Chapter Thirty-Two: The Public

“Yes! If I succeed, I’ll consider it,” Hughes replied calmly as he took the materials.
“Then it’s settled!” Lindsay seemed quite pleased by Hughes’s answer.
Hughes picked up the raw materials he had bought and prepared to return to his dormitory.
After closing the door, Hughes set out the instruments he had previously arranged, placing them back on the desk, intending to continue his potion-making.
He took out the materials and started once more to brew stamina potions. Time passed quickly; outside, dusk had fallen. Hughes hadn’t left his room all day, not even for lunch, laboring endlessly at his craft.
He gazed at the three test tubes lined up on the table, each filled with a pale red liquid—the stamina potions. One batch of potion, Hughes had tried ten times, successfully producing three tubes, much better than last night. He was satisfied with his progress.
He glanced at another tube with pale green liquid. This was the hemostatic potion he had brewed earlier that day, but the success rate was less than ideal. Even with the chip’s continual assistance and correction, Hughes managed to produce only one tube after ten attempts.
Stretching his weary limbs, Hughes felt the exhaustion from a day spent intensely focused on potion-making.
He stored all the potions he’d made in a wooden box beneath his bed, intending to sell them all at an opportune moment.
After tidying up the desk and washing the instruments, he left for the dormitory.
With his stomach growling, Hughes headed straight for the dining hall.
Having not eaten all day, Hughes piled his tray high with food, found a random seat, and started eating.
“Hey, Hughes, didn’t see you at the public class yesterday?”
Hughes turned at the familiar voice and saw Billy waving from the next table.
“Ah, yesterday… I had some things to deal with.”
He didn’t tell Billy the truth. Hughes preferred solitude, avoiding unnecessary disturbance. He knew if he admitted to beginning potion-making, Billy would certainly try to rope him in. Though in Billy’s eyes, he might still be just a novice potion apprentice.
Yet, with the reputation of being Mage Matt’s student, it was no surprise many were interested in Hughes.
“Well, that’s fine. I reckon I’ll become a first-level apprentice next month—I have a feeling. What about you, Hughes?”
“Me? I suppose I’m close too. We’ll probably advance around the same time.”

“Good, but we should strive to reach second-level apprentice within half a year, preferably before those second- and third-level apprentices return. There might be trouble.” Billy leaned in, speaking quietly this time.
“How do you know?”
“My family—they told me. I’m not sure about the details.”
Having met Billy often, Hughes didn’t press further. Though unsure why Billy confided in him, Hughes decided to trust him for now.
Besides, becoming a second-level apprentice within half a year was already Hughes’s goal. Even without Billy’s warning, he would work hard to improve his own strength.
After exchanging a few more words, Hughes bid Billy farewell and returned to his dormitory.
Cross-legged, Hughes resumed his meditation. The effects of the meditative technique accumulated slowly over time. Even exhausted, Hughes persisted.
The progress was less than ideal; the later mental runes were several times more difficult than the earlier ones. According to the system’s calculations, reaching second-level apprentice might truly take another half a year.
Hughes understood the challenge of meditation. For others, advancing to second-level apprentice in half a year might be considered fast, but for Hughes, it still felt slow.
He was conflicted: on one hand, he yearned for greater power, confident he could brew potions and never lack resources; on the other, he worried that advancing too quickly would be impossible to hide from Mage Matt, possibly arousing suspicion.
Time passed swiftly; months slipped by unnoticed. Hughes, secluded in the academy’s secret realm, lost track of the outside world. He only remembered he had grown another year older—now fifteen.
Over these four months, Hughes spent every day immersed in learning.
Now, the chip stored ample information; almost anything Hughes asked, it could answer.
He never stopped potion-making, regularly buying stamina and hemostatic potion materials from Lindsay’s shop, giving Lindsay the impression he was constantly failing and still learning.
Hughes bought a considerable amount of raw materials, and frequently took failed residue to consult Mage Matt, who charged for explanations. Hughes had earned enough from lecturing others, so he didn’t lack funds.
Lindsay had great confidence in Hughes and often discussed partnership with him.
Meanwhile, Billy discovered Hughes was attempting potion-making and learned his mentor was Mage Matt. The two talked more often, forging a stronger bond. Hughes also learned from Billy that Billy truly came from a wizard family.
However, Hughes suspected Billy already knew his mentor was Mage Matt; otherwise, why would a wizard family member need Hughes to instruct Billy on these matters?
Hughes also heard from Billy that most of the academy apprentices had already advanced to first-level. Yet, the difference in talent was now evident, and the gap between apprentices would only widen over time.
Walking along the gravel path in the academy, Hughes held a tube of stamina potion, his wide apprentice cloak concealing his hand. He felt he’d delayed long enough.

To others, brewing stamina potion in just a few months was genius, but with his deep violet talent, Hughes found it plausible.
“As soon as I show this stamina potion to the teacher, I can openly sell potions for magic stones.”
The months of effort had paid off. Hughes had tested himself—without the chip’s help, he could still brew stamina potions, though the success rate was dismal. Yet, it was his own experience and knowledge.
He arrived at Mage Matt’s laboratory and pushed open the door. Mage Matt was busy at the experiment table.
“Good morning, teacher,” Hughes greeted him, feeling quite cheerful.
“You seem in good spirits today,” Mage Matt looked up at his student.
Mage Matt was very satisfied with Hughes. Both his talent and attitude toward learning were impeccable. Hughes handled everything in the laboratory with ease. Mage Matt had also heard of Hughes earning magic stones by teaching others, and he approved—transactions among wizards were normal.
“Yes, teacher, last night I successfully brewed a tube of stamina potion!” Hughes looked excitedly at Mage Matt.
“What?” Mage Matt was surprised. Hughes often brought failed residues to ask about the reasons for failure, and Mage Matt always patiently pointed out the flaws. He hadn’t expected Hughes to succeed so soon.
“I didn’t expect it, Hughes. Your talent was already remarkable, but I hadn’t realized your aptitude for potion-making was equally outstanding. Clearly, accepting you as my student was a wise decision,” Mage Matt sighed, marveling at Hughes’s wizard talent and his gift for potion-making.
“It’s thanks to your excellent teaching!” Hughes was humble.
“I only provided knowledge; the rest was your own effort. Did you bring the potion you brewed?”
“I did, teacher. I’d like you to take a look.”
Hughes drew his hand from beneath his robe, palm open, the test tube lying quietly there.
He handed the test tube to Mage Matt.
Mage Matt removed the oak stopper from the tube. As soon as it was opened, a faint, fresh fragrance wafted out, and a satisfied smile appeared on Mage Matt’s face.
He poured a bit of stamina potion into his palm, the liquid hovering in his hand.
Mage Matt closed his eyes, and his palm glowed. The liquid, illuminated, appeared translucent, like a piece of jelly suspended in the air.