Chapter 15 Inquiry into the Remaining Problems

"Cough, cough, the Silver Fish Flower looks like silk in water, but its smell is incredibly strong — never judge a book by its cover. Cough, cough, looks like I'll need Peggy to make me a few masks."

"The side effects of the water wheat susswassertang fruit are significant and difficult to blend. I'll set it aside for now."

"Water olive is also scarce, similar in status to the once barro grass, suitable only as an alternative."

"------"

In the following days, Ivan immersed himself in exploring various ingredients for the Whirlpool Potion, trying to find substitutes to create a new Whirlpool Potion.

Just as Beaman and the others were home, he could have Beaman purchase various ingredients for him. Although the price was a bit higher, it was convenient.

[Apothecary Skill Experience Point +1]

[Apothecary Skill Experience Point +1]

[------]

Another reason Ivan was engrossed was due to the experience points. As he delved into the properties of various ingredients, his Apothecary Skill experience points increased rapidly, opening the door to a new world for him.

He discovered that this was an excellent way to improve his Apothecary Skill, simply by exploring the hidden properties of ingredients and the properties of unknown ingredients.

This made him inexplicably exhilarated.

"Enough, I should seek help."

Soon after he explored the properties of many ingredients, he fell into another kind of confusion, unsure how to choose and proceed further, and immediately used a Level 1 Light of Wisdom.

For those two minutes, his thoughts became exceptionally clear and agile, sparking ideas that helped him find a direction amidst the vast sea of ingredients.

"Let me think, perhaps I could consider the fish-swallowing susswassertang fruit. Although it contains toxins, they aren't unmanageable. It might serve as a substitute for the whirlpool flower. I can tackle the brewing issues step by step."

"Sea horse gourd, and sea horse gourd, maybe I could use it."

Inside the apothecary lab, Ivan mutters to himself, his eyes clearing of confusion.

A few minutes later, he gathered all his thoughts and recorded all his ideas.

He didn't rush to change direction. Making decisions impulsively was undoubtedly unwise; better to slow down.

Upon leaving the apothecary lab, Ivan left his home and headed towards South City.

Cassia Swordsmanship Hall.

Ivan spent another 5 Gold Coins to buy a second Gushing Potion.

"Want to try your skill?" he rarely invited Donnie.

But Donnie was not enthusiastic and did not accept.

Ivan asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Previously, Donnie never refused their bouts.

After thinking, Donnie said softly, "Another apprentice sent back news of death," with a complex expression.

Seeing his expression, Ivan guessed, "Does it have to do with your family?"

Donnie nodded slightly, the dead person was his nominal sister, also the real sister of a kind-hearted little girl. Thinking of that girl crying miserably, he couldn't bear it.

In just over two months, the continuous news of apprentice deaths brought a deeper recognition of the dangers they faced.

Returning home, Ivan prepared to take the second Gushing Secret Medicine.

Strength: 1.8, Agility 1.4, Body Constitution: 1.3, Spirit: 1.4

These were his current stats. Over the past period, only his strength had increased by 0.1 point. Training was increasingly difficult, which fortified his resolve to study the Whirlpool Potion.'

The next morning, he poured the Gushing Secret Medicine into his mouth and swallowed.

His daily life remained unchanged — practicing the Breathing Method, swordsmanship, archery, apothecary at the medical hall, exploring the properties of ingredients at home, or studying ancient texts.

"Wait, Beaman."

"Buying herbs again? Speak, what do you need?"

Having returned early from the clinic, Ivan called out to his elder brother Beaman who was about to leave.

Ivan said, "Fish-swallowing susswassertang fruit and sea horse gourd, just a moderate amount, as you know." This wasn't the first time he had asked Beaman to purchase herbs.

"No problem."

Beaman agreed readily; he had witnessed his brother's wealth and did not need to worry about him or question what he was researching.

Something occurred to Ivan, and he casually asked, "What is Paul doing? I haven't seen him around these past few days."

"Him?" Mentioning Paul, Beaman felt a hint of resentment and said irritably, "Of course, you haven't seen him, he's courting that country noble's daughter, a detestable person's daughter."

That was big news. From Beaman's words, it was clear that the country Baron was not an easy man to deal with, even offensive in attitude, and Paul's pursuit of his daughter would likely bring much hardship.

Ivan furrowed his brows; he suddenly thought of his own mother.

His maternal grandfather was also a Baron. Even after his mother had married into the Marichadon family, her father still despised and looked down upon them, and now all ties had been cut.

And yet, Paul was thinking of making the same mistake.

"Hasn't father tried to stop him?"

Beaman shook his head and spoke softly, "He'd rather it this way."

Ivan understood; his father Leider's greatest ambition was to lead the family back into the ranks of the nobility. He was always seeking to foster good relations with other nobles, hoping to find a breakthrough.

About this, Ivan did not know how to feel.

Two days later.

Strength: 1.9, Agility: 1.4, Body Constitution: 1.5, Spirit: 1.4

The secret medicine was true to its name, justifying its price by boosting Ivan's strength by 0.1 and his body constitution by 0.2, with no other changes.

The effects of the secret medicine varied, dependent on the individual's body condition and sometimes luck.

Ivan was quite pleased, especially since his body constitution had unexpectedly increased by 0.2 points.

Once his strength exceeded the 2.0 graduated degrees, he would be classified as a 2nd Class knight's page.

...

In another residence within the East City District.

"Is the wound better?"

"It's healed. That bastard, daring to use despicable means, I will not let him off."

In response to Benson's query, Rosyth's face twisted fiercely. He would never forget the humiliation he suffered that day and was intent on revenge to soothe the hate in his heart.

Benson frowned and said, "Even if it was a sneak attack, you couldn't have been completely helpless to fight back."

"I told you, he threw some highly poisonous powder in my eyes—," Rosyth explained, more rationally this time, "You're right, his strength has improved rapidly, probably not much less than yours or mine."

"You know, he's a fool, probably took quite a bit of Breathing Secret Medicine."

"Since he dared to strike at me, he will surely not spare you; we must strike first and teach him a profound lesson, break his arrogance."

These days, while Rosyth had been recovering, for a knight's page, the wound wasn't severe, but the humiliation of being trampled underfoot was increasingly agitating his mind, disrupting his peace.

After pondering for a moment, Benson nodded heavily, "I agree, we need to find a good chance to teach him an unforgettable lesson."

With enmity established between them, they naturally needed to subdue the other party.

Inside the city of Flying Fish Port, except for the North City District, it was definitely inconvenient to strike someone down heavily during busy times; they needed to find the right opportunity.

Rosyth agreed, "Exactly, give him a lesson he'll never forget."

He had decided, he must break Ivan's legs to wash away his own humiliation.