Among advanced apprentices, many fresh talents choose a challenging potion to brew within a month, using it to prove their exceptional gift.

  Of course, this is also because once you reach advanced apprentice status, there’s a chance to be accepted as a disciple by a potion master.

  If a newly promoted advanced apprentice manages to brew a certain potion—even just a semi-finished potion—within a month, it often attracts powerful potion masters looking to recruit.

  But Aaron already has a master, and a highly respected one at that—Master Scott—so he doesn’t need to take that route.

  So he chose to brew the Calm Potion, which shocked everyone.

  Some admire his brilliance and courage to tackle such a tough challenge.

  Others mock him for showboating, thinking he’s clueless about his limits.

  Regardless of their mindset, everyone knows Aaron is obsessively brewing the Calm Potion.

  They’re all ready to see him fail after a month.

  Peers are enemies.

  Whether Aaron cares or not, he’s become a “mountain” in the eyes of his peers.

  Landon clearly understands the odds are slim that Aaron will succeed in brewing the Calm Potion within a month.

  But he also knows Aaron is young, with a teenager’s pride, caring deeply about face even when it doesn’t matter.

  Landon faces a choice: either invest more and earn Aaron’s gratitude, or refuse and risk Aaron holding a grudge.

  The words “S-grade” flash through Landon’s mind.

  The highest level of investment is going all in.

  He grits his teeth. “Alright. I’m out in the wilds now. Give me three days. I’ll head to the town, buy herbs, and get you a hundred batches. I’ll deliver them to you.”

  “A hundred batches?”

  “Yes! Aaron, you just focus on brewing. We’ll fully support you with herbs. After a month, whether you succeed or not, at least you won’t regret it.”

  “One month...”

  Aaron thinks for a moment and can’t help but chuckle quietly.

  So everyone really thinks he’s the one wants to prove his talent within a month.

  He’s too tired to explain. In fact, his superpower seed’s timeline is much shorter than a month.

  “Alright then, thanks for the support. When I succeed, I won’t forget what you’ve done for me!”

  Though there’s a bit of misunderstanding about why Aaron needs the herbs, the goal is achieved.

  So while expressing his gratitude, Aaron paints a hopeful picture for Landon.

  “No problem, no problem! If you ever need anything, just say the word. The Silver Fox Hunter Group will be your strongest ally, Aaron!”

  Landon says with enthusiasm.

  Aaron’s “hopeful picture” is one Landon’s more than happy to see, and he’s enjoying it.

  Watching Aaron arrange for the herbs, Master Scott thinks quietly to himself,

  “Silver Fox Hunter Group... Aaron really found a reliable hunter group.”

  Aaron puts down the phone.

  “Master, I want to rest for a few days. I’ll keep brewing once the herbs arrive.”

  “Mm, go home and get some rest early. Go call Bruce and the others in.”

  “Yes, Monster”

  House of the Bronze Tree.

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: Calm Potion? Don’t even mention it. Even a Level 3 Focus Potion only eases things a little.】

  【Half Of Handsome: So the Calm Potion’s basically useless?】

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: Not useless exactly. Its effect is just really weak. You’d need a ton of Calm Potions. If you treat it like water, maybe it helps a bit.】

  【Half Of Handsome: ...Do you think the money grows on trees?】

  Aaron stares at the chat window, speechless.

  Treat it like water? One Calm Potion costs at least a thousand gold coins just to make.

  Drinking ten a day? That’s ten thousand gold coins.

  And that’s just the cost price. Buying them would run about seven thousand gold coins each. Ten potions would be seventy thousand gold coins.

  This number crushes Aaron’s spirit.

  People really don’t take money seriously.

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: Don’t think it’s expensive, kid. The superpower seed is way more powerful than you think.】

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: You’re just poor, that’s all.】

  The “Big Shot” cuts through Aaron’s poverty with ruthless words.

  【Half Of Handsome: Hehe……】

  Of course, Aaron knows how precious the superpower seed is.

  This “big shot” is at least a Level 4 pharmacist, always ready to answer questions, and deliberately friendly. These behaviors proof the superpower seed’s precious.

  Still, Aaron is curious about this person.

  He seems to have endless free time, responding instantly, as if he never leaves the House of the Bronze Tree.

  A mysterious, strange big shot.

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: Kid, are you getting into the Imperial Academy this year?】

  【Half Of Handsome: Not sure yet.】

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: Last time I saw you, you were still a mid-level apprentice. Now you’re advanced, right? Probably just promoted recently. You only have half a year to prepare for the Imperial Academy.】

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The pharmacist account from House of the Bronze Tree shows the user’s rank.

  This identity info syncs automatically with the Hunter Union’s database.

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: It’s actually not bad if you don’t get into the Imperial Academy this year. This batch is pretty tough—competition’s fierce. Next year should be easier.】

  【Half Of Handsome: The Imperial Academy this year is that intense?】

  【Eat Soft Food Hard: Check the forums yourself! I need to go cook now.】

  The big shot leaves with flair. When the gray avatar stops bouncing, Aaron heads over to the forum.

  The House of the Bronze Tree has many sections—potion brewing tips, industry news, potion news...

  Each section serves a different purpose.

  Among them, the potion news section is the liveliest.

  What the big shot mentioned is a recent thread sparked by the advanced pharmacist apprentice exams.

  #This year’s advanced pharmacist apprentice exam is seriously terrifying!#

  【Today, over ninety S-grade apprentices popped up in our region.】

  【Forget the region. Just in Fortress City alone, twenty-two S-grade apprentices appeared today.】

  【Heard the Imperial Capital had over two hundred S-grade geniuses show up in a single day.】

  【Imperial Capital doesn’t count. Those guys spend much money on brewing potions. They hire potion masters to practically live with them, spoon-feeding them potion knowledge. What’s the point of that?】

  【Agreed! Pure talent-wise, Imperial Capital’s S-grade apprentices aren’t even as good as the A-grade apprentices in the outskirts.】

  【Hey man, why the hate on the rich?】

  【Waaah... My herb supply got cut off again, and I owe over 2.4 million gold coins! Poverty is ruining me.】

  【Seriously, do we have to be pharmacists?】

  【No kidding, your words sound strange to me. There are this many S-grade apprentices now? I remember five or six years ago, A-grade was the ceiling!】

  【It changed three years ago! The quality of advanced potion apprentices these years is terrifying. A couple years ago, there were even some SSS-grade geniuses. That was truly scary!】

  【Keep your laughs quiet! Our pharmacists aren’t that competitive yet. Look at the force adepts next door, this year’s Imperial Force Adept Academy batch is brutal. They are all insanely strong.】

  【Yeah, I heard that too. A bunch of freaks. Just thinking about it is depressing. I also heard the admission standards for force adepts got raised this year!】

  【Let’s not be too optimistic. I heard those SSS-grade geniuses are ready to go into the Imperial Academy for this year!】

  【What’s going on? Is this the ‘golden generation‘ arriving?】

  【According to the elders, this batch entering the academy will getting a bunch of benefits during their studies. After graduation, they’ll be right in time for a major event. So all the consortiums are holding back their best and pushing people into this batch. It’s an artificially created golden generation.】

  【What benefits? Tell us more.】

  【I wanna hear.】

  【Don’t know the details, just heard the elders mention it.】

  【Wow, that makes sense. No wonder my dad’s been pushing me so hard to get into the Imperial Academy this year.】

  【Golden generation... Since everyone knows now, I’ll stop hiding. I’m royalty, a genius who’s been asleep for a hundred years. This year, I’ll rule the world.】

  【The guy above is a century-old idiot.】

  ……

  After scrolling through the forum, Aaron feels a strong spark of interest in the Imperial Academy.

  The golden generation……

  It refers to a surge of geniuses bursting forth across all fields, a dazzling constellation of prodigies flooding the scene like fish swimming upstream.

  The arrival of a golden generation always sweeps the world into upheaval and dramatic change.

  The last time the empire hailed a golden generation was 160 years ago.

  That generation launched the Twelfth Imperial Expedition.

  The Empire, the Tribes, and the Church……

  Three colossal powers clashed along the continent’s spine for over a decade.

  The Empire’s warriors in that golden generation dazzled the stars with their brilliance.

  In the great war, the Empire gained the upper hand, slaughtering several races that was under the Church’s banner.

  Afterward came a century of imperial prosperity.

  “I wonder how strong this so-called golden generation will be.”

  A surge of ambition rises in Aaron’s chest.

  Once a mere mining slave……

  Now, stepping into Bert City, a place that would overwhelm any wild miner……

  He feels a first impulse to go to a bigger world and a grander stage.

  For now, his main goal is to improve his potion skills and brew the Calm Potion.

  Through the Calm Potion, he can nurture the superpower seed.

  Once the superpower seed awakens successfully, he’ll hold the entry ticket to the strongest generation.

  Next, in June, he plans to pass the Level 1 pharmacist exam to get into the Imperial Academy.

  Finally, Aaron is also quite intrigued by the Poison Technique that was mentioned by Master Scott.

  Having endured hardship since childhood, Aaron has long held the belief that weakness is a sin.

  Only strength can bring him a sense of security.

  “Once the superpower seed stabilizes, I’ll ask Master Scott more about the Poison Technique.”

  After a moment of thought, Aaron pulls out his book on basic formulas again.

  The Imperial Academy enrollment starts in June.

  Less than five months away now.

  For the moment, he’ll focus on mastering the basics.

  ……

  Hunter Union.

  Early morning, the sky just beginning to lighten, the Potion Hall is already buzzing with activity.

  Many apprentices wake up early, heading into the brewing room to clean—scrubbing away the residue from last night’s potions and preparing herbs for the pharmacists.

  Some advanced apprentices even pull all-nighters brewing potions.

  In truth, there’s no laziness among pharmacists.

  The sheer volume of knowledge they must master means lazy people simply can’t make it.

  As Aaron arrives at the brewing room’s entrance, Alex yawns heavily, stepping out from a nearby room.

  Dark circles shadow his eyes, his face oily and exhausted.

  It seems Master Scott’s recent guidance has benefited him greatly. He’s been staying up all night brewing to improve his skills.

  Aaron glances at him but pays no mind.

  Just as he steps inside, a sharp voice cuts through the air.

  “Hey, look who’s here, the S-grade genius, back to brew potions again?” Alex sneers.

  “Where are those herbs sent over by the Silver Fox Hunter Group a few days ago? Bet you’re burning through them fast. Wild kid is just wild, wasting other people’s herbs without a care.”

  Alex’s voice grows louder, dripping with venom.

  Ever since he first saw Aaron out in the wilds, he’s hated this guy for no real reason.

  And the more he sees Ava’s friendly gestures, Bruce’s protection, and Master Scott’s favor toward Aaron, the more his dislike festers.

  Every time they meet, Alex’s face twists with contempt.

  Aaron stares at Alex in surprise.

  He steps forward, curious, and asks, “Are you a force adept?”

  “Nope. Keep your crap to yourself and don’t stand so close—disgusting.”

  “Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!” Aaron slaps Alex hard four times—two with each hand, then spins and kicks him square in the gut.

  “You’re not a force adept, so why act so arrogant?”

  “You... you... How dare you hit me!” Alex stumbles back, falling to the ground.

  One hand clutches his burning cheek, the other points accusingly at Aaron, disbelief written all over his face.

  He never expected Aaron to hit a apprentice like that.

  Nor did he imagine this guy would resort to violence over a few taunts.

  Alex grew up sheltered. He always thought conflicts should be settled with words.

  This is the first time in his life he’s been hit.

  “Keep pointing that finger, and I’ll twist your head right off,” Aaron says with a grim smile, baring his teeth.

  Alex quickly pulls his finger back, trembling slightly.

  Suddenly, he remembers that the guy in front of him is crazy. A madman who kills force adepts like they’re nothing.

  Aaron turns to leave, but then seems to recall something. He stops, spins back around, and squats beside Alex, who looks terrified.

  Calmly, Aaron says, “I know you hate me. I wasn’t planning to stoop to your level—not because I’m magnanimous, but because when I hate someone, I just kill them. Killing you right now would be a hassle.”

  “I’m curious. My pharmacist talent is better than yours. I’m stronger than you. And master values me more. So why do you still dare to mock me?”

  “For now, I just think you’re dumb, not really worth hating. You’d better watch yourself.”

  Aaron’s gaze flickers over to Alex’s neck.

  Alex stiffens all over, his mind frozen, too scared to speak.

  Only after Aaron fully steps into the brewing room does Alex stand up, burning with shame and anger.

  Seeing apprentices peeking out in the hallway to watch the drama, he grows even more furious.

  A venomous expression spreads across his face as he glares fiercely at the brewing room door.

  At the workbench, Aaron picks up the herbs and begins brewing.

  Four days ago, the Silver Fox Hunter Group delivered a hundred batches of herbs for Calm Potion.

  Counting the initial five days he started, it’s been nine days total brewing Calm Potion.

  Nearly a hundred batches of herbs have been wasted. There is not finished potion, not even a single semi-finished potion.

  Aaron stares at the remaining fifty batches of herbs, murmuring to himself, “This time, it’s gotta work.”

  “Withered Leafgrass and Wisteria Sap, mixed in the right proportions.”

  “Add ninety grams of Ironback Beetle blood.”

  “Purify the blood.”

  “Control the amount of White Orchid Grass, watch for the potion to change color three times. When it changes, add Leafbright Flower to neutralize...”

  He recites the Calm Potion steps from memory.

  Methodically, he works through to the final step.

  A flicker of hope crosses Aaron’s face.

  In the vessel sits a pale purple potion.

  “Too bad it’s only pale purple. The finished Calm Potion should be a deep purple. So this isn’t a finished product, just a strong semi-finished potion.”

  This Calm Potion’s effect far surpasses a typical semi-finished potion. It’s probably only 10 to 20 percent weaker than the genuine Calm Potion.

  “Looks like the approach is right. The basic formulas can be substituted.”

  “The combination of decomposition formula + complex decomposition formula + reduction formula works pretty well.”