Chapter 320: Friends
Chapter 320: Friends
In the following days, Linen continued to keep a low profile, intending to advance his cultivation to the Advanced Wizard Apprentice stage within half a year.
By then, he would be eligible to apply for a retest at the academy.
As long as he passed the retest, he could still re-enter the Viper Academy.
Speaking of which...
The retest was a one-time opportunity offered by the academy to all apprentices who failed their exams.
Moreover, the age limit for the retest was twenty years old.
In other words, as long as one became an Advanced Wizard Apprentice before the age of twenty, they could become a formal apprentice of the academy.
Of course, there were exceptions; if one had exceptional talent or other abilities, the restrictions could be relaxed.
Despite this...
The number of apprentices who passed the retest was still extremely low, and the pass rate was even lower than that of the academy's exams.
After all, apprentices could qualify as Intermediate Wizard Apprentices in the academy's exams, but the retest required one to be an Advanced Wizard Apprentice.
At sixteen, if one couldn't become an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, the chances of becoming an Advanced Wizard Apprentice by twenty were slim.
"Knock, knock..."
A knock on the door sounded.
Linen went to open it and saw Susan standing there, looking nervous.
"Susan!"
He greeted her enthusiastically:
"Come in quickly. You've been coming back late these past few days and leaving early in the morning. I didn't want to disturb you."
"I should also repay the magic stone I owe you," Susan said.
Linen had gone to the market again, selling a batch of Tranquil Potions. However, to avoid drawing attention from those with ulterior motives, he had disguised himself and found a new buyer. He now had enough magic stones to repay his debt.
"No, no need to rush," Susan waved her hands repeatedly, refusing to take the magic stone Linen offered:
"I don't lack magic stones right now. You keep it for now."
She lowered her head, clutching the corner of her skirt, and asked softly:
"Some fellow apprentices from our batch have invited us to a gathering. I don't know... will you come?"
It was evident that Susan had put on makeup and chosen a clean outfit, and she was also looking forward to attending the gathering with Linen.
"A gathering?" Linen frowned and shook his head:
"I won't be going."
"What?" Susan was taken aback:
"Why?"
In the past, Linen would usually attend such gatherings.
Firstly, gatherings among fellow apprentices often involved sharing cultivation experiences, and secondly, most young people enjoyed the excitement. Moreover, Linen's outstanding appearance always made him the center of attention at gatherings, and he couldn't help but feel a bit vain.
"After carefully considering my years at the academy, I realized that my slow cultivation progress was due to spending too much time on things other than cultivation," Linen said.
"If I had used the time spent on gatherings for studying, perhaps I could have passed the assessment."
Susan opened her mouth slightly.
In truth, she didn't have much faith in Linen. Despite the help of many senior female apprentices, he still couldn't become an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice.
His talent was far inferior to hers.
However, she couldn't say this in front of others, so she could only smile awkwardly and nod:
"You do have a point."
"Oh, right."
Linen turned and brought over two bottles of potion, handing them to Susan:
"These are the Tranquil Potions I refined. Even Mandy said they're good. I'll keep the magic stone I borrowed from you for now, and these two bottles of potions will be the interest."
"No, no!" Susan waved her hands repeatedly:
"This is too valuable."
How could a few days' loan of a magic stone warrant such high interest?
"Take it!"
Linen placed it firmly in her hand, leaving no room for refusal:
"You weren't so polite when you borrowed my magic stone, and that stone was a lifesaver for me. These potions are nothing in comparison."
"Well..."
"In the future, you can buy potions directly from me. As a fellow apprentice and neighbor, I'll give you a 20% discount!"
He sold them to the potion shop for one magic stone each, but others wouldn't get the same price.
"20% off?" Susan's face turned red as she tightly held the potions in her hand, her heart racing:
"Selling them to me at the original price is good enough."
"Speaking of which, I've developed a method for consuming tranquil potions while concocting them." Lin En waved his hand and continued, "When taking the potion, it's best to do so during the early morning hours after waking up. Take small sips slowly..."
"When refining the potion, don't be too hasty with your meditation technique. In the initial stages, it's best to let the meditation technique run its course. Once you've adjusted to the potion, you can take the initiative, and the effect of the potion will be somewhat enhanced."
Initially, Susan was merely listening casually, but upon realizing the significance of the information, her eyes widened, not wanting to miss a single detail.
This was...
A secret technique!
A potion consumption secret technique!
It was a method that required the use of magic stones to obtain from a formal wizard, although it was only applicable to tranquil potions.
With a discounted potion and a potion consumption secret technique, she had a chance to become an intermediate or even an advanced wizard apprentice.
The thoughts that had sunk after failing the assessment gradually resurfaced, and Susan felt her heart pounding as if it had reached her throat.
"Lin En."
"This... this method..."
"It's fine." Lin En waved his hand, "I'm not sure if it will work or not. You can try it when you get back, just consider it an experiment."
A few days later.
Someone knocked on the door again.
Lin En, who was swinging his knight sword, paused and his ears twitched. Unconsciously, his eyebrows furrowed.
After a moment, he went to open the door.
"Daner."
"Lin En." The robust Daner smiled, "What's been going on lately? You haven't been leaving your room, and I heard you didn't even attend the classmate gathering."
"Well..." Lin En pursed his lips, "You know, I encountered a dark wizard not long ago and almost died outside. I don't want to experience that again."
"That was an accident." Daner frowned, "I know you've always wanted to return to the academy. The teachers there said that a wizard's cultivation requires interaction. Constantly meditating in seclusion won't be effective and might even harm yourself."
"Yes." Lin En nodded, "But recently, I really don't want to go out."
"Don't do that!" Daner spoke up, "If you won't attend the classmate gathering, can't you at least come to a small gathering with a few familiar friends?"
"Susan, Aesia, Logan..."
"This..." Hearing these familiar names, Lin En hesitated, then asked, "Where will we gather?"
"At Logan's house." Daner smiled, "Logan is from this town. His parents found him a job at a magic item shop. We're going to celebrate for him."
"Forget it." After a moment of contemplation, Lin En still shook his head, "Logan's house is right next to the slums. It's too dangerous; I won't go."
As he spoke, he was about to close the door.
"Oh!"
Daner reached out to stop him, saying urgently, "Why are you like this? We're all your closest friends from the academy. I know you were scared, but you can't just hide in your room forever, can you?"
"Bang!"
The door closed tightly.
From inside, Lin En's muffled voice could be heard.
"I won't go out; it's too dangerous outside."
"You..." Daner stomped his foot in anger and turned to leave, "Forget it!"
"Go if you want to!"
In the room.
Lin En peered through the door crack, watching Daner's back as he walked away. His face showed deep thought, and then he reached for the knight sword beside him.
"Crack..."
He twisted his neck, and his height suddenly shrunk. His facial features also became ordinary.
In the blink of an eye, it was as if he had transformed into a different person.
"Is it you?"
Lin En stroked his chin and dashed out of the room.
(End of Chapter)
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