"There are many ways to classify poisons; for instance, the most common method is by their origin and purpose," Hibell, holding an unfamiliar twig, cut it with scissors, squeezed out the juice, and continued, "Natural ones include plant toxins, such as poisonous mushrooms, cassava, bitter almonds, ginkgo nuts, and so on..."
"Animal toxins include those from pufferfish, venomous snakes, spiders, and others."
"Then there are extracted and refined toxins, the most common of which are the chemicals farmers use for weeding and pest control."
This was a laboratory in Adolf’s manor, now serving as a lecture hall for potion studies.
Carl, holding a quill, nodded and took notes while occasionally helping to handle the ingredients.
"This habit of note-taking is very good." Hibell picked up a glass bottle, gently shook the liquid inside, and praised, "My tutor once said, ’Never put down your pen and ink; they are more useful than your brain.’"
A good memory is not as useful as a bad pen. They had a similar saying here.
"Besides the classifications I just mentioned, I prefer another method," Hibell continued, "Classifying poisons by how they affect the body."
"Roughly, they can be divided into blood toxins, neurotoxins, corrosive toxins, enzyme-inhibiting toxins... This makes formulating antidotes more targeted."
As she spoke, she handed over a test tube half-filled with a Potion.
"This is a paralysis Potion I formulated. It can make a Knight Attendant rigid and unable to resist for a short time."
Carl turned pale. "Really try it?"
"Of course," Hibell stated matter-of-factly. "When studying the principles of Potions and their concoction, there’s nothing like experiencing them firsthand to deepen understanding. Plus, trying different toxins can also help build resistance to poison."
"It will also make learning the witchcraft ’Toxin Immunity’ easier later."
"Alright," Carl sighed reluctantly, suppressed the nervousness in his heart, and drank the Potion in one gulp.
In the past few days, he had already tried several Potions.
According to Hibell, this immersive learning experience was the most efficient, a style she had adopted from her tutor, Adolf.
Within just a few breaths, Carl felt his breathing become rapid, and his body began to stiffen.
"How does it feel?" Hibell asked with a smile. "Do you feel it kicking in?"
Carl’s face flushed red. He nodded with difficulty and, staggering, rushed to the experiment table to start formulating an antidote Potion.
Before long, he downed the Potion he had formulated, then his body went limp, and he collapsed onto the chair, gasping wildly.
"Not bad!" Hibell clapped her hands. "It looks like you’ve completely mastered the knowledge taught in yesterday’s class. You even managed to mix Potions without error while your body was paralyzed. I was actually planning to help you detoxify."
Carl, drained, had no strength to respond.
After spending some time with her, he had come to understand Hibell’s character somewhat.
Fundamentally, Hibell was a young girl full of curiosity about the world, yet very cautious about the outside world due to her upbringing. So, she was often quite naïve.
At first contact, she might seem cold and distant, but once familiar, she was easy to get close to.
After all, she’s just a teenage girl; how deep could her thoughts be?
Hibell stopped her actions and smiled as she held out her hand. "Today, we had three classes, and I provided two Potion formulas, so that’s a total of twelve Gold Coins."
"Twelve Gold Coins?" Carl’s face turned pale.
He was speechless for a long while, unsure if it was the toxins still in his system or the number itself that shocked him.
Knowledge had its price.
After stepping into the world of Wizards, he had come to understand this fact profoundly.
Even for class purposes, Potion formulas required payment, and different formulas had different prices.
Moreover, he even had to pay for the materials consumed in the classroom.
In short, money was required everywhere.
Even though he had brought quite a few things back from the Otherworld, the Gold Coins he had exchanged for them were depleting at a visibly rapid rate.
For now, he could only sigh lightly.
"I’ll bring it in a few days."
Thanks to his previously established good credit, Hibell didn’t mind him owing money.
"Hibell." The classroom door opened, and a beautiful woman walked in. "Your tutor has sent a letter. It mentions something important. Come and see."
Carl stood up and bowed. "Madam."
Catherine was Adolf’s wife. In the Gando Kingdom, her name symbolized purity.
Unlike the elderly Adolf, Catherine was not yet thirty, the prime age for a woman, and she was extremely beautiful.
Among the many women Carl had seen, when it came to eyebrows, perhaps only the widely admired Lady Annie could compare.
"Carl," Catherine nodded. "Will you stay for dinner today?"
"No," Carl shook his head. "It’ll be too late to go back; the road will be unsafe."
"You could stay over," Catherine smiled. "There are plenty of vacant houses in the manor."
"No need to trouble you," Carl still shook his head, refusing.
"Alright then." Catherine shrugged.
She was quite satisfied with Adolf’s new apprentice; he had always been very respectful towards her.
Not like Tim. He appeared gentlemanly, but his eyes were wicked, and he often sneaked glances at her, which made her very uncomfortable.
Back at his residence, Jenny had already prepared the meal. Her cooking skills were improving.
Carl didn’t stand on ceremony; his rent included meals and laundry, which was normal in the Gando Kingdom.
In his bedroom, Carl packed up all the collected materials, then, with practiced ease, made his way to the Divine Domain Fragment.
Finally... I’ve got the Potion formula!
These days, he had studied Potions with Hibell, partly to gain knowledge and partly for the formula—the one that used necromantic dust as the main ingredient and could enhance a Wizard Apprentice’s spiritual power.
That was the name of the formula.
The preparation of Potions required extremely strict adherence to the order of ingredients, timing, and proportions.
A slight error could, at best, render the Potion ineffective and, at worst, cause it to explode or turn from a remedy into a poison.
And precision was Carl’s specialty.
In the Divine Domain Fragment, he could control his powers with utter precision, ensuring no mistakes during concoction. Moreover, concocting in the Divine Domain Fragment could also greatly reduce the influence from external environments.
"Twenty percent diluted honey, crushed purple lotus, and a seven-gram crystal shard of high purity..."
Glass vessels, test tubes, oil lamps—various pieces of laboratory equipment were neatly arranged.
A puff of black smoke emerged, signaling the failure of the experiment.
Carl remained unfazed. Even though he had precise control over his power, he was still unfamiliar with the Potion’s ingredient ratios. Success on the first attempt was highly unlikely. Failure was inevitable.
He picked up a quill and recorded the experimental data on the side.
"Attempt two: increase the weight of crystal shards, delay the addition of necromantic dust. Record data."
"Attempt three: process the purple lotus roots..."
A burst of flames erupted, causing some equipment to shatter. Fortunately, Carl was prepared and had bought spares in advance.
"Attempt thirty-seven: honey consistency level two, seven units of necromantic dust..."
As a few drops of liquid flowed into the test tube, Carl understood why this Potion was called Light of Wisdom. The crystal, ground into powder, shimmered with a faint glow when dissolved.
Gently shaking the test tube, it seemed as if iridescent light flowed and sparkled, dazzlingly beautiful and mesmerizing.
Hmm... It must be the effect of the necromantic dust that gives the Potion its somewhat enchanting properties.
Setting down the test tube, Carl continued with the experiment.
Soon, he concluded, "One portion of necromantic dust can yield two portions of Light of Wisdom. Other materials cost six gold pounds."
Next... Test the effects!