Chapter 235 - Book of Ten Thousand Incantations
Andoine was indeed correct. Lin Li was sitting there for less than ten minutes when the fatty Hoffman walked over with a coquettish smile while holding a wine glass.
“Good evening, Master Andoine, Master Felic.”
“Good evening, Hoffman…” How could a seasoned old veteran like Andoine not know what was Hoffman here for? After greeting him with laughter, he stood up from the chair. “You guys have a good talk. I know a few people over there, I’m going over to greet them.”
“Then I shan’t delay you…” After seeing off Andoine, Hoffman was smiling till his eyes were like two thin lines. “Master Felic, your performance in the afternoon was too wonderful. Tsk, tsk, tsk, I really dare not imagine that such intricate pharmaceutical skills would come from such a young person!”
“You’re praising me too much…”
“No, no, no, this is definitely not flattery.” Hoffman shook his head, and his fat face switched from being sheepish to abnormally serious. “I started studying pharmaceutics intensively since I was in my teens. During these past tens of years, I’ve seen countless pharmacists, but I have never encountered anyone that can be compared to you in terms of skill. To put it bluntly, even if it was President Balbo or Master Burnside who are recognized as people of authority in pharmaceutics, they are still behind you in this aspect just by a little…”
“Mr. Hoffman, you are joking. How can I compare to them.” Although Lin Li was being humble with his words, he had to admit that he was thoroughly enjoying the flattery Hoffman was giving him.
Balbo thought about it for a while before deciding not to beat around the bush. The President coughed, clearing his throat, and then his expression became serious. “Felic, I’m not sure if you have any interest in joining the Pharmacists Guild?”
“This…” Lin Li was really troubled. In the afternoon, Old Grimm had asked him to be a guest speaker and got rejected. He did not think that this President would not give up and came over personally. Lin Li thought about it, and decided to clarify his words. “President Balbo, you should know that I am a member of the Jarrosus Guild of Magic. I’m afraid it might not be suitable to switch over to the Pharmacists Guild?”
“Felic…” This young man’s rejection was already within Balbo’s calculations. After thinking about it for a while, he brought forth the excuse he had prepared before. “Actually, there are some things that I thought of telling you in the morning. It’s such a waste for a talented pharmacist like yourself to stay at a place like Jarrosus…”
After reaching this point, Balbo felt that his words were somewhat inappropriate, and he hastily made corrections. “Of course, I was not saying anything about the Jarrosus Guild of Magic. I’m only trying to tell you that a stage like Jarrosus is too small, there is no room for a genius like you. Do you know that I, Balbo, have lived for more than a hundred years and I have not seen a genius like you before? Do you know what it means to be a twenty year old pharmaceutics master? This means that if you are willing to work hard coupled with a suitable environment, you would be become a true pharmaceutics guru within ten years!”
“What about it?” Lin Li pouted his lips. He was too embarrassed to tell Balbo that there was no need for ten years—he was already a pharmaceutics guru. The only thing that could move him might only be the unparalleled Divine Smith, but how could the visionary Divine Smith realm be reached purely by hard work and environment?
“Ok, then…” After meeting such an unambitious fella, Balbo could let out a sigh. “Even if you do not want to attain a higher pharmaceutical standard, you still require the necessary herbs, right? What the guild has is not just herbs, we also have immense wealth. As long as it’s herbs you want, we will have the way to obtain it for you. Would the Jarrosus Guild of Magic be able to provide these for you? Stop lying to yourself, Felic. You and I are very clear on what sort of place Jarrosus is.”
“This…”
“Also!” Without waiting for Lin Li to speak, Balbo already spoke unceasingly. “There is something you must know. Ever since the Dark Ages ended, the Pharmacists Guild is the closest ally of the Supreme Council. If you want to obtain a more powerful magical strength and learn even more profound magical knowledge, then joining the Pharmacists Guild is the best choice. What can you get from the Jarrosus Guild of Magic? An annual young mage’s trial or a chance to learn once every three years? As long as you are willing to join the Pharmacists Guild, I can even personally request for you all sorts of lost incantations. Even Andoine can’t access to some of them!”
“President Balbo…”
“Let me finish…” Once Balbo reached this point, he was already rather worked up. “Felic, I am not afraid to be honest with you. I made a big decision this time. As long as you join the Pharmacists Guild, I am willing to give up everything. You can ask Burnside, I have even prepared a copy of the Book of Ten Thousand Spells for you. As long as you are willing to join, this treasure that has been passed down from the Dark Ages would belong to you!”