Wizard: My magic facility can be upgraded!

Chapter 37 Gathering Information

Today, the highest-paying item on the task board is the [Basic Healing Potion]. A decent quality potion can earn you 30 copper coins after deducting material costs.

Not long after the refining process began, Ginny found Li Ang, and this time she spoke with even greater respect:

"Lord Leon... Lady Eve asked me to explain to you the details of the 'Silver Cauldron' potion competition..."

Looking at Ginny, who was becoming increasingly respectful, Li Ang felt a mix of emotions. After Ginny finished explaining the relevant matters, Li Ang spoke, trying to make his tone as relaxed as possible.

"Miss Ginny, we're about the same age, you can just call me Li Ang."

Ginny shook her head. "Lord Leon, even if you don't care about these things, there are always many people who do. I can't..."

"Alright then, from now on, when it's just the two of us, you can still call me Li Ang's apprentice, or just Li Ang. Otherwise, it's up to you."

Li Ang interrupted Ginny's next words and said sincerely.

A hint of surprise flashed in Ginny's eyes, then she nodded.

"If that's what you want."

After seeing Ginny off, Li Ang summarized Ginny's explanation. The rules were actually quite simple: one month later, within a two-hour time limit, participants would concoct their own original potions in front of the three school leaders, who would then score them and select this year's winner.

After a day of hard work, Li Ang returned to his dormitory with the eight silver coins he had just earned. Looking at the six copies of the "Level 1 Spellbook" already copied on the table, he decided to end the mission.

After all, he initially copied the book only to learn more advanced spells. He originally intended to copy just one copy, but the effect of the quill pen made him unable to resist copying several more copies. However, now that his understanding of level 1 spells has reached its current limit, there is no point in copying any more.

He took the six copies he had copied and the copy of "Level 1 Spellbook" he had received earlier, left the dormitory, and headed towards the task submission area in the lobby on the first floor.

The trainees, all looking exhausted, stood in line listlessly.

When it was Li Ang's turn, the expressionless wizard follower counted the copies and the original book, and handed over four copper coins without even looking up.

"Six books, one copper coin each. Fifty sheets of parchment, one copper coin each. A set of ink and quill pens, one copper coin each. After deducting costs, the total is four copper coins."

The attendant's voice was flat and monotone, mechanically performing his duties, much like his past self.

Li Ang silently accepted the four light copper coins and held them between his fingers. He once again felt the cruelty within the Wizard Tower, where most apprentices faced the prospect of barely managing to fill their stomachs even after giving their all.

After pocketing the four copper coins, Li Ang headed towards the canteen.

It was nearing evening. I had grabbed a quick bite of bread outside the workshop at noon, but I needed to treat myself to a proper meal tonight after all that hard work.

The cafeteria was bustling with noise. His gaze swept across the crowd and he quickly spotted Lottie, who was in line.

Li Ang quietly and quickly stepped forward, cutting in front of Lottie once again.

"Two set meals, please," he said quickly to the chef behind the window.

Lottie was startled at first, but when she saw that it was Li Ang, her cheeks instantly flushed red.

She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to refuse out of habit, but in the end she only lowered her head slightly and whispered:

"...Thank you, Mr. Li Ang."

Today's special set menu features steaming hot beef stew with tomatoes, a rich and flavorful broth, tender beef, served with a soft white bread and a glass of fragrant orange aperitif.

The two walked to their usual corner spot, and as soon as they sat down, Lottie couldn't wait to share her joy:

"Mr. Li Ang, thank you for your help. I passed the test. My mentor, Edwin, said... he said that considering my efforts and my grandfather's sake, this matter can be considered as if it never happened."

At this point, Lottie's face was filled with joy, and her voice even trembled slightly.

As Li Ang listened, he used a spoon to put a piece of beef into his mouth. The sweet, sour, and savory flavors burst on his tongue. He then took a sip of aperitif, the slightly sour and sweet taste of which perfectly neutralized the greasiness of the beef.

After Lottie calmed down a bit, Leon raised his glass and said with a smile, "This is the result of your own hard work, Lottie. Congratulations, cheers!"

Hearing Leon's encouragement, Lottie's eyes welled up with tears again, but this time they were tears of joy. She raised her glass and smiled happily, "Cheers!"

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Li Ang casually asked:

"By the way, Lottie, have you heard of the 'Silver Cauldron' potion-making competition?"

Lottie was taking small bites of the last piece of bread when she heard this. She looked up, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes:

"You've heard about it? This is the most important competition of the year for the Potions School. The rewards are very generous, and many apprentice wizards participate."

Li Ang nodded, then asked, "I heard that participants need to create their own original potions?"

Mentioning this, Lottie's face showed a mixture of helplessness and a little resentment: "Yes... original. But this so-called originality, often it's actually just... um..."

She considered her words carefully, "It's actually just a minor modification to the existing medication."

"For example?" Li Ang pressed.

"For example... the Night Eye Potion extends the night vision effect of the Night Owl Potion by about ten minutes, but the corresponding material cost increases many times over."

Lottie took a sip of her aperitif, then whispered:

"This improvement is actually quite useless. With that money, you might as well just buy two bottles of Night Owl Potion."

Li Ang raised an eyebrow: "This is acceptable? Are the judging criteria so... lenient?"

Lottie smiled helplessly, lowering her voice even further: "It's said that... in recent decades, truly new potion formulas have become extremely rare."

"These days, potion competitions often don't really test true creativity, but rather... well... how to cleverly combine and fine-tune known recipes, and then choose the one that has the biggest changes or is the most practical. Everyone is actually aware of this."

After dinner, Li Ang returned to his single dormitory room. He sat at his desk, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the surface.

"Original potion... fine-tuning... piecing together..." he muttered to himself, pondering his direction.

He was determined to win the prize from the Potions Contest, as it was not only about resources but also an opportunity to impress the sect leader. But what should he do?

His gaze fell on his still somewhat thin arms.

The body I took over after transmigrating was in very poor condition. Although my lung disease had been cured, I was still very thin.

He couldn't help but recall that before he traveled through time, he had impulsively bought a gym membership, protein powder, and creatine, hoping to develop some muscle definition.

Unfortunately, due to frequent overtime work, he ended up working sporadically and eventually gained several pounds with the help of protein powder.

At the time, he thought, "If only there were something that could build muscle without the side effects of those 'technologies'!"