Chapter 141: Rising Rankings

Chapter 141: Rising Rankings

"Master, a visitor has arrived", Ai Lan's voice interrupted his meditation.

Luo En furrowed his brow slightly. He hadn't scheduled any meetings today: "Who is it?"

"A girl in a blue gown claiming to be Madame Ellen's new assistant."

Ai Lan's reply carried a subtle note of caution.

Luo En felt surprised, recalling the two new apprentices he’d encountered at the Herbal Medicine Shop. He adjusted his robes and strode toward the main hall: "Show her in."

As he entered the hall, a delicate fragrance greeted him.

A girl in a pale-blue dress stood by the window, sunlight pouring through the panes to outline her graceful silhouette.

Hearing his footsteps, she turned, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face.

It was Liliya, but unlike the modest girl from yesterday at the Herbal Medicine Shop. Today, radiant and almost surreal in her beauty, she looked like a vision.

"Lalfsir, I hope I'm not intruding", Liliya bowed slightly, her voice soft and melodious. "I'm Liliya, Madame Ellen's new assistant. It was an honor to meet you yesterday."

Luo En nodded, his expression neutral: "I remember you. What brings you here today?"

Liliya lowered her gaze, displaying the perfect balance of shyness and humility: "I... I wish to request an apprenticeship in your Workshop to learn more about alchemy."

She cautiously lifted her eyes to gauge his reaction: "Madame Ellen often speaks of your achievements, calling you the most talented student she's ever taught. I believe your guidance would be invaluable to me."

Luo En raised a brow but didn't respond immediately.

He sensed an ulterior motive behind this sudden request. Living in the Black Mist Jungle had conditioned him to approach unexpected encounters with wariness.

"You're already learning under Madame Ellen", he said evenly. "Why come here?"

Liliya seemed prepared for this question. Sighing softly, she let concern flicker across her face: "The resources at Madame Ellen's... are limited. Feina and I only handle foundational tasks. I've heard you have your own Workshop conducting advanced research..."

She hesitated before adding: "Also, I... have personal reasons to leave that environment temporarily."

Luo En studied her, activating his "Transcendent Perception."

Her innate talents matched what he'd observed yesterday. What intrigued him was the faint energy fluctuation surrounding her—a clear sign of a seductive potion's influence, albeit weak.

So, her intentions aren't pure after all...

He kept his realization hidden and asked: "Do you have any special skills? My Workshop already has someone managing daily affairs. I don't need an ordinary assistant."

Liliya's eyes flickered with momentary panic before she steadied herself: "I have experience in potion material processing and basic formulas. I may not be skilled, but I learn quickly."

After a pause, she added: "I'm also proficient in housekeeping and cooking. Before coming to Black Mist Jungle, I studied etiquette and stewardship in noble households."

Luo En nodded thoughtfully.

Liliya's "Special Innate Talent" was indeed rare. If nurtured properly, her potential could be limitless. More importantly, he currently needed an apprentice to attract "Boon" energy.

He'd tried teaching Ai Lan some occult and alchemical knowledge before, but the tree spirit hadn't generated even a trace of Boon for him. Perhaps this Boon mechanism only activated within the mage hierarchy.

"I'll allow you to assist in the Workshop temporarily", Luo En decided, "but there are rules you must follow."

Joy lit up Liliya's face as she eagerly nodded: "Of course, Lalfsir. Please instruct me."

"First, you're forbidden from entering the experimental area without permission. Second, anything you see or hear here must remain confidential. Lastly..."

Luo En's tone turned serious: "I expect you to tell me the real reason you're here."

Liliya's expression froze briefly before she lowered her gaze: "I'm... hiding from someone."

Her voice dropped, tinged with fear: "An Intermediate Apprentice named Og Kaiyin Si has been pursuing me. He already has three female slaves, all of whom met tragic ends. I don't want to be next."

Luo En listened impassively: "So you chose me as your protector?"

Liliya nodded, tears genuine in her eyes: "I know this is presumptuous, but your power and status will deter him. I promise to work diligently and never cause you trouble."

After a pause, Luo En spoke: "I'll offer protection, but only if you commit sincerely to learning and working—no hidden agendas."

Relief washed over Liliya as she nodded fervently: "Of course! I'll give it my absolute best!"

"Ai Lan." Luo En turned to the tree spirit beside him. "Show Liliya to the small room in the back and explain the Workshop's basic rules."

Ai Lan nodded, her vines swaying slightly: "As you command, Master."

The tree spirit seemed unusually subdued, her response slower than usual.

After they left, Luo En stood by the window, contemplating this unexpected development.

"Whatever. If she tries to peek at my research, I'll just bury her in the yard as fertilizer. From Madame Ellen's words yesterday, she's given me full authority."

Shaking his head, he returned to his laboratory.

...

At the same time, in a secret meeting room within the Academy's central tower, Soreng Griffiths and Youni Serafen were in conversation.

"So, you've also noticed that boy Luo En?"

Youni twirled a crystal between her fingers, eyes glinting with amusement.

Soren nodded, tapping his fingers on the table: "His innate talent is exceptional, and his progress rate is astounding. I've never seen anyone master so many skills in such a short time."

"It's not just his speed", Youni added. "What's most surprising is his extraordinary abilities across multiple fields. Whether it's Spiritual Energy Control, Elemental Affinity, or alchemy, he handles them like a seasoned expert."

"From my observations", Soren narrowed his eyes, "he's even activated some bloodline ability."

Youni set the crystal down: "Does this remind you of anyone?"

Soren nodded slowly: "Kelinna's student, Cui Xi. While her versatility doesn't match Luo En's, her growth speed is similarly remarkable."

They exchanged knowing glances.

"Do you think he might possess other Special Innate Talents?" Soren asked.

Youni pondered: "While 'Medicinal Body Resonance' is rare, it can't fully explain his rapid advancement across all fields. Unless..."

"Unless he's hiding an even stronger innate talent or using unconventional methods", Soren finished.

They fell silent, each pondering the implications.

Finally, Soren broke the silence: "Regardless, his potential deserves recognition. We should adjust his ranking in the Backup Mage Sequence."

Youni agreed: "Currently nineteenth. I suggest raising him at least two places, into the top seventeen."

"Why stop there?" Soren proposed. "During the Backup Mage Sequence meeting in half a month, we can formally recommend this."

Youni hesitated slightly: "The top fifteen is a critical threshold. Are you certain he's reached that level?"

Soren smiled: "Don't forget—we've both received substantial 'Boon' from him. Isn't it a waste to delay cultivating such talent?"

After a moment's thought, Youni nodded: "Very well, I'll support you. But..." Her eyes sharpened slightly. "Kelinna seems interested in him too. This might spark some... competition."

Soren's smile remained unruffled: "Competition is natural, but true talent always rises. I believe Luo En Lalf's future will be far more brilliant than we imagine."

...

That evening, the Workshop blazed with light.

The familiar large-beaked parrot flew in through the open window, delivering a letter to Luo En.

He smiled faintly as expected, observing the document showing his rank promotion.

After feeding the messenger bird its usual honey treat and receiving a grateful squawk in return, he turned back to his work.

Meanwhile, in a small back room, Liliya sat on her bed, gently touching her newly arranged simple quarters. While the conditions were only slightly better than her candidate apprentice dormitory room, at least this place was safe and clean.

Most importantly, it was far from Og Kaiyinsi's threats.

She changed out of the carefully prepared luxurious gown, donning the plain work clothes Ai Lan had provided.

Looking at her reflection—once again the modest girl—she sighed softly.

Ai Lan had already explained the rules, the strictest being no unauthorized entry into experimental areas, especially the rooms upstairs.

"I'll need time to fully integrate here", she murmured to herself, determination flickering in her eyes. "But that's fine. I have patience."

From her luggage, she retrieved a small vial of self-made calming potion, swirling it gently.

This brew helped her sleep peacefully in unfamiliar environments.

"Tomorrow begins my new life", she whispered, sipping the potion before lying down.

For someone like her, surviving the day safely was already a great fortune.

...

The next morning, a wisp of sunlight streamed through the small window, illuminating the wooden floor. Liliya had already woken, sitting by the window brushing her long hair.

This was her third day at Luo En's Workshop, each day bringing a new understanding of her worth and purpose.

She'd already informed Madame Ellen of her departure, though the old woman didn't seem surprised—merely reminding her to study diligently under Luo En. Feina, however, had shown some reluctance.

Yesterday, Ai Lan assigned her the task of organizing medicinal herb inventories, the complex names and attributes of which had given her quite a headache.

"I'll do better today", she told her reflection, determination rare in her eyes.

When she first arrived, she'd harbored hopes of using her beauty to gain favor with a powerful figure. But recent days had changed her perspective.

Luo En treated her neither coldly nor intimately, maintaining an appropriate distance that surprised her.

In her past experiences, men always showed some form of desire toward her beauty.

Yet Luo En seemed indifferent, his passion entirely devoted to alchemy and the pursuit of arcane knowledge.

More importantly, she discovered his strength ran deeper than rumors suggested.

Yesterday evening, she'd glimpsed him practicing elemental manipulation in the backyard.

Golden-red halos danced around his fingers like miniature suns, radiating astonishing power.

This level of elemental mastery rivaled some High Apprentices who taught independently.

"I must seize this opportunity and study diligently..."

Taking a deep breath, Liliya straightened her clothes and prepared for the new day.

When she entered the main Workshop hall, she found Luo En already waiting, various potion materials and tools spread across the long table.

"Good morning, Lalfsir", she greeted respectfully.

"Good morning, Liliya", Luo En acknowledged. "Today I'll teach you some foundational potion knowledge to assess your learning ability."

Liliya's eyes lit up: "Really? Thank you so much!"

Luo En smiled faintly: "No need for excessive gratitude. Teaching talented students benefits the teacher as well."

For the next few hours, Luo En patiently explained the core principles of Basic Alchemy and demonstrated simple formulas.

Unlike Madame Ellen's strict, direct teaching style, Luo En emphasized guiding her thinking, often using questions and examples to help her grasp complex concepts.

"See how Moonwort and Silver Star Vine seem incompatible at first glance? But if you hybridize them in specific proportions and add an appropriate stabilizer, you create a unique synergistic effect."

As he explained, he demonstrated the proper material handling techniques.

Liliya observed intently, asking questions when needed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end