Chapter 60: Chapter 59: True Knowledge Is a Burden, Wisdom Accompanies Madness
"I would like to commission you to prepare some magic potions for me."
Trish said straightforwardly:
"The renowned alchemists within the school charge exorbitantly high fees, and those ordinary magic potion apprentices can’t even make a decent stimulant potion. Since you can work with Lady Allen, your skills must not be too shabby."
Ron raised an eyebrow: "What kind of magic potions do you need?"
"Mainly some potions to assist in cultivation—stimulant potion, spiritual stabilizing liquid, qi blood potion..." Trish listed:
"Of course, if you can prepare advanced potions like ’Awakening’, I’m willing to pay a higher price."
"Awakening Potion?" Ron repeated with a frown.
He had read about it in books; it’s an advanced magic potion that helps meditators suppress spiritual contamination, typically only attempted by well-practiced magic potion apprentices or professional alchemists.
And the Awakening Potion is also one of the crucial means to resist spiritual contamination during the apprenticeship period, so much so that it is indispensable from the intermediate apprentice stage. Its value and the difficulty of its creation naturally go without saying.
"Sorry, that’s not feasible for now," he truthfully stated his refining level: "But stimulant potion and spiritual stabilizing liquid are no problem."
Trish nodded, not feeling disappointed: "Then let’s start with these basic ones. Regarding price, as a fellow townsman, I won’t treat you unfairly."
As she spoke, she took out a small purse from her robe to demonstrate her financial power:
"I signed a twenty-year service contract with the school, in exchange, I received a considerable amount of pre-resources."
Ron caught the implication in Trish’s words: she exchanged long-term service for current resources and status, which aren’t uncommon in the school.ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
For apprentices with excellent potential, the school is usually willing to invest in advance to secure their future service and loyalty.
"Understood." Ron nodded slightly: "If it’s just some basic potions, I can prepare them for you. But it’ll take some time, as I still have to work at the herb store during the day."
"Time is not an issue," Trish said cheerfully: "Quality is the key, shall we settle on that?"
The two quickly reached an agreement, and Trish prepaid several dozen pieces of magic stone fragments as a deposit, agreeing to pick up the first batch of magic potions in a week.
Before leaving, Trish suddenly stopped, looked back at Ron:
"I have a feeling your future achievements won’t stop here. If someday, you can take that step..."
She lowered her head awkwardly, after all, she was just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, and saying these social niceties was indeed a bit challenging.
Ron shook his head, feeling a bit amused, then swiftly and gentlemanly opened the door for the young lady:
"I understand what you mean, as fellow townspeople, we should of course unite, let’s keep in touch in the future."
After seeing Trish off, he returned to his workbench.
Lady Allen was nowhere to be seen, leaving only a note listing some tasks to be completed.
The morning passed quietly in busyness, as Ron completed Lady Allen’s tasks while contemplating his next development path.
The "Star Eater’s Ravings" was undoubtedly a major breakthrough, but he couldn’t neglect the improvement of other skills either.
At this moment, the silver pocket watch in his breast pocket seemed to sense his thoughts, emitting a faint energy fluctuation, as if reminding him of its presence.
"Indeed, I still have you, my treasure." Ron thought to himself, filled with anticipation.
By the afternoon, Lady Allen had already closed the herb store’s door, using the movable vines at the entrance to form the word "Closed."
Inside, only a few magic crystal lamps were left, casting a faint glow.
In this dim setting, Lady Allen’s silhouette appeared even more mysterious and imposing.
"Are you ready?" she asked, her voice low and solemn, very different from her usual sharp tone.
Ron took a deep breath and nodded: "Yes, ma’am."
"The ’Star Eater’s Ravings’ is not an ordinary meditation technique." Lady Allen reiterated, seemingly wanting to ensure Ron fully understood the risks involved:
"Ordinary meditation techniques merely guide the paths of spiritual power, but the ’Star Eater’s Ravings’ can alter the very nature of spiritual power, causing a qualitative change. This transformation is irreversible, once started, there’s no turning back."
Ron nodded solemnly: "I understand the importance of this decision and am willing to bear the corresponding risks."
"Very well." Lady Allen carefully retrieved the ancient leather scroll from the shelf, gently unrolling it.
The inner side of the scroll was covered in dense runes, some already faded, but the main parts were still clearly visible.
At the center of the scroll was a complex rune structure, appearing like dozens of basic meditation runes intricately intertwined in a peculiar manner.
"This is the core rune of the ’Star Eater’s Ravings.’" Lady Allen pointed to the complex symbol:
"It is far more complex and dangerous than ordinary meditation runes. If your spiritual power isn’t strong enough, or if it’s poorly controlled, it’s easy to experience a rebound, with mild cases causing spiritual impairment or, in severe cases, complete insanity."
"Of course, with the risk involved, it is much stronger than those few sets of advanced meditation techniques in the school. You will understand its peculiarities once you get initiated."
Ron carefully observed the rune, sensing the peculiar rhythm contained within it.
Unlike the simple and gentle fluctuations of basic meditation runes, this rune gave one a profound and mysterious feeling, like gazing into the endless starry sky—both beautiful and intimidating.
"The focus of the first phase of cultivation is to stabilize the spiritual force field, to prepare for deeper layers of meditation." Lady Allen explained:
"You need to fully understand and master this core rune, and then, using it as a foundation, gradually develop a more complex meditation structure. This process might take several years, or even longer, given your current spiritual talent."
In the following time, Lady Allen elucidated the first phase content of the ’Star Eater’s Ravings’:
including the order of rune construction, the trajectory of spiritual power operation, possible obstacles, and coping methods.
Ron listened intently, keenly memorizing every detail.
He noticed that during the explanation, Lady Allen’s demeanor was exceptionally focused, and she even seemed to enter some special state a few times, her eyes becoming very distant, as if recalling some long past memories.
"That’s about it, next time you need my guidance on the meditation technique, it will be when you become an advanced apprentice..."
When the outside sky had turned dusky, Lady Allen finally ceased her explanation:
"After you go back, before attempting anything, make sure to recall everything I said today in your mind to ensure nothing is missed or misunderstood."
Ron nodded in assent, bowing gratefully: "Thank you for your guidance, ma’am."
"One more thing." Lady Allen looked at him, her gaze becoming particularly serious:
"Before you begin attempting cultivation, you must ensure the safety of the surrounding environment. The ’Star Eater’s Ravings’ will cause energy field fluctuations nearby, likely attracting some sensitive existences. It’s best to prepare some aura-isolating arrays before meditating."
"I will remember." Ron promised.
As he left the herb store, Lady Allen’s explanations still echoed in his mind.
The complex rune structure was already deeply imprinted in his consciousness, like a seed, waiting to germinate.
Returning to his dormitory, he took out that silver pocket watch.
After a day of rest, the watch’s digits had reset to "0/10," indicating it could be reset once again.
He got up and walked to the window, gazing at the starry sky outside.
Tonight, the moonlight was faint, yet the stars were particularly bright, as if countless eyes in the starry sky were watching over the earth.