Chapter9-First Trial?

"Are you serious?"

Ivy's voice trembled slightly as she stared at Joad with wide, beautiful eyes.

Joad's lips curved into a slight smirk as he asked,

"Have you ever heard of a Magic Array Potion?"

Ivy shook her head blankly, her delicate face filled with confusion.

"Magic Array Potion? I've never heard of it."

"I knew it."

Joad smiled mysteriously.

"I found records of it in an ancient Elven manuscript."

"Elves?"

Ivy's surprise deepened, her voice unconsciously rising.

"Are you saying… real Elves?"

"Shhh, keep your voice down."

Joad gestured for her to lower her volume, then leaned in slightly, speaking in a hushed tone.

"The fewer people who know about this, the better."

"The manuscript states that the Magic Array Potion is a secret elven elixir, completely unknown to ordinary people."

"Once consumed, it allows the drinker to clearly perceive mana flow for three days."

Ivy's eyes lit up, her tone tinged with urgency.

"Really? Is it really that incredible?"

Joad nodded confidently.

"Of course! Elven knowledge is never false."

"However..."

He deliberately paused, his gaze sweeping over Ivy's delicate features.

"But this kind of potion is extremely difficult to craft, and the ingredients are incredibly rare."

"So…"

"So…?"

"The price might be… a bit high."

Joad raised a hand and gestured a number.

"It'll cost around 10,000 mana stones."

"10,000 mana stones?"

Ivy blinked in surprise.

Then, without hesitation, she nodded.

"No problem, I'll buy it!"

As she spoke, she removed a delicate storage pouch from her wrist and handed it to Joad.

"There are 10,000 mana stones inside. Count them if you'd like."

Joad took the pouch, his heart filled with shock.

He had expected some haggling, but she agreed so easily?!

"You're agreeing just like that?"

Joad couldn't help but ask, genuinely surprised.

Ivy blinked, looking at Joad with a puzzled expression.

"It's only 10,000 mana stones. If it means I can become an Array Master, then this amount is nothing."

Only 10,000 mana stones…

Joad felt like his entire worldview had just been shattered.

What do you mean 'only' 10,000 mana stones?!

That was 100 years of his salary!

Clearly, he had seriously underestimated the wealth of noble families.

"Well… Ivy, you're certainly generous."

Joad forced a dry laugh and quickly stored the pouch, afraid she might change her mind.

"When will I get the potion?"

Ivy asked expectantly.

Joad glanced at the sky.

"It's a bit late today. Brewing the potion takes time. I'll have it ready by tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?"

Ivy looked a little disappointed, but she still nodded.

"Alright, I'll come find you tomorrow morning."

If this really allowed her to perceive mana, then she might have more common ground with Leit.

The thought of this immediately lifted her mood.

As Ivy walked away full of anticipation, Joad shook his head, then turned and headed toward his dormitory.

—

Harvey's Explosion

As Joad passed by Harvey's dorm, a loud explosion suddenly erupted from inside.

"Boom!"

The door shuddered, and a strong burnt smell filled the air.

Joad frowned and pushed the door open.

Inside, Harvey's dormitory was a complete mess.

Smoke curled up from the alchemy table, and Harvey himself stood there covered in soot, looking utterly dejected.

"Brother, what are you doing?"

Harvey let out a deep sigh, looking frustrated.

"I was trying to make a Refined Potion, but… I failed again."

"Refined Potion?"

Joad raised an eyebrow, walked over, and casually picked up Harvey's alchemy notes.

After skimming through them, he said offhandedly,

"Your steps are wrong."

"Wrong?"

Harvey looked at him skeptically.

"Where did I mess up?"

"You're supposed to add the Mint Magic Herb after the potion starts boiling."

Joad pointed at the incorrect step in the notes.

Harvey scratched his head, doubtful.

"Really? I've always added it first…"

"Try it yourself."

Joad shrugged, looking indifferent.

Harvey hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust Joad's advice and restarted the brewing process.

Joad chuckled to himself, left the room, and shut the door behind him.

—

The "Magic Array Potion"

Back in his dorm, Joad took out an orange, peeled it, and squeezed out some fresh juice.

He then placed his hand over the juice, channeling his mana.

Under his control, the mana flowed into the juice, arranging itself in a unique pattern.

There was no such thing as a "Magic Array Potion."

Joad had completely made it up.

What he actually intended was to use his understanding of mana flow to help Ivy sense it naturally.

With this method, he was certain the potion would allow Ivy to step onto the path of an Array Master.

But how far she could go depended on her own comprehension.

Thinking about his new earnings of 20,000 mana stones, Joad rubbed his hands excitedly.

But then he remembered how fast his bloodline drained mana, and his excitement waned.

Sigh… Mana stones are great, but I spend them way too fast.

Forget it, I'll think about it later. Time for sleep.

Letting out a sigh, Joad collapsed onto his bed and quickly fell into deep sleep.

—

The Next Morning

Joad was woken up at midday by a series of frantic knocks.

"Joad! Joad! Are you there?"

Ivy's crisp voice came from outside the door.

Joad rubbed his sleepy eyes, dragged himself up, and opened the door.

"Ivy, you're here so early?"

He deliberately yawned, putting on a sleepy look.

Ivy noticed the dark circles under his eyes and looked genuinely concerned.

"Joad, are you alright? Was brewing the potion too exhausting?"

"Of course it was."

Joad sighed dramatically, exaggerating his exhaustion.

"I spent the whole night making this potion… I nearly went blind!"

Hearing this, Ivy felt even more touched.

"Joad, thank you so much!"

"Don't worry, it's nothing."

Joad waved his hand dismissively, then picked up a glass of orange juice from the table and handed it to her.

"This is the Magic Array Potion. Drink it while it's fresh."

Ivy took the glass, sniffed it curiously, and caught a faint citrus aroma.

She took a sip.

It was sweet and tangy—not bad at all.

"It tastes pretty good."

Ivy smiled, then quickly finished the whole glass.

Joad, watching her drink it all, nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, now sit down and start meditating. Focus on feeling the mana flow."

Ivy obediently nodded, sat cross-legged on the bed, and closed her eyes in concentration.

Just as Joad was about to leave, Harvey suddenly rushed into the room, looking ecstatic.

"Joad! Joad! I did it!"

Joad blinked in confusion.

It took him a second to realize—

Harvey was talking about the Refined Potion.

"Congratulations, brother."

"This is all thanks to you, Joad!"

Harvey clapped him on the shoulder.

"Without your help, I would've failed again!"

"Ah, don't mention it."

Joad waved dismissively, trying to escape.

But Harvey grabbed him firmly.

"Joad, the Royal Academy Trial is starting soon. Come with me!"

Joad froze.

"…Trial?"