21: Fireside Night Chat (Part 2)

Grimm had to admit, he was tempted.

He had long heard that Apothecaries were all rich.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have willingly endured double the pain to study two subjects simultaneously.

Farming... what future was there in farming?

Look at Old Moler; he's been farming for seventy or eighty years and is still just an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice.

Reaching Advanced Wizard Apprentice in this lifetime would be a miracle; Formal Wizard was completely out of the question.

If Grimm's Golden Finger had been related to farming, that would have been great.

For example, a spatial farm... crops growing a hundred times faster... or planting Demonized Plantss, and upon maturity, harvesting various reward light clusters (rewarding cultivation, wizardry, magic tools, treasures, etc.).

Then... Grimm would have considered, it wouldn't be impossible to take the path of a Magical Plant Cultivator.

After all, farming was safe... but it was clear that Grimm's Golden Finger wasn't like that.

Instead, it was a divine artifact that encouraged Grimm to "open-book" study.

Therefore, Grimm only considered studying Magical Plant Cultivation as a backup for passing the third five-year grand examination.

With a simpler goal, Grimm's pressure was greatly reduced.

Especially since Grimm's five planting wizardries had already reached the level of spellcasting by intonation.

Now, Grimm only needed to follow the academy's curriculum step-by-step and complete his internship at the Botanical Garden on time, without needing to put in extra effort.

So, the study of an Apothecary became Grimm's primary focus... "Oakes..."

"How much is the tuition for the first year's paid courses?" Grimm eagerly wanted to know.

"It's not expensive, just one hundred magic stones."

"But it only includes a small amount of practice materials. If you want to improve quickly, you'll need to buy additional materials to practice," Oakes replied, then thought for a moment and reminded him,

"The academy needs talented Wizard Apprentices to become Apothecaries."

"Therefore, for each Wizard Apprentice, there are restrictions on laboratory study time and practice materials in the first year."

"Everyone each day..."

"Can only stay in the Apothecary laboratory for two hours..."

"So the low-tier course costs one hundred magic stones (two hours + one base unit of practice materials)."

"The full-tier course costs six hundred magic stones (two hours + six base units of practice materials)."

"The first two months are only for observing, learning, and doing odd jobs; there's no hands-on practice."

"Hands-on practice is only required for the following ten months."

"We all pay one hundred magic stones first, and then in the later practice period, we buy additional practice materials with magic stones according to our own situations."

"Grimm, I suggest you also choose the full-tier course standard."

"Because for the course on Apothecary Material Processing, hands-on practice leads to faster and more important growth."

"Don't be afraid of lacking magic stones; I can lend you some then," Oakes said sincerely... "And me..."

"In return for today's delicious meal, which I thoroughly enjoyed."

"I can also lend you magic stones."

"Anyway, not many magic stones are needed in the first year."

"Magic stones just sitting there are just sitting there," Ally said calmly.

"Grimm, I... I..."

"I can also lend you magic stones..."

As Bigg spoke, his voice grew softer and softer, eventually becoming an inaudible murmur.

When his good brother encountered difficulties, Bigg also wanted to help Grimm.

However, Bigg's income was relatively low, and his own cultivation and studies also required magic stones; what he earned was barely enough to cover his own expenses.

He truly didn't have much confidence to support Grimm, so Bigg felt quite sorry for Grimm... "Oakes, Ally, Bigg, thank you all!"

"Listen to advice, eat your fill!"

"I'll choose the full-tier."

"I've been saving money all this time and haven't spent much."

"I can afford the early study fees; as for later, we'll take it one step at a time. Maybe I even have some talent in Apothecary Material Processing."

"However, if I truly need to borrow magic stones then, I will ask."

"You all should also act within your means..."

"Without affecting your own cultivation and studies, lend as much as you can."

"One hundred magic stones is kindness, and one magic stone is also kindness."

"No matter how much, I will remember your kindness, and you will always be my good friends, my good brothers..."

"I don't want to delay your futures because of this; otherwise, these magic stones would feel hot in my hands. I absolutely would not agree." Grimm sincerely advised... "Oakes..."

"I and Bigg's situations are clear, what about you...?"

"How's your progress now? Are you still planning to mess around in the club for the new five years? Won't it affect your studies?" Grimm asked with concern.

"My situation is just so-so, not as abnormal as Ally's."

"I'm progressing steadily and haven't encountered any major problems."

"As for the club, I'm definitely going to continue. Remember to vote for me in next year's election; I still want to be the president," Oakes said with a chuckle.

"I do have worries..."

"It's just that my girlfriend always quarrels with me. I'm racking my brains trying to figure out how to make her happy," Oakes said somewhat smugly.

"Tsk—"

... "Ally, what about you...?"

"Oh, I haven't even thanked you yet. I got busy and forgot."

"Your study plan has helped me a lot. I was just thinking of thanking you."

"Anything you need help with, just say the word."

"Although I don't have money, I can still exert some effort," Grimm said brazenly.

"I..."

Ally lowered her head and pondered for a moment,

"I don't seem to need your help with anything; I can handle everything."

"It's just, Grimm, would you mind making your singing a little softer when you shower in the future?"

"Especially in the middle of the night..." Ally said with some hesitation and embarrassment... "Haha..."

"Ah hahaha ah..."

Laughter like ghosts wailing and wolves howling suddenly erupted.

Oakes was still laughing, slapping his thigh, and stomping his feet.

He was almost out of breath from laughing.

"Haha, ugh..."

Grimm's face instantly flushed red.

"Uh... that... I..."

Grimm stammered, trying to say something, but it was all drowned in the roaring tide of laughter.

Led by their wild laughter, Ally also couldn't help but reveal her white teeth and let out a shallow chuckle—

Perhaps thinking that laughing like that was not elegant, she raised her slender jade-like hand, like a white jade lotus root, lightly covered her red lips, and laughed softly... "I'm tired..."

"Let it all be destroyed..."

"Aish Bal..."

Grimm gave up struggling, lying quietly on the sofa, his eyes, like those of a dead fish, devoid of any color... Finally... Oakes and the others had laughed enough and quickly comforted Grimm:

"Grimm, I'm not laughing at you."

"Really, I just thought of something happy."

"Yes, Grimm, I also remembered something happy."

"Oh, can I hear what happy thing it is, so I can also have a laugh?"

Grimm said expressionlessly,

"Uh... I just remembered that my girlfriend's birthday is coming up."

Oakes, in a flash of inspiration, said,

"Right, my girlfriend's birthday is also coming up."

Bigg also chimed in.

Poor Bigg was completely led astray by Oakes.

Who among them didn't know that, apart from Oakes, the playboy, everyone present was a member of the single nobility? The kind who had been single since birth, where would he find a girlfriend...

Again, there was speechless silence... This time, it was Bigg whose face turned crimson.

Grimm broke the silence and said, "Ally, I'm sorry."

"I've caused you trouble."

"It's all this house's fault; the soundproofing is terrible!"

"I'll pay attention in the future."

"It's okay, I don't hear it often either."

"By the way, with your talent for food affecting one's spirit, does the effect get stronger the more you eat?"

Ally quickly cooperated and changed the subject...