11: Chapter 0011 Teacher and Student

Perhaps Instructor Felina’s original path was to grade witchcraft assignments in the Academy, record students’ witchcraft practical reports with a rune pen, and marry a desirable noble's son to raise a family.

As for Li Size, after graduation, he was unwilling to inherit his father's blacksmith shop, forging farm tools embedded with basic runes, destined to become Old Li the blacksmith of Gray Mist Mountain.

However, fate has its wonders. The appearance of Rice and the Ghost attack on Felina seemed to open up another life path for Li Size and Felina.

His and Felina’s lives abruptly entered an unknown trajectory, the future shrouded in thick fog.

From the perspective of a Divination-path Wizard interpreting fate:

They measure with the Astrological Rune Disk, believing that the fate of the world and individuals is the result function of countless variables. If the variables remain unchanged, destiny is fixed.

But if a small white rabbit carrying the Wind Rune in the forest of the Crimson Soul Duchy accidentally falls into a rushing river, a terrifying beast tide will occur on the Feiting Great Grassland thousands of miles away.

-- This is the 'variable' effect.

When Li Size returned to the Academy, the witchcraft street lamps at the entrance emitted a soft runic light. Felina had already signed the order contract, which was affixed with a runic seal bearing the Academy's emblem.

The 20 Gold Coin deposit was paid along with the contract, thanks to Felina's efforts, showing that she was trying hard to compensate Li Size.

Clutching the large sum of money, Li Size was both excited and scared. He tightly gripped the money pouch containing the coins, his fingers trembling slightly.

He silently recited in his heart:

Deducting the initial land fee, labor fee, Materials fee, and partial equipment fee...

After considering, he placed 5 Gold Coins in his palm, activated the [Pay-to-Win Analysis] in his mind, silently commanded the conversion, and the 5 Gold Coins transformed into 250 Energy Points surging into his body.

He impatiently used 200 of those Energy Points to enhance his Mental Energy:

[Consuming 200 Energy Points, Mental Energy increased by 0.1.]

The effect was immediate. After a moment of dizziness, he felt the world become clearer, and the knowledge he had previously studied was vividly present.

This was the effect of increased Mental Energy!

Mental Energy not only concerns the strength of witchcraft power but also influences human intelligence, thought processes, and nerve reactions.

With the remaining 50 Energy Points, he didn't hesitate at all, directly invoking the [Pay-to-Win] ability towards the 'inferior healing powder' formula.

The moment the Energy Points were consumed, a stable stream of information poured into his mind, much like a pre-established witchcraft channel, without any obstruction.

The originally vague raw material ratios, refinement steps, and precautions instantly became crystal clear, as if it wasn't 'learning' but 'awakening' a memory that already existed deep within his consciousness.

Every detail was firmly imprinted in his thoughts. He could even clearly feel that he had completely mastered all the key points of this formula, with no omissions or ambiguities.

[Consuming 40 Energy Points, Analysis of 'inferior healing powder' formula completed]

[Pharmacology unlocked: Current Apprentice Stage - Novice 0 / 100]

Note: You have learned the basic knowledge of witchcraft potion refinement, but due to limited knowledge and accumulation, the potions refined are mediocre and of ordinary quality.

To refine potions of better quality, you need more practice to improve your proficiency.

'inferior healing powder'

Materials: Foxtail grass harvested during a full moon (50g), Daisy root (25g), Warty snake eggshell (15g), One-year-old frog brain (10g), Wasp stingers (5g)...

Refinement Process: Omitted

A stream of witchcraft information directly integrated into Li Size's memory centers. This knowledge was firmly etched in his mind, making Li Size eager to try it out.

He rubbed his throbbing temples. Seeing that no one was around in the office, he asked Felina:

"Instructor Felina, does the Academy have foxtail grass harvested during a full moon, warty snake eggshells...?"

Felina raised an eyebrow, tapped the witchcraft handbook on the desk with her finger, and sounded surprised:

'inferior healing powder' is one of the most common knowledge for a Wizard Apprentice, but very few students in a low-level Academy know it.

"Did you really learn this formula?"

Li Size touched the Gold Coins in his pocket and nodded: "It feels like since the Ghost attack, my Mental Energy has been getting higher these past few days, and understanding this knowledge seems much easier. I have mastered the formula for 'inferior healing powder,' I just want to try refining it."

Immediately after, Li Size closed his eyes and fluently recited the formula and refinement process for the 'inferior healing powder,' his fingers tracing the runic gestures for potion refinement in the air.

The content was identical to the Academy's records; it seemed he had indeed mastered this knowledge. All that remained was practice.

However, every Wizard Apprentice tends to make mistakes during their first potion refinement. Felina recalled when she first refined a potion, the powder exploded, emitting green Demonic Energy smoke that dyed her hair grass-green.

Felina thought for a moment and said:

"These are the most common witchcraft Materials, the Academy procures them regularly.

But usually, you students don't get to use them, so they become a perk for us Instructors.

The Laboratory has crucibles for potion refinement, and the shelves hold glass bottles filled with various witchcraft Materials.

Since you want to try, come with me to the Laboratory."

Looking at it this way, the Instructor profession isn't bad: these witchcraft resources and Materials that students don't use become perks for the Academy Instructors, plus the basic witchcraft material packages received monthly and the permission to use the Academy's Advanced Rune Furnace.

Felina stood up to take Li Size to the Laboratory. Seeing no one around, she lowered her voice, leaned closer to Li Size, and pointed to the communication rune on the wall, cautioning him:

"Although it's unlikely Rice would appear at the Academy, we still need to be careful. In private, we must act like... well, you know."

Li Size shrugged and sighed playfully, "Does Teacher want to play a master-servant game with me? Too bad it couldn't be the other way around."

Felina's pretty face flushed upon hearing this. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palm, grinding her teeth in annoyance. This kid was becoming more and more outrageous.

If it weren't for her fault in the first place, how could Felina tolerate him so much?

However, she was now a Special Envoy from the Internal Affairs Department. Whether for the mission or to save her sister, she had to complete this task excellently.

She put on a stern face and said:

"You don't want to keep failing to catch Rice, do you? We have no idea what a figure like him might do.

I know you hold a grudge against me. Teacher will offer what compensation she can, but I hope you think carefully. With your intelligence, you should know what to do."

Li Size helplessly shrugged his shoulders, acting like an obedient little lamb, quietly following behind Felina out of the classroom.

He deliberately slowed his pace slightly, which made Felina feel a little satisfied.

In the Laboratory, Felina intended to properly guide Li Size in refining the potion—

The Laboratory's temperature rune display was flashing harsh red numbers, and the runes on the edge of the crucible flickered with unstable dark purple light from time to time.

Witchcraft potion refinement was inherently a dangerous process of battling Demonic Energy...

Even a temperature deviation of 0.1 degrees or adding Materials 0.5 seconds too late could lead to a Demonic Energy backlash, turning the powder into a pile of useless ash.

Li Size's hand holding the witchcraft tweezers was slightly sweaty. To ensure the refinement succeeded, he secretly spent 1 Energy Point to activate the Analysis function of [Pay-to-Win].

At every critical moment, the [Pay-to-Win] ability immediately provided clear guidance:

[Current temperature is 372 degrees, needs to drop 5 degrees. Add Daisy root in 3 seconds.]

[Warty snake eggshell must be dropped into the rune groove at a 45-degree angle to avoid Demonic Energy conflict.]

...

Although his movements looked as clumsy as someone touching a crucible for the first time, every step was as precise as if he were possessed by the most top-tier Alchemist: the Demonic Energy flame remained constantly stable within the safe range, and Materials were added without the slightest error.

When the final step was completed and the rune on the crucible lit up with a soft green light, Li Size couldn't help but clench his fist, his heart pounding...

[Pay-to-Win] actually allowed him to perfectly avoid all traps; he succeeded on his very first refinement!

Looking at the surprised expression of the beautiful teacher who had just scolded him, Li Size raised his chin, his eyes sparkling, and said:

"Haha, Teacher, how was my refinement?"

Felina looked at Li Size's smug eyes, still unable to believe it. She rolled her eyes and pouted:

"Some people just have good luck; even a blind cat can stumble upon a dead mouse."

Li Size grinned secretly:

The [Pay-to-Win] ability was indeed powerful. Consuming Energy Points bought him absolutely correct guidance, allowing him to walk on level ground in the bizarre and dangerous process of witchcraft refinement.

Seeing Felina's shocked expression, he was filled with surprise and awe: this ability could not only analyze formulas but also provide real-time operational guidance!

How could she know that I have the [Pay-to-Win] ability that can analyze everything? With its assistance, as long as I have the formula, there is no possibility of failure for me.

He leaned closer to Felina, smiling mysteriously: "Teacher, want to make a bet? If I succeed in refining it again, Teacher will give me a kiss as encouragement!"

Felina felt annoyed in her heart. She crossed her arms, intending to refuse, but then recalled the various entanglements with the young man these past few days. There was clearly too much Karma between them.

She smiled calmly: "I really don't believe it! No student has ever succeeded consecutively on their first attempt at learning potion refinement."

Li Size smiled and shook his head without arguing. He somewhat awkwardly followed the operational procedure to clean and sterilize the relevant equipment, picking up the witchcraft tweezers to handle the crucible.

A dozen minutes later, he gave Felina a confident smile: "Teacher, I'm starting. Don't go back on your word later."

His movements were still stiff. His hand shook slightly when picking up the one-year-old frog brain, and Felina instinctively held her breath—this step was the easiest to cause Demonic Energy turbulence.

But Li Size immediately consumed 1 Energy Point, and a prompt instantly appeared in his mind:

[Place the frog brain 3 millimeters to the left of the rune groove, wait 0.8 seconds, then inject Demonic Energy.]

He did as instructed, and the previously agitated Demonic Energy instantly calmed down.

Felina's eyes widened. She watched as he clearly moved clumsily, yet always made precise adjustments at the most dangerous moments:

For example, when adding the wasp stingers, she expected an explosion, but Li Size suddenly paused for half a second and dropped the stingers in a rotating manner, perfectly neutralizing the violent Demonic Energy in the powder.

This 'clumsy yet absolutely correct' operation made her scalp tingle, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the corner of her clothes.

Time quietly passed...

Fifteen minutes later, the potion refinement rune on the crucible suddenly lit up with a pale blue light, and a Demonic Energy aura carrying the fresh scent of grass and wood diffused outwards.

Felina's mouth was slightly open; she even forgot to close the witchcraft handbook in her hand.

She had seen countless apprentices refine potions, but never anyone like Li Size, who succeeded consecutively on the first try, with every step hitting the most precise node.

She loosened the fist she had clenched. Only one thought remained in her mind:

This is not luck; this is true talent!

Felina's heart pounded uncontrollably. She stared intently at Li Size's profile, her mind in turmoil:

How is this 'a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse'?

This is a once-in-a-century potion talent!

His perception of Demonic Energy, his grasp of detail—he was simply born for witchcraft potion refinement!

If he could become a Wizard Apprentice, relying solely on this talent for precisely controlling Demonic Energy injection, his future achievements in Pharmacology would surely be limitless.

Felina's fingertips unconsciously traced the rune patterns on the crucible's edge. If he could truly grow to that level...

With his looks and talent, perhaps it wouldn't be impossible for me to research witchcraft potions with him?

Alas!

It's a pity that when he tested his attributes with the crystal using Mental Energy last time, it was only 1.7, far short of the minimum requirement of 3 points for a Wizard Apprentice.

He cannot learn the Meditation Method, cannot become a Wizard Apprentice. No matter how good his potion talent is, he can only refine low-grade potions, at best becoming a wealthy commoner.

Alas...

This kind of talent will probably be wasted in an ordinary blacksmith shop.

Li Size picked up the glass bottle containing the powder and shook it. The rune on the bottle body flickered. He looked at the beautiful Instructor with a wicked smile: "Teacher, don't go back on your word, okay?"

Felina gazed at Li Size for a moment, lightly brushing away the stray hair near her ear. Her previous thoughts seemed to resurface...

She smiled faintly, beautifully captivating. Her thin lips carried a faint herbal Demonic Energy scent. It was a touch and retreat, leaving only a cool and alluring fragrance that lingered endlessly.

Li Size touched the cheek that had been touched, secretly delighted:

This beauty is worthy of being a good friend. Since she has compensated for the past Ghost attack and contract troubles, let them drift away with the wind.