Chapter 61 - An Idea
The increased concentration of the Sobriety Potion leading to mental confusion after consumption was a very complicated problem in itself. It involved almost astronomical changes and conflicts. Other than a pharmacist of the Divine Smith level, there was probably no one else who could grasp each and every change in the potion.
The old and the young in the seats were considered top figures in pharmaceutics—one was a master and the other a guru. But they had talked for a long time and yet still failed to figure out any solution. Instead, Old Grimm learnt a lot from the discussion. What he had never heard nor thought about before came up in his head all at once, and all kinds of unheard of novel theories had been an eye-opener for Old Grimm.
As for Rowling, who was listening at the side, it all sounded Greek to her.
She only had a superficial knowledge of potions anyway, and sitting in front of her were a master and a guru in pharmaceutics. What they were discussing was already beyond Rowling’s understanding, so at the end, she simply couldn’t hear what the two men were talking about. She merely sat there, looking at Lin Li with a complicated expression, many times about to speak but saying nothing in the end…
“Mage Felic, I’ve got a few ideas these few days. Do you think it will work?” As the conversation went on, Old Grimm’s tone changed from one of discussion to one of asking for advice.
“Oh?” Although the discussion failed to help solve the problems of the Sobriety Potion, Lin Li could feel from their conversation that Old Grimm really deserved the title of a master pharmacist. After all, it was decades of accumulated experience. There were some things that sounded new to a guru like him as well. Hearing that Old Grimm had come up with a question, Lin Li’s interest was piqued as well. “Tell me about it, maybe we can study about it together.”
“It’s like that…”
Old Grimm had just begun to speak when someone else walked into the secluded corner.
Lin Li lifted his head and saw Kevin walking towards them with an anxious expression on his face. Something must have happened—Kevin looked tense and his footsteps were hurried; worry was written all over his fair face.
“Felic… Something has happened.”
“What happened? Don’t rush, speak slowly.” Lin Li’s heart tightened at his words. Kevin had always acted with poise, possessing a demeanor that wouldn’t flip even if a mountain collapsed before his eyes. Lin Li had never seen him so flustered after being in the Guild of Magic for so long, especially when the first thing that he said was actually “something has happened”!
Lin Li knew very well that since Kevin said so, something had to have happened…
“Just now… Just now, there was news from the Demon Fall Valley that Shadow’s Nest had launched a sneak attack, killing a dozen mages and even injuring Uncle Gerian.” Kevin gasped for breath, finally making things clear.
“Shadow’s Nest?” Lin Li knitted his brows and asked Kevin in a low voice, “Who else in the guild knows about this?”
“Only you and me.”
“Return immediately!” Lin Li pushed his chair aside and said to Old Grimm apologetically, “I’m sorry, Mage Grimm. Something has cropped up in the guild, I have to return immediately. If you’re still interested in studying potions together, you can find me at the Guild of Magic. I believe President Gerian will be very happy if he knows you’re coming.”
“Then I shall not hold you up anymore. In case…” Old Grimm hesitated slightly, then continued, “In case there’s anything you need help with, you can send someone to look for me at the Castellan Mansion. I will be here these few days. Although I’m getting on in years and not as useful as compared to a few years ago, I should still be able to help you with trivial matters.”
“Then I’ll thank you in advance, Mage Grimm.”
As this involved the lifeblood of the Guild of Magic, Lin Li dared not tarry further. After informing Isaac, he set off for the Guild of Magic with Kevin.
Looking at Lin Li’s receding figure, Rowling bit her lips lightly. Her eyes revealed a complicated emotion.
“Why, little Rowling?” A hint of smile appeared on Old Grimm’s face. With his experience, how could he not see what was on Rowling’s mind?
Rowling bit her lips, and asked hesitantly after some time, “Grandpa Grimm, are all potion masters unwilling to impart their knowledge to others?”
“How could it be? There are only two things that a true potion master is proud of in his whole life. One is concocting a new potion, and the other is finding a disciple who can inherit his knowledge. Just like Grandpa Grimm. I am over a hundred years old but I’m still busying myself every day with trying to find a good apprentice…”
“Then you’ve come today…”
“Isn’t it all because of Andoine, that old fellow’s instigation. I was planning to take that young mage as my disciple. But who knew I’d arrive here to see that he was at the level high enough to be my teacher…” At the mention of this, Old Grimm’s beard curled with anger.
“Heh heh…” Though Rowling was upset, she could not help giggling when she heard Old Grimm put it in such an interesting way. But after the giggle, there was a look of bashfulness on her face. “Then, Grandpa Grimm, do you think I have the gift to become the disciple of a potion master?”
“Little Rowling is thinking of taking someone as your teacher?” Old Grimm laughed slyly. “I wonder who’s the lucky one, getting to teach little Rowling. Let me guess… Anyway, it sure isn’t me. Oh right, is it Mage Felic who has just left?”
“Grandpa Grimm…” Rowling’s pretty face was beaming red, but her voice was somewhat bitter. “But he doesn’t want to teach me…”
“Why? You have the gift and possess medicinal knowledge. Where can he find such a decent disciple like you? Why is that kid unwilling to teach you? Tell Grandpa Grimm, I’ll go look for him at the Guild of Magic tomorrow.”
Pressed by Old Grimm, Rowling had no choice but to recount what had happened that day. Old Grimm’s brows furrowed as he listened on, and when Rowling finished her story, Old Grimm let out a long sigh. “No wonder I felt you two kids were behaving awkwardly just now, so that’s what happened… But little Rowling, it was really you in the wrong. As a doctor, you can’t be wilful, especially in a situation concerning the life and death of a patient.”
“I know that I was wrong, Grandpa Grimm.” Rowling’s expression was aggrieved. “But I’ve apologized after that…”
“Why won’t Grandpa Grimm give you an idea?”
“You have an idea?” Rowling beautiful eyes lit up at those words.