Translator: AnubisTL
"Hypotheses: 1. Moon Silver processing requires more thorough refinement. Implement a high-frequency mana resonance pulverization step (duration +15 seconds, intensity increased by one tier).
2. Delay the addition of Flameflower Petals by 0.5 seconds, allowing the Moon Silver energy to fully stabilize.
3. Consider introducing trace amounts of Ice Breath Moss powder as a buffer to neutralize sudden energy spikes? Requires verification.
Waste Analysis: Detected abnormally high concentrations of Energy-Corroding Sulfur and Magic Silver Pyrolyzate, confirming the core energy conflict stems from a mutated metallic property and the uncontrolled coupling of fire attributes..."
Jieming stared at the crystallized residue, his expression growing increasingly excited as the quill recording his notes danced faster and faster across the parchment.
Though his appearance was disheveled, the fervent gleam in his eyes revealed the wizard's purest desire for the unknown mysteries and the will to conquer them.
After meticulously documenting his insights from this failed magic potion refinement, cleaning up the mess, and repairing the corrosion marks on the protective barrier, Jieming felt a burning sensation in his eyes.
"Senior..."
A slightly timid voice came from the side, finally drawing Jieming's attention away from the wreckage of the failed potion.
"Hmm?"
Turning his head, Jieming saw several young apprentices wearing potionology badges standing stiffly to one side.
Noticing Jieming's attention shift, the apprentice at the front swallowed nervously before summoning the courage to speak. "Um... the mentor said we're going to start practical exercises next, and we need to use this operating room..."
Throughout this exchange, the other apprentices' gazes kept darting back and forth between Jieming and the pile of magic potions arranged on the table beside him.
Jieming could clearly sense the barely suppressed envy and awe in their eyes.
This was understandable. After all, the magic potions he had created were exceptionally rare and valuable for wizard apprentices, and many were even effective for first-tier wizards.
However, Jieming was more concerned with another issue.
"Huh? Weren't your next class scheduled for five days from now?" he asked, his face puzzled.
The apprentices exchanged uneasy glances. "Well... that's what we said five days ago..."
"Ah?"
Jieming froze, his mind instantly snapping out of its potion-focused reverie. The precise biological clock honed by his immense mental power immediately made him realize—he had indeed been here for five days.
He had only come to ask his potionology mentor a few questions and thought he'd try his hand at refining a few potions while he was here. He never imagined so much time would pass.
Recently, with the arrival of new apprentices, the potion wizards had begun teaching the basics again, and Jieming had been tagging along to audit the classes.
It turned out the academy's potion wizards were remarkably skilled. Even though they were teaching introductory material, Jieming still felt he was learning a great deal.
Looking at the table beside him, piled high with samples of the magic potions he'd been refining over the past few days, Jieming felt a strange sense of timelessness, as if he'd been lost in the mountains, unaware of the passing years.
At his current stage, he could easily go ten days without food, drink, or sleep, as long as his spirit held out.
As long as his mental power remained strong, he could continue his research indefinitely.
With this thought, Jieming suddenly realized how depleted his mental power had become.
A sharp, throbbing pain radiated from his brain. He understood immediately—after five days of intense concentration, such a state was inevitable.
"No wonder my potion refinement success rate plummeted in the later attempts..."
Jieming shook his head and nodded to the apprentices. "I see... Thank you for reminding me."
He rubbed his temples, casually tucked his notebook into his robe, and pushed open the door to the potionology workshop.
"Senior! You forgot these magic potions!"
"Keep them. Consider it compensation for occupying the workshop all this time."
Ignoring the excited chatter of the new potionology apprentices behind him, Jieming stared blankly at the apprentices hurrying down the corridor, then turned to leave.
As he exited the potionology building, intending to rest in his laboratory, he spotted a familiar figure.
"Jieming?!" Amy's voice was filled with surprise. She was carrying a box of gold, clearly on her way to the alchemy classroom. "What are you doing here? Did you blow up that cauldron inside?"
She widened her eyes playfully, pointing to a window in the potionology building billowing black smoke.
"Even though my last refining attempt failed, I wouldn't make such a catastrophic mistake," Jieming said with a tired smile, offering no further explanation. "I'm preparing to construct my third Witchcraft Model, so I came to study potionology."
"Now?" Amy tilted her head, then nodded in agreement. "Now's actually a perfect time. I can join the new students for class."
"Speaking of which, you're starting to look more and more like Mentor Clark these days."
Sensing Jieming's fatigue, she didn't press the conversation. Instead, she glanced at her wrist, her expression shifting. "Oh no! I need to hurry and submit my assignment. Mentor Clark must be getting impatient. If you have time in the next few days, want to help me out as a 'plant' for a couple of days? It's pretty interesting!"
"Huh?"
Now it was Jieming's turn to tilt his head in confusion. "Do you really need plants during class?"
"Of course! Remember what happened during our first alchemy lesson?" Amy winked at him, then pulled a silvery-white metal from beneath a chest of gold.
"...Holy shit! That was a plant too?!" The distant memory flooded back, causing Jieming's eyes to widen in shock.
"Exactly! Mentor Clark said only practical examples would leave a lasting impression on the new apprentices!" With a wave, Amy hoisted the heavy chest of gold onto her shoulder and strode away briskly.
"Gotta go now! Time for my experiment!"
Jieming blinked, his steps halting abruptly despite his intention to leave.
Though a dull ache still throbbed in his head, his curiosity about the unfolding spectacle kept him rooted to the spot.
He didn't have to wait long. Soon, he spotted two silver-white automatons dragging a seemingly lifeless Amy toward him from the entrance of the alchemy building.
Amy looked as if she had just survived a massive explosion. Silver-white metal fragments were embedded in her skin and face, fused so deeply with her flesh that they appeared grotesquely organic.
As the automatons dragged her past Jieming, Amy suddenly opened her eyes, winked mischievously at him, and then snapped them shut again, resuming her act with unwavering professionalism.
"Tch, this city's full of tricks," Jieming muttered, shaking his head. "Everyone's just an actor!"
He shuddered, rubbed his face, and ambled toward the laboratory, his steps unsteady.
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𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 | 𝟖.𝟒𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝟏𝟒.𝟐𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 [𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦]