Chapter 118: Working

“Wait a moment before you leave. I need to test your potion-making skills. I have an order for Memory Potions. Make one for me,” Larry said, standing up.

Helag suddenly felt like he was back in his previous life, working with his mentor during graduate school.

Larry led Helag into his lab, where the materials for Memory Potions were ready.

Memory Potions stabilize mental power, making them useful for wizards after experiments or when their mental power is unstable. They typically sell for sixty to seventy magic stones, making them relatively high-grade potions.

For Helag, making this potion was much easier than the Dawn Dusk Potion.

He skillfully began processing the materials and started brewing.

He intentionally made slight errors in some steps.

When the potion was finished, Larry said, “Not bad. Some areas could be more precise, but this is a good first attempt.”

Larry then explained some points, highlighting the intentional errors Helag made.

Helag listened attentively, as if eager to take notes.

After Larry’s explanation, Helag made another attempt.

This time, he intentionally performed better, producing a higher-quality Memory Potion.

Larry patted his shoulder with a smile. “Very good! I have an order for fifty Memory Potions. Work hard for a few days, and I’ll pay you twenty magic stones. This will also be good practice for you.”

“Thank you, Teacher Larry!” Helag understood that Larry was using him as labor.

But he didn’t mind, as he could earn some magic stones. Although the pay was low, it was still something.

Larry had helped him a lot, so it was only fair to help with these tasks.

Helag got to work without hesitation.

The raw materials for Memory Potions were plentiful. He could make seventeen or eighteen potions a day, finishing the order in two or three days.

With Helag handling the potion-making, Larry could relax and return to his study.

Before leaving, Larry said, “Go home by evening. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay, Teacher.” Helag was enthusiastic, feeling like he was back in his days of working for his mentor.

Making Memory Potions was indeed good practice for Helag.

It allowed him to hone his potion-making skills, with more materials than most people had for practice.

Helag controlled the quality of his potions, producing high-quality, average, and occasionally subpar Memory Potions.

This variability made his work seem normal. With Deep Blue’s assistance, he could make high-quality potions consistently, but that would be too suspicious.

Two days later, all fifty potions were complete.

Helag maintained a skill level better than most apprentices but not overly impressive.

“Excellent! I often have such orders. If you’re willing, I’ll call you next time,” Larry said, satisfied with the quality of the potions.

“Of course, Teacher. Just let me know,” Helag replied. He was happy to earn magic stones and gain experience, even if it was tiring.

Other apprentices would jump at the chance, even without pay, but their skills wouldn’t meet Larry’s standards and might cause losses.

Helag’s skills were good enough to handle simple potion orders, making Larry’s life easier.

Students were meant to handle such tasks.

“Also, as a third-level apprentice, you now have access to the second floor of the library. But be aware, you might occasionally receive tasks,” Larry reminded.

Helag asked, “Don’t I need to register or something?”

Access to the second floor was great news, as he needed to learn a lot.

“No need. When you advanced to a third-level apprentice, Moonlight Forest automatically recorded it,” Larry explained.

Helag nodded. “I see. I wonder what tasks I’ll get.”

Larry pondered. “It could be anything. The war just ended, and there’s much to do. As a third-level apprentice, you’re a suitable task executor for Moonlight Forest.”

“Hopefully, nothing too dangerous,” Helag said with a wry smile.

He wanted to quietly train until he could advance to a formal wizard, avoiding any unexpected incidents.

Moonlight Forest’s tasks were mandatory for apprentices. Only after becoming a formal wizard would his contract with Moonlight Forest end.

For Moonlight Forest, third-level apprentices were valuable assets.

First and second-level apprentices were less useful and rarely given tasks unless in wartime, where they became expendable.

After leaving Larry’s place, Helag bought food and supplies in town.

His home needed restocking after his long absence.

With 3,785 magic stones, Helag was wealthy among apprentices.

“The market price for Ancient Potions is around 900 magic stones each, and Amanda Potions are 100 magic stones each. I have enough to buy the potions I need. Now, I just need to study and meditate to meet the requirements for advancing to a formal wizard.”

Helag quickly planned his next steps. With enough magic stones, he didn’t need to toil for mushrooms or do tasks.

He decided not to leave Moonlight Forest unless assigned a task, focusing on steady development until he became a formal wizard.

Helag looked around. The town was still sparsely populated, with only two people chatting in the café, making it feel deserted.

Back home, he began organizing the knowledge he needed to supplement.

First, he needed to advance his studies in herbology and potion-making. The basic knowledge he had was no longer sufficient.

Some potion materials he had collected in Creek Valley Town were unknown to him until Larry explained them after his return.