Wizard Lord:I can Extract Anything

As Richard and Ellie left the testing area, they attracted the attention of many apprentices. Unlike the well-known Ellie, Richard, despite being a prodigy who had become a formal apprentice within half a year of enrollment, was not widely recognized. This was partly due to his lack of social interaction and his deliberate attempt to remain low-key.

Richard's philosophy was to "play the fool to catch the tiger" and quietly amass wealth. However, being too reserved sometimes led to complications.

"Ellie, long time no see. Here to practice spells again?" A handsome man in a black robe stepped out from the crowd, smiling brightly at Ellie.

Ellie's smile faded, and her tone turned cold. "Yes, I'm done practicing."

Sensing Ellie's discomfort, Richard whispered to her, "Who's this?"

"That's Joseph," Ellie replied with a hint of disdain.

Richard scrutinized the apprentice before him. Joseph appeared strong, handsome, with flowing golden hair. His magical aura was impressive, and being a wizard's descendant and a formal apprentice, he was quite a catch. If he pursued anyone else, they likely would have accepted.

"Ellie, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Joseph ignored Ellie's demeanor, maintaining his cheerful facade.

"Richard, also from the Alchemy School," Richard interjected before Ellie could respond.

"So, you're the renowned Richard. Looks can be deceiving," Joseph remarked, extending his hand. "I'm Joseph, Master Ulrich's formal apprentice. May I ask under which master you serve?"

Richard shook his hand, unfazed. "Master Jolord."

"Oh, a disciple of Master Jolord," Joseph mocked inwardly, recalling Jolord's reputation for accepting any apprentice. He assumed Richard was merely one of many apprentices, not realizing he was a formal student.

The handshake carried a mental message to Richard's mind: "Five hundred magic stones to leave Ellie."

Richard was amused. Was he dealing with a cliché domineering character? But five hundred stones seemed cheap for such a role; surely, five thousand would be more fitting.

"Friend, five hundred isn't enough," Richard replied, smiling.

Joseph's confident smile froze.

Richard released his hand and drew Ellie close. "Such a rare treasure deserves at least fifty thousand magic stones."

Ellie, unaware of the conversation, felt her heart race at Richard's unexpected gesture.

"What's going on, Richard?" Ellie asked.

"Nothing much. A friend offered five hundred stones for me to leave you," Richard replied, grinning. "I told him you're worth at least fifty thousand."

Ellie turned to Joseph, disdain evident. "Joseph, is this your tactic?"

Joseph sighed, shaking his head. "You wild apprentices are troublesome. It would be wise to be more sensible."

Addressing Ellie, he continued, "Words can't provide tangible benefits. In the wizarding world, magic stones and knowledge are the foundations of progress. You're on the path of Enchantment, which demands resources, and following Wizard Susanna requires even more. In this academy, only I and Master Jolord's formal apprentices can support you."

Joseph glanced at Richard, displaying pity and scorn. "Friend, there's a vast difference between formal apprentices and your kind. My offer stands. I hope you realize this before you're left with nothing."

With that, Joseph strode away. Richard watched him go, then turned to Ellie.

"You didn't tell him I'm Master Jolord's formal apprentice?"

"No, you asked me not to share your details," Ellie replied, nodding.

They exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

Afterward, Richard released Ellie. "Let's go eat. Tonight, I have potion research to do, or I won't be able to support you, Master Susanna's esteemed disciple."

"Support? I can take care of myself!" Ellie retorted playfully.

...

Evening, dormitory.

An academy observer, clutching a large box, flapped its wings, hovering outside Richard's balcony.

"Apprentice Richard, your delivery has arrived!"

The Death Omen Crow on the balcony screeched, warning off the observer despite its superior strength.

"Coming, coming."

Richard opened the window and took the box. Most wizard guilds employed academy observers as couriers due to their abundance, constant patrols, and low wages. They required only nuts and decorative gems as payment.

"Please sign."

The observer presented a parchment. After Richard signed, it burst into flames, completing the transaction.

Returning to his room, Richard unpacked the materials onto one side of his desk, alongside various glass apparatuses.

He reviewed the potion formula crystal once more, confirming its contents matched his memory before hanging a "Do Not Disturb" sign on his door, mainly for Ellie's benefit.

Back inside, Richard returned most materials to the box, leaving only enough for one potion.

The Focus Potion helped wizards remain calm under pain or excitement, preventing casting errors.

Following the formula, Richard took a fruit resembling a black plum.

"Skullcap fruit, a narcotic effect. Extract juice and heat for ten minutes."

He crushed the fruit in a mortar, filtered it, and began heating.

"Next, white rhinoceros horn, ground to powder."

Taking a cracked horn, Richard painstakingly ground it to powder using a magical dagger.

Afterward, he processed other ingredients like sunstone lime and concentration grass as per the formula.

"With materials ready, it's time to synthesize."

Staring at the array of containers, Richard knew the sequence was crucial. Incorrect order could turn a life-saving potion into deadly poison.

Potion-making required steady hands, heart, and magic. Consistent magic flow was essential.

He retrieved a small ceramic cauldron inscribed with runes, a vital tool for concocting potions.

According to the formula, Richard added materials one by one, using magic as a catalyst for fusion.

He proceeded cautiously; unlike magical gear, a single misstep in potion-making meant failure.

"Finally, add black bone stone powder. If it turns deep blue and transparent, the potion is complete."

Richard carefully added the horn powder to the dark solution, watching as it began to change color.

"Looks promising!" Richard thought, continuing to add powder.

Suddenly, the liquid bubbled and rapidly turned black.

With a "bang," the liquid exploded into black smoke, filling the room.

Richard, face darkened by soot, wiped the grime away.

Clearly a failure.

After cleaning the cauldron, Richard reflected on his process.

Experimentation often meant repeated failure and reflection, seeking answers that sometimes elude.

"My steps were correct, and magic input stable. That leaves material preparation and magic quantity."

Jolord's formula used vague terms for these, likely due to his focus elsewhere and the inherent variability in materials.

Differences in origin, environment, and handling all affected material characteristics. Quality differences also altered magic input needs during synthesis.

Wizards addressed this simply: practice. Repetition cultivated experience for informed deci

sions.

An alchemist grows through countless failures.

Yet Richard considered another solution.

"Could potions be refined into skill?"