Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Hahaha... I guess those fools wouldn’t even dream of Jarrosus sending a level-twelve Magic Shooter!” Gerian guffawed. “I’d like to see who can take home the first place this time!”
“You’re sure the other guilds have no Magic Shooters under the age of 25?”
“Do you think everyone’s a freak like you? Bloody hell, you’re only 20 but you’ve dared to break through to the realm of a Magic Shooter. Why didn’t God just strike you with lightning, you demon...” After Gerian had finished his indignant nagging, the expression on his face changed again, revealing a smile as if his plot had already succeeded. At this time, the President looked like a big fat fox that had just stolen a chicken. “Besides, it was written clearly in the official letter. This learning opportunity is only for mages above level-seven. Do you see it... Only for mages above level-seven. Magic Shooter? Just stay home and play with yourself! Why do you think I want you to cheat?”
“...” Lin Li was at a loss whether to cry or to laugh. The old fellow had made a point of cheating.
“Do a good job and get the first place at the trial. I’d like to see who still dares to look down on the Jarrosus Guild of Magic in the future!” The guild being at a low ebb in the past 20 years had always rankled Gerian. This time, he finally had the chance to hold his head high. Excitement was all over his chubby face.
During the past month in the Emerald Tower, Lin Li could see clearly how much effort this seemingly arrogant old fellow had spent on the Guild of Magic. To be frank, Lin Li was very willing to do something for him. It was probably due to his character—Lin Li was not used to giving any steadfast guarantees. He just nodded. “I’ll try my best.”
“Mm.”
Lin Li’s promise to try his best had immediately calmed Gerian’s mind. He knew the kid’s character too well—he never promised easily, but as long as he had made a promise, he’d fulfill that promise well above expectation. From the Arcane Magic Potion in the beginning to the Sobriety Potion, then to the duel at the Daylight Square—a level-twelve Magic Shooter had made Cromwell, who was level-fourteen, an invalid.
“Take these few days to get ready. You’ll leave for Alanna in three days’ time.”
For the next two days, Lin Li was extremely busy.
After the Alanna trip was set, he suddenly realized that he still had a lot to do.
The 40 bottles of Wild Elixir seemed to have silenced the Shadow’s Nest. At least there had been little movement in the Demon Fall Valley in the recent days. However, everyone from Guild of Magic did not take it lightly. The two had been long-time rivals; no one understood the Shadow’s Nest better than the Guild of Magic. The rate of expansion of this particular force was like a plague. No one knew when they would suddenly exert their power.
In order to leave in peace, Lin Li had been cooped up in the potion lab for the past two days.
The lab was shrouded in a white mist; a strong medicinal smell permeated it. Amidst this, various kinds of potions were concocted, the majority being the Recovery Potion and the Mana Potion. These were two of the lowest-level potions; they had the most extensive use in treatment of minor injuries—one for the treatment of minor injuries and the other for the restoration of the mana. In a fierce battle, these two potions might be able to save many lives even if there was only one small bottle of each.
In addition, he had concocted ten bottles of Awakening Potion in one breath. It was specially prepared for Gerian. The old fellow was an Archmage, which meant there was no use in making him drink the Mana Potion. It might take two bottles of Mana Potion to make up for the consumption of a level-fifteen magic spell...
As for the other miscellaneous items such as the Sobriety Potion, the Detoxification Antidote, and the Elixir of Wisdom... He had concocted plenty of them each. Anyhow, in these two days, Lin Li did not even step out of the potion lab once. When he was tired, he’d sleep for a while, and then continue when he woke up. Even the meals were sent to the potion lab by one of the guys.
Perhaps only a pharmaceutics guru could do something like this.
Other than a near-demonic figure like Lin Li, other pharmaceutics masters would probably be exhausted to death if they were to do what Lin Li did. There seemed to be only a thin line between a pharmaceutics guru and a master, but in fact, the distance was vaster than ever.
It was not until the morning of the third day that Lin Li came out of the potion lab, both weary and drowsy.
Just as he opened the door of the potion lab, he saw Gerian, who was keeping watch outside.
Probably because of the long wait, Gerian was leaning against the wall and almost falling asleep. There was some tiredness on his chubby face and his yawns came consecutively. But when he heard the sound of Lin Li opening the door, he immediately opened his eyes.
This time, instead of looking into the potion lab, Gerian asked with concern, “Why did it take so long this time?”
The old fellow’s concerned eyes warmed Lin Li’s heart. He gave a weak smile. “This time, I’m going to be away for three months. I want to leave more things for the guild.”
“Damn, you’ve stayed in for more than two days. Do you still want your life... How can your body stand it this way?”
Gerian kept on nagging, but Lin Li felt extremely warm as the words went in his ears. “Go in and take a look, I’ve prepared ten Awakening Potions for you. In addition, there are ten Iron Shield Potions, which should last for three months if used wisely. As for the rest, you can ask someone to take them to the Demon Fall Valley and give them to Kevin.”
“Mhm, mhm...” Gerian nodded his head, then urged him to take a rest.
“Then I’ll go take a nap first.”
Lin Li was really worn out. He had concocted about 300 bottles of potions in less than three days. Even a pharmaceutics guru who was at the peak of his profession would have been both mentally and physically exhausted.
He walked into the guild’s hall drowsily. He was about to return to his bedroom to sleep when he heard a pleasant voice coming from the steps of the Emerald Tower.
“Mage Felic!”
Lin Li turned around with some surprise and saw Sean’s tanned face.
Apart from Sean, his father, who had just recovered from a serious injury, also came. The middle-aged man was just recovering, so he still looked rather weak. There was less color on his equally tanned face. The honest young man was carefully supporting him. The two men just stood on the steps, looking in the direction of the guild hall.
“Mr Poliro, why are you here? Didn’t I tell you that the venom in your body has just been cleared and you’re still very weak? You should stay in bed these few days and rest; don’t wander around at will. Why did you...” Lin Li hurried to welcome them in. He carefully helped the middle-aged man into the guild hall, then found a chair for him to sit down.
“Sean, what’s the matter with you?” After all this, Lin Li turned back and stared at the honest young man; his expression was rather stern. “Your father was just recovering, why not make him stay in bed?”
Sean looked a little sorry. He opened his mouth to explain, but when the words came to his mouth, they turned into an apology. “Sorry... Mage Felic...”
“Don’t blame him, Mage Felic. I wanted to come on my own...” The middle-aged man’s voice was hoarse and weak, and he was speaking slowly. “I’m here this time to ask you for something...”
“Please speak.”
“Sean has been sensible since young. He has been running around with me for many years, but has not known better days all these years. I, as his father, have no ability to find a promising career for my son. So, I’d like to ask you, would you consider making Sean your attendant?” The middle-aged man gazed at his son with much warmth and love in his eyes.
The gaze reminded Lin Li of his father and of McGrenn, who had passed away.
To be honest, he was hesitant.
In a world of sword and magic, many mages had their own attendants. For example, Old Grimm, who had been to the Guild of Magic, had a legendary-level warrior attendant. This was not merely a subordinate relationship; in many cases, it also meant a responsibility.
Lin Li was not someone who liked to take responsibility. So, when Sean had made this request the other day, Lin Li did not agree immediately, making him go home and discuss it with his father.
Lin Li thought that it was just Sean’s own idea; the middle-aged man might not necessarily consent to it.
But, in the end...
The middle-aged man not only agreed with Sean’s idea, he even dragged his sick body to the Guild of Magic to persuade Lin Li.
Facing a father who hoped for his son to have a brighter future, Lin Li couldn’t bring himself to reject him.
The expectant expression on the middle-aged man’s face constantly reminded Lin Li of his father. When he had just graduated from school, his father ran all over the place, putting in good words for Lin Li as he tried to seek a relationship for Lin Li’s own good. The expression on his face was exactly the same as that of the middle-aged man in front of him...
“I beg you, Mage Felic.”
“Please let me consider...
“Sean, you see if this is alright...” Lin Li hesitated for a moment amidst their anticipation, and then told the honest young man, “I don’t need an attendant yet, but there’s one thing that I really need your help in, so I’m going to hire you for three months first. As far as the remuneration is concerned... What do you think of 5,000 gold coins a month?”
“5,000 gold coins!” The middle-aged man gave a start and quickly declined, “This is no good, Mage Felic. That will never do. 5,000 gold coins is too much. You saved my life. If you need any help, just order Sean to do it. How can we make you spend so much money?”