20: Fireside Night Chat (I)

Grimm added a thick log to the fireplace, and poked the flames, making the entire living room a little brighter… After finishing the grand meal, the group didn't rush to leave. Instead, they helped clean up the leftovers from the feast.

Then, they comfortably gathered around the fireplace and brewed a pot of Black Tea—Lapsang Souchong—a specialty from Rugia County of the Motlan Grand Kingdom.

“Ahem…” Oakes, with his excellent crowd-control ability, adopted the air of a club vice-chairman and took the initiative to host the meeting.

“Next, I—Oakes—will inform everyone…”

“Of some basic situations my dear classmates will face during the 3-5 period.”

“First, changes in class divisions and student numbers.”

“During this 3-5 study period, we have a total of one hundred and eight classmates.”

“Unfortunately…”

“Forty classmates will finish their safe studies and are about to become combat Wizards.”

“Let us silently pray for them for three minutes…”

“…But fortunately,”

“The few of us are still here…”

“At the same time…”

“Our cohort will be divided into two Apothecary classes, three Magical Plant Cultivator classes, and one Magical Item Crafter class.”

“Aside from some large lectures that will be held together, other courses will be taught in small classes according to their respective disciplines.”

“Second, changes in mentor teaching methods and fees.”

“Let’s start with the simpler Magical Plant Cultivator course, Bigg, you can listen carefully.”

“Magical Plant Cultivator during the 3-5 period doesn’t have many paid courses, and the regular courses are simple; they just require a lot of memorization.”

“For these cultural courses that involve memorization, studying one or two hours a day is enough.”

“The key point is your internship in the Botanical Garden.”

“Last time I found a way for you to go to other Botanical Gardens to first go over all the Demonized Plantss within the exam scope.”

“Then specialize in the three low-level Demonized Plantss in your current Botanical Garden, striving to write several practical Magical Plant Cultivation papers.”

“…My personal suggestion…”

“Choose the direction that your Botanical Garden’s director—Mentor Oldenburg—specializes in.”

“That way, after the 3-5 period, you will have a chance to be admitted to his graduate program early.”

“I specifically checked.”

“Mentor Oldenburg is very likely to pass the Advanced Magical Plant Cultivator exam this time.”

“As for Grimm and Aaliyah,”

“You chose the Magical Plant Cultivator course just to pass the exam.”

“Based on my understanding of your study habits, it shouldn't be a big problem.”

“Just follow the curriculum step by step.”

“To be honest, Grimm…”

“I have always admired your diligence and hard work, and I truly appreciate your drive.”

“But your progress during this period has been too great, simply unbelievable.”

“All assessment Wizardry has already met the assessment standards; your Magical Plant Cultivator course is essentially halfway to success.”

“Originally, I wanted to persuade you to focus on one path as early as possible, but now it seems unnecessary.”

“…I guess I’m the type of person who builds up a lot before breaking through.”

“Before, I was stuck on those two low-level Wizardry for so long.”

“But once I broke through, my subsequent Wizardry cultivation became smooth sailing, progressing rapidly.”

Grimm chuckled, attributing the reason to his own talent; he dared not reveal his Golden Finger.

However, Grimm then thought, isn’t the Golden Finger also mine? So it can also be said to be my talent.

Grimm immediately felt a clear conscience.

“Grimm, I’m encountering some difficulties in learning Wizardry now. Can I ask you for some guidance?” Bigg scratched his head sheepishly and asked.

“What’s there to it, Bigg?”

“What’s our relationship? You’re my good brother, you’re always welcome to come, and we can study and exchange ideas together.”

“But it’s best if you come when I’m eating, because that’s when my mind is most active, and my inspiration is overflowing,” Grimm said indifferently.

“Really?!”

“What are you eating?”

“It’s so effective, recommend it to me to try… My inspiration has been a bit dry lately, and my Hand of Wizardry is stuck at the threshold of instant casting…” Aaliyah interjected at this point, still with her lazy and charming soft tone, clearly misunderstanding something.

“Yes, Grimm…”

“Tell us, tell us… My inspiration is also a bit dry, and my Hand of Wizardry is stuck outside the door of segmented casting.”

Oakes said sourly, a hint of lemon in his tone.

Someone's humblebragging had stimulated him.

“Didn’t eat much…”

“Oh, you’re asking what I usually like to eat, right?”

“I don’t usually eat much: Crispy fried chicken; Angus pan-fried steak; Cumin lamb ribs; Caviar with foie gras; Smoked local pork; Cheese tomato pizza; Salt-baked mist crystal shrimp; Sea blue bread crab; Popcorn chicken with golden fries; Hot dogs; Iced rye beer—” A string of dish names continuously popped out of Grimm’s mouth.

“Stop, stop, stop…”

“Grimm, we’re asking about the Demonized Plantss or potions you’ve eaten that make your inspiration overflow, not for you to recite a menu.”

Oakes quickly interrupted.

Grimm spread his hands, helplessly saying: “Oakes, do you think a pauper like me can afford any Demonized Plantss, let alone Wizard potions?”

Suddenly, Oakes was stunned, staring wide-eyed at Grimm, speechless for a long time.

“I feel like you’re hinting at something, but I have no proof…”

“…You mean, you can increase your inspiration by eating those free, mundane foods?” Aaliyah’s question broke the awkward atmosphere.

“Yes, as long as it’s food.”

“When I eat heartily and enjoyably, I get very excited, and my mind becomes clearer. What’s the problem with that?” Grimm asked, puzzled. Isn’t this common knowledge, something even a three-year-old knows?

“Damn it…”

“I’ll beat you to death, you show-off.”

“Grimm, you’ve gone bad. When did you secretly learn my art of showing off?”

“Tuition fee!” Oakes yelled in annoyance. Dammit, he really managed to show off.

He even specifically used the most nonchalant tone to say the most arrogant words.

Then, he leaned back dramatically on the sofa, took a shallow sip of tea, and pretended to be casual.

Everyone rolled their eyes in unison.

They were truly speechless about this companion who was always on the path of showing off.

“Grimm, everyone’s talents are different, but they all exist.”

“We have many extraordinary bloodlines flowing in our bodies.”

“From ancient times to the present, many Wizards have liked to study how to pass on extraordinary bloodlines.”

“You might have awakened some bloodline from your ancestors,” Bigg said enviously.

“So they misunderstood that my overflowing inspiration was about this? I really do get excited when I eat.”

“Is my situation an anomaly?”

“Do they eat with no emotion at all? Without any mental fluctuations?”

“Then aren’t they missing a lot of fun in life?”

Grimm couldn’t go a day without good food; he couldn’t imagine what life would be like without it.

“It’s really possible…”

“The rich rely on money, the poor rely on mutation.”

“Grimm, you’ve hit the jackpot. Make good use of this bloodline ability of yours, and you might even have a chance to become a Formal Wizard.”

Oakes was genuinely happy for his friend.

He had always worried that Grimm’s abilities wouldn’t be enough to support his ambition and had wanted to persuade him to be more down-to-earth.

Now, Oakes was relieved.

“Alright, next we’ll talk about the Apothecary aspect.”

“Aside from the properties and fusion changes of common Magic Potions, and the four basic characteristics of magical properties—these free introductory knowledge points—”,

“In the first year, we also have a paid course—the material processing and refining of three common semi-finished Magic Potions.”

“This course is quite practical and requires learning in the Apothecary laboratory.”

“At the same time, this is also a very good opportunity.”

“According to the news I gathered from the club…”

“After a year of study, those who rank in the top six of the entire grade will receive a free Apothecary laboratory training spot, becoming reserve talent for the Apothecary laboratory!”

“This is a great opportunity where the academy pays and provides mentors to help and guide you in your studies.”

“And it’s a four-year training; this five-year period only has this one chance. Miss it and it’s gone.”

“Excluding geniuses already on the Apothecary laboratory training list.”

“Grimm, you must seize this opportunity.”

“Aaliyah is already on the genius list for the Apothecary laboratory.”

“I will also go all out to compete for this spot.”

“Let me put it this way, once you’re on the Apothecary laboratory training list, you’ll no longer have the right to call yourself a pauper,” Oakes said humorously, clearly still holding a grudge about Grimm’s earlier show-off.

He even deliberately used the most understated tone to say the most arrogant words.

Then, he leaned back dramatically on the sofa, took a shallow sip of tea, and pretended to be casual.

Everyone rolled their eyes in unison.

They were truly speechless about this companion who was always on the path of showing off.