Chapter 99: Can I Also Obtain a "Boon"?

Chapter 99: Can I Also Obtain a "Boon"?

Luo En stood before the entrance of Workshop 14 in the East District, holding a brand-new key.

Though this two-story building couldn’t rival the independent towers of High Apprentices, it was already an extravagant privilege for someone who had just ascended to the rank of Potion Master.

The brick-red exterior walls, iron-framed windows, and the small flowerbed by the entrance all spoke of the School’s reverence for Potion Masters.

Together, the two carried Luo En’s sparse personal belongings into the workshop. Most of the furniture had already been delivered in advance, arranged by Gwyneth’s instructions.

The interior of East District 14 was even more spacious than Luo En had imagined—the first floor housed a living room and potion brewing chamber, while the second floor contained a bedroom and a small Experimental Site.

"Amazing."

Luo En surveyed the surroundings with satisfaction, especially the bright and capacious potion brewing chamber, fully equipped with every refined tool and apparatus:

"It’s far better than I imagined."

After placing the last box of medicinal herbs, Andie wiped the sweat from their forehead and offered to take their leave.

As a royal family member, Andie technically received no special treatment, but they still enjoyed certain privileges—like never needing to worry about housing.

Besides, since Luo En hadn’t actively asked them to stay, it was better to leave politely.

Luo En nodded and bid Andie farewell, then eagerly entered the potion brewing chamber.

Just as he was preparing to stock up on more potions for future sales, a completely unfamiliar yet strangely familiar sensation suddenly surged from the depths of his heart.

This presence was indescribable—neither tangible nor illusory, like a wisp of spring water quietly flowing into his spiritual ocean.

Luo En couldn’t even determine whether it originated from the outside world or his own soul. It felt as though it existed in an entirely different dimension, coincidentally intersecting with reality.

This force possessed unparalleled purity, free of any impurities or negative effects, like the most primal and pristine form of mana in the universe.

Even a brief contact brought an unprecedented sense of spiritual purification, as if something had silently washed away a faint shadow lingering in his consciousness.

"This is…?" Luo En’s eyes widened in shock, nearly dropping the test tube in his hand. "A ‘Boon’?"

Madame Ellen had once mentioned that when a young practitioner achieved a breakthrough under a Mentor’s guidance, this pure mana generated from their growth would be returned to the Mentor in the form of a "Boon."

Yet now, Luo En clearly felt a faint "Boon" seeping into his spiritworld—extremely subtle, yet unmistakable.

It felt like discovering a dewdrop in the desert—insignificant in quantity, yet precious precisely because of its purity.

After a brief exploration, Luo En quickly traced the source of the Boon:

An image automatically surfaced in his mind—the scene from the mana circuit optimization class where Ai Like had asked him to share his meditation experience.

At that time, he had used the metaphor of "water eroding a riverbed" to clearly explain the principle of Circular Flow, triggering Resonance among his classmates.

Especially that bespectacled, frail apprentice—Luo En remembered the sudden gleam of realization in his eyes, and the slight nod of approval.

That was a heartfelt gratitude, born from finally understanding a long-standing confusion.

"I see…" Luo En finally grasped the truth, placing the test tube on a nearby shelf, his eyes shining with excitement:

"It’s not just about formal instruction—whenever I genuinely help others understand and grow, earning their heartfelt gratitude, I can receive the feedback of ‘Boon’."

This realization thrilled him.

He had originally thought "Boon" was an exclusive privilege of Mentors, obtainable only through long-term systematic teaching.

He never expected that simply sharing his experiences could yield this precious pure mana when others truly benefited.

Though the "Boon" he received today was extremely faint—barely a drop in the ocean—it proved the feasibility of this path.

This also explained why senior High Apprentices at the School often substituted for Mentors in classes, regularly holding small sharing sessions to pass on their experience to lower-level apprentices.

Luo En’s eyes flickered as he felt the faint, elusive "Boon" settling within his body.

This force seemed stored in a special dimension—neither mixing with his spiritual energy nor disrupting his mana flow, as if sealed in an independent space, ready to be summoned for purifying spirit pollution.

"It seems I must never miss an opportunity to showcase myself in the future."

Luo En silently resolved, realizing this was a win-win choice:

"By sharing knowledge, I not only deepen my own understanding of skills, gaining experience points for advancement, but also harvest this precious pure mana called ‘Boon’."

"Once the Workshop stabilizes, perhaps I should consider taking a few truly talented students. The next batch of candidate apprentices should arrive soon—I’ll look for promising prospects then."

A vague plan gradually formed in Luo En’s mind, imagining a scene where several focused young faces worked under his guidance at workbenches in a corner of the Workshop:

"Beginners in alchemy often require systematic guidance…"

Speaking of Boon, he thought of his mentor, Madame Ellen.

Since passing the Potion Master Certification, he hadn’t visited the Herbal Medicine Shop much.

………………

A few days ago, right after exiting the Potion Certification Examination venue, Luo En had planned to share the good news with his mentor.

The Herbal Medicine Shop was nearly empty in the evening breeze, the wind chimes at the entrance gently swaying, producing melodious, crisp sounds.

Pushing open the door, the familiar scent of medicinal herbs enveloped him, evoking an inexplicable sense of belonging.

Madame Ellen stood behind the counter, organizing the ledger with her knotted fingers, scratching the yellowed pages.

Hearing the bell, she didn’t look up: "What do you need?"

Her raspy voice remained as cold as ever.

"Madam, it’s me—Luo En."

He stepped forward, his voice brimming with joy: "I’ve passed the Potion Certification Examination!"

Madame Ellen finally raised her head, her emerald green eyes scrutinizing him as usual.

Luo En had expected surprise or approval, but instead met a near-indifferent calmness, as if he had merely reported the day’s weather.

"Hmph. As expected."

She briefly commented, then resumed her writing, the pen scratching the paper:

"What rating did that old fool Magnus give you?"

Luo En’s enthusiasm felt doused by a bucket of cold water, a flicker of disappointment rising in his chest.

He cleared his throat lightly, adjusting his tone. "An 'Outstanding' rating, madam. Personally signed by Master Magnus."

"Oh? 'Outstanding'?"

The old woman's voice remained calm, but her bony fingers paused slightly, leaving a small ink blot on the paper.

"That old stick-in-the-mud rarely gives high praise. Looks like you truly impressed him."

Luo En noticed this subtle reaction, his earlier disappointment easing slightly.

She closed the ledger, those deep-set eyes finally meeting his directly.

"You demonstrated rare innate talent and comprehension right from the start. Passing the certification was only natural. If you'd failed, I'd have questioned my own judgment."

Though not a direct compliment, her words carried more weight than flattery.

Luo En smiled faintly, instinctively moving toward the counter to organize scattered items as he'd done countless times before as her assistant.

Various vials, dried herbs, and small measuring tools littered the surface, his fingers already sorting them by habit.

"Stop." Madame Ellen's voice sharpened with command. "You're a professionpotion Master now, not my assistant. These chores no longer suit your station."

Luo En froze mid-motion, surprise flashing across his face.

Seeing his stunned expression, Madame Ellen's lips twitched with rare amusement. "I can't afford a professionpotion Master's wages, boy. Someone like you is worth at least a dozen Mana Shard Fragments per hour. This shop's daily earnings wouldn't cover half your salary."

Her unusual humor drew a chuckle from him. "Madam, you know I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to help tidy up, like before."

"I know." Her expression turned serious again, emerald green eyes piercing his soul. "But I mean it, Luo En. From today, focus on your research and cultivation, not wasting time on menial tasks."

She circled the counter slowly, her hunched silhouette stretching long in the dim light. The Herbal Medicine Shop always kept its lamps low to protect light-sensitive ingredients. In this gloom, her wrinkles deepened like ancient carvings, yet those hawk-like eyes remained sharp.

"Every day you delay your growth reduces the value of my 'Boon'."

Her voice dropped, a flicker of unfamiliar yearning in her gaze. "This old hag still hopes you'll help me prolong my wretched life."

Though her words carried teasing undertones, Luo En sensed their sincerity. He nodded gently. "Understood, madam. I'll work harder to meet your expectations."

"Go then." She waved dismissively. "I heard East District 14 was assigned to you. Excellent location. Make full use of your new Workshop. Don't squander that brilliant mind. If Magnus gave you 'Outstanding,' your potential exceeds ordinary Potion Masters."

Luo En bowed deeply. "Thank you for your guidance, madam. Send word anytime if you need help."

"Off with you, young man." Her voice softened imperceptibly. "Your future lies beyond this cramped shop."

As Luo En disappeared through the door, the bell's final chime fading behind him, Madame Ellen's expression slowly transformed. A complex mix of satisfaction and desperate hope softened her wrinkled face.

She moved swiftly to the back room, more agile than usual, locking the shop door securely. From beneath the counter, she retrieved a small silver mirror, scanning every corner before lowering her mental guard.

In an instant, the old crone's body underwent dramatic transformation.

Wrinkles smoothed into flawless porcelain skin. The hunched spine straightened into a graceful figure. The gray tresses transformed into a waterfall of lustrous pink-violet hair.

A breathtaking beauty replaced the frail elder, her only unchanged feature those emerald green eyes—now shining with renewed brilliance.

The transformation lasted barely ten seconds before she resumed her aged form. Yet unlike past involuntary relapses, this time she controlled the shift.

"This is the first time I've regained full strength outside a mana active period", she murmured, voice trembling with excitement. "The 'Boon' that boy granted is purer and stronger than I dared hope."

She approached a full-length mirror, studying her reflection. Even in old age, her eyes gleamed brighter, the wrinkles subtly softened.

"No wonder the prophecy spoke of my salvation through the black mistschool."

Her fingers traced the mirror's surface, emotions swirling. "How would the Crystal Spire elders react if they knew I'd found such a prodigy?"

Turning to the shelves, she retrieved a long-sealed vial—spirit pollution detection potion. A single drop on her palm lightened from deep blue to pale blue.

"Corruption reduced by at least thirty percent."

She stared, repeating the test in disbelief. "This is absurd... Like lifting a boulder from my chest."

The spirit pollution that once required constant suppression now felt like a loosened chain. "At this rate, I might advance further. Who'd have thought a Sixth Class Star boy would become my lifeline?"

Sighing softly, she returned to her workbench, handling grayish tongue moss and sparkling crystalline moss. "Just a few more ingredients needed. Not sure when that boy will gather them all. Not urgent though—it's all meant for his use eventually. Pity I can't leave the shop..."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end