Various rumors circulated in low whispers among the apprentices. Eve seemed already accustomed to such gazes and discussions, and she walked into the classroom with a calm demeanor, sitting in a special seat at the front row.
Franka stood to the side, ready to assist at any moment, while two nanny golems floated in mid-air, maintaining constant vigilance.
Time ticked away second by second, and the tension in the air grew even more intense.
At the precise moment when the magical pointer reached nine, the classroom door silently closed.
A crystal light screen slowly rose from the lecture platform, projecting a massive array pattern.
It was a complex knowledge transmission array, capable of conveying the lecturer’s voice and demonstrations accurately to every corner of the classroom.
Suddenly, the air became heavier, as a wave of pure and powerful magic energy swept through the classroom, causing everyone to unconsciously straighten their backs.
Ron appeared on the podium, wearing a simple yet formal black wizard’s robe, with the emblem of the Crystal Tower Assistant pinned to his chest.
Unlike most official wizards, he did not choose flamboyant decorations or a flashy entrance.
While his entrance was almost modest, that special radiation field managed to capture everyone’s attention.
"Today’s class is ’Advanced Potion Theory and Practice,’ lecture one."
Ron’s voice was not loud, yet it reached every corner of the classroom with clarity.
The underlying power in that calmness made everyone focus involuntarily:
"I am Ron Ralph, the main lecturer for this course."
After a brief self-introduction, his gaze swept over the apprentices below, lingering slightly on Eve, before continuing:
"Magic potion making is considered by many to be the most fundamental and simple domain of wizardry, suitable for apprentices with insufficient spiritual talent—this perspective is a foolish and dangerous misconception."
The sharpness in his words left many apprentices visibly startled, but Ron’s pace did not slow:
"True magic potion making is not just a simple accumulation of recipes, nor is it a mechanical mixing of materials, or a repetitive adherence to procedures."
His voice gradually became more compelling:
"True magic potion making is a science about the essence of life, an analysis and recombination of the deep structure of matter, a precise and flexible manipulation of energy forms."
With a wave of his hand, Ron made a row of transparent crystal bottles appear out of thin air on the podium.
Each bottle contained liquids of different colors, shimmering under the magic crystal lamp.
"Today, I don’t intend to lecture on the recipes and steps you can find in basic textbooks. You can pick up any introductory book and see those."
He picked up a bottle of dark blue potion, shaking it lightly so that the liquid inside flowed to form a peculiar vortex:
"Instead, I wish to demonstrate the true allure and depth of magic potion making—how to create unprecedented possibilities by understanding life energy."
Ron poured the potion into a specially-made crystal container, and the liquid immediately began to boil, releasing strands of blue vapor.
"This is a modified ’Awakening Potion’ of mine, distinct from the standard formula, not by simply adding some rare material or changing proportions, but by fundamentally rethinking its functional mechanism."
As he explained, he manipulated the energy flow within the potion using his magic.
The energy paths visible to the naked eye became clearer under his guidance, like a living teaching illustration:
"The core principle of the standard recipe is to stimulate certain regions of the brain with the energy from ’Light Flame Powder,’ contracting under pressure to achieve the purpose of clearing fatigue.
But this method is inefficient, and the side effects are obvious—many experience mild headaches, dry mouth, and other symptoms after use."
Ron’s fingers lightly traced above the potion, guiding the energy to change direction:
"The real issue lies in the energy pathways’ lack of coordination. If we adjust the energy flow to form a closed loop instead of unidirectional stimulation, we can significantly enhance efficacy and reduce side effects without adding materials."
His every movement was elegant and precise, as if performing a delicate work of art, yet it was underpinned by profound practical knowledge.
"The true value of an alchemist doesn’t lie in material collection or mechanical repetition, but in understanding and innovation of the recipes.
An outstanding alchemist, with a deep grasp of energy principles, can create exceptional potions surpassing the norm even with limited resources."
In the next two hours, Ron not only explained the functional mechanisms of conventional potions but also delved into the core principles of energy conversion, and how to innovate and improve based on these principles.
He completely abandoned the traditional teaching mindset of "compounding according to prescription," instead emphasizing the importance of understanding and innovation.
In the practical demonstration segment, he chose the ’Spiritual Stabilizer’ as an example.
This potion is typically not introduced to senior magic potion apprentices until later and is recognized as one of the more challenging potions.
"The core concept of a Spiritual Stabilizer is to reduce external interference on the spirit without hindering the user’s cognitive abilities."
Ron spoke eloquently, his voice steady and magnetic:
"However, there is an essential energy repulsion between the ’Moon Shadow Dandelion’ and ’Ice Crystal Heart Stone Powder’ in the standard recipe, which leads to poor stability and limited duration of the potion."