[...]

[You have successfully crafted a Spirit Summoning Potion. Spirit Summoning Potion knowledge has been added to your Magical Potions knowledge tree, Level 1. Special Reward: Survival Points +3, Spirit Level +1.]

Wei’en had carefully selected these seven Magic Potion formulas before exchanging for them.

Besides the Spirit Summoning Potion formula, which was unique to the Ghost Soul School, the other six were for an Antidote Potion, Illusion Potion, Invisibility Potion, Divine Speed Potion, Water Breathing Potion, and Spirit Surge Potion.

The most expensive of these was the Spirit Surge Potion. Its effect was to increase the user’s Spiritual Power and Spirit recovery speed, making it a Magic Potion specifically designed for combat.

Wei’en looked at the seven low-quality Magic Potions on his table. ’Even though I memorized all the key points,’ he thought, ’I couldn’t escape the curse of a poor-quality first attempt.’

During the process, the number of unexpected reactions from combining the various materials had grown exponentially, and the resulting problems gave him a massive headache.

According to the theories of potion-making, no two portions of a material in this world are exactly the same.

The difference between a Master of Magical Potions and an apprentice was that the former could handle all adverse factors better and faster to complete the potion.

Wei’en then spent his points to raise the proficiency levels of these seven Magic Potions to the maximum, allowing his overall potion-making skill to advance from the Novice to the Adept stage.

1/1, 2/2... 10/10,

[Antidote Potion Lv. 1 (10/10). Upgrade?]

[Upgrade.]

[Congratulations! Your Magical Potions knowledge: Antidote Potion has been raised to the maximum level. Effect: The probability of crafting this Magic Potion with perfect quality is now 100%.]

[Your Antidote Potion proficiency has reached the maximum level. Your progress toward advancing from Novice Potion-Making: 4/10. Special Reward: Spirit Level +1.]

[...]

[Your Spirit Summoning Potion proficiency has reached the maximum level. Your progress toward advancing from Novice Potion-Making: 10/10. Special Reward: Spirit Level +1.]

[Congratulations! Your Novice Potion-Making has successfully advanced to Adept Potion-Making: 0/100. Special Reward: Survival Points +10, Resilience Level +3, Spirit Level +3.]

As his potion-making skill advanced to the Adept level, a surge of base stats, accompanied by a vast amount of new knowledge, washed over Wei’en.

"Ugh..."

Compared to the last time he’d upgraded his Runology, the amount of knowledge this time was significantly less, which greatly reduced the pain Wei’en felt.

The entirety of Novice Potion-Making encompassed a vast amount of foundational knowledge about material science, pharmacology, compounding, Alchemy, and toxicology.

Material science was the largest component, covering the properties, classifications, formation methods, and harvesting and storage techniques for various Extraordinary materials.

Next were pharmacology and compounding, which, based on material science, involved the study of Magic Potion formulas.

Toxicology was the smallest field. According to the fundamental theories of potion-making, almost any Magic Potion formula could be modified into a poison formula.

The difference was that most people didn’t know the effects of these poisons after modification, nor the methods to counteract them...

This brought to mind the Antidote Potion, a Magic Potion capable of nullifying most poisons. Its principle was to neutralize toxins.

Among all this knowledge, Alchemy was the most unique. It only included information on purifying Extraordinary materials and did not involve advanced alchemical transmutations...

"Whew..."

After a long while, Wei’en let out a deep sigh of relief.

His potion-making skill level had increased, but so had the amount of knowledge he needed to learn. It was a happy problem to have.

However, he was very clear on one thing: compared to Runology, potion-making was a lower priority.

In the future, his focus would still be primarily on Runology to enhance his own strength.

As for potions, it was enough as long as they could provide the gold pounds he needed for his advancement. For now, he had no intention of achieving the title of Master of Magical Potions...

...

...

While Wei’en was immersed in his studies, Clelia, one floor below, was not idle either.

"What a diligent little apprentice~"

Clelia looked with satisfaction at the newly arranged room. "I need to speed things up as well. I suppose I’ll go pay a visit to that other adorable ’lord’ of mine~"

As her words faded, she lay down on the mattress woven from white fluff and closed her eyes.

「At the same time, in a dark room far from Golden Street.」

Clelia possessed a puppet, sat up, and walked gracefully to a table. She began chanting at a half-man-high mirror in front of her.

"Immortality is truth."

As she spoke, the unfamiliar man’s face in the mirror began to twist and spin, transforming into a deep vortex that ultimately dissolved into nothingness.

Then, a figure completely shrouded in a black robe appeared.

"Clelia, it’s been a while since you last contacted me..."

"My lord, the situation here is a bit complicated~"

Clelia chuckled, covering her mouth, but she had forgotten that this puppet was a big, burly, and hairy Oldes man. The gesture was rather unsightly...

The shadowy figure tilted its head, seemingly a bit disgusted. "How is the investigation going?"

"It’s confirmed that the people from the Secret Investigation Department took the Era Relics. Also, I’ve discovered that Hector and Padilla have also arrived in the Caster City State."

"People from the Despair Sect and the Red Moon Church?"

"Mhm," Clelia said in a soft, gentle voice. "What’s more interesting is that Hector thinks I was the one who stole their totem~"

"Oh?" The shadowy figure fell silent for a moment before chuckling. "That is a bit interesting... In that case, you can have your fun there for a while."

"Understood~"

"However, the next gathering is approaching, so don’t delay for too long."

"Is the plan about to begin?"

"Soon. We’ll talk more after you return."

Clelia wasn’t surprised by this answer. "Are there any other arrangements for me, then?" she asked.

"Hmm, an arrangement... yes, there is one thing."

"I was just being polite. You really have something for me?"

The shadowy figure looked at her with a half-smile. "It’s nothing difficult. Just deliver a letter for me."

"Oh? You have acquaintances here?"

"I wouldn’t say we’re well-acquainted. Just an old friend I haven’t contacted in a long time."

"As you command~"

"Remember not to cause too much of a stir. I’d rather not receive a distress signal from you."

"Nag, nag, nag!"

The shadowy figure was left speechless, then ended the call without another word.

As the image in the mirror vanished, Clelia looked at the rugged face reflected back at her and couldn’t help but make a funny face. ’If I use this face to see Wei’en in the future... hehehe, his expression would be priceless.’

Hmm?

’It’s still early. I think I’ll go have some fun elsewhere~’

PS: Today’s bonus Chapter has been canceled.

I wrote it, but I’m not satisfied with the content and it needs a major rewrite.