Earth's Greatest Magus

contemporary romance

Tier 8 products were the pinnacle of high-grade apothecary ingenuity, a mark of true mastery in the craft. Typically, it took months of meticulous practice and years of refining techniques to perfect a single recipe. Most master-level apothecaries could only claim mastery over a handful of tier 8 potions throughout their entire professional careers. Consequently, any attempt to create a tier 8 product garnered immense interest from fellow apothecaries, including masters and grandmasters.

The challenge extended beyond mere creation; it was about achieving excellence within the constraints of a one-hour time limit. As a result, most participants came well-prepared, engrossed in the meticulous preparation of their ingredients. Elaborate sets of herbs, minerals, and rare components were arranged with care, as each apothecary focused on manifesting their skills in the delicate art of potion-making.

However, among them stood one named Merlin. Unlike the others, he hadn't planned to create a tier 9 potion during this exam. As the minutes ticked away, Emery remained deep in thought, contemplating a chosen recipe. To the bewilderment of his competitors, he even took out lower-grade ingredients, raising eyebrows and generating a hushed buzz of speculation among the onlookers.

"Is he just playing around?"

"I can't tell what he's making with those ingredients"…

"Aaa… I can't wait to see what he's going to make."

Realizing that all attention was focused on Merlin, the noble once again grew annoyed. "Huh! Once my product is finished, you all will be begging for my attention.

Meanwhile, Winri, the female participant, drew the second-most attention aside from Emery's table. She was the first to ignite the cauldron, and as the flames danced within the crimson cauldron, Winri, with an air of focused determination, skillfully manipulated the heat. The brightness of the cauldron intensified, casting a warm glow around her workspace. Winri's proficiency in fire manipulation was evident; she exhibited control beyond the confines of her current rank, a spectacle that intrigued all those watching.

Even at rank 9, she wielded a distinct presence of the fire law within the cauldron. The swirling flames carried a unique energy, a testament to her ability to infuse her creations with elemental mastery. The onlookers, both master and aspiring apothecaries alike, couldn't help but marvel at the display of skill and elemental control unfolding before them.

"She's making a Fire Divinity pill," commented one of the masters, a sentiment echoed by others in agreement.

[Fire Divinity Pill] was a tier 7 pill that could assist Magus in advancing their understanding of the law of fire. A high-quality version could significantly boost the comprehension of a new moon magus in the fire element.

For the exam, Winri aimed not just for excellence but for a product that surpassed the norm. The pill she intended to create had to reach a potency of at least 120%, making it a tier 7 with an originality level of 1. This elevated the potential benefits to a crescent moon magus level, offering a significant leap in their understanding and manipulation of the fire law.

"That kind of pill costs around 2 million in the market," said one of the masters.

"30 minutes left," announced the grandmaster, reminding them of the remaining time. As the clock ticked away, spectators began to discern the nature of the concoctions the participants were crafting.

Mo Xan, the seasoned artisan with decades of experience, embarked on a similar endeavor as Winri. However, his approach differed significantly. Instead of relying on a unique ability, the elderly apothecary opted for a more intricate path. Employing a blend of thrice as many ingredients, he skillfully intertwined multiple essences, showcasing a deep understanding and adept dexterity in the art of alchemy. His creation took the form of the tier 7 [Plant Divinity Pill].

This choice wasn't arbitrary; many apothecary masters often began their exploration of tier 8 recipes with elemental divinity pills. The inherent understanding of elemental laws greatly enhanced the product, boosting its potency when infused with the apothecary's spirit force.

As the participants murmured and speculated about the impending results, the question loomed—would it be the young woman's unique core or the seasoned artisan's years of experience that would yield a superior product? The atmosphere in the examination room crackled with anticipation.

Fully aware of Winri and Mo Xan's choices, Eugene Houten, the young master of the Houten family, couldn't conceal his disdain. He scoffed, "Huh, basic tier 8 pills? I, Eugene Houten, would be ashamed to pass the mastery exam with such trash."

In a bold display, Eugene unleashed his spirit force to its maximum potential. He then elegantly tossed three tier 8 ingredients into his high-grade cauldron, triggering a spectacle of dazzling lights accompanied by an enchanting fragrance.

Witnessing this, the onlookers were quick to identify the distinctive ingredients. A murmur swept through the crowd, "It's the Celestial's Body Liquid! Lord Eugene is concocting the strongest body enhancement potion!"

The Celestial's Body Liquid, a renowned tier 8 potion, promised a permanent 10% boost to the battle power of a magus-level individual. Higher-quality versions could yield even greater enhancements. Such elixirs were highly coveted in the markets, primarily purchased by nobles and bestowed upon their descendants and elite fighters. Given the lavish employment of these expensive ingredients, the potion's market value ranged from 3 to 5 million spirit stones. The revelation added another layer of intensity to an already charged atmosphere in the examination room.

Amid the laughter of satisfaction emanating from Eugene, the young master was well aware that the 40 millions invested by the Houten family in purchasing and perfecting this recipe would not go to waste. Having dedicated three years to mastering this particular concoction, Eugene had deliberately kept them secret, intending to unveil them during the exam for maximum impact and publicity, which led to high profits when he started to mass produce them.

The excited murmurings and commotion among the spectators reached Emery's ears, and he caught wind of the name of Eugene's potion. Intrigued, Emery pondered, "Celestial's Body Liquid? I wonder how different it is from the one I am currently making."

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