention to the east side.

Having come to her senses, Sophie Lucia composed herself, wiped away her tears, prepared to continue hosting the launch, and looking at the few still paying attention here, she felt a complex mix of emotions.

Under the gaze of many witches, Linke Grand stepped onto the stage, his steps steady, showing no stage fright, and loudly announced: 'The Lixuan Grass series targets the rival's brand‑new fragrance line.'

We solemnly promise that, while we won't claim superiority, our effect is at least not inferior to theirs, and moreover, the price is the same!

Not one Magic Stone higher, not one lower; whatever price the competitor sells at, we sell at the same price!

This pricing strategy was set by the Paro Witch.

Nothing else, just do it!

"Welcome everyone to follow the subsequent sales of both sides for comparison.

Let sales volume and reviews speak, to see whose product is better and whose is inferior!

After announcing the price, Linke Grand dropped another bombshell.

Since Paro Wizard gave up using the "Regret" potion, this kind of bullying masterpiece, to stir up trouble, he decided to take the Lixuan grass series as an entry point, using first-year Newblood as a gimmick, to slap Soren Lucia in the face, to "repay" Peter Leoniel, this matter cannot lack a publicity hotspot.

What could be more topical than issuing a sales challenge face-to-face?

What?

You're saying you won't take this challenge?

Do you still want face? Do you still want reputation?

Lin Ke's role ends here—just a cameo, two lines, very simple.

But the meaning is anything but simple.

From now on, for a long time, Lin Ke will live under the spotlight, unable to stay low-key.

At this point, Paro Wizard finally appeared, his face beaming with a smile, he greeted the attending third-level wizards, then turned toward the grim-faced Peter Leoniel and the expressionless Soren Lucia.

"Peter, Soren, long time no see."

Waving his hand with a smile, Paro Wizard looked at the stunned Sophie Lucia on the stage, unsure whether to continue hosting or step down, the situation awkward, and said, "Tsk… you guys just lack that much Magic Stone? At least hire a more professional host."

That remark packed a punch.

Sophie Lucia's face turned deathly pale instantly.

The other side used underhanded tactics, causing her hosting to be a disaster, though she was originally blameless.

But after Paro Wizard said that, it seemed her low quality was to blame for not keeping things under control.

This will affect her image in her cousin Soren's mind, and the family's evaluation of her.

A big clan, many members, very cutthroat!

"Paro, you've gone too far."

Peter Leoniel cast a calming spell, stabilizing Sophie Lucia's emotions, then he sternly rebuked, "Bullying the weak with your strength—do you even have the shame?"

"Ah! I'm sure I got this wrong, I admit my mistake!"

Paro Wizard actually accepted Peter Leoniel's blame bluntly, then gave Lin Ke a look, "I'll apologize right away."

Lin Ke understood, gritting his teeth, he picked up the whole set of Lixuan grass series,

Under Paro Wizard's invisible protection, he made his way through the crowd and placed it in Sophie Lucia's hands:

"This return gift, I hope you like it!"

(End of chapter)