Five days later.

Wesley Durant glanced at the cyan magical flame in Locke's crucible. Under the vaporization of that flame, the mixed liquid inside gradually evaporated, turning into a pale green gel-like substance resembling glue.

It was a simple potion made by distilling morning dew from oak leaf tips and fluorescent moss in a 3,7 ratio.

This was the most basic entry-level potion, so simple it could hardly even be called a potion.

Thus, it was only referred to as Growth Gel.

Fluorescent moss was a supernatural plant that could sprout and reproduce rapidly in the wild. This was due to a growth-accelerating substance within it, and Growth Gel was the extraction of that substance using magical flames.

Though simple, this gel was something breeders frequently purchased to speed up the growth of magical plants.

Locke couldn't hide his excitement. "Teacher, Lord Durant, this is the first time I've successfully brewed a potion on my own."

Witch Sophia remained expressionless, giving a slight nod. "This is such a basic concoction that anyone who masters magical flame techniques can attempt it. It doesn’t truly count as a potion yet."

Wesley Durant, using his uninjured arm, lifted the glass vial containing the Growth Gel and examined it. "The quality is passable. Though a novice’s work, it’s barely usable."

"However, there are still too many impurities, indicating your control over magical flames isn’t stable yet."

"Still, my personal guidance hasn’t been wasted."

"Once your flame techniques stabilize further, the quality of your Growth Gel should improve significantly."

Initially, Wesley Durant had only observed, but after witnessing Locke fail multiple times, he finally stepped in to offer direct guidance.

Under his instruction, Locke attempted to brew the simplest potion possible, a method to accelerate his mastery of magical flame techniques.

Of course, Locke couldn’t yet claim full proficiency. He had only learned to wield one type of magical flame, and even that was unsteady.

Since Wesley Durant wasn’t Locke’s official mentor nor a formal wizard of Lilith's Cottage, he spoke to Locke in a far more relaxed tone compared to Witch Sophia.

"Augustine, while your learning speed isn’t particularly fast, your mana stability is exceptional."

"You must have a unique talent in this area. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to preliminarily wield magical flames within five days."

"Of course, your foundation is also quite solid."

Wesley added, "You’re far more useful than the apprentices I’ve taught at Holly Tower."

"Sophia, this student of yours shows promise. Why not hand him over to me?"

Locke froze for a moment but quickly stayed silent.

He understood this was merely a jest between Wesley and his mentor.

It would be sheer foolishness to believe Wesley Durant had any genuine interest in him.

If he couldn’t recognize that much, he’d be digging his own grave.

Wesley’s casual remark stemmed solely from his friendly rapport with Witch Sophia.

Nothing more.

Besides, Locke knew exactly where his "talent" came from.

Without the twenty-five Deep Blue Jades and ten Indigo Jades he’d exhausted over these five days, there was no way he could have grasped even the basics of magical flames so quickly.

Witch Sophia chuckled dismissively. "By all means. But you’ll have to take it up with the Dean of Lilith's Cottage yourself."

"This apprentice is bound by multiple contracts with the academy."

"As long as you’re willing to pay the magic stones to buy him out, I won’t object."

Wesley Durant laughed awkwardly and waved it off. "Ah, forget I mentioned it."

"It’d be improper to poach another’s apprentice right under their nose."

"Besides, I’ve heard rumors about your Dean’s temper. A First Circle wizard with crystallized mental strength, I can only imagine the intensity of his magical pressure."

His tone turned serious. "Enough joking. Sophia, I know these past few days weren’t just about letting your apprentice practice."

"Have you made your decision? Are you confident?"

Witch Sophia nodded. "This will indeed be my first attempt at countering the Blood Curse Court’s Thousand Sores curse. But I’ve spent these five days refining my Viridian Potion formula."

"It should neutralize the curse afflicting you."

"Locke, you may leave now."

Her voice was detached. "Your magical flame technique remains unrefined."

"Brewing the Viridian Potion requires cycling through over twenty different magical flames within an hour, a feat far beyond your current capabilities."

"Thus, I’ll handle the flame modulation myself this time."

"Remember to enroll in the Universal Studies course at the public classrooms. Also, visit Lilith's Cottage’s registration office to update your wizard rank and collect your rewards."

"The academy assigns different responsibilities to second-class wizard apprentices."

Locke bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher, Lord Durant."

With that, he turned and exited the potion lab.

Once the door closed, Wesley Durant smirked. "Sophia, your apprentice is quite amusing."

"It seems you’ve found an entertaining toy to occupy your remaining time at Lilith's Cottage."

"I’ve heard other wizard organizations have been courting you, yet you still haven’t signed a new contract with the academy..."

Witch Sophia’s brow furrowed slightly. "Don’t misunderstand, Wesley. Locke is my student, not a plaything."

Wesley raised his decaying left hand. "To a formal wizard, what’s the difference?"

Sophia flicked her wrist, and five crucibles levitated before her, each ignited with a differently colored magical flame. A formidable magical pressure radiated from her, forcing Wesley to tense.

"You talk too much, Wesley."

Outside, the moment Locke shut the door, an immense pressure erupted from the potion lab, bearing down on him like a collapsing mountain.

His heart stuttered under the weight, as if squeezed by an invisible force penetrating his very skin from all directions.

Locke’s vision blurred momentarily. "Magical pressure... When a wizard’s mana reaches a certain density, it generates radiant energy that affects living beings, a mana field."

"Just as gravity acts upon all matter."

"So this is the power of a formal wizard? Merely standing near one could be lethal for someone at my level."

His gaze hardened with resolve. "Which is why I will become a First Circle wizard."

"First, I’ll register my rank and enroll in Universal Studies as instructed."

"That course is a prerequisite for both breeding and potion-making. Only after mastering it can I advance further."

He glanced at the vial of Growth Gel in his hand. "Now that I can brew this, I could sell it for extra magic stones."

A thought flashed through his mind, what would happen if he synthesized his homemade Growth Gel?