Chapter 33 Preparation of Materials (Please Follow)

"Being specialized in the Alchemy School is certainly not something I dare claim," declared the Wizard Apprentice. "We low-level apprentices know so little about our Schools that we might even switch disciplines in the future."

Richard chuckled lightly, tacitly agreeing with Kevin's statement.

"That's great, Richard. Have you been working on any Magic Equipment lately? I still have some alchemy materials left. How about I sell them to you for cheap?"

A shrewd glint passed through Kevin's eyes. Although Richard's words sounded modest, they came across as boasting to Kevin's ears. He knew somewhat about the Alchemy School, and those who claimed to specialize in Alchemy at this stage were invariably individuals of extraordinary talent.

Although the Alchemy School focused more on practice than on theory, even so, its introductory knowledge required a dozen magic stones to access in the library. For low-level apprentices short on magic stones, this was not only a huge expense but also offered staggeringly poor cost-effectiveness.

Because Alchemy could not increase an apprentice's combat abilities in a short time, a lower combat capability meant a smaller range of quests they could undertake. This resulted in a vicious cycle where magic stone acquisition couldn't keep up for those apprentices specializing in Alchemy, thus slowing their rate of becoming stronger.

And yet here was Richard, exuding a strong aura, somehow managing to support the cost of dining here with a lady.

Something that would be impossible for an apprentice not naturally gifted in Alchemy.

Suddenly, Kevin remembered a rumor he had recently heard.

Master Jolod of the Alchemy School was planning to take on a low-level apprentice as his official Apprentice.

Could it be...

"Haha, maybe later," Richard laughed it off since he was planning to study the specialty knowledge imparted by Jolod and had no plans to craft Magic Equipment.

"That's okay," Kevin smiled affably though his heart was pounding, "I'll leave you my address. Contact me whenever you need materials in the future, I can guarantee prices lower than those in the commercial district."

With that, Kevin pulled out a card from his pocket, bearing his name and contact address.

"Sure, I'll definitely contact you if needed."

Richard took the card and slipped it into his inner pocket.

"Richard, the food is here."

Ali's voice came from behind him; Richard gave Kevin an apologetic smile and turned back to his original seat.

After he left, Griffith, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke:

"Kevin, he is very strong."

"How strong? Stronger than you?"

Kevin elegantly poured himself a glass of red wine, gently swirling the glass.

The crimson liquid reflected in his eyes, his mind entirely occupied by his recent guess.

Griffith paused for a moment before replying, "I don't know, but my senses tell me he is very dangerous."

Kevin's wrist trembled, and a drop of red wine spilled from the glass.

"That's excellent," Kevin raised his glass, draining it in one gulp, "He's not our enemy, and perhaps he could even become our friend."

...

Magic Rune Pork Chops tasted better than ordinary pork, tougher and more chewy. The crisply seared fat exploded with fragrance on the tip of the tongue, and the muscle fibers of the Magic Beast rubbed between Richard's teeth, eventually grinding down into bits of mincemeat before he swallowed them.

A plate of pork chops went down, and warmth spread through Richard's entire body. His cells seemed awakened by something, becoming very active.

"So, this is Magic Beast meat? It was money well spent."

Richard took a towel offered by a waiter and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

It seemed the restaurant owner had anticipated their reactions.

"Richard, that python we killed last time, it was really a pity we didn't bring it back."

Ali's face turned slightly red; fine beads of sweat emerged from her forehead and gathered into droplets that rolled down. She took off her heavy jacket, and the droplets traced a path down her slender neck to the front of her chest and eventually dipped into cleavage.

Richard suddenly realized that Ali, whom he had always thought of as a little girl in his mind, actually had a quite impressive figure.

"Indeed, next time we should definitely find a way to bring it back."

Richard shifted his gaze away, saying somewhat guiltily.

The total cost of the meal was two hundred and ten Academy Coins, ten of which were a tip. When paying, Ali insisted on going Dutch.

Back in his dormitory, Richard began to meditate as usual. But as soon as he closed his eyes, the image of Ali appeared in front of him.

"Sigh." Unsuccessful in his meditation, Richard rose from his bed and moved to his desk to finish the book he hadn't completed during the day.

"In books, there are houses of gold; in books, there are ladies as fair as jade.

Richard, oh Richard, knowledge is what a wizard should pursue all his life."

...

Days passed and Richard's life progressed orderly.

In one year's time, Richard increased his spiritual power to twenty-two, although his physique remained unchanged. In the same year, he finished reading the books that Jolod had given him.

However, Alchemy is a discipline grounded in practice, and only by applying his theoretical knowledge could he truly master it.

"There are twenty Magic Stones left; it looks like it's time to start making Magic Potions."

Richard counted the Magic Stones he had on hand; during this time, he not only read books but also attended various Alchemy Wizard courses. Although Jolod was knowledgeable and highly skilled, wizards specialize in different areas. If there were questions he couldn't clarify, he would advise Richard to attend a specific wizard's Magic Stone course.

"Ah, did an Alchemy Wizard really write this?" Richard copied out the recipe for a Concentration Potion; its inconsistencies and approximations made his head spin.

Creating Magic Potions is different from crafting Magic Equipment. In creating Magic Equipment, often only one step is crucial—getting that right means the other steps can be rough without compromising the quality. Magic Potions, however, require precision at every stage. Many ingredients in Magic Potions, if handled even a second too long or with the wrong equipment, can change in nature, leading to a failed creation.

Now Richard had to figure out these details on his own.

The commercial district was bustling with activity, filled with Apprentice Wizards of various attire and forms, looking like it was Halloween.

Richard's first stop in the commercial district was at his senior, Anna's Alchemy shop.

Each Alchemy shop had different prices and quality of materials, and testing these would undoubtedly cost him much time and Magic Stones.

But asking people was different.

"Do you want to buy ingredients for Magic Potions?" Anna leaned against the counter, rubbing her temples, "If you want quality materials, then go to the Chalake chamber of commerce to buy. If you're just practicing and getting familiar with the process, I'd suggest going to the Seven Luminaries Commerce. Their prices are low, and although the quality varies, it's just good enough."

"Okay, thank you for the advice, senior."

Anna yawned and looked sideways at her junior brother.

"Running low on Magic Stones lately? Want me to lend you some? No interest if returned within six months, five percent annual interest if it's longer."

Richard had been frequently seeking her advice recently, and she appreciated his eagerness to learn—a most valuable trait for a wizard, unlike Chax, who was always lazing around drinking.

Moreover, she had heard that Richard was also the son of a farmer, with a similarly troublesome alcoholic father.

This sparked a feeling of empathy in her, as well as a sense of closeness.

"No, I still have some Magic Stones."

Richard smiled and declined Anna's kind offer.

He was not yet at his wit's end.

"Suit yourself."

Anna gathered her loose hair, revealing her usually flawless neck.

"Hm? Senior, how did you get hurt?"

Richard pointed at a scar on Anna's neck that looked like a burn.

"A minor injury, it's nothing." Anna waved her hand dismissively, "Wizards' experiments sometimes go awry. Oh, by the way, I've almost used up the red mercury you brought last time," she suddenly smiled at Richard, "Interested in making another batch of Magic Stones from your senior?"

Richard was momentarily tempted by the prospect of earning a hundred Magic Stones.

"Well...it depends. I need to research Magic Potions soon, so I don't have much time," Richard said, feigning some hesitation.

"Alright, help your senior refine some when you have the time."

Anna nodded, not pressing him. After all, refining red mercury was a tedious task even she found bothersome, and having Richard do it would undoubtedly slow down his daily studies.

"Alright, then I'll go check out the chamber of commerce."

Richard waved at Anna and turned to head towards the Seven Luminaries Commerce.