37: "Giveaway man"? Someone exploded

"Just say what's on your mind..."

"Don't be reserved in front of me."

"I've always cherished talented individuals. Don't hesitate to tell me if you have any difficulties..."

Liam said with a grand gesture, as if there was nothing he couldn't accomplish.

Green inwardly scoffed:

I want your head on a platter, will you give it to me?

What's with the big show... But Green also learned through the probing that Liam was putting on an act. He had offered to help solve difficulties twice.

At this point, Green had to play along to let him keep up the pretense.

But he couldn't make any unrealistic demands. Mr. Liam wasn't running a charity.

After months of interaction and gathering information, Green knew that Mr. Liam was a person who prioritized self-interest above all else.

His favorite thing to do was to give his subordinates some small, inexpensive favors and then make grand promises.

At this moment, Green could only make a small, not-too-excessive request... "Mr. Liam..."

"I'm still exploring my own style and technique for refining magic potions."

"But I don't have any master Apothecary's refining notes to reference. May I... may I borrow your notes to look at?"

Green asked nervously, his face filled with a mix of eagerness and the fear of not getting what he wanted.

"Haha..."

"What's so difficult about that..."

"Later, come to my laboratory. I'll lend them to you for a month, and you're also allowed to copy them down."

Mr. Liam was very pleased, and the joyful expression on his face no longer seemed so fake.

This kid Green is good at flattery. No wonder he managed to latch onto Oakes and Allie, those two big shots... So that's it.

Ever since Green showed his talent in the second monthly exam,

Liam had looked into Green's background.

He learned that Green had a very close relationship with two classmates:

One was Oakes, from one of the four great wizard families of the academy, with a wealthy background.

The other was Allie, exceptionally talented, and had been taken as a disciple by Mentor Serena early on.

Green's opportunity to attend Mentor Jordan's special training camp was thanks to Mentor Serena's connections.

As a nobody with ordinary Pharmacology talent, how could Green possibly have the chance to climb such a high branch as Mentor Serena?

He must have been freeloading off Allie.

He had been a bit puzzled as to how Green had latched onto these two big shots, but now, seeing Green's smooth-talking mouth, he understood.

Green's progress during this time was probably also due to the help of his benefactors.

Green, a sycophant, with limited talent, unlikely to achieve anything significant.

Liam mentally labeled Green... "Alright."

"Mr. Liam, I am truly grateful to you."

"I believe that with your... insightful, exquisite, profound yet accessible, and truly brilliant magic potion notes, the possibility of me bringing honor to our team will certainly become very high."

"We will definitely take first place in this year's assessment."

"With such a wise and mighty, ambitious and talented, knowledgeable, upright, impartial, considerate, benevolent, and discerning leader as yourself, I have absolute confidence in achieving first place."

Green seized the opportunity, immediately pulling out all the stops, unleashing his flattery prowess. A string of deafening compliments poured from Green's mouth...

"Hmm... not bad..."

Mr. Liam's smile widened, and the expression on his face grew more and more appreciative... Clearly, he enjoyed Green's flattery very much.

He kept nodding in agreement...

At the same time, his eyes conveyed a message: if you're so good at talking, say more... I have high hopes for you...

What could Green do?

He had no choice but to comply...

For the next half an hour, Green truly put in his utmost effort.

He used every eloquent word he could think of from both his past and present lives, every word that could praise someone.

He fawned over Liam for a full half hour, making Mr. Liam smile continuously, beaming with satisfaction and joy...

It wasn't until other mentors needed Liam for something that he reluctantly ended the visit...

After Mr. Liam left,

"Sycophant..."

Lilith said sourly from the side.

"Hmph..."

"I think someone just can't stand other people's good fortune..."

"How can my admiration for Mr. Liam be called flattery?"

"Your intentions are malicious, Lilith..."

"Are you dissatisfied with Mr. Liam, or are you unhappy that I stole your thunder?"

Green retorted unceremoniously. He was also quite annoyed with Lilith.

Lilith herself was a flatterer; what right did she have to criticize Green?

The pot calling the kettle black, she doesn't even understand that...

"Hmph..."

"Don't try to smear my name."

"I also greatly admire Mr. Liam."

"Didn't you see me often helping out in his laboratory?"

"What thunder do you have to steal?"

"A freeloading man, and one who swings both ways, truly shameless..."

Clearly, Lilith was very jealous of Green, jealous of his good luck, and jealous that he had latched onto two big shots.

Initially, Lilith hadn't cared. Green's talent was so poor that he posed no threat to her.

However,

Having been defeated by Green twice in a row, Lilith's mind was unbalanced.

Once was during the interview at Old Moore Botanical Garden, where Green outperformed Lilith.

Lilith attributed this to Green's flattery skills being superior to hers...

The other time was the Apothecary apprentice monthly exam. Green had now continuously suppressed Lilith for three months.

For these three months, Lilith had tried every method but couldn't catch up to Green.

This made self-deception impossible.

Thus, Lilith's mindset exploded... "Tsk tsk tsk..."

Green immediately understood why Lilith always disliked him.

But understanding was one thing; Green would not allow her to slander his and his two friends' reputations.

"Your thoughts are truly filthy..."

"Oakes, Allie, and I are true friends who genuinely care for each other."

"We've been together for ten years. I met them both when we first entered the academy."

"Over these ten years, we gradually became good friends because we shared common interests and got along well."

"We help and support each other, encourage each other, and are fellow travelers on the wizard's path."

"Besides..."

"Do you think, with Oakes' wealth, and Allie's beauty and talent, that no one in the academy would try to flatter them?"

"Then why am I the only one who is their good friend?"

... Green smiled, and finally said:

"Those with different principles cannot work together."

"Your thoughts are too dirty. No wonder you don't have many friends..."

"Perhaps people like you cannot understand what true sincerity is, or what a friend is."

"Although I pity you greatly, I will never allow you to slander me and my friends."

"If it happens again, I will report it directly to the academy and accuse you of defamation and damaging others' reputations."

"You'd better watch out..."