For two consecutive days and nights, Green remained in a state of intense focus, diligently concocting a batch of perfumes. Even amidst this rigorous schedule, he did not neglect his duties of cleaning the library. By the end of this grueling endeavor, with dark circles shadowing his weary eyes, Green triumphantly carried thirty bottles of his creation to the trading plaza on the first floor of Blackthorn Tower.
"Excuse me, could you help me consign these thirty bottles of perfume for sale at the price of one magic stone per bottle?" Green addressed a plump apprentice, who was deeply engrossed in a magical tome.
The apprentice, a corpulent figure whose voluminous robe failed to conceal his ample girth, looked up in surprise. His eyes, nearly hidden in the folds of his fleshy face, squinted at Green. "Perfume? What's that?" he asked skeptically.
"Uh... it's a potion that alters body scent, designed to subconsciously attract the opposite gender—a little invention of mine," Green explained simply.
"Attract the opposite gender?" The apprentice's curiosity was piqued. He reached for one of the bottles, but Green hastily stopped him. "There are two types of perfume—one for men and one for women. Misuse could have unintended side effects," Green warned.
Under Green's guidance, the apprentice carefully uncorked a bottle and took a cautious sniff. After a brief pause, his eyes widened in astonishment. "What's the name of this potion? It's incredible! It brought back a rush of adolescent emotions—a heart-throbbing nostalgia for the innocence of a first crush. What a peculiar sensation!"
"Uh... a name?" Green hesitated. Then, after a moment of thought, he said, "Let's call it Venus's Blessing." The apprentice's dramatic reaction made Green feel it was somewhat exaggerated; although the fragrance was alluring, it hardly evoked the grandeur the apprentice described. Perhaps, Green mused, it was due to his lack of romantic experience.
"Venus's Blessing? Ha, excellent choice!" The apprentice chuckled approvingly. "By the way, why not set the price at two magic stones per bottle? This is a rare and novel potion, after all."
"Two magic stones? Isn't that a bit exorbitant?" Green frowned. He felt it was extravagant to spend so much on a non-combat potion.
The apprentice waved off his concerns. "Anyone willing to buy this potion won't quibble over a single magic stone. Do you think this academy is filled only with novices struggling for scraps? Besides," he added with a sly grin, "who said I'd sell this to apprentices?"
"You mean... sell it to actual wizards?" Green gaped in astonishment.
The apprentice chuckled at Green's naivety. "Wizards are still human. With their extended lifespans, they appreciate luxuries like these even more."
Green trudged back to his room and collapsed onto his bed, finally succumbing to exhaustion. After an entire day of deep slumber, he awoke feeling rejuvenated. He munched on some dry rations, recalling that there was an important lecture that day—a wizard renowned for their expertise was teaching the fundamentals of soul magic, a critical foundation for raising soul slaves and companion creatures.
However, attending the class required magic stones as payment, and Green had spent his last on ingredients for his perfume experiments. Rubbing his temples in frustration, Green decided to check with the apprentice at the plaza to see how sales were progressing.
To his surprise, the apprentice greeted him with unrestrained enthusiasm. "Oh, my dear inventor of Venus's Blessing! You've finally returned!"
Green blinked in confusion. "What's going on? Did the perfume sell well?"
"Well? That doesn't even begin to describe it!" the apprentice exclaimed. "I recommended it to one wizard, and they were so delighted after a single sniff that they bought all thirty bottles without even asking the price!"
Green stood dumbfounded. "You're joking, right? It's just a casual invention of mine."
The apprentice grinned mischievously. "Not only that, I raised the price to three magic stones per bottle. The wizard didn't bat an eye and handed over a mid-tier magic stone, telling me to keep the change!"
Green took the ninety magic stones, deducting ten as the apprentice's commission. Thrilled but also cautious, he hesitated. "I can make more, but crafting them consumes a lot of time and effort. With the trial exams approaching, I plan to focus on improving my skills. I'll only prepare more when I'm in dire need of magic stones."
The apprentice, though disappointed, understood the gravity of the trials and didn't press further. They exchanged crystal ball contact information, and Green departed the plaza, a newfound sense of caution tingling in his mind. With ninety magic stones now in his possession, he worried about becoming a target for envious apprentices.
"Companion insects—this must be my next priority," Green muttered. Thankfully, he had already collected some promising specimens.
Returning to his room, Green laid out four vials containing his chosen insects. The decision loomed large: which one should he bond with? Each carried unique potential:
Corpse Beetles - Voracious creatures capable of consuming flesh in moments, collected from a cursed apprentice's remains. Parasitic Hornworms - Mysterious creatures that induce mutations in their hosts, hinting at a force of evolutionary power. Moths of Longevity - The most popular choice among apprentices, known to extend their master's lifespan by a full century. Nameless Ooze - A peculiar, mud-like amoeba of indeterminate origin, boasting unparalleled regenerative abilities.
After much deliberation, Green eliminated the Corpse Beetles for their overly aggressive nature and dismissed the Nameless Ooze for its lack of reproductive viability. His gaze lingered on the Moths of Longevity, favored by most apprentices, yet the enigmatic Hornworms sparked his curiosity. Their ability to trigger biological transformations aligned intriguingly with his studies on olfactory modification.
Ultimately, Green decided to experiment further, cultivating the Hornworms in a live frog host. With time and access to advanced microscopy, he hoped to unravel their full potential. As he prepared his laboratory, Green's eyes gleamed with determination—this choice, though uncertain, could redefine his path as a wizard.