Chapter Fifty-Eight: Assessment

In the trading area, the number of people conducting transactions had grown steadily over the past two days. Hughes visited often, and after browsing several stalls, he had gathered almost all the medicinal ingredients needed for the Focus Potion. After the Shadow Ring had been locked down, it was difficult for Lindsay to help Hughes acquire more ingredients; he had to rely on himself. As a result, Hughes was extra cautious each time he brewed a Focus Potion.

“Beep! Host’s body has developed drug resistance; Focus Potion effectiveness is decreasing.”

“Beep! Estimated in six days, Focus Potion effectiveness will decrease again.”

“Beep! Current degree of mental contamination: 12.73%.”

Drenched in sweat after his meditation, Hughes heard the system’s prompt and knew he needed to stop taking the Focus Potion for now.

Over half a month, Hughes had taken a total of four vials of Focus Potion, and had etched fifteen mental runes. He hadn’t expected the next onset of drug resistance to arrive so quickly; half a month for this round, but only six days for the next. Hughes wanted to speed up, but due to the risk of mental contamination, he dared not push too close to the red line.

His success rate at brewing Focus Potions was gradually improving, now reaching 19%. Hughes no longer feared a shortage of ingredients.

“Beep! Energy detected in host’s body, mental power fluctuating.”

“Beep! Host affected by Focus Potion, mental power increasing!”

“Beep! Meditation complete, host data updated: Hughes Bruch. Strength: 6.8, Agility: 8.54, Constitution: 10.11, Mental Power: 9.91, Mana: 9.91 (Mana synced with Mental Power). Status: Healthy.”

“My mental power is almost there!” Hughes gazed at his attribute panel.

For over a month, Hughes had locked himself in his room every day, brewing Focus Potions, taking them, and meditating. When mental contamination prevented him from meditating, he switched to brewing Nature Potions, repeating this cycle daily.

“Just one more mental rune to etch, then I’ll have them all—then I can advance to a Level Three Apprentice.” Hughes was satisfied with his progress; his month of effort had not been in vain.

He glanced at the simplified analysis of Guardian Guidance; less than half had been analyzed so far. Hughes could only wait patiently.

“Bang bang! Bang!” While tidying his workbench, Hughes heard someone knocking at his dormitory door.

He hurried to open it.

Outside the door, Jessica was about to knock again when the door suddenly swung open, startling her. Her hand, poised in mid-air, hung awkwardly.

Hughes regarded Jessica curiously. He remembered her—on his first day, she had shown him the way to the dining hall.

“Um, Hughes, do you still remember me?” Jessica greeted him, a little embarrassed; after all, they’d only met once before.

“Of course I remember, Jessica. Long time no see!” Hughes replied with a smile, quickly inviting her into the living room.

After making her some tea, Hughes sat down, eager to hear why Jessica had come. Clearly, she wasn’t here just to catch up.

“Well, Hughes, I wanted to ask if you have any spare potions. If so, I’d like to buy some—but if it’s inconvenient, that’s fine too,” Jessica said, forcing a laugh.

Hughes found her request odd. When Emmy had sold potions before, Hughes hadn’t thought much of it, assuming Emmy simply needed magic stones. But now it seemed everyone wanted to buy potions.

“There are no potions left in the academy?” Hughes was surprised.

“There are, but they’ve been raised to exorbitant prices. That’s why I came to ask you.” Jessica looked uncomfortable, clearly not accustomed to social interaction.

“What do you need the potions for? The academy is sealed up,” Hughes probed, hoping to glean some information.

“You don’t know?” Jessica looked at Hughes in disbelief.

“Uh, you know, I’ve been in my dorm brewing potions all the time, rarely going out.” Hughes rubbed his nose, realizing he was woefully out of touch.

Jessica glanced at the unfinished items on Hughes’ workbench and nodded understandingly. She sighed inwardly—so the academy’s “once-in-a-century potion prodigy” really was so engrossed in his work that he hadn’t even noticed the turmoil.

“Well, I’m not entirely sure myself. I just know the academy is holding some sort of assessment. The rewards for the top ranks are said to be generous, so many people are going to the spell trials to hone their skills. That’s why potions are in such short supply,” Jessica replied evasively.

“An assessment?” Hughes didn’t know the details, but it was clear he wouldn’t get much more out of Jessica.

Seeing that he couldn’t get further information, Hughes got up and fetched two vials of Nature Potion, three of Stamina Potion, and three of Bloodstop Potion for Jessica.

“Thank you so much, Hughes.” Jessica was overjoyed as she accepted the potions.

“No need for thanks,” Hughes waved it off.

Jessica paid him the appropriate magic stones and left. Hughes, now distracted, abandoned tidying his workbench, his thoughts revolving around the assessment Jessica had mentioned.

“Well, I’ll go ask Lindsay!” Hughes decided he couldn’t figure it out alone and planned to consult Lindsay, who surely knew more.

As this idea crossed his mind, Hughes couldn’t help but smile wryly at himself. He and Lindsay were originally just business partners, but now Lindsay seemed to be his personal intelligence station.

Still, Hughes changed clothes and set out for Lindsay’s shop.

As soon as he entered, he saw Lindsay grinning ear to ear.

“What’s got you so happy? Tell us all so we can share the joy!” Hughes said, picking a comfortable spot to sit.

“Hahaha, it’s all thanks to the academy assessment. Lots of people have been coming to buy potions from me these past days—I’ve made much more than usual. Don’t worry, I’ll share some with you!” Lindsay declared generously.

Seeing Lindsay’s expression, Hughes suspected the “little bit” Lindsay mentioned was quite substantial.

“Hughes, it’s all thanks to that batch of potions you brought me last time. Do you have more? Heh heh.” Lindsay rubbed his hands together, the picture of a shrewd merchant.

“I’ll bring you another batch in a few days,” Hughes replied. Last time, he’d supplied Lindsay with nearly a hundred vials, mostly Stamina and Bloodstop Potions, enough for Lindsay to make a tidy profit. Hughes still had plenty in reserve.

“No problem, I’m not in a hurry.” Lindsay, flush with magic stones, was in high spirits.

“I’m actually here about the academy assessment. What do you know?” Hughes got straight to the point.

At the mention of business, Lindsay’s smile faded and he grew serious.

“This assessment is crucial, Hughes. The academy is splitting Level Two and Level Three apprentices into separate areas for the test. Afterwards, honors and rewards will be granted according to rank,” Lindsay explained, familiar with the rules.

“Ha, Lindsay really has become my intelligence station,” Hughes thought, but kept it to himself.

“So everyone is after the rewards,” Hughes remarked casually.

“That’s true, but this time, the rewards for Level Three apprentices—rumor has it, one item in particular—is an Active Elixir!” Lindsay said gravely.

“Active Elixir?” Hughes was taken aback; he’d never heard of such a thing. He racked his brains but couldn’t recall what it was.

“Chip! Display information on Active Elixir!”

“Beep! Insufficient data. No description of Active Elixir found in current database.”

No sooner had Hughes spoken than the chip responded.

“How can that be?!”

“What does this Active Elixir do?” Since even the chip lacked information, Hughes guessed it must be a rare item.

Lindsay’s expression changed at Hughes’ question. Suddenly, he was no longer the talkative partner, but fell silent.