CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 91: AT YOUR AGE, HOW CAN YOU EVEN SLEEP?

Sunlight filtered through the dappled shadows of trees by the window, casting a patch of light on the crude dormitory floor.

Ron sat at the desk, immersed in studying the magic potion formula notes in his hand. Beside him, the liquid in the refining vessel was gently bubbling, continuously emitting a faint fragrance.

There were still two days before the application for the workshop would be approved, but of course, he couldn’t idle around.

Since switching professions to an alchemist, he felt that his understanding of medicinal ingredients and grasp of formulas had reached a new level.

Those subtle balance points that required repeated deliberation in the past seemed to have become instinctive now.

Focusing intently on adjusting the flame’s intensity, Ron carefully added the final ingredient—Silver Leaf Essence.

The liquid instantly transformed from a pale blue to a clear cerulean, with silvery light patterns swirling on the surface, almost as if they were alive.

[Magic Potion Refining Experience Points +1]

"Perfect." Ron smiled contentedly, carefully sealing the bottle of "Spiritual Stabilizer" and placing it in the already completed potion line-up.

Just as he was about to start refining the next potion, a gentle knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

He opened the door to find a pair of golden beast-like eyes staring straight at him—it was Trish’s leopard-woman Li Yue.

She stood tall, her eyes maintaining that innate vigilance.

"Li Yue?" Ron was somewhat surprised, then stepped aside to let her in: "Is there something Trish needs from me?"

The leopard-woman moved with elegance and lightness, the unique structure of her padded feet making almost no sound as she slipped into the room.

She bowed her head slightly and spoke respectfully:

"My master has sent a message for you. She hopes you will accept a new batch of magic potion orders, larger than the last, with increased compensation accordingly."

The leopard-woman’s voice was not pleasant, resembling a wild beast growling from within her throat.

Ron raised an eyebrow, taking the parchment list that the leopard-woman retrieved from a pocket at her waist.

As soon as he unfolded it, he took a slight breath; the list of potions was nearly twice as long as the last time.

It included several advanced potions, such as the "Spiritual Shield" and the "Awakening Potion".

"This is quite a large order, Li Yue."

Ron carefully browsed the list, his brow slightly furrowed: "Why does Trish suddenly need so many potions? Especially these defensive ones."

Li Yue’s beast-like eyes flashed with hesitation. She looked around, her sensitive ears twitching lightly, as if confirming no one else was listening.

Then, she leaned in close to Ron, speaking in a lowered voice: "My master might be having... some trouble lately."

The leopard-woman’s tail swayed nervously, and her voice was almost a whisper:

"She needs these potions to handle possible... dangerous situations."

Ron’s brow furrowed even deeper. Although he and Trish were on relatively close terms now, everyone in the Black Mist Jungle had their own agendas.

The struggles within the Candidate Wizard ranks were even more secretly turbulent, with slight carelessness leading to irreparable consequences.

Logic told him it would be best not to get involved, yet on the other hand, this also counted as a rare opportunity.

As a newly independent alchemist, a stable source of orders was crucial for him.

After weighing the pros and cons, Ron nodded:

"Tell Trish I accept this order. However, I’m still living in the Candidate Apprentice dormitory, where refining conditions are limited. In two days, I should have my own independent workshop, and the efficiency will be higher then."

Joy flashed in Li Yue’s eyes as she took out a heavy bag from another pocket at her waist:

"This is the advance payment, 50 Magic Stone Fragments, and my master will pay the same amount upon completion."

Ron took the bag, feeling its weight, which was more generous than he’d anticipated.

"Additionally..." Li Yue added, a sly glint in her eyes.

This was perhaps Ron’s first time seeing such a "human-like" expression on the usually guarded leopard-woman’s face:

"My master says if you need any rare materials, she can help you obtain them through the special channels of the sequence members, as part of the payment."

It was indeed an enticing condition:

The members of the Candidate Wizard sequence generally had access to many rare resources that ordinary apprentices could hardly acquire.

He hadn’t forgotten that he still needed several rare materials to complete the exchange with Lady Allen for the full "Star Eater’s Ravings".

Moreover, he needed some Yang Attribute rare materials related to the Crown Breathing Technique to complete the Bloodline Knight’s advancement.

"Thank Trish for her kindness on my behalf. I’ll start preparing these potions soon." Ron nodded and accepted this large order.

After seeing off the leopard-woman, he immediately threw himself into work.

He first checked his material inventory and calculated the additional herbs he needed to purchase and the potions he could start making immediately.

"Start with the basics..." Ron began preparing to refine the "Stimulant Potion" and "Wound Healing Potion."

The benefits of switching to Alchemist quickly became apparent, not only did the refining process become smoother, but the efficiency of material usage also showed a significant improvement.

In the past, it took a whole plant of evening primrose to make three bottles of stimulant potion, but now the same material could make four bottles, and the quality was higher.

.........

Two days passed quickly, and Ron was almost sleeplessly immersed in magic potion refining, using the pocket watch to reset his physical exhaustion.

Even so, the mental burden made him feel on the verge of collapse, no less than pulling an all-nighter gaming session with roommates back on Earth.

When he carefully sealed the last bottle of Spiritual Stabilizer, more than twenty bottles of high-quality potions were neatly arranged on the table.

"For the most challenging ’Spiritual Shield’ and ’Awakening Potion,’ it’s better to wait until I have a standalone workshop before trying again."

He softly murmured to himself, wiping the sweat from his forehead, feeling his eyelids getting heavy.

Besides the potions ordered by Trish, he also refined a few advanced potions and many ordinary potions, which he had stocked in advance.

"Once the workshop is established, these can be used as exhibit pieces to showcase my magic potion refining skills to customers."

After completing these preparations, Ron began inventorying his financial situation.

He took out a piece of parchment, carefully recording his income and expenditures:

"Trish’s upfront payment this time is 50 Magic Stone Fragments, the royal monthly grant is 20 pieces, Trish’s previous commission, plus the salary accumulated from Lady Allen’s store, minus expenses..."

Altogether, it’s approximately over 200 Magic Stone Fragments.

This is more than enough for personal daily expenses, but considering the various upcoming investments, it might soon become tight.

"Even the cheapest standalone workshop rent requires at least a hundred Magic Stone Fragments annually, and the paid courses ’Magic Circuit Optimization’ and ’Spiritual Stability Techniques’ together need 50 pieces..."

Ron calculated with a frown: "Plus the need to continually purchase high-quality magic potion materials, at least 50 pieces must be reserved as turnover funds."

Not to mention his biggest investment plan currently in mind—purchasing a Multi-armed Snake Demon as a combat slave and training opponent.

Even the most thin-blooded mixed breed costs around 300 Magic Stone Fragments.

"And the most critical personnel issue..." He stood up, pacing back and forth in the small room, "It’s hard for one person to simultaneously handle refining, sales, and procurement."

He recalled the tree spirit he saw at Blake Exchange, whose natural affinity with plants would undoubtedly be incredibly valuable for the potion workshop.

He had Andre inquire about the price afterward, and it was about 80 Magic Stone Fragments, a significant investment.

But if it could improve potion quality and material usage efficiency, it would definitely be worthwhile in the long term.

"The funding gap is at least several hundred stones..." Ron sighed lightly, his gaze falling on the Ironwood Sword.

His Basic Swordsmanship was only a step away from Mastery, and Breathing Body Refining was close to a breakthrough.

The only obstacle was the Physical Attribute, currently only 1.7, still short of the 2.0 required for a Bloodline Knight.

However, with the aid of various potions for knight cultivation, overcoming this hurdle shouldn’t be too far off.

"The first goal is to complete the Swordsmanship breakthrough and the Bloodline Knight transition," Ron contemplated.

As his thoughts gradually clarified, a comprehensive development plan began forming in his mind:

First, consolidate the foundation of a Professional Alchemist, securing a stable income through Trish and potential other clients;

Simultaneously, utilize the Alchemist’s income to support dual development as a Knight and Wizard;

Upon accumulating sufficient funds, purchase the tree spirit and multi-armed snake demon, one as a workshop assistant, the other as a combat training partner;

In this process, continuously explore other career paths, such as Alchemy, Enchantment, and the bloodline "Modulation," which currently intrigues him the most...

"However, the most pressing issue is the workshop’s operation," Ron pondered, stroking his chin:

"Relying on just one client, Trish, is far from enough. I need to expand my client base while taking a niche high-quality route, as I can’t afford to delay Wizard cultivation for the sake of earning Magic Stones, or it would be putting the cart before the horse."

"I must still enhance my core strength." His gaze returned to the Ironwood Sword: "After all, in a place like the Black Mist Jungle, strength is always paramount."

Once skills reach proficiency, the accumulation of experience points becomes exceptionally slow.

The breakthrough to Mastery in Basic Magic Potion Making was largely thanks to his long-term practice and guidance from Lady Allen.

Under the personal instruction of a professional master, he was able to grasp many advanced techniques in a short time.

Now is not yet the time to rest. Speaking of which, at this age on Earth, it would also be a time for sleepless study sessions for exams...

At your age, how can you sleep soundly? Ron thought with a bitter smile at this famous piece of advice.