The atmosphere was somewhat heavy for a moment, as Andre’s gaze occasionally flickered towards the dark red Crystal Ball, eyes filled with fear and disgust.
"Prince Andre... would you like some tea?"
Lilia asked softly, breaking the silence: "It can help calm your nerves."
"Thank you." Andre forced a slight smile: "I do need something to ease the images just now..."
Lilia poured a cup of peppermint tea and handed it to Andre:
"Teacher... was he always this... direct when you knew him before?"
Andre took the teacup, smiled bitterly, and said:
"He wasn’t like this before. When we first met, he was a spendthrift playboy, only thinking about enjoyment all day. No one would have thought he would become the calm to the point of cold person he is now."
He took a sip of tea, his eyes filled with reminiscence:
"But I think this is the real him. When he no longer disguises, no longer hides, his essence is like this..."
"The teacher is actually a very good person." Lilia suddenly spoke, firmly refuting:
"Because he values you greatly, he uses such a special way, even at the cost of shocking you with those terrifying images."
Andre nodded: "I know. That’s why I must pull myself together."
More than two hours later, Ron came out of the laboratory, obviously exhausted but with satisfaction in his eyes.
In his hands were two items—a long sword shimmering with a dark red glow and a silver-white chest armor.
"These are my farewell gifts for you." Ron handed them to Andre: "Weapons and armor."
Andre carefully accepted them, immediately sensing the extraordinary energy emanating from the two items.
The longsword felt warm to the touch, seemingly able to sense his bloodline fluctuations; the chest armor came with a reassuringly steady feel.
"These..." Andre looked at the two items in amazement: "How did you manage to complete them in such a short time?"
"Star Meteorite Iron itself has a strong energy conductivity, and the other materials were just to enhance the resonance of the items with you."
Ron explained briefly, as if it were no big deal:
"When refining the sword, I added some extracts from your blood, and it has already established a preliminary connection with your bloodline. During use, it will become more attuned and eventually amplify your power; the chest armor mainly serves a protective role, especially against magic attacks, granting you a chance to counterattack in emergencies."
Andre gripped the longsword, feeling the warm energy flowing through it, like holding a tamed blaze:
"Ron, this is too..."
"This is the last help I can give you, and I must set off to do my own things."
Ron interrupted him, his voice weary:
"From now on, you have to rely on yourself. Once back in the Kingdom, you can act under my name—’ally of the sixth sequence, Ron Ralph.’ This can grant you some prestige, especially among those nobles knowledgeable about the Wizard World."
He looked directly into Andre’s eyes:
"But remember, this is just an external halo, the real struggle depends on your own strength and strategy. No one will submit willingly just because you know an Advanced Apprentice, everything has to be earned by you."
Andre took a deep breath, straightened his back:
"I understand, Ron. Thank you for your constant help... I won’t let you down."
"Go on, future King." Ron rarely showed an encouraging smile:
"Forge the crown with your own hands, don’t let it fall onto someone else’s head. Also, don’t let all my investments go to waste; that would be a colossal loss."
Andre solemnly nodded, carefully storing the sword and armor, and performed a formal Knight’s salute to Ron:
"My friend, I promise you, the next time we meet, I will no longer be that indecisive Thirteenth Prince."
After sending Andre off, Ron dragged his weary body back to the laboratory, preparing to continue his unfinished work.
Lilia gently followed behind, a worried look on her face.
"Teacher, you’ve been working for over ten hours, you need to rest."
Ron shook his head and continued preparing the previously interrupted Potion:
"There’s no time, the trial of the Bloodline Altar is imminent, I must complete all preparations."
"Do you really think Prince Andre can succeed?" Lilia couldn’t help but ask.
Ron paused, contemplating for a moment:
"That depends on him. All I can do is provide him with weapons and motivation, whether he can seize the opportunity is up to him."
"What if he fails?"
"Then it proves I was wrong about him."
Ron’s tone was cold, resuming his work: "It’s all natural selection, but this guy’s confusion has been cleared by me."
He paused his work, lifted his head to look at the deep night outside the window:
"Having faced the edge of death, once such a person is determined to move forward, they often can unleash unimaginable power."
Lilia watched the side of her teacher’s contemplative face, and quietly exited the laboratory.