A moment later, the membrane of light stabilized, and the content displayed on it changed appearance.
Strength: 1.2, Agility: 1.1, Body Constitution: 0.9, Spirit: 1.4
*Isn't this exactly the data panel he'd been longing for? It was just as clear and straightforward.*
"Academic Prodigy."
He tried softly calling out, and the membrane flickered slightly, the data switching to another version.
[Apothecary Skill: lv1(1/100)]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv0(5/10)]
[Linguistics Skill: lv0(1/10)]
*The appearance of subject data made him breathe a sigh of relief. He decided to name the other panel the 'Attributes Panel' so they wouldn't be confused.*
*It seemed like the membrane of light had plenty of capabilities yet to be explored. Who knew—it might reveal something new someday.*
In the next second, his vision returned to the Attributes Panel.
*Body Constitution was a bit underwhelming, while Spirit, whose implications were unclear, was the highest.*
*Could it be that I'm actually a high-Spirit guy?*
Looking at the Spirit stat, the thought briefly crossed Ivan's mind before he quickly dismissed it.
*This Attributes Panel didn't contain any progress bars or Experience Point indicators, which implied it wasn't about stat points allocation—it was purely data reflection, showcasing various aspects of himself. Most likely, it had manifested in response to his inner desires.*
After thinking it through for a good while, he redirected his attention to the book "Herbs Record Vol. 2," continuing his reading.
[Apothecary Experience Point +1]
[Apothecary Skill: lv1(2/100)]
*Experience Point essentially represented accumulated effort—it was a slow and gradual process. Clearly, reaching level 2 would take a significant amount of time.*
By the time it was deep into the night, he closed the book contentedly.
A new day.
When Ivan got up, his father and Paul had already left the house. The two of them needed to handle the post-task follow-ups, while Beaman was leading his younger siblings in training.
Beaman instructed Ivan in sword fighting, still focusing on basic sword moves, correcting some of his oversights, introducing more advanced transition techniques, and using guided drills to help him gain proficiency.
That morning, Ivan unusually skipped going to Cassia Swordsmanship Hall.
After lunch, he planned to visit the medical hall.
Beaman suddenly pulled him aside and said, "Do you know why Old Orio agreed to teach you?"
Ivan thought of what Justine had mentioned.
Before he could say anything, Beaman blurted out the answer: "There was a time when he and Father were drinking together, and they made a wager—whoever lost would have to agree to a reasonable request from the other. He ended up losing, and Father asked him to teach you. Ha ha ha."
"Father probably didn't expect you to actually enjoy apothecary practices. Anyway, keep this in mind."
Seeing Ivan in a daze, Beaman, realizing his words might have disheartened his younger brother, quickly added, "Old Orio's potions are unique and can also make a lot of money. For now, just focus on learning. If you're short on funds, let me know. If you truly enjoy apothecary work, we'll think of other ways."
With that, he patted Ivan's shoulder and went off to tend to other affairs.
Ivan sighed lightly: "Well, that's an unexpected answer."
*No wonder Old Orio always looked conflicted.*
*This likely meant it would be tough to gain Old Orio's full guidance.*
*Not an easy situation.*
After pondering for a while, he still didn't come to any conclusions and decided to just take things as they came.
Bat's Eye Medical Hall.
Ivan and Justine were like two attendants, often flanking Old Orio on either side. Ever since they'd had a conversation, Justine had grown even more enthusiastic, while Ivan remained the same.
Old Orio suddenly said, "Leider came by this morning and paid your medical fees."
Ivan's heart immediately tightened: "He didn't tell me he was coming."
*Could he be planning to drive me away?*
Fortunately, Old Orio didn't say anything further, nor did he mention not allowing Ivan to keep coming to the medical hall, which let Ivan secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Most of the day passed, and it was already nighttime.
Someone knocked on his door again; this time, it was his eldest brother, Paul.
"Click."
Upon seeing him, Paul tossed him a steel sword.
Ivan glanced at him with surprise before focusing on the sword: "This is—the Quillen Sword from the Fluttering Wind Kingdom."
Paul nodded slightly: "That's right—it's yours now."
"Thanks."
Ivan didn't hesitate to accept it.
The Quillen Sword was among the finer types of swords. Originating from the neighboring Fluttering Wind Kingdom, it was said to be forged from refined iron and infused with a special mineral called Whistling Stone. The sword's name, 'Quillen,' commemorated a legendary Flying Knight.
This Quillen Sword's price was definitely no less than two gold coins, equivalent to Beaman's savings.
Paul then handed over the bow and arrows slung on his shoulder: "Father prepared this for you after receiving Old Mickey's message. It's a quality bow along with a set of arrows."
Old Mickey was a veteran mercenary who had been part of the Giant Shield Mercenary Group when their grandfather was the leader. With squire-level strength, he was now too old to travel for missions and instead stayed in Flying Fish City to watch over the Marichadon family residence.
Beside the door stood a leather quiver that could be strapped to the back, along with a large bundle of 300 feathered arrows.
Ivan placed the items in his room, arranging them neatly.
*He couldn't help but feel moved—this was likely his father's understated way of showing care. Both his temperament and mannerisms reflected similarities to Ivan's former self.*
Paul continued, "Father said, if you need a horse, you can go to the residence and ask Old Mickey. He'll arrange one for you."
Ivan nodded slightly, indicating he understood.
Paul didn't linger. As he was about to leave, he seemed to remember something. He pulled a sheepskin scroll from his pocket and handed it to Ivan: "This was acquired unexpectedly during a mission. You can study it yourself or give it to Old Orio—Father said it's up to you."
After seeing Paul out and returning inside, Ivan took a closer look at the scroll in his hands. Made of specially tanned sheepskin, it documented both a potion recipe and the crafting method: a universal secret medicine for Knight Breathing Method—Whirlpool Potion.
*The essence of Breathing Methods lay in refining the Breath of Life, essentially tapping into the potential of one's bloodline. Many Breathing Methods were closely tied to individual bloodlines, and the corresponding secret medicine worked in tandem as well.*
Whirlpool Potion was a universal secret medicine for page-class Breathing Methods. This recipe undoubtedly held immense value. If it could be manufactured and sold, it might generate substantial wealth, potentially becoming a cornerstone for an entire family's foundation.
*The weight of such a valuable recipe, given so casually, made Ivan feel as though his hands were carrying something far heavier than it appeared. He instinctively glanced around and closed the door tightly.*
"Whirlpool flower, barro grass, black snake fruit, bitter wheat mantis feeler, red rock powder—no, no. If I'm not mistaken, barro grass grows on cliffs and is extremely rare. Yet the primary ingredient, whirlpool flower, is already extinct."
*In terms of herb identification, Ivan was no longer a complete novice. Looking at the scroll's content, he quickly pinpointed the issues.*
*In essence, apothecary work in this world resembled traditional Chinese medicine, often categorized using the 'ruler-vassals hierarchy.' According to this hierarchy, the Whirlpool Potion's main herb was whirlpool flower, while barro grass served as a secondary herb.*
"Barro grass could still be collected, but the whirlpool flower would likely need to be substituted with something else."
*Although the recipe lacked its two critical ingredients, it still retained significant value. Unlike worthless scraps, a person like Old Orio would likely find interest in it.*
*Suddenly, Ivan grasped his father's intentions.*
*It was an implicit suggestion to gift the recipe to Old Orio and attempt to secure the opportunity to become a true disciple. His father might seem reserved and unbothered, but in truth, his concern for Ivan was far from lacking.*
*Still, Old Orio wasn't the easiest person to deal with. Ivan needed to redouble his efforts and meticulously prepare.*
...
Cassia Swordsmanship Hall martial arts arena.
During a break, Donnie suddenly peeked around discreetly, leaning closer and lowering his voice to a whisper.
"I've got some top-secret news for you."
"What is it?"
"There's a sorcerer in Flying Fish Port—a mysterious sorcerer recruiting apprentices."
Ivan initially wasn't paying attention, but upon hearing Donnie's words, his eyes widened in surprise, staring at him with disbelief.