The field of Magic Potions is defined as the art of using materials with Extraordinary properties, which are fused and reacted through special techniques and specific ratios to ultimately create the desired Magic Potion.

As a unique and mature support discipline exclusive to Wizards, the study of Magic Potions encompasses a vast body of knowledge.

After long years of research and evolution, modern Wizards have divided the study of Magic Potions into five branches: Material Studies, Pharmacology, Compounding, Alchemy, and Toxicology.

Material Studies focuses on the characteristics, classification, formation, collection, and storage of various Extraordinary materials.

Pharmacology is the study of the effects different Magic Potions have on their users, including any side effects, somewhat akin to clinical trial research.

Compounding is a bit more complex, focusing on the interactions between different Magic Potions and the development of effective recipe combinations.

Alchemy, then, explores how to refine and prepare pure Extraordinary properties, eliminating the parts prone to causing contamination and mutation.

At first, Wei’en was confused as to why Alchemy was considered a branch of Magic Potion studies.

But after reading "Introduction to Magic Potions—Basic Theories," he realized that this particular form of Alchemy was only a minor branch of the much broader field of Alchemy.

Alchemy, in the broader sense, was far more demanding, requiring a wider range of knowledge than the study of Magic Potions.

As for the last branch, Toxicology... it was the exact opposite of Pharmacology, focusing on how to use the contaminating properties of Extraordinary materials to create poisons that accelerate contamination or mutation.

Having read this far, Wei’en now had a basic understanding of the field of Magic Potions.

’The fields are broken down so meticulously. The corresponding studies will consume even more time.’

That was acceptable enough, but he grew frustrated when he saw the list of equipment and apparatus required for making Magic Potions.

Precision scale, crucible, Isolation Array, protective suit...

Every single item cost over 1 gold pound, and the Isolation Array in particular cost a full 5 gold pounds.

In disbelief, Wei’en opened "Magic Potion Recipes (Apprentice Edition)" and looked at the three potions listed: Enlightenment Potion, Healing Potion, and Spirit Defense Potion.

Setting aside the necessary Extraordinary materials, the essential equipment for brewing these potions included a crucible, a precision scale, protective gloves, and a stirring rod...

All together, these items would cost around 7 gold pounds.

Next, he opened "Material Studies (Apprentice Edition)" and cross-referenced the recipes to look up the required Extraordinary materials.

The results were just wonderful—

The Enlightenment Potion, for instance, required the essence of a Vengeful Spirit, a black toad’s brain, and an octopus tentacle from the Cordo Sea. A single set of these ingredients cost 15 shillings.

The sale price of the finished product depended on its quality—low, medium, or high. A low-grade Enlightenment Potion sold for 18 shillings, which, after factoring in labor, meant he would basically break even.

Wei’en couldn’t help but curse. "This is highway robbery!"

Forget 5 gold pounds; all the money he had on him was barely enough to buy the base for the Isolation Array...

However, he knew perfectly well that not buying this equipment wasn’t an option.

Take the most expensive item, the Isolation Array, for example.

When handling Extraordinary materials, some of their corrupting properties would inevitably leak out. Without the protection of an Isolation Array, one had to rely on their own power to endure the contamination.

If it was something like the Gonzalez parchment, it would be fine; his Spiritual Power was strong enough to suppress it.

But if he encountered contamination on the level of the Source of Despair, most apprentices would be utterly doomed.

’Looks like trying to make Magic Potions today is out of the question...’

Wei’en sighed helplessly and finished reading the rest of the material on Magic Potions.

With his current level of Spiritual Power, memorizing all this information wasn’t difficult.

If he had a choice, however, he would rather not have memorized it.

Especially when he read about Compounding and Alchemy; the price of every single piece of research equipment required for those experimental environments was astronomical...

’No wonder Magic Potions are so expensive. Even without factoring in production losses, the initial investment alone is beyond what an ordinary person can afford.’

Wei’en was now incredibly envious of the Wizard Apprentices who were selected to study at an academy, and even more envious that they had access to the academy’s Magic Potion Laboratory.

[You have successfully completed your study of the basics of Magic Potions, unlocking the Magic Potion Knowledge Tree. Evaluation: Your development is limited by poverty, you pitiful outlander. Special Reward: Survival Points +3, Resilience Level +1.]

[Note: The study of Magic Potions was a groundbreaking invention. Its appearance altered the course of the River of Destiny to some extent, but in other ways, it also brought misfortune.]

At that moment, the panel prompted that the Magic Potion Knowledge Tree had been unlocked.

Wei’en glanced at it once, then couldn’t be bothered to look again and put the parchments away.

’A knowledge tree with no recipes... I can’t even assign any points. What’s the point of looking at it?’

After clearing his desk, Wei’en activated the "typewriter" and began uploading today’s intelligence report.

’The intel on the slum disappearance case I finished investigating today should fetch a good price.’

He felt like he was going crazy. After his Survival Point anxiety, he’d now developed Gold Pound Anxiety Syndrome.

His craving for money had only intensified, especially after seeing the costs associated with learning about Magic Potions.

"August 10th, 1578 of the New Era. Weather: Clear."

"Today, I took a great risk and ventured deep into the Laos District of the Caster City State to investigate the cause of the recent disappearances. By a stroke of bad luck, I witnessed a battle between the City-State Secret Investigation Department and Thousand-faced Kreya of the Eternal Life Association..."

Out of caution, Wei’en didn’t mention that he had joined the Secret Investigation Department, instead reporting on the intelligence gathering from a third-person perspective.

Just as he had never told Lisi and the others that he was a Wizard Apprentice, he always kept a card up his sleeve.

"...Finally, after overcoming great difficulty, I located the 326 missing persons deep within the Laos District. I can confirm they were all sacrificed by the Despair Sect; their bodies have been reduced to desiccated corpses."

"Furthermore,"

As he wrote this, Wei’en paused. He decided against reporting the information regarding Forbidden Item 034, the Revival Casket.

For one, news of a Forbidden Item was too significant. For another, his encounter progress with the Revival Casket had already reached twenty percent. If word spread through the academy network, that progress would probably shoot up to forty percent.

Besides, he was worried that if he reported it, the Liaison Officer would immediately assign him the mission of investigating the Forbidden Item.

’I can’t even get away from it fast enough, and I’m supposed to go looking for it? Am I an idiot?’

"As for the Dawn Church’s Holy Favored, I have no leads yet. I will do my utmost to investigate, but given the Dawn Church’s influence in the Caster City State, I’m afraid it will be..."

"On the path of pursuing knowledge, death is not the end. —Respectfully submitted, Wei’en Loft, Intelligence Officer, Caster City State."

Wei’en had described in detail the tyrannical nature of the Dawn Church, making it clear just how difficult the mission to investigate the Holy Favored would be.

He was trying to sway his Liaison Officer with his prose, hoping she might grant him a few more days.

’That should work... right?’