33: Counterfeit sales controversy

After the small gathering, Green still had three days of vacation.

But Green didn't drag them along for activities and fun anymore.

Everyone is a dreamer with their own life goals and pursuits, and they are all quite busy.

So maintaining an appropriate distance is very necessary... Occasionally, they can meet up to chat, share their joys and troubles, enjoy the relaxation and pleasure of being with friends, and do something they all like together (such as Oakes showing off, Green's gourmet food...).

That's enough.

This is also Green's philosophy of making friends: a gentleman's friendship is as bland as water... Happy times are always short, and most of life is spent in ordinary days.

Green spent three days living like a pig, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating... He remembered the last time he lay on the bed so relaxed and stress-free was during his childhood in his old hometown.

Thinking of this, Green felt a inexplicable sadness, he wasn't sure if it was for himself or for something else... Having fully recovered his energy, Green plunged back into his intense studies and work.

Old Sam's Lab.

One of the eighteen Pharmacology laboratories in Plant Heart Wizard Academy, ranked as a Grade C Laboratory.

Green was reporting back from his leave to his supervisor, Mr. Liam.

Mr. Liam is one of the three supervisors in the lab, a senior Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, certified by the academy as a three-star Wizard Apprentice.

The head of the lab, the big boss of everyone—Old Sam usually doesn't bother with the big or small matters within the lab; he only focuses on resource allocation and potion refining... "Hello, Mr. Liam, I'm here to report back from my leave."

Green stood before Mr. Liam, who was reclining in a grand armchair, sipping tea.

"Hoo..."

Mr. Liam, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, slowly blew on the hot steam of the clear tea in his cup, seemingly not hearing Green's words.

There was no response for a long time... "Hello, Mr. Liam, I'm here to report back from my leave." Green worried that Mr. Liam might be concentrating on something and hadn't heard him, so he moved closer and raised his voice.

At this, Mr. Liam finally looked up at Green, and Green seemed to catch a cold glint flash in his eyes.

"Ah, Green, when did you take leave? Why don't I know about it?" Mr. Liam said indifferently.

"I asked Adler to help me request leave, a five-day leave."

"Because I had some issues with my Knight Breathing Technique cultivation, I needed five days to recuperate at home."

Green explained.

"Then, before you took leave, did you report to me in advance?"

Mr. Liam still had that indifferent expression; Green couldn't discern anything from his face, so he honestly replied:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Liam..."

"The situation was urgent at the time; I encountered an unexpected situation, which is why I asked student Adler to request leave for me."

"I'm truly sorry. Next time, if the situation isn't urgent and conditions permit, I will definitely inform you in advance when requesting leave."

..."Hmph, there's a next time?!"

Mr. Liam slammed his teacup heavily on the coffee table, stood up, and roared:

"Green, do you know what kind of behavior this is?"

"Do you even consider our Old Sam's Lab? Huh..."

"For Knight cultivation, and you say the situation was urgent?"

"What's so urgent about a Knight? If you're tired from training, just sleep it off, right?"

"Are you going to sleep for five days..."

"So weak, why are you even practicing Knight Breathing Technique? Drink two tubes of aphrodisiac potions instead."

"Also, not reporting in and skipping work arbitrarily, do you even respect me? Huh..."

"Is Knight cultivation more important in your eyes than learning to refine potions?"

"Then why are you reporting back from leave to me? Just go practice your Knight skills."

"I'll give you leave; you don't need to come back ever again..."

...Green was stunned by this barrage of roars... Usually, Mr. Liam was very approachable and liked to joke with his apprentices. Why was he so different today? Did he eat gunpowder?

Green's mind was still reeling, unsure of how he had offended him.

After all, Green had seen other old colleagues take leave for such minor matters, and there were never any major issues, nor had he seen such an overreaction.

Green's only thought was:

Mr. Liam was in a bad mood today, and Green had accidentally walked into the firing line, becoming Mr. Liam's punching bag.

With many years of experience being scolded, Green was very clear that at this moment, he needed to quickly admit his mistake.

Talking back was a dead end... Green didn't want to be kicked out of the Pharmacology lab; this was his only way to change his fate now.

If he were kicked out of Old Sam's Lab now, Green had only studied for a month, never had hands-on experience, and hadn't learned anything yet.

Other Pharmacology labs would certainly not take him in, and then Green would be in big trouble.

At that time, Green would only be able to rely on self-study... But not to mention the exorbitant prices of various experimental equipment he would need to purchase or rent for self-study, just the lack of guidance to get started would surely cause Green, with his current talent, a lot of hardship.

Although he felt extremely aggrieved and dissatisfied internally, Green still smiled and threw his pride on the ground for his boss to trample on.

He's a worker, it's not shameful... Green explained with a conciliatory smile:

"Mr. Liam, I have always deeply respected you."

"Your extensive knowledge and superior personal charm have always been my role model and goal for learning and progress."

"At the same time, I have always been proud to be able to intern and study at Old Sam's Lab."

"I also deeply love the infinitely glorious profession of an Apothecary."

"Being a Knight is just a hobby of mine; I only treat it as a part-time pursuit."

"This incident was truly sudden; this student had no choice but to do what he did."

"If Mr. Liam needs more evidence, I can, right now, bring Mentor Jordan over to testify for me."

"It was participating in Mentor Jordan's special training that led to my mental exhaustion, forcing me to take leave."

"Mr. Liam, you must believe me; my passion for Pharmacology is sincere and fervent."

...Hearing Mentor Jordan's name, Mr. Liam's eyes flickered, he reached up to adjust his glasses, and his expression subtly changed. He thought to himself:

"Mentor Jordan is not someone to offend; he's a ruthless person who has slain Advanced Wizard Apprentices."

"Mentor Serena, behind Mentor Jordan, is also not someone to offend; she's a big shot in the Grade A Laboratory and the vice president of the Wizard Apprentice Association."

"However..."

"I can't let this kid Green off lightly this time, otherwise, he'll get bolder in the future and be difficult to control."

"I need to teach him a harsh lesson, and at the same time, educate this kid properly."

...