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Chapter 12: Artificial Star Dew
Chapter 12: Artificial Star Dew
"Hmm? With your refined standards, Madame, you've chosen a mere candidate apprentice as your assistant?"
Holt's curiosity flared as he studied Luo En, his gaze lingering appreciatively.
"Seems you've discovered another promising talent."
He withdrew a small vial from his robes.
"This is Artificial Star Dew—a welcome gift for newcomers. While its effects pale beside genuine celestial dew, it still aids in cultivating spiritual energy."
As Luo En moved to thank him, Madame Ellen intercepted the vial.
"I'll accept this gift on his behalf. But the boy still needs time. Using such potent elixirs now would be premature."
Holt merely smiled, tucking his purchases into a specialized narrow-mouthed satchel before departing. His navy cloak vanished through the doorway, leaving no trace of his presence.
Only after the residual mana fluctuations dissipated did Madame Ellen turn to Luo En.
"You're fortunate Holt is such a high-caliber Archmage nearing ascension. His gifts are never ordinary." She secured the vial in her robes.
"This Artificial Star Dew was refined from fallen star essence. While inferior to naturally condensed dew, it's unparalleled among apprentice-grade potions." She shot him a sharp glance. "I'll safeguard it until you pass your apprentice trials. At your current level, wielding such power would invite danger."
Luo En nodded, understanding the adage: "The unguarded treasure invites ruin."
"Tell me", Madame Ellen pressed, "how did you activate the Star Grass's properties earlier?"
"After sensing its energy patterns resembled my meditation rhythms", he explained, "I attuned my handling to match that frequency."
"Ah, so you possess innate sensitivity to spiritual energy", she mused, her wrinkled face twitching with rare amusement. "No wonder Holt took interest." She gestured toward the Moonwort pile. "Now organize these by harvest dates."
As he worked, Luo En mentioned the dark-cloaked figure leaving the Dormitory Area.
"Ah, that's our courier between the Commoner Realm and academy", Madame Ellen replied. "Reportedly connected to your royal family."
Later that night, Falu Ke Kingdom's Lord Lalf stood by his fireplace, its shadows stretching his silhouette.
"Ten Mana Shard Fragments this month", he instructed his steward, handing over a sealed leather pouch. "Same as always—deliver them to Hawkins at Black Mist Jungle."
The steward weighed the pouch. "You've mortgaged the eastern vineyards?"
Lord Lalf's jaw tightened. Last year's plague had devastated harvests, and maintaining his other children's lifestyles had drained resources. Yet ensuring Luo En's survival in Black Mist Jungle required these monthly shipments, no matter the cost.
"I neglected the boy initially", he murmured, gazing at withered wheat fields. "Now I must compensate as best I can."
Hawkins accepted the pouch days later, his eyes briefly gleaming with avarice before concealing it.
Back at the herbal shop, Madame Ellen handed Luo En a cloth bundle.
"Your bonus—ordinary energizing herbs. Report earlier tomorrow for potion-making lessons."
Stepping into morning sunlight, Luo En weighed the day's revelations—opportunity and scrutiny intertwined.
Andie waited at his dormitory door.
"Star Dew?!" he gasped when hearing of Holt. "You mean High Apprentice Holt? The genius who revolutionized Orbits of Stars research?"
He hesitated. "Just remember—visibility brings both opportunity and risk."
Luo En nodded. In this mage-dominated world, exceptionalism often courted peril.
"Ready for today's physique forging session?" Andie asked, changing topics.
Luo En displayed his herbs. "These should help."
As he prepared, he reviewed his gains—the rhythm sensitivity, Holt's insights, and Madame Ellen's cryptic warnings. Each revelation deepened his understanding of this world's arcane mechanics.
(End of Chapter)
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