At Your Age How Can You Even Sleep?

Sunlight filtered through the trees outside the window, casting shifting patterns of light across the worn dormitory floor.

Robb sat at his desk, intently studying a potion recipe notebook. In one of the brewing vessels beside him, a liquid was gently bubbling, releasing a faint herbal fragrance.

Though he still had two days to wait for his workshop application to be approved, he had no intention of wasting time.

Ever since his advancement to Potion Master, he felt his understanding of ingredients and mastery of recipes had reached an entirely new level.

Those delicate balances that once required careful calculation now seemed almost instinctive.

With focused precision, he adjusted the flame's intensity and carefully added the final ingredient, Silverleaf Essence.

The potion immediately shifted from light blue to a clear cerulean hue, with silvery currents rippling across the surface like living threads.

[Potion Brewing EXP +1]

"Perfect." Robb smiled with satisfaction, sealing the freshly completed Mental Stabilizer and placing it beside the growing row of finished potions.

Just as he was about to begin the next brew, a gentle knock interrupted his concentration.

Opening the door, he found himself face-to-face with a pair of golden beast-eyes, it was Talisa's feline companion, Luna.

Tall and sleek, her golden pupils still carried that innate animalistic wariness.

"Luna?" Robb blinked in mild surprise, then stepped aside to let her in. "Did Talisa send you?"

The feline moved with graceful silence, her padded paws making no sound as she glided into the room.

She gave a small nod, voice husky and low like a beast growling through its throat:

"My mistress asked me to deliver a message. She hopes you'll accept a new batch of potion commissions, larger than the last. The pay will increase accordingly."

Robb raised an eyebrow as she handed him a parchment list from a hidden pocket at her waist.

As soon as he unfolded it, he inhaled sharply. The order was nearly twice the size of the last,

And included several advanced potions, like Mental Shield and Clarity Elixir.

"That's a major order, Luna."

Robb scanned the list, brow furrowed. "Why does Talisa suddenly need so many potions, especially defense-based ones?"

Luna's eyes flickered with hesitation. Her sensitive ears twitched as she glanced around the room, clearly checking for eavesdroppers.

Then she leaned in close, voice lowered to a whisper:

"My mistress may be in… some trouble."

Her tail swished with unease, and her words were barely above a breath:

"She needs these potions to prepare for… dangerous situations."

Robb's frown deepened. Though his relationship with Talisa was on good terms, everyone in the Black Mist Forest had their own agenda.

And the Wizard Reserve Rankings were filled with hidden rivalries, one misstep could be fatal.

Logic told him it would be safer to stay out of such entanglements. But on the other hand, this was an opportunity.

As a newly independent Potion Master, having a steady source of commissions was vital.

After weighing the risks, Robb gave a small nod:

"Tell Talisa I accept. But I'm still staying in the apprentice dorms for now, equipment is limited. Once I get my workshop in two days, my efficiency will improve significantly."

Luna's eyes brightened slightly. She pulled out a heavy pouch from another pocket:

"This is the advance payment, 50 magic crystal shards. Once the job is complete, she'll pay the same amount again."

Robb took the pouch and felt its satisfying weight, it was more generous than he expected.

"And one more thing…" Luna added, her eyes glinting with a rare mischievous light.

It might've been the first time Robb had seen such a human expression on the usually stoic pantherkin.

"My mistress says if you need any rare ingredients, she can get them for you through her connections with other candidates, as part of the payment."

That was a tempting offer.

Members of the Wizard Reserve Ranks often had access to resources far beyond the reach of normal apprentices.

And Robb hadn't forgotten, he still needed several rare ingredients to trade with Lady Elena for the full Whispers of the Star-Eater formula.

Not to mention, advancing to Bloodline Knight would require rare solar-aligned materials compatible with Solar Breath.

"Thank Talisa for me. I'll begin preparing these potions right away."

Once Luna left, Robb dove into his work.

He began by checking his material inventory, calculating what needed to be purchased and what he could start brewing immediately.

"Let's start with the basics…" he muttered, prepping for Stimulating Tonics and Wound-Healing Draughts.

The benefits of his Potion Master class quickly became apparent, not only was the brewing process smoother, but ingredient efficiency had also significantly improved.

Previously, a whole Moonflower would yield three Stimulating Tonics. Now, he could get four, and of higher quality.

...

Two days passed quickly as Robb worked tirelessly, pushing aside sleep and resetting his physical fatigue with his enchanted pocket watch.

Still, the mental strain took its toll, it reminded him of pulling all-nighters with his roommates back on Earth during exam cramming.

By the time he sealed the final vial of Mental Stabilizer, over twenty high-grade potions sat neatly lined up on his table.

"I'll wait until I have the workshop before attempting the harder ones, Mental Shield and Clarity Elixir."

He wiped sweat from his brow, eyelids twitching with exhaustion.

Besides the potions Talisa ordered, he'd brewed a few extra advanced potions and a batch of standard ones to stockpile.

"Once the workshop is set up, these can serve as display samples for clients, proof of my skill."

After finishing his preparations, Robb began reviewing his finances.

He pulled out a parchment and carefully tallied his income and expenses:

"Talisa's advance, 50 shards. Royal stipend, 20. Previous commissions from Talisa, plus wages from Lady Elena's shop…"

Altogether, around 200 magic crystal shards.

That was more than enough for daily living, but not nearly enough to cover his upcoming investments.

"Workshop rent will be at least a hundred shards annually. Paid courses, 'Magical Circuit Optimization' and 'Mental Stability Techniques', cost 50 together."

Robb frowned as he calculated: "Then I'll need to set aside at least 50 more for ingredients."

And there was his biggest investment plan: purchasing a multi-armed serpent demon as a combat slave and sparring partner.

Even a diluted bloodline hybrid cost around 300 shards.

"Then there's the issue of manpower…" He paced his small room. "It's nearly impossible to handle brewing, selling, and procurement all alone."

He recalled the tree spirit he'd seen at the Slave Exchange, its natural affinity with plants would be invaluable for a potion workshop.

According to Andrey's later inquiry, even the cheapest one cost around 80 shards, a hefty investment.

But considering the boost to potion quality and ingredient efficiency, it would pay off long-term.

"The funding gap is several hundred shards…" Robb sighed, his gaze falling on his ironwood training sword.

His Basic Swordcraft was just shy of reaching Mastery, and his Breath-Body Training was also nearing a breakthrough.

The only obstacle was his Constitution stat, which currently sat at 1.7, still short of the 2.0 needed to unlock Bloodline Knight.

But with the help of potions that enhanced Knight training, clearing that threshold wouldn't be far off.

"My first goal is to break through in swordsmanship, and complete the Bloodline Knight transition."

As his thoughts settled, a comprehensive development plan formed in his mind:

First, solidify his foundation as a Potion Master and stabilize his income through Talisa and other potential clients.

Then, use that income to support dual development as both Knight and Sorcerer.

Once he accumulated enough funds, purchase the tree spirit (for workshop help) and the serpent demon (for combat training).

In the process, gradually explore other profession branches, alchemy, enchanting, and the one he was currently most curious about: bloodline modulation…

"But the most urgent issue is still workshop management." Robb tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Relying on just Talisa won't cut it. I need to expand my client base, focus on high-end boutique potions. I can't sacrifice mage training just to chase coin."

"Core strength is still the priority." His gaze returned to the sword. "In a place like the Black Mist Forest, power always comes first."

Once a skill hit Adept, further growth slowed to a crawl.

He had managed to master Basic Alchemy so quickly mainly because of the extended practice and direct instruction from Lady Elena.

With a mentor's help, he had been able to pick up many advanced techniques in a short time.

Now was no time to rest.

Back on Earth, people his age were also pulling all-nighters cramming for exams…

At your age, how can you even sleep? Robb chuckled to himself at the famous admonition, amused by how it now applied perfectly to him.