CH58

The chubby wizard nodded. "Alright, no issues. You can go."

"What's going on?" Helag asked curiously.

"Green Cottage has launched multiple attacks on us recently. To ensure safety, all wizards entering the Woodland must undergo identity checks," the chubby wizard explained.

"Is the situation that severe?" Helag felt that things had become more complicated in just a few days.

The chubby wizard put away the Faceless Bamboo and said, "Don't worry too much. Just try not to leave the Woodland for now. It's still safe inside. If you must go out, don't go alone."

"Yeah, you guys guarding the station must be taking quite a risk," Helag noted, feeling the defense at the station was a bit thin.

The chubby wizard smiled wryly. "We have no choice. We have to follow the Woodland's orders. Running away isn't an option."

Official wizards could escape if things got dangerous, but apprentices like them had a harder time.

"If Green Cottage wanted to attack a station, they wouldn't just send a few apprentices," Helag observed.

"Are there any compulsory missions?" Helag asked.

"Of course! In emergencies, everyone might be mobilized. You're just a first-class apprentice, so you're not needed yet. But once you're stronger, you'll be assigned tasks too," the chubby wizard explained.

After chatting for a while, the Hell Foot arrived. Helag boarded and took out his rune stone to browse the Chatter Tavern. He saw many discussions about Green Cottage's attacks.

[Three first-class apprentices gathering Sleeping Mushrooms in Moonlight Forest were killed!]

[I saw the scene. The bodies were hung on trees. Green Cottage is too arrogant!]

[In the past few days, over twenty have been killed or injured.]

[Why has Green Cottage suddenly gone crazy?]

[Rumor has it they put out a bounty: fifty magic stones for killing a third-class apprentice.]

[Am I worth that much? I feel like killing myself for the reward.]

Helag continued browsing other posts. Many apprentices on missions had encountered Green Cottage's attacks.

"It seems we're not the only ones. They must have some source of information, a mole?" Helag realized Green Cottage must have a way to get inside information from Moonlight Woodland. Otherwise, so many apprentices wouldn't be in danger.

He glanced at Bessie's chat box, but still no messages.

Helag had messaged Bessie after escaping, asking about their situation, but three days had passed with no reply.

He had a bad feeling, wondering if Bessie and the others had escaped.

***

Three days later.

While meditating, Helag's rune stone lit up. He opened it to find a message from Bessie.

"Emma is dead."

Seeing Bessie's message, Helag initially thought they were safe, but was shocked to learn that Emma, a third-class apprentice, had died.

"Emma died saving me. She couldn't escape in time…" Bessie sent another message.

Bessie and Emma were close friends. Helag could imagine how heartbroken she was. It's tough for wizards to have friends.

"Helag, can you take me to see Mr. Larry? I want to commission him to make the Dawn Potion. I must become a third-class apprentice, I must become a wizard!" Bessie continued.

"No problem. I can take you tomorrow," Helag replied. He had already arranged to meet Larry the next day to discuss the Dawn Potion's preparation.

"Thank you, Helag." Bessie didn't say anything more after that.

Helag opened Larry's chat box and explained the situation. Larry readily agreed as it was business.

"Deep Blue, calculate how much time is left to complete the meditation for the last star."

Recent events made Helag feel increasingly urgent to improve his strength. Only with strength could he control his fate.

[Approximately thirty-five days.]

"Thirty-five days," Helag murmured, entering a meditative state.

***

The next day, Helag met Bessie at the Lion's Café. Locke was there too, but now there were only three of them instead of four.

"My condolences," Helag said, noticing Bessie's red eyes.

"I'll make them feel the same," Bessie said with a fierce look in her eyes.

"Bessie, revenge shouldn't be rushed…" Helag advised, seeing her unstable state.

Bessie calmed down. "I understand."

Locke spoke up, "It's my fault. I couldn't protect her."

Bessie shook her head. "No, you did your best. If it weren't for you and the earth element in the Thousand Needle Stone Forest, none of us would have escaped. You've done enough, Locke."

"Let's go, Helag," Bessie said, standing up.

Helag took her to Larry's place. Surprisingly, Larry greeted them personally.

"I heard about Miss Emma. I'm truly sorry. I remember her as a lively student in my class," Larry said regretfully.

"Thank you for remembering her, Mr. Larry," Bessie said, her mood sinking again.

"Back to business. The commission for the Dawn Potion is one hundred magic stones. Miss Bessie, you understand this, right?" Larry said, pouring coffee for them.

"I have it ready," Bessie said confidently.

"One hundred magic stones…" Helag thought, realizing how profitable potion-making was. It required significant initial investment but yielded great returns.

Larry leaned against the table, looking at Bessie. "One more thing, Miss Bessie. You must ensure your mind and emotions are stable before attempting the advancement. Drinking the potion hastily can have terrible consequences."

"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Larry. I understand," Bessie nodded.

"Alright, you only have one set of potion materials. To ensure success, I'll take extra time. Normally, two sets are needed, but this time I'll make an exception. I'll start in about seven days. The Dawn Potion will be effective for a month, so you must advance within that time," Larry explained.

"Thank you, Mr. Larry!" Bessie said gratefully.

Larry smiled. "Good luck to both of us."

After Bessie left, Helag stayed to ask about the Dawn Potion. Larry answered all his questions and shared his own experiences.

Larry was very impressed with Helag, especially in potionology. Helag's attention to detail pleased him greatly.