"This is the largest gem, measuring 10,000 cubic meters. I will send it to Your Highness once I have completely carved it," Adrianna said with a smile.
"Haha, I'll trouble you for that, Adrianna," Vlad replied warmly.
Adrianna smiled faintly, then picked up a bottle of magic potion shimmering with rippling blue starlight. Her eyes softened with intoxicated admiration as she said:
"Your Highness, this is today's highlight—the Goreda magic potion."
"It contains a powerful effect that allows high-level wizards to break through the shackles of life and ascend to the level of a first-tier lifeform."
Vlad reached out to take the bottle, turning it in his hand as the starlight shimmered across its surface. After studying it for a moment, he asked directly:
"What is the success rate? And can it be used on creatures other than wizards?"
At his question, Adrianna and the others—who had been brimming with excitement—had their expressions dim slightly. Still, in a steady tone, Adrianna replied:
"Thirty percent. If supplemented with other rare materials, the rate could rise to about forty-seven percent. Of course, this is the average. Depending on individual talent and constitution, the actual rate will vary."
"Compared to the past, when breakthroughs were impossible, this is already remarkably high," she added.
"In addition, this potion was specifically designed for wizards. If used by other creatures or professions, its effect would be greatly diminished, and the probability of success would be low."
In the laboratory, surrounded by shelves of intricate instruments, living test specimens, and piles of magical materials recently looted from the secret realm, Vlad spoke again:
"Then can you develop a breakthrough potion tailored to vampires?"
The group exchanged glances before turning toward Muriel.
"Your Highness, that will take time," Muriel said.
"The Goreda potion could be developed quickly because an ancient text contained a relevant formula. At present, we have no recorded methods for vampires, so we would need to conduct extensive experimentation and analysis."
She paused, then added with a hint of mischief, "Besides, blood sorcerers like us—who transformed from witches—are different from true vampires. To succeed, we'd need to experiment on a large number of actual vampires~!"
Vlad considered her words, then nodded. "Assign this task to Dumitru and let him arrange it.
"As for recruitment and expansion, proceed immediately. We must strengthen ourselves as quickly as possible."
From there, the discussion turned to the development of the Wizard Academy and Wizard Council. They set forth several plans aimed at accelerating their accumulation of power and promoting diversified growth.
What began as an ordinary exchange in this laboratory would, in later centuries, be hailed by wizard scholars as a turning point in the revival of magic.
It was also the moment that set the course for the future classification of magical professions and the broader development of wizardry itself.
Night.
At the door of a classroom, a young woman in a black-and-white maid uniform stood quietly, her sweet features tinged with nervousness.
Her eyes, shimmering faintly beneath a thin mist, betrayed both shyness and unease.
If one listened closely, faint sounds could be heard from within the classroom behind her.
This was Sonja, Vlad's personal maid.
Hearing those sounds, her legs felt weak, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her heart swirled with a sense of grievance.
"Mina, how do you feel in your own classroom?"
Vlad's lips curled into a hint of wicked amusement as he looked at Mina, who was sprawled across the podium with her head tilted upward.
A strand of golden hair clung to her pale cheek, and her flushed face was marked by quick, shallow breaths.
"..."
"I haven't seen you in so long. I missed you," Vlad said casually.
"Hmm~" — "That's not why you came here."
Mina's tense posture gave way, and she collapsed completely.
Seeing her in such a weakened state, Vlad could only shake his head helplessly.
Still, he restrained himself so as not to harm her.
In the darkness, Mina eventually stood, quietly dressing herself again before casting him a charming glance.
Just as he was about to coax her with words, Mina's next action made his expression shift slightly.
After a while, with a delicate clap of her slender fingers, the classroom fell silent.
Vlad exhaled deeply. "Mina, you really are the most considerate."
"Hmph. You're good at sweet-talking, but I've yet to see you come visit me," she replied with a coquettish snort.
Even in the dim light, her skin gleamed like ivory. Vlad began telling her about his recent experiences.
After listening quietly, Mina said, "Either way, be more careful from now on. I won't be able to help you."
"Of course you can't help," Vlad teased. "But you are very useful."
They spoke for a while longer before Mina took out a small badge and handed it to him.
"What's this?"
Feeling the faint magical pulse within it, Vlad looked at her in curiosity.
Mina smiled, took the badge back, and carefully pinned it to his chest, her gesture reminiscent of a devoted wife.
Nodding in satisfaction, she explained, "This is something I've been working on—a Shadow Badge. It can resist part of the damage from the Holy Light.
"When I become a high-ranking witch, or my alchemy improves further, I'll be able to make even stronger ones."
Vlad gazed at her, momentarily dazed. For a heartbeat, he felt a mist rise in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
He drew her into a firm embrace. Though he had always thought Mina lacked ambition and rarely played a major role, in this moment her place in his heart rose considerably.
Vlad spent the night at the Wizarding Academy, visiting Mirena and Sybil, who were studying there.
Upon hearing of his arrival, Hansel and Gretel also came to join the excitement.
However, to his disappointment, Mirena and Sybil were both occupied assisting Adrianna with her potion research.
They greeted him only briefly before returning to work, leaving Vlad alone in the boudoir.
Fortunately, his personal maid was there, serving as his pillow through the night.
But from morning until now, Sonja's resentful gaze had not left him for a moment.
Vlad, of course, knew why.
The little maid had clearly planned to make her move last night, but he had stopped her in time—otherwise, she would have been the one to suffer.
Of course, if Sonja knew what he was thinking, she would have spat right in his face.
Her unspoken thought: If you hadn't been holding me down, I could have made my move.