Looking back, the annual loan had not actually been particularly difficult for the current Lucien.
The task required him to sell a specified quantity and value of potions and alchemical items.
The talent enhancements provided by the Emerald Tablet fragment, S+ in Potions and SS+ in Alchemy, had both reached an extraordinary level.
More importantly, Nicolas Flamel's unreserved guidance had allowed Lucien's progress in Alchemy to advance so rapidly that even he sometimes found it difficult to believe.
Therefore, over the past six months, he had continued to devote most of his energy to the research, development, and mass production of alchemical items, with potions serving mainly as a supplement.
Over the past half-year, one novel and practical alchemical creation after another had emerged from Lucien's hands and entered the market through suitable channels.
With no shortage of funds, technology, or connections, the repayment progress for the Emerald Tablet loan had steadily reached around two-thirds.
Lucien's gaze fell upon the Magical Communication Notebook on the table, which was now nearly complete, and his fingertips brushed across its cover.
As long as the pricing strategy was appropriate, once this magical item capable of revolutionising communication in the wizarding world was officially released, it was almost certain to sweep through the market.
By then, the remaining repayment progress would be easy to complete.
After returning once the competition was over, he could also take advantage of occasions such as Valentine's Day to launch a series of beauty potions and exquisite alchemical accessories aimed at the female market.
Combined with his other sources of income, it would not even take a full year to completely repay the annual loan for the Emerald Tablet fragment.
At the thought, the corners of Lucien's mouth curved into a smile.
In an ideal environment where research and development efficiency was maximised, start-up capital was plentiful, and there were no institutional or managerial obstacles, success seemed to come naturally as long as the right market demand was identified.
His attention returned to the work before him.
The magical patterns were now complete, and all previous functional tests had passed. It was time to give the creation an official name.
Without much hesitation, the words "Instant Speech" naturally came to mind.
It could cross vast distances and deliver words and thoughts instantly.
The name highlighted its instant communication function while retaining the sense of delivering a message associated with traditional letters. It was concise and fitting.
"Let's call it 'Instant Speech'."
Lucien lowered his head slightly, gazing at the work that embodied so much of his effort and his vision for the future. As he habitually organised his next plans in his mind, he murmured,
"Once the annual loan for the Emerald Tablet fragment is repaid, I won't have any long-term burdens for the time being. As for those monthly and weekly loans, they're all minor issu..."
[Ding!]
A clear and somewhat cheerful system notification rang directly in Lucien's mind.
[Host has triggered a loan: Youth Apple Seeds (Annual Loan)...]
Lucien: "?"
Lucien helplessly raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had only just realised that his previous annual loan was about to be repaid. Could the system really not stand to see him idle?
Its timing was always so impeccably precise.
For the moment, Lucien ignored the system's apparent "malice" and turned his attention to the translucent screen floating before him, checking the details of the new loan.
He had some impression of the Apple of Youth, but he was not sure whether it was the same one from Norse mythology.
[Loan Item: Apple of Youth Seed]
[Repayment Period: 365 days]
[Loan Description: The Apple of Youth was once tended by Idunn, the Goddess of Youth. This is a seed from an Apple of Youth. When irrigated and cultivated using specific methods, it can grow into a mature fruit tree. Its fruit can restore the consumer's youth, extend their lifespan, and increase their magical power.]
[Repayment Task: Successfully treat three different bloodline curses.]
"The Apple of Youth..."
Lucien repeated the name quietly, carefully recalling fragments of myths and legends.
In Norse mythology, the Apple of Youth was often referred to as a "Golden Apple", a miraculous fruit guarded by Idunn, the Goddess of Youth.
According to legend, the Norse gods regularly ate these apples to maintain their youth and immortality.
As for the goddess herself, Lucien vaguely remembered that she had once become entangled with Loki, the God of Mischief. Loki had deceived her, resulting in her being kidnapped by a giant and nearly killed, before later using a trick to rescue her.
Idunn was said to be exceptionally kind and forgiving. Even after such betrayal and danger, she eventually forgave Loki and continued to believe that there was goodness in his heart...
Well, the ability to restore youth and extend life was an irresistible temptation to any creature growing old or approaching death.
At Lucien's current age, he had no urgent desire for either youth or immortality.
But if the Apple of Youth could also extend one's lifespan, then he would no longer need to rely on qilin blood in the future.
As for "increasing magical power"...
Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly and asked the system a crucial question in his mind.
"System, can the magical power gained from eating an Apple of Youth exceed a wizard's natural magical limit?"
A wizard's magical power grew with age, but there was ultimately a limit determined by the wizard's own magical talent.
[Ha, what do you think? This is a legendary divine object~]
"Answer properly."
[Hehe, yes, it can ( 'ω' )]
[The increase in magical power granted by the Apple of Youth is a permanent additional enhancement and is not restricted by the consumer's natural magical talent.]
"I see."
Lucien nodded slightly. That alone made it immensely valuable.
"Then what does this seed require to grow and bear fruit?"
[It requires a continuous supply of large amounts of pure magical power, various rare magical materials as nutrients, and the blood of a mythical creature rich in life force.]
"Mythical creature blood?"
That was the part Lucien cared about most.
Before he could ask further, the system provided an explanation.
[Lumen is a mythical creature that meets the requirements.]
Lucien frowned at that answer.
He naturally knew that Lumen was a genuine mythical creature, but if cultivating the apple still required qilin blood, would that not defeat the purpose?
[Only a single drop is required at the beginning to activate the seed's characteristics. Its subsequent growth and cultivation will rely mainly on magical power and materials. No additional mythical creature blood will be needed.]
"I see."
Lucien's frown eased.
Only one drop of blood was needed to "awaken" the seed.
Finally, his attention fell on the repayment task.
Treat three bloodline curses.
Bloodline curses were usually closely associated with malicious Dark Arts, but Lucien's own talent in the Dark Arts was exceptionally high, giving him a natural advantage when it came to understanding and dealing with such curses.
Combined with his other magical methods, the task would be challenging, but it was far from impossible.
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, Lucien quickly made his decision.
"Apply for the Apple of Youth Seed loan."
[Ding! The host has successfully applied for the "Apple of Youth Seed" Annual Loan. The seed has been issued to the System Space.]
[System Evaluation: For the sake of immortality and youth, those old fogies will do anything!]
________
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