Chapter 94: Intimate Ties, The Dead-End Path

Chapter 94: Intimate Ties, The Dead-End Path

"Musical instrument?" Luo En echoed with slight confusion. "Hmm... for this place, it certainly counts as an unusual gift."

A sly glimmer flickered through Cui Xi's eyes. "Didn't you mention your sound wave magic hitting a bottleneck during our last chat? Feeling stuck in a dead-end?"

Luo En recalled their conversation. He had indeed complained to Cui Xi about his slow progress researching soundwave vibrations, always sensing some missing breakthrough.

"Dawude once mentioned his family comes from a lineage of musicians."

Cui Xi continued, her gaze sparkling with liveliness.

"I thought perhaps approaching sound waves from a musical perspective might offer fresh inspiration. After all, music is essentially meticulously arranged vibration frequencies."

Luo En felt sudden clarity. As his fingers lightly plucked the harp string, listening to the crystalline resonance echoing through air, he realized this violin would fetch an exorbitant price if sold in the Commoner Realm.

A completely new concept flashed through his mind.

How typical of an insider to miss the obvious! He'd been so focused recently on increasing soundwave vibration power.

He'd completely overlooked how sound wave magic's essence lay not just in single-frequency vibrations, but in complex combinations and rhythms!

Reflecting further, Luo En was amazed to recall this world's music theory and musical instrument craftsmanship had reached astonishing maturity - nearly comparable to Earth's modern era.

Approximate equivalents of various Western musical instruments existed here, with relatively complete theoretical systems.

In fact, due to supernatural elements integrating with otherworldly cultures, certain fields had advanced even deeper than modern times.

"This is incredible!" He exclaimed, inspiration blazing in his eyes.

"I've been fixated on single-frequency vibrations all this time, ignoring the combinations and layering of sound waves! Through musical performance techniques, I could create far more complex and refined sonic wave attack patterns."

His mind raced as he already began conceptualizing new spell frameworks.

"Perhaps someday I won't even need instruments, just my own mana manipulating various musical effects to create those invisible, insidious death melodies... After all, enemies won't wait patiently while you play violin in battle."

Seeing inspiration ignite in Luo En's eyes, Cui Xi felt a quiet satisfaction.

She'd prepared this gift on a whim, never expecting it to bring such crucial inspiration.

"It seems my gift turned out perfect." She smiled softly. "I'm glad it could help your research."

Luo En set down the violin, speaking sincerely. "This might be the most valuable gift I've ever received. Thank you, Cui Xi."

Their eyes briefly met midair before both looked away.

"Speaking of", Luo En shifted topics. "I want to expand my potion sales routes. While I've obtained Potion Master status, successfully running a Workshop depends on steady clientele."

Cui Xi nodded understandingly. "You need me to introduce customers."

"Exactly, though I have special requirements."

His tone turned serious. "Besides potion brewing, I must continue meditation and spell cultivation. My energy is limited. I want to pursue quality over quantity - fewer clients, but higher standards."

After brief contemplation, the girl smiled.

"That's no difficulty. Many Mid-High Apprentices within my Sequence have substantial purchasing power and willingly pay premiums for premium potions. I can make introductions."

"Excellent." Luo En nodded gratefully. "I'll maintain potion quality standards and continue offering you friendship discounts."

After business concluded, they casually caught up on recent happenings, the atmosphere growing relaxed.

Eventually Cui Xi glanced around, slightly disdainful.

"Seriously, being a professional Potion Master already, why still live in this run-down dorm? It's always inconvenient visiting."

Luo En awkwardly scratched his head - he'd always been frugal by nature, even on Earth.

"Actually, I've already applied to the School for an Independent Workshop. The Messenger should deliver the Contract document shortly."

...

When Gwyneth reached the Apprentice Dormitory Area, her heart remained turbulent. She'd prepared apology words.

But as she stood before Luo En's door, ready to knock, the door suddenly opened.

A girl in light-colored long dress emerged, followed closely by an elegant, lithe Panther Girl.

Gwyneth instantly recognized her - Cui Xi, the current School sensation and favored disciple of Mentor Kelinna.

"Apprentice Cui Xi?" Gwyneth blurted in surprise.

The brown-haired girl turned, sharp eyes appraising. "Hmm? And you are?"

"I'm Gwyneth from East District Registry, though you might not know my name..." She awkwardly explained. "I've come to deliver the Workshop Contract to Apprentice Luo En."

"Oh, the Workshop Contract." Cui Xi smiled, stepping aside. "He's inside. Perfect timing to start moving out."

Gwyneth nodded, entering the room.

The scene inside surprised her - smaller than expected but impeccably organized.

Dozens of neatly arranged potions on the table emitted steady energy fluctuations, clearly recently completed premium products.

Luo En was organizing potion materials, looking up at the visitor. "Senior Gwyneth? What brings you here?"

Gwyneth felt shocked - this youth somehow knew her name despite their brief, unpleasant first meeting.

"Apprentice Luo En... No, Potion Master Luo En." She hastily corrected the honorific, voice tinged with obvious nervousness.

"I've come to deliver this Workshop Contract."

Carefully offering the document, her eyes flickered between Luo En and Cui Xi, mind reeling at this revelation.

Could this School's hottest young genius actually share such intimate ties with Luo En?!

"Additionally." Gwyneth inhaled deeply, her expression softening with apology.

"I want to apologize for my attitude several days ago. I underestimated your abilities and spoke disrespectfully..."

Luo En accepted the Contract, briefly scanning before smiling at Gwyneth.

"No worries. I understand - few Potion Masters exist at my age."

"That's no excuse." Gwyneth spoke sincerely, her gaze firming.

"As compensation, I've arranged basic furniture for your new Workshop. While ordinary materials without supernatural effects, they're practical large items that might help."

From her satchel, she produced meticulously drawn furniture blueprints and renovation plans, each marked with detailed dimensions and material specifications - clearly a labor of love.

Luo En looked at the blueprints, surprised. "This... this is too much, Senior Gwyneth. Won't this trouble you greatly?"

"Please, you must accept this", Gwyneth insisted, her eyes filled with sincere apology.

"I've already arranged with the merchants - it'll arrive at your new Workshop tomorrow morning. Consider it a small token from the School welcoming our newest Potion Master."

Recognizing her genuine sincerity, Luo En could only nod gratefully. "Then I won't be modest. Thank you sincerely, Senior Gwyneth."

Cui Xi observed this exchange with an understanding smile playing at her lips.

Having completed her mission, Gwyneth tactfully took her leave.

As she departed, a thought surfaced in her mind: "Geniuses truly orbit within their own exclusive circles..."

Closing the door halfway, Luo En turned to Cui Xi. "Looks like I'll be moving into my new Workshop tomorrow."

"Eastern District? That's prime real estate", the brown-haired girl raised an eyebrow. "Master Magnus must value you greatly."

Luo En shrugged. "Probably because of Madame Ellen. She and Master Magnus seem to be old acquaintances."

"Moving tomorrow?" Cui Xi stood up, smoothing her long dress.

"Need help? I can have Li Yue assist - she's quite strong."

"No need", Luo En declined. "I don't have much stuff. Andie already agreed to help. Two people will suffice."

"Suit yourself", Cui Xi nodded, preparing to leave. "I have matters to attend to. I'll visit your new Workshop another day."

After seeing Cui Xi off, Luo En stood at the doorway, gazing at the Workshop Contract in his hand, his heart churning with complex emotions.

Just months ago, he'd been a candidate apprentice constantly facing death threats, ignored and struggling to survive.

Now he held the prestigious title of Potion Master, about to occupy his own Independent Workshop, with an expanding network of connections.

"This world's rules are so simple yet cruel - as long as you demonstrate sufficient value, people will flock to you even if you sit still."

He glanced at his Potion Master Badge, then at the musical instrument and Workshop Contract on the table.

"Indeed, as our ancestors said - 'Even in remote mountains, distant relatives will find you.' Truly a universal truth."

...

Dawn's first light filtered through the thick mist weaving between the branches of Black Mist Jungle, shrouding the entire Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area in a hazy veil.

Andie strode along the moss-scented stone path toward Luo En's dormitory.

Today marked the day he'd help his friend move, yet his mood felt unexpectedly complicated.

Once, as the Thirteenth Prince of Falu Kekingdom, he'd lived in the palace with no inheritance rights, constantly swallowing his pride before his siblings.

Coming to Black Mist Jungle had initially worsened his situation.

But three months ago, everything changed.

"Laughable... in the end, I still depend on someone I once scorned..."

He muttered to himself, fingers absently tracing the gray-and-white servant insignia at his chest.

This was his Servant Proof, recently arranged by Luo En to register him under his name.

Only with this could Andie remain as a School affiliate.

Servant... though Luo En treated him as an equal friend, touching this mark always left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Lost in thought, hurried footsteps suddenly snapped him alert.

Looking up, he saw three disheveled figures stumbling toward him, their faces etched with terror and desperation.

"Prince Andie! Your Highness!"

The shrill, trembling voice made Andie frown. It was Byron Laiman - once the eldest son of a border Earl in his father's court, now fellow resident of Black Mist Jungle.

Beside him were Helena and Tony, both scions of minor nobility from the kingdom.

Months ago, they'd strutted confidently, boasting about their grand plans in Black Mist Jungle.

Now they were ragged, gaunt, and hollow-eyed from sleepless days.

"Your Highness, please have mercy..." Helena rushed forward, collapsing to her knees, her tearful voice breaking with despair.

"We know you're close to the new Potion Master! Please recommend us!"

Andie remained silent, instinctively stepping back to avoid her grasping hands.

"Please, Your Highness!" Byron also dropped to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Today's the final day of evaluation! The Enforcement Team has started clearing the dorms! Either we get chosen by a High Apprentice, or we're expelled from Black Mist Jungle! You know what awaits outside!"

What awaited outside? A bitter pang struck the blond boy's heart - he knew too well.

Though he'd recently ventured to the Black Market with Luo En, they'd only dared explore the School's safe zones.

Even at the relatively stable Sunset Tavern, they'd walked on eggshells.

Beyond lay wilderness teeming with exotic races hostile to humans, and terrifying magical beasts capable of slaughtering entire knight battalions.

Ordinary people without transcendent powers wouldn't survive three days in such conditions, let alone trek months back to human territories without transportation.

"Please, Your Highness!" Tony joined the desperate pleas, his voice trembling with despair.

"We won't ask for anything! We'll do anything - even the lowest servant's work!"

Helena nearly lunged for Andie's legs, her tear-reddened eyes pleading.

"We know Lord Luo En prefers solitude, but if you'd just recommend us..."

"Listen, while I do have decent relations with Luo En..."

Andie quickly corrected, trying to distance himself from their expectations. "I still have no authority to decide for him..."

"The Enforcement Team is here!" Tony suddenly screamed, pointing toward the distance.

Following his finger, Andie saw a squad of gray-uniformed apprentices systematically checking doors in the Dormitory Area.

"Look at these weaklings - as pathetic as always", one Enforcement Team member sneered contemptuously.

They drove out the panicked candidate apprentices, herding them toward the central courtyard.

Some struggled in vain resistance, only to be ruthlessly struck down.

Most simply hung their heads, shuffling like zombies, their faces etched with resignation.

"Please, Your Highness..." Helena's voice cracked from crying.

"Recommend us to the Potion Master! Even the lowest menial labor beats being cast out there!"

Watching their pitiful pleas, Andie felt a complex mix of emotions.

Beyond the pure pity for their shared plight, there was deeper helplessness toward this brutal system.

As he wrestled with his thoughts, a familiar voice called from behind. "Prince Andie, what's happening?"

Spinning around, he saw Nuo Li Si standing there.

The Enforcement Team's squad leader had a slightly sinister expression, but his eyes remained sharply alert.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end