Lily adjusted her apprentice robe, ensuring each crease was smooth and orderly.
"I must complete the mentor’s task well..." the young girl murmured to herself in front of the mirror.
Ron had already instructed her the day before to fulfill the important agreement with Lady Allen on his behalf.
He himself was too busy attending the quarterly meeting of the Candidate Wizard sequence to visit in person.
Lily placed the specially crafted box containing precious materials into a storage pouch, and after double-checking the list, she left the workshop.
The morning’s dim light pierced through the year-round mist of Black Mist Jungle, casting a hazy silver edge on the path.
She adjusted her collar again, took a deep breath, and headed toward Lady Allen’s Magic Pharmacy.
This was her first solo trip since becoming Ron’s apprentice; though she was very familiar with the route, there was still a bit of nervousness in her heart.
The road to Lady Allen’s Herb Store wasn’t far, but it required passing through the Candidate Apprentice Area.
This was where Lily had briefly stayed in the past and was the starting point of her escape from the Intermediate Apprentice who coveted her.
As she swiftly walked through the main path of the Candidate Apprentice Area, several familiar faces caught her attention.
They were a few former Candidate Apprentices who had been in the same cohort as her, gathered together in quiet conversation.
Upon seeing Lily, their eyes immediately locked onto the shiny Elementary Apprentice Badge on her chest.
"Is that... Lily?" a tall, thin boy muttered in surprise, "She’s already become an Elementary Apprentice?"
"I heard she’s now working in the workshop of that talented Advanced Apprentice, Ron Ralph, as his private assistant."
Another girl bit her lip, her eyes flashing with envy.
Their whispers weren’t intentionally hidden; Lily could clearly hear every word.
This was in stark contrast to the contemptuous and skeptical looks she had received upon previously arriving at the Candidate Area.
As she approached, these Candidate Apprentices suddenly became exceptionally respectful, even parting to make way for her.
"G-good morning, Senior Lily."
A noble lady who had previously ignored her even cautiously greeted her, her voice full of apprehension.
Lily nodded slightly in acknowledgment, her heart swirling with complex emotions.
She had never been someone who took pride in her elevated status, but now she had to admit that the stark contrast brought by a rise in status truly was satisfying.
"Is this the benefit of being attached to the powerful?"
She questioned herself, then shook her head to dismiss the thought:
"No, my current position is earned through my own efforts. The mentor already said, he merely gave me the opportunity, not charity."
Passing through the Candidate Dormitory Area, she soon arrived at Lady Allen’s Herb Store.
The familiar shop still exuded that unique herbal scent, and the wind chime at the door gently swayed, producing a crisp sound.
As she pushed open the door, Lily felt a bit anxious.
To her, Lady Allen was both a mentor and the first person to provide her shelter.
"Come in, don’t just stand at the door."
A familiar husky voice called from inside the shop.
Lady Allen was sitting behind the counter, busying herself with some herbs, her piercing green eyes as sharp as ever.
"Good day, ma’am," Lily greeted softly as she approached the counter.
"Seems that brat didn’t have time to see me and sent you, this little girl, instead."
Lady Allen put down the pestle, inspecting the young girl in front of her: "I must say, you’ve changed quite a bit following him."
Lily felt as if those eyes could see through her soul, causing her to slightly lower her head, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Carrying Ron’s magic power trace."
The old woman sniffed: "Seems that kid’s taught you plenty. An Elementary Apprentice Badge, already? How long has it been? Three months? Four months?"
"Four months and seven days, ma’am," Lily answered softly.
"Alright, stop pretending."
Lady Allen waved impatiently, but a gentle light flickered in her eyes: "Have a seat, the tea’s in the usual spot, pour it yourself."
Lily adeptly walked to the corner table, pouring a cup of hot tea for both herself and Lady Allen.
This was a habit she formed while working here; whenever Lady Allen grew tired of reading or potion-making, she would always prepare a cup of warm tea.
"The mentor asked me to bring all the materials you needed."
Lily sat opposite Lady Allen and took out the meticulously packaged box:
"Along with his greetings and thanks."
Lady Allen ignored the latter half of the sentence, merely raising an eyebrow: "All of them? He’s collected them all?"
Lily nodded and carefully opened the box.
Inside, the remaining three rare ingredients were arranged neatly, each sealed in special containers to maintain optimal condition.
"Night Talk Pollen"—a powder produced by flowers that bloom only on the full moon night, emitting a faint silver glow, said to allow the dead to briefly speak their final memories.
"Dream-Eating Spider’s Eye Fluid"—a semi-transparent milky white liquid, from a special spider species on the second layer of the Abyss, capable of letting the user see scenes from another’s dreams.
And the last, also the most precious and rare: "Illusion Songbird’s Throat Bone."
This nearly extinct bird’s throat bone could imitate any sound and transform sound waves into special spiritual waves.