Chapter 25：The End of the Drug Trial

Little Obion was indeed shocked by Allen's display of strength!

However, he remained cautious, considering it was something he would consume himself. So, he decided to test the potion on someone else first.

"Since you claim you're not lying, let's find someone to test the potion. What do you think?" Little Obion suggested.

Allen immediately patted his chest, "Rest assured, sir. If the potion doesn't work, you can deal with me as you see fit. But if it does, perhaps you could..."

Seeing Allen's sycophantic smile and hesitant tone, Little Obion knew he was angling for a reward.

But being the miser he was, Little Obion wasn't about to promise any riches or treasures.

He couldn't give money or valuables, but he couldn't give nothing either.

Though stingy, Little Obion had some noble education and knew not to be too excessive.

After some thought, he decided to offer a position instead.

The position of ranger team captain was available, and since Allen had previously held it, reinstating him was no big deal.

The entire estuary rainforest area had five ranger teams under Little Obion's command, all answering to him.

Using an insignificant captain's position as a reward seemed a perfect solution to Little Obion.

Unbeknownst to him, this was precisely what Allen had planned.

Knowing Little Obion's stinginess, Allen had anticipated several possible outcomes.

The ranger team captain position was Allen's ideal choice, facilitating many of his future plans.

And it turned out, the miserly Little Obion did exactly that!

"Alright, if this recipe proves genuine, I'll make you a ranger team captain," Little Obion declared.

However, he realized there were no specialized potion makers in this impoverished area.

Seeking help from his father's family would attract unwanted attention, with his vulture-like brothers ready to pounce.

So, he added, "And I want you to make the potions for me. I won't treat you unfairly!"

Hearing this, Allen's joy was palpable, his smile even more obsequious.

This arrangement was even more beneficial to Allen.

He immediately showered Little Obion with gratitude and flattery, making him feel quite pleased.

Soon, Little Obion took Allen and his followers back to his residence.

He secretly selected a weak slave to test the potion, clearly intending to kill the test subject afterward to eliminate any witnesses.

Pouring some potion from the wooden bottle, Little Obion personally administered it to the bound slave.

The weak slave, in a dazed state, was forced to drink the Plant Mage's Curse.

Minutes later, the slave began to tremble, sweating profusely.

He emitted intermittent groans, a mix of immense relief and slight pain.

Moments later, the dazed slave suddenly opened his eyes, fully alert.

The Plant Mage's Curse induced hallucinations similar to meditation, forcibly unlocking the body's potential through the combined effects of the hallucinations and the potion, resulting in enhanced physical abilities. But this was merely superficial.

Such enhancement came at the cost of becoming a slave to the potion—addiction.

However, in the wild world of Gondwana, addiction wasn't much of a concern.

In fact, gaining great power at the cost of addiction was often sought after.

Seeing the once-weak slave now struggling with newfound strength, a fierce desire ignited in Little Obion's eyes.

The slave, realizing his impending doom, believed he had gained immense power from the potion.

He immediately stood up and charged at Little Obion!

Little Obion wasn't surprised but rather disdainful. Drawing his sharp sword, he taunted, "Come on!"

Despite being an illegitimate child, Little Obion had undergone noble training, possessing a strong physique and skilled swordsmanship.

He didn't kill the slave with a single strike but instead showed off his sword skills, cutting the slave's bindings with a flick of his wrist.

Seeing the enraged slave, Little Obion shouted at Allen, who had come to assist, "Stay back! Let me practice my swordsmanship."

Although the slave's strength and speed had noticeably increased, Little Obion's superior swordsmanship and agility quickly left the slave covered in wounds.

After about ten minutes, once he had his fill of the fight, the panting Little Obion plunged his sword into the dying slave's heart.

Standing up, the miser elegantly picked up a cloth from the table, wiping the blood from his sword.

He then performed a few intricate sword moves, asking, "How was that?"

Allen, head bowed, respectfully replied, "Your swordsmanship is exceptional, sir. You are truly a chosen one, destined to be a baron."

"Enough flattery. You've done well this time. I'll take the recipe. From now on, you're the ranger team captain, but your main task is to make potions for me!" Little Obion, satisfied with his display, waved off Allen's compliments and issued his orders.

Allen readily agreed.

"And this remaining potion, I'll reward you with it. Drink it here and now. Once we gather enough materials, you'll make more for me!" Little Obion commanded.

Allen's heart tightened, realizing Little Obion still didn't fully trust him. This was a test.

However, as a Plant Mage, Allen had strong immunity to poisons and wasn't afraid of the low-concentration Plant Mage's Curse.

Feigning joy, Allen gratefully accepted the bottle and drank it all.

Little Obion watched with a smile as Allen drank, his sword casually pointing at the dead, bloodied slave, as if to say, "I can kill you with ease."

Allen kept his head bowed, following Little Obion out of the secret room.

"Plan successful, position secured, and now a dedicated potion maker. This couldn't have gone better!" Allen rejoiced inwardly.

Little Obion wasn't ruthless enough. If it were Allen, he would have killed everyone who knew about the potion.

Finding a potion maker was hard, but keeping the secret was paramount!

With these thoughts, Allen followed Little Obion to a side room in the forest officer's residence.

Pointing to a decent wooden house, Little Obion said, "You'll live here from now on. I'll arrange the potion-making area. Don't speak out of turn, understood?"

Allen knew this meant he would be under surveillance. He nodded without hesitation.