That day, Ivan finally accumulated enough Experience Points in Apothecary Skill to elevate it to level 1.
[Apothecary Skill: lv1(1/100)]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv0(4/10)]
[Linguistics Skill: lv0(1/10)]
Indeed, surprises do exist, and the level-up rewards did not disappoint him.
The moment he advanced to level 1, it was as if he had unlocked a mysterious door in his brain, plunging into an unusual state.
In just a moment of distraction, he reviewed his previously mastered knowledge of Apothecary Skill, including “Fifty Commonly Used Herbs” and “Herbs Record Vol. 1”, as well as the nearly memorized “Herbs Record Vol. 2”.
Breaking free from the unusual state, he reflectively savored the experience for a while.
Comparing before and after, he discovered his memory of herbs was more structured and thorough; the areas he had previously misunderstood were supplemented, as if he had undergone a knowledge rearrangement and optimization.
‘The rewards from the Apothecary Skill were attributed to the Apothecary Skill itself, not involving other aspects—it can’t get any better than this method for revising.’
Ivan pondered thoughtfully, this part of the reward was triggered passively; it further summarized the knowledge of the upgraded subject, making his memorized knowledge more profound and flexible, essentially a max-effect knowledge review.
Beyond that, he had a sudden clarity about some information.
He had another reward, another state of Sudden Enlightenment, the effect of which was even stronger than the passive one, able to instantly enhance his enlightenment and spirituality threefold, applicable to pondering any problem, even problems outside of Apothecary Skill; the duration at level 1 lasted two minutes.
‘Is this not Sudden Enlightenment? Its effect is comparable to the mythological Bodhi tree.’
Ivan thought that the Knight Breathing Skill and Linguistics Skill could easily be elevated to level 1, resulting in three instances of Sudden Enlightenment or possibly even more, making the level-up rewards exhilarating.
Immediately, he named the passive reward ‘Small Light of Wisdom’ and the active one ‘Light of Wisdom’.
‘If there are other effects that go further, then they shall be named Light of Great Wisdom—a straightforward and coherent name, quite nice.’
Considering his current knowledge and abilities, with everything still at the starting phase, it wasn’t the time to use Light of Wisdom yet.
He could only save it for future use.
In the evening, when the two handymen at the clinic were about to leave, they exited the front door one after another.
Ivan walked with a joyful pace, unusually brisk.
Justine stopped him.
Ivan looked at her in surprise, “What’s the matter?”
The two of them were learning in the same clinic and were in a competitive relationship.
Justine said seriously, “We need to have a good talk. “
Ivan said, “You speak, I’m listening.”
Justine slightly tilted her head back, making her fair neck more prominent, “This is not the place for discussion. Let’s find a better spot to discuss our matters.”
After thinking for two seconds, Ivan refused, “It seems like there’s nothing much between us that can’t be summarized in a word or two, right?”
Justine, believing herself to be quite attractive, had never seen such an ungentlemanly man.
“Fine, as you wish, let’s talk over there. It’s just a few steps away,” she reluctantly pointed towards the corner of the clinic and walked ahead, “You’ll regret it if you don’t come.”
Seeing her determined attitude, Ivan couldn’t help but follow, curious to see what she wanted to say.
They turned at the street corner, then into another alley, arriving just behind the clinic.
“Speak.”
Justine whispered, “Mr. Ivan, I hope you won’t come to the clinic anymore—”
Upon hearing this, Ivan turned and prepared to leave.
Justine rushed forward a few steps to block him, saying angrily, “I haven’t finished my words yet, how can you be so rude!”
Ivan stepped to the left, and Justine followed closely, just not letting him leave.
Ivan didn’t want to argue with her, so he stood still: “Finish your words.”
Justine took a deep breath and continued, “You can state a condition, Gold Coins or something else—I’ll try my best to satisfy you, to make you feel content.” She stood proudly, as if she herself was part of the deal.
Ivan stepped back, his gaze sweeping over her and pausing involuntarily for a second longer on a certain appealing spot—it was indeed a pleasure to the eyes.
Justine clenched her fists, enduring the disgusting gaze, when she suddenly heard the other’s question.
“Do you have any upper class Breathing Methods?”
“What?”
She thought she had heard wrong.
Ivan asked again, “What about the Intermediate Breathing Method? It requires a corresponding secret medicine.”
Justine’s expression darkened, “No.”
“Universal secret medicine?”
“No.”
“Sorcerer’s training methods? Even incomplete ones will do.”
“No.”
With each question Ivan asked, her response grew colder.
Unperturbed, Ivan continued, “I see, you have nothing, yet you boldly claim you’d satisfy me.”
Seeing a hint of regret on the other’s face, Justine realized she had been played and couldn’t help feeling furious, wishing she could punch that face.
Justine clenched her fists but did not swing, instead shifting the topic, “I know your father once saved Mr. Orio’s life, and I also know that debt was repaid long ago. Mr. Orio is under no obligation to take you as his student.”
She came prepared, having inquired about many things.
Ivan realized this backstory for the first time, showing interest, he motioned for her to continue.
“On this point, you have no advantage over me.”
“In terms of determination, I am solely focused on potions and spend entire days in the clinic, which shows I have more resolve than you.”
Ivan nodded slightly, acknowledging her point, “Indeed, so what? What does your determination have to do with me?”
Justine said, “As far as I know, Mr. Orio seems reluctant to take any students at all, let alone two. So, your presence could hinder my becoming Mr. Orio’s student.”
“Hmm.”
Ivan felt this was also true; Old Orio’s attitude towards him was very vague, almost a mix of being dismissive yet laissez-faire. In other words, Old Orio seemed uninterested in teaching, but he didn’t mind if you learned stealthily on your own.
He wanted the true transmission, but temporarily had no corresponding good strategy.
He then asked, “What else do you know about Old Orio?”
Justine evaluated, “As far as I know, scouring the neighboring cities, there is no pharmacist more skilled than him. You should concentrate on practicing the Knight Breathing Method.”
Ivan looked at her, puzzled. This had nothing to do with her.
Without beating around the bush, Justine made her offer directly, “I can give you 50 gold coins now, and another 100 gold coins later once you have succeeded, and I promise to make all potions for you for free, with you supplying the herbs.” She gritted her teeth as she laid out her best offer.
This offer undoubtedly had some appeal. Ivan could sense her determination to become a pharmacist.
However, Ivan had reasons to stay and learn: one, the experience points in Apothecary Skill, and two, the lucrative future as a Pharmacist.
“You should realize, as long as we don’t bother Old Orio, he won’t mind us learning by his side; thus, let’s not interfere with each other.”
Justine was not satisfied with this, emphasizing, “I aim to become a skilled pharmacist, not just learn superficially.” She had bigger ambitions, aiming for all of Old Orio’s teachings.
“That depends on your capability. Over time, perhaps you might impress Old Orio.”
Unmoved, Ivan, seeing she had nothing more to say, walked past her towards the distance.
Watching his retreating figure, Justine clenched her fist tightly. As he was about to leave the alley, she called out desperately, “If you don’t agree, I’ll go to your father, Mr. Leider.”
Ivan stopped in his tracks, turning around perplexed, “What?”
Justine raised her fist, shouting furiously, “I’ll marry Mr. Leider, and then I’ll have every right to beat you. Every single day.”
“Huh?”
This was—rather harsh; Ivan couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock.
As the atmosphere between them grew incredibly weird, the sound of glass shattering inside a nearby house startled the two young people into awkwardly looking at each other.
Old Orio hadn’t been eavesdropping all along, had he?
After a few seconds, Ivan was the first to break the awkward silence, “Mr. Leider is coming back the day after tomorrow; do you need me to introduce you? And my two brothers, Paul and Beaman, both squires, aged eighteen—”
“Shut up.”
Justine snapped angrily and strode away.
