[Starlight Potion].
Ian reached out and took out a Rock Bear Potion.
The dark amber liquid swirled slowly inside the vial, a phantom of flowing magma stirring deep within.
He turned and placed the Potion on the laboratory bench.
"This is what we’ll use."
Naseng stared at the Potion, his dark brown pupils contracting slightly.
As a Level Two Middle Stage Body Refining Wizard, his Perception easily captured the information and Energy contained within the potion.
This was no ordinary Tier One Potion. The Energy fluctuations were almost tangible, and the Extraordinary Information within was nearly complete.
He could even "smell" the heavy scent of the Earth.
’Before we came, the young lady said there would be a surprise here...’
His voice was hoarse. Behind him, the Cursed Wizard and the Elemental Wizard both took a step forward.
Both of them stared intently at the Potion, their fingers unconsciously clenching into fists.
"A Tier One Bloodline Potion."
Ian’s voice was calm, as if he were introducing a common item.
"Taken with a Neutralizing Potion, it can transform a High Level Apprentice, giving them power approaching that of a Level One Wizard."
He paused.
"It can also allow a Level One Wizard... to increase their power by about thirty percent from their original base."
Naseng took a deep breath. Of course, he knew what this meant.
Fifty such Potions meant fifty clandestine agents with at least the combat power of a Level One.
Distributed in every corner of the family, they would be like fifty nails driven into flesh and blood.
Normally, they would remain hidden and inconspicuous.
But at a critical moment... they could instantly tear through the enemy’s defenses.
"Wizard Marcus."
Naseng looked up. This time, the scrutiny in his eyes had completely vanished.
In its place was an almost-burning warmth.
"These Potions... you refined all of them yourself?"
Ian nodded, knowing that these people had been won over by his mastery of Magic Potions.
He didn’t need to waste effort explaining. He simply pulled the door of the constant temperature cabinet wide open, completely exposing the neat arrays of Potions inside to everyone’s eyes.
Everything fell into place.
Among the three stewards, the old man in charge of supplying medicinal ingredients suddenly took a step forward.
He reached out a trembling hand, wanting to touch a Rock Bear Potion, but his fingertips stopped an inch from the vial’s surface.
"To think a Bloodline Potion of this purity exists..." His voice trembled.
"The preserved Extraordinary Information is at least... over ninety percent."
He turned to Ian, an incredulous light erupting in his old eyes.
"Honorable Wizard Marcus, you... how did you do it?"
Ian didn’t answer, instead looking at Aidele.
"How to screen them, how to build the team... I imagine you’re more familiar with that than I am."
Aidele nodded emphatically, the silver patterns in her deep, cyan eyes shining with astonishing brightness.
She grabbed a Feather Pen and began sketching rapidly on a sheet of parchment.
Names were circled one by one, lines drawn and labeled.
Her movements grew faster and faster, yet steadier and steadier.
As if she were drawing her very own... map of war.
An hour later, the six of them left the Laboratory one after another.
Naseng, walking last, turned to look at Ian as he crossed the threshold.
"Wizard Marcus."
He bowed deeply, the movement so standard it was almost rigid.
"Before... I was rude."
Ian waved his hand dismissively. "We were just doing our jobs."
Naseng straightened up, the scar on his face twitching slightly in the light.
"I will protect the young lady and ensure she wins this election."
His voice was low, yet it was threaded with an iron Will.
With that, he turned and strode away. His footsteps, heavy and resolute, faded down the corridor.
The Laboratory fell silent once more.
The halo of the Crystal Stone Lamp cast long shadows on the laboratory bench.
Aidele, standing before the laboratory bench, handed him an exquisite Rune Leather Bag.
Inside the bag were the Star Crystals that Aidele had gathered for him again.
Ian took it and swept his Spiritual Power over it, a flicker of joy in his heart.
’Twenty crystals. Not bad. It’s not enough to get my Elementalization to thirty percent, but every step forward is a change in power.’
Naseng had already taken all the Potions, and these Star Crystals were not nearly enough to cover his payment.
"Ian."
Aidele suddenly spoke, her voice hushed.
"Last night’s assassin... I’ve found a lead."
"Oh? So soon."
Ian turned his head. On his shoulder, Gaga also lifted its head, its silver-gray pupils glinting faintly in the shadows.
Aidele took a deep breath. "It was one of Second Brother Edwin’s people."
Her voice was laced with cold killing intent.
"But he used... a Dark Department Token belonging to my third brother, Adrian."
She paused. "The two of them... they’ve definitely joined forces."
Ian said nothing, walking to the laboratory window to look out at the gradually brightening sky.
The morning light pierced through the clouds, spilling onto the gray-white buildings of East City.
"What about your eldest brother, Edmund?" Ian suddenly asked.
Aidele hesitated. "He..."
She frowned in thought. "He’s been too quiet lately. So quiet... it’s making me uneasy."
Ian nodded, his fingers tapping lightly on the window frame.
"The quietest people are often brewing the most venomous plots."
He turned and looked at Aidele.
"How long will it take for all fifty Potions to be administered?"
"Three days at most," Aidele replied without hesitation. "Naseng will personally oversee it."
"Very good. As for the candidates for the other two [Earth Tyrant Potions], you need to be careful."
Because the Tier Two Bloodline Potion was so powerful, Aidele hadn’t yet decided who should take it.
Moreover, taking the Earth Tyrant Potion required Ian to personally unseal it.
Ian didn’t dare release the Potion onto the market yet. The threat was too great; a single misstep could backfire on him.
Aidele nodded emphatically. One could never be too careful with a Potion that could create a Level Two Bloodline Wizard overnight.