Chapter 57: Lijin Secret Language Magic Plant Store

Locke stepped into this relatively large and well-known shop within the Chimera Market.

He heard scolding voices coming from inside the store.

An elderly-looking witch was being harshly reprimanded by a beautiful witch who appeared to be only thirty years old.

Locke noticed the badge on the beautiful witch's chest and his expression changed slightly—it was the emblem signifying a Formal Wizard's status.

In the Wizard World, it was difficult to judge a person's true age by appearance alone. There were too many methods to alter one's looks.

This was especially true for beauty-conscious witches.

The beautiful witch—who was actually the hidden owner of Lijin Secret Language—said to the older witch, "Yuli Burns, I'm deeply disappointed in you. As the manager of Lijin Secret Language, I'm extremely dissatisfied with your sales performance over the past six months."

"If you can't find a way to improve your store's sales soon, I'll have to consider hiring a second First-Class Wizard Apprentice to serve as my shop manager."

Beads of cold sweat appeared on Yuli Burns' forehead. This was direct dissatisfaction expressed by a Formal Wizard, which naturally put tremendous pressure on her.

Madam Irina, as a First-Circle Transformation School wizard, owned numerous businesses in the Chimera Market. Offending her would be extremely dangerous.

Yuli Burns hurriedly assured Madam Irina, "Respected Madam Irina, I will quickly devise methods to increase the sales of magical plants in our Lijin Secret Language store."

"Lijin Secret Language was once the finest magical plant shop in the Chimera Market, and it will continue to be so."

Madam Irina's expression softened slightly. "Then I'll give you three more months, Yuli. There are plenty of First-Class Wizard Apprentices willing to work for me."

"Moreover, your personal... issues are quite serious. Without my leniency, you wouldn't even be able to find respectable employment."

"Don't disappoint me again."

After speaking, Madam Irina turned and walked toward the shop entrance. Before leaving, she glanced at Locke again, her gaze lingering momentarily on the Breeder Assistant badge pinned to his chest.

Then she said to Locke, "Young Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, I can sense your life essence level—you can't be older than eighteen."

"Becoming a Breeder Assistant at this age is indeed impressive."

"Lijin Secret Language exists precisely for promising individuals like yourself."

Locke bowed slightly to Madam Irina. "Respected Madam Irina, I'm honored by your praise. My meager achievements pale in comparison to yours."

"You are the one who stands ahead on the path of truth."

Madam Irina curled her lips into a satisfied smile before quickly exiting Lijin Secret Language.

To her, Locke was merely a somewhat young Second-Class Wizard Apprentice who had obtained his Breeder Assistant certification—not someone worth much attention, hence her casual remarks.

Had Locke not coincidentally entered this shop as a potential customer, Madam Irina wouldn't have noticed him at all.

On the other side, Yuli Burns stood behind the counter with her head lowered, lost in uneasy thoughts. "This is bad. The Chimera Market used to have fewer shops selling Magical Plants, so competition was naturally lighter."

"But now, the Chimera Market is flooded with Magical Plant shops, and the competition is fierce. Lijin Secret Language can't operate the way it used to."

"Yet if I say this to Madam Irina, she'll fire me immediately—or worse, be furious with me. Angering a Formal Wizard is far too dangerous."

"So I can't say that… but what should I do instead?"

For employees, bosses were inherently troublesome beings.

And when your boss happened to be a terrifying Formal Wizard, the discomfort only multiplied.

Yuli Burns sighed. "I worked so hard to become the manager of Lijin Secret Language. It would be such a shame to lose this job now."

"The aging curse on me requires massive resources every year just to barely suppress it. If I lose this job and lack the means to stop the curse from spreading, things will get dire."

Locke walked up to Yuli Burns. "Hello, Senior. It's been a while—over a year, hasn't it?"

"I never expected we'd meet again at Lijin Secret Language.At first glance, Locke recognized the shop's manager as none other than Yuli Burns, the First-Class Wizard Apprentice who had once been the new student mentor aboard the Wizard Ship to the Corfu Continent, assigned to Lilith's Cottage.

Back then, she had even clashed with Gregor Jackson, a First-Class Wizard Apprentice and admissions officer from Verdantia University, during the voyage.

It was because of a wizard apprentice named Ruixing, who possessed sixth-tier Wizard Talent, that Locke had ended up transferring from Verdantia University to Lilith's Cottage in the first place.

Yuli Burns raised her aged face, eyeing Locke with confusion. "An unfamiliar Second-Class Wizard Apprentice… Who are you? Have we met before?"

Locke paused, then smiled. "Over a year ago, I arrived in the southeastern corner of the continent aboard the Wizard Ship. You were the new student mentor at the time."

"I'm Locke Augustine."

Gradually, Yuli Burns recalled. A scene surfaced in her mind—seven Wizard Seedlings, pushed aside by Verdantia University, standing before her in the dim lower decks, their eyes wide with uncertainty and hope.

That image stood in stark contrast to the confident Locke before her now, adorned with three honor badges on his chest.

Yuli Burns spoke with disbelief. "I remember you now. You're Locke Augustine, the Wizard Seedling with an affinity for Gold Elemental Particles. But I recall you only had third-tier talent."

"And now you're already a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice—and a Breeder Assistant, no less!"

Yuli Burns thought back to her own failed attempts at obtaining a Breeder certification. Reality had mercilessly crushed her, making it clear she had no talent in that field.

In the end, she had given up and settled for a Potion Master Assistant certificate instead.

Yet here stood that once-unremarkable little Wizard Seedling from over a year ago, now holding the very Breeder certification she had once longed for.

This had a significant psychological impact on Yuli Burns's mind.

Locke explained, "Oh, according to my mentor, the Witch Sophia, the initial test didn't fully detect my special talent."

"My actual improvement speed falls between fifth-grade and sixth-grade aptitude."

Yuli Burns herself only had fourth-grade aptitude, so her expression changed slightly before she cast an envious glance at Locke. "Sometimes I really envy you natural prodigies."

"Junior, are you here to buy magical plants? I remember you specialize in the Vine Hand series of spell models, so I recommend upgrading to a premium Tiff Loron Vine. A premium Tiff Loron Vine can enhance the power of your Vine Hand spells—that's crucial."

"Your senior has been through this before." Yuli believed she had enough experience to guide Locke and continued, "I've suffered many setbacks because of this in the past. That's why I suggest you purchase a premium Tiff Loron Vine."

"This is my well-intentioned advice—whether you take it or not is up to you."

"Several Second-Class Wizard Apprentices I mentor have all upgraded their magical plants on my recommendation, and it's been much better for them."

Locke nodded. "I understand, Senior."

"But I'm not here today to buy magical plants—I actually want to sell some to you. With tremendous help from Mentor Sophia, I've completed the cultivation of an entirely new variety of magic vines. Here's the test certification for this breed."

"Senior, please take a look."

"I'd like to commission Lijin Secret Language to sell these thirty Super Mandrake Vines for me." A slight curve formed at the corner of Locke's mouth. "I believe you could really use a deal like this right now, Senior."

"Your junior is currently quite short on Magic Stones, so could you perhaps reduce the commission fee?"