Inside a private compartment on the second floor.
Locke entered with Essie and Angulo, and with just one glance, he understood why these two experienced Potionology Assistants were at a loss with the current situation.
Lying on the hospital bed was Verdantia University's Second-Class Wizard Apprentice. Rough-looking vines covered her right side—each stem a deep purple-red, their surfaces studded with thorns that pierced Ruixing's skin. The slightest movement would tear her flesh, causing blood to flow freely.
The three vines sprawled across the entire bed, leaving Ruixing immobilized like a sleeping beauty princess—only her eyes could move.
The blood from her wounds was steadily absorbed by these three magic vines.
So thirsty for blood were they that they had even sprouted branches, probing for other living beings nearby.
Though the three magic vines were now nearly unrecognizable, Locke still identified their original form—Tiff Loron Vines.
These three vines had long been transplanted into Ruixing's Mana, forming a connection with her very soul.
Now, with the Magic Plants rebelling and becoming corrupted, the situation had grown exceedingly complex.
A unique Mana symbiosis had formed between the three plants and Ruixing. To cure the curse on her, they would need to address her condition, the plants' condition, and the curse affecting them all simultaneously.
Treating her curse alone wasn't difficult. Dealing with the three Magic Plants alone wasn't difficult either. But solving both problems at once without harming Ruixing—without causing her Mana to deteriorate and her future to be ruined—was nearly impossible.
Yet if an outstanding student from Verdantia University were to have her prospects destroyed after treatment at Lilith's Cottage, it would deal a severe blow to the reputation of Lilith's Potionology program.
After all, Lilith's Cottage and Verdantia University's Potionology departments were direct competitors for top-tier students.
Reputation was everything when it came to admissions.
No wonder Angulo and Essie were being so cautious—and why they had sought their friend's opinion.
"The Magic Plants have undergone malignant degradation," Locke quickly assessed, drawing on his expertise as both a Breeder Assistant and Potionology Assistant. "This is quite rare. I've reviewed all case files during my time at the Healing Hand Clinic, but this is the first time I've seen something like this."
"The curse energy has become entangled with the Magic Plants, causing the Tiff Loron Vines to undergo this harmful, inferior degeneration."
After a moment of contemplation, Locke's expression grew solemn.
"This must be a newly developed curse magic from the Blood Curse Court—specifically targeting our Lilith's Cottage. Many wizard apprentices here rely on Magic Plants."
Locke's face darkened as he pressed his lips together.
As a Breeder, witnessing this scene inevitably stirred strong emotions.
In a way, this was an outright provocation.
A curse magic targeting Magic Plants?
That would directly impact the sales of his plant creations.
Angulo quickly nodded and said, "That's exactly right. This is the first time I've encountered such a situation as well. Normally, the Blood Curse Court would at most attempt to disrupt the elemental balance of our plant magic with curses, reducing the potency and reaction speed of our spells. But this is the first time something like this has happened."
"I wonder which Wizard Seed from the Blood Curse Court invented this. Those people are good for nothing except mastering every way to harm others."
Angulo then asked, "Locke, do you have any ideas on how to solve this? The treatment cost for this patient will be split evenly between Verdantia University and the higher-ups of the college. After deducting expenses, we can each earn about three hundred Magic Stones."
"If you can help me cure her, I'll split half of my share with you."
Locke nodded in surprise. Typically, patients on the second floor suffering from severe curses would require two to three thousand Magic Stones for treatment. However, the college and Wizard Mentors would take the lion's share, leaving Potionology Assistants with less than a hundred Magic Stones per patient after costs.
Yet, Ruixing was contributing three hundred Magic Stones to them. This likely meant her treatment funds were more substantial, or the college higher-ups had granted her special policy benefits, significantly reducing their usual cut.
Locke nodded and said, "Alright, but let's give Essie a portion too. The three of us can split it equally. This patient counts as a joint effort among all three of us."
"After all, the fee paid by this one patient is equivalent to what three would pay. Splitting it among the three of us won't result in a loss, and it'll save us a lot of effort."
Locke knew he still lacked their level of experience in Potionology, though they didn't have his expertise in breeding studies. Therefore, he would still need Essie and Angulo's assistance later.
Angulo had no objections.
Essie gave a faint smile and said to Locke and Angulo, "Angulo, I told you Locke has more conscience than you. I've been helping you for free all this time, even if I haven't been much help."
"Locke, thank you."
Angulo spread his hands, shrugged, and put on a helpless expression. "I helped you with that patient suffering from the Multiple Self Curse last time, didn't I?"
Essie's expression darkened at the memory. Angulo's seemingly logical but ultimately reckless analysis had nearly caused a disaster. "You still dare bring that up? I actually believed you were right at the time."
"Thankfully, that guy never ended up drinking the Twin Flower Soul Condensation Potion."
After some thought, Locke spoke up, "I've come up with three treatment plans. But since these are ideas I've just conceived and never tested on anyone before, I'd like both of you to analyze them and see if they're feasible."
"Or perhaps suggest improvements or optimizations."
This was the trouble with new curses—every treatment plan had to be devised from scratch, making the patient both a sufferer and an experimental subject.
And the most frustrating part was that if Ruixing had been a First Class Wizard Apprentice, things would have been much easier.
The soul of a First-Class Wizard Apprentice is enveloped in a layer of Magic Pressure, granting them a high margin for error. In contrast, Second-Class Wizard Apprentices are far more vulnerable to death. Locke and the others had to carefully gauge their approach—lest the patient succumb to their treatment before the Blood Curse could claim her.
On the nearby sickbed lay Ruixing, her condition dire. Blood loss, an out-of-control Magic Plant, and chaotic Mana had left her mind in a haze. She dared not move a muscle.
Her once-vibrant blue hair now looked brittle and lifeless.
Ruixing opened her eyes, her heart pounding with fear. She had come to Lilith's Cottage with her Wizard Mentor and senior Gregor, eager to broaden her horizons and learn.
But who could have predicted that during a solitary outing, she would fall victim to an ambush by the Blood Curse Court?
Now, regret gnawed at her. She should have heeded Gregor's warning and never ventured out alone. Her recklessness had landed her in this mess, confined to a sickbed with no idea what fate awaited her.
As Ruixing looked at the three First-Class Wizard Apprentices before her, a sliver of calm settled in her chest. At the very least, she had three seniors working to cure her.
Then her gaze lingered on Locke, and a flicker of familiarity crossed her mind.
It was strange. This was her first time at Lilith's Cottage—how could she possibly know one of its First-Class Wizard Apprentices?
Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen him somewhere before.
No matter how hard she racked her brain, the memory eluded her.
I must be delirious from the illness, Ruixing thought weakly, lying still on the bed. How could I have met a First-Class Wizard Apprentice from Lilith's Cottage before?
It must be an illusion—my mind playing tricks on me because of the curse.