C7 The Unpleasant Potion

"Who's going to be there?"

"Let's see," Malfoy began, clearly anxious that Liang Mu might decline. He was well aware that Liang Mu was not one for small talk and tended to be somewhat aloof with others.

Except for himself, that is. Otherwise, Malfoy wouldn't have made the effort to personally extend an invitation to Liang Mu. In a rush, he pulled a list from his pocket and handed it over.

"Actually, you're the only one left. I didn't mean to exclude you..."

Before Malfoy could finish, Liang Mu took the list and cut him off.

"These tea parties happen every year, don't they?"

Malfoy nodded instinctively, looking quite docile.

Liang Mu scanned the list, noting there were only five names. It was fewer than he had anticipated, especially since Players had entered the scene; there should have been more.

"Has anyone turned down your invitation? Tell me who."

Soon enough, Malfoy produced another list, this one with seven names.

Liang Mu didn't need to ponder too deeply. Anyone bold enough to refuse an invitation from the Malfoy family, the Pure-blood representatives of the Wizard Realm in England, was either done with England, unafraid of the Malfoys, or a Player.

Stowing the list away, Liang Mu turned his attention back to Malfoy, who had become engrossed in a cartoon.

"Malfoy, Prof. Snape is your godfather."

Malfoy looked startled, his complexion turning a shade paler as if a troubling thought had crossed his mind.

"What's wrong, Liang Mu, you..."

Seeing Malfoy's pallor, it was clear that Snape hadn't left the best impression.

"I have a keen interest in Potions."

"This..."

Malfoy seemed to grasp Liang Mu's intent but hesitated, weighing whether to invite his formidable godfather to the tea party.

Liang Mu, reading the hesitation, understood Malfoy's dilemma.

"I simply wish to seek his expertise in Potions. He doesn't have to attend the tea party."

"So, will you come to the tea party?"

Liang Mu offered a smile and handed the attendance list back to Malfoy.

"If he comes, count me in. I'll await your update."

Watching Malfoy vanish into the flames, Liang Mu drained the last of his Blueberry Juice.

He set the glass down on the table, where a list also lay.

"Check this."

Liang Mu tapped the list, glancing at the Old Steward, who offered a beaming smile.

"Very well, Young Master."

The Old Steward was indifferent to the names on the list, knowing that all the renowned Pure-blood families in the Wizard Realm kept tabs on each other.

The following day, the Old Steward delivered a small notebook containing the latest intelligence on those individuals.

As Liang Mu watched the crushed Dragon Orchid in the crucible slowly turn black, he paused his experiment to take another sip of Blueberry Juice.

"Young Master, I've compiled the recent whereabouts of these family heirs. If there's nothing else, I shall start preparing lunch," the Old Steward said, his gaze respectfully lowered, not questioning Liang Mu's sudden interest in these matters.

Disposing of the spoiled materials into the slug barrel, Liang Mu grabbed a damp cloth and began to clean his hands.

"Look into the new arrivals at the London orphanage."

The Old Steward paused, clearly puzzled by the request but nodded and left without question.

Liang Mu then took a fresh Dragon Orchid and began to slice it into one-centimeter sections with a small knife, intent on concocting a Magic Potion to replenish his mana.

He was taken aback by the rigorous potion-making process of this world, where the shape and size of ingredients could impact the success rate. Yet, the resulting potions were impressively effective, unlike anything he had seen before.

He placed the cut Dragon Orchid into the crucible and added a drop of Unicorn saliva before setting it over the alcohol burner. Taking out his mechanical pocket watch, he began timing the process meticulously.

Shortly after...

Liang Mu let out a small burp and grimaced as he set a pale grey, viscous crystal bottle on the table—his hard-won creation after numerous failed attempts: a perfect Magic Potion, certified by Paradise.

Feeling his stomach roil, Liang Mu doubled over, succumbing to involuntary dry heaves as tears and mucus streamed down his face.

Despite the situation, Liang Mu remained fixated on the panel before him.

Magical Energy: 60/200

After a short time,

Magical Energy: 59/200

Watching his recently replenished magical energy dwindle, Liang Mu felt a sense of helplessness. Clearly, only Magic Potions certified by Paradise could restore his magical energy.

It was no surprise that a single formula could fetch 500 Game Coins; they were obviously exploiting him.

This realization only strengthened Liang Mu's resolve to seek out Prof. Snape as his mentor. The textbooks, which hadn't been updated in decades, were hopelessly outdated. Learning from Prof. Snape, the preeminent Potions Master in the Wizard Realm, was undoubtedly the best course of action.

At the very least, he could refine the Magic Potion to increase its potency, which would mean selling fewer formulas to Paradise.

Due to a previous contract, his physical attributes were locked in place, only upgradable through the means specified by Paradise. Any other methods were off-limits.

Consequently, with no way to enhance his attributes, Liang Mu had no choice but to develop laterally, feverishly advancing his skill tree.

After consuming two bottles of medicine to restore his Psychic Force, Liang Mu closed his eyes and indulged in his most cherished pastime—dreaming.

Mixing the Magic Potion with blueberry juice should make it much more palatable, right?

The following morning, Liang Mu slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his eyes bright and clear.

After freshening up and donning his coat, Duobao nestled into his pocket.

"Young Master, you're awake," the Old Steward announced, entering at just the right moment and offering a cup of warm water with meticulous care.

"To the library," Liang Mu said, his voice still a bit hoarse.

"Please, follow me."

Like any venerable Pure-blood family, the Liang Mu household had its own repository for magical tomes.

However, Liang Mu couldn't venture in alone; with his mere 10 points of intelligence, any one of those books might ensnare and consume him—a perilous risk.

Accompanied by the Old Steward, Liang Mu made his way to the castle's basement.

Flipping the switch, the electric light cast a warm glow that spread outwards, banishing the darkness and revealing a space the size of a small gym.

"Please wait a moment," the Old Steward said to Liang Mu before turning to a cluttered corner. He tapped the wall a few times with his wand, and soon after, a faint metallic clinking echoed from within the walls.

A small opening appeared at the spot he had struck. The steward reached inside, fumbling around for a bit, and soon extracted a silver token, about the size of his palm.

Once he verified the token, the Old Steward handed it to Liang Mu with a warm smile and gestured to the open area. "Young Master, simply walk forward with this token, and you'll find the book you're looking for. I'll wait for you right here."

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