Wizards: Starting with Fairy Crests

018: The Knight and the Potions Genius!

Finally, there's the recipe for the "Knight's Body Tempering Potion".

This formula is significantly more complex than the standard reagent, and the processing of the materials involved is much more brutal—some require vigorous pounding to extract the juice, while others require high-temperature calcination with metal powder.

Lin Qi used the system again and instantly grasped all the obscure steps and principles involved.

Lynch had already purchased all the necessary materials at the market, and these materials had completely depleted his remaining magic stones.

The preparation process is also not easy.

The first time, the calcination temperature was too high, causing most of the mineral essence to evaporate, greatly reducing the medicinal effect. The second time, a slight error occurred in the order of fusing the rampaging "Ironthorn Flower Juice," triggering a small-scale unstable reaction that nearly caused the crucible to explode.

By the third time, Lynch was completely focused, almost exhausting all his patience and concentration. Following the recipe, he used the Knight's Breathing Technique to slightly circulate his qi and blood, and with a specific stirring rhythm, slowly added the last ingredient, "Bull Horn Powder," into the dark red liquid that was constantly bubbling with fine bubbles.

"laugh--"

The liquid made a soft sound, and its color suddenly settled, turning into a thick, dark gold like lead and mercury. It lay quietly at the bottom of the crucible, no longer tumbling, with only a metallic luster occasionally flashing on its surface.

A scorching, powerful aura spread out.

It worked!

Lin Qi carefully poured the tiny amount of dark golden, viscous liquid into a thick test tube.

He stared at the dark golden, viscous liquid in the test tube, which seemed to contain metallic particles slowly settling down, and without hesitation, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The moment the medicine enters the mouth, it doesn't burn, but rather a heavy, lead-like sensation as it slides down the throat.

Immediately afterwards, a violent surge of heat exploded in my stomach, like the detonation of a miniature volcano!

The heat did not spread evenly, but instead transformed into countless scalding, stinging "streams" that violently rushed into his limbs and bones, penetrating deep into every muscle, every bone, and even every cell!

"Ugh—!" Lin Qi groaned, his body involuntarily tensing up, his skin instantly turning bright red, and white steam rising from it.

He could clearly feel his muscle fibers tearing, expanding, and reorganizing wildly, becoming denser and more explosive; his bones emitted a faint, teeth-grinding hum, as if they were becoming more resilient; even the flow of blood seemed to have gained weight, and the force of scouring the blood vessel walls was significantly enhanced.

A mix of excruciating pain and tingling sensations accompanied the fullness of his growing strength. In the dim candlelight, his body seemed to have swelled up, stretching his once-fitting clothes taut.

Just then, the system notification sounds rang out one after another:

[Taking a special body-refining potion, 'Knight's Body-Refining Potion'...]

[Secondary job 'Apprentice Knight' experience points greatly increased... +50... +80... +120...]

[Energy absorption has reached a critical point...]

[Sub-job 'Apprentice Knight' level upgraded! Current level: Low-level Knight lv1 (0/1000)]

[A stage of transformation in the essence of life has been detected... Basic attributes have been corrected and increased...]

After a long few minutes, the raging heat finally subsided, merging into his body and becoming part of his power. The lingering stinging and itching also gradually faded away.

Lin Qi exhaled a long, hot breath, which briefly formed a white mist in the cold air.

Then, he slowly straightened up and looked down at his hands.

His hands, which were originally somewhat thin and youthful, now had distinct knuckles, and the muscle lines beneath them were clear and smooth, containing explosive power.

With a gentle clench of the fist, the knuckles made a crisp "crackling" sound, and an unprecedented sense of power surged through the arm.

He tentatively leaped lightly on the spot, his body unusually light, yet he landed as steadily as a mountain.

He casually swung his arms a few times, and the wind he created was much sharper than usual.

The muscles throughout the body are coordinated and elastic, as if every inch of the body has been tempered and refined, infused with steel-like resilience and vitality.

With a thought, he summoned the system panel.

Name: Lin Qi

[Status: Mild Evil Eye Contamination]

【Occupation: Intermediate Apprentice lv4 (1218/7500)】

[Secondary Class: Low-Rank Knight (16/1000)]

[Attributes: Strength 3.8, Agility 3.5, Constitution 3.6, Spirit 3.5]

[Mana: 35/35]

[Master the following knowledge: Apprentice Meditation Technique, Forest Fairy Crest, Swift Swordsmanship, Warren Knight Breathing Technique, Giant Lizard Scales, Lightness Technique, Gray Tower Basic Pharmacopoeia, Knight Body Tempering Potion Recipe]

Attribute values ​​have skyrocketed across the board!

Strength, agility, and physique have all broken through the three-point barrier, which is a sign that they have surpassed the limits of ordinary humans and officially entered the realm of extraordinary physical bodies.

The transition from apprentice knight to full-fledged knight is a qualitative leap.

At this moment, Lin Qi, with his knightly body tempered by magic potions, was enough to directly confront ordinary low- to mid-level monsters. Combined with his wizarding skills, his combat ability underwent a complete transformation.

He felt the surging power within him and his senses sharpen, a slight smile playing on his lips. This expenditure of magic stones was worthwhile. His means of survival had become even stronger.

......

A few more days passed, and it had been exactly one week since Lynch officially became a student of Horsman.

The night before, Hossman specifically instructed that all apprentices must be present the next day, as he had something important to announce.

Based on the changes at the market a few days ago, Lin Qi guessed that they were probably about to announce the Nightmare Beast.

The next morning, at the Hossman Laboratory.

Hossman looked at the bottles of ultimate potions Lin Qi handed him with surprise, and asked incredulously, "You mean... you made these potions yourself? And you didn't get them from the market or some other place?"

There were many apprentices present today, and everyone was quite surprised, focusing their attention on Lin Qi. After all, everyone present knew that this junior was new, having only been in the Gray Tower for less than a week.

Lin Qi nodded and answered sincerely, "Yes, mentor, I made them all myself."

Hossman looked on with suspicion, the moss on his face smoothing out. He stroked his chin and asked, "Have you had any prior knowledge of potions? Or related pharmacology?"

Lin Qi shook his head: "No, mentor."

Hossman nodded, half-jokingly saying, "That's true. I've seen your file. If someone with such a background had prior exposure to potions, I'd suspect you might be a spy sent here by another wizarding organization."

"Well..."

Lin Qi twitched his lips; this joke wasn't funny at all.

"alright."

Hossman continued, "Since you prepared it yourself, then prepare it again in front of me. Prepare the mental restoration potion right here, now."

He paused, then added, "You have three chances."

With that, he waved his hand and took out the crucible and other utensils for preparing potions, as well as the corresponding materials, from his spatial ring.

Without wasting any words, Lin Qi went up, lit the crucible, picked up the materials, and began to prepare the mixture.

Perhaps due to nervousness, Lynch's first attempt at preparation ended in failure. However, he was not discouraged. After quickly cleaning the crucible, he began the second attempt, which was successfully completed this time.

Hossman took the medicine and examined it. The doubt in his eyes had completely disappeared, replaced by clear surprise.

The moss on his face seemed to come alive, and he exclaimed in surprise, "I never expected you to be a potions genius!"